ARIA
Panic attack. That was what it was. A full one.
After slipping out of the conference room, my feet moved before my mind could catch up. I ran. Not fast, two legs were still strange to me—but fast enough to feel the pull in my sides. I needed distance. Distance from their faces. From the words. From what I had just learned.
The stone paths of Veilshade Peak blurred. Cold air scraped my throat. My heart would not slow down. It felt like it was trying to break free of my ribs.
Only when my lungs started to burn did I stop.
I bent over, hands on my knees, close to throwing up. Spots danced in my vision. The ground felt uneven beneath me.
Nyssa stopped beside me. She was barely out of breath.
“I’m going to blame the baby,” she said, studying me. “Because if not, you’re in terrible
