The chilling realization washes over Jessamae with the force of a tidal wave -The magister has no intention of halting his actions. A surge of panic courses through her veins, the fear of meeting her end in such a manner grips her. As he attempts to seize her arm, she reacts instinctively, her elbow colliding with his face in a swift, defensive motion. The sleeve of her dress detaches with a harsh, jarring rip as she stumbles off the sofa, landing unceremoniously onto the cold, hard floor. The urgency to escape this nightmare engulfs her.
Without wasting another precious moment, she propels herself to her feet and lunges towards the door. Time seems to elongate, stretching out as she wrenches the door open, the cool, unforgiving metal striking her open palms. The heavy door slams into the
