Using the immediate chaos, as some of the staff hurried toward where the alarm was blaring, Draven moved swiftly and decisively. He grabbed Philipa’s wrist and pulled her along dark corridors, keeping close to the walls, slipping through shadows and blind spots he clearly knew by heart.
Curious students were being ushered back into their hostels, night patrols guards shouting orders, boots pounding against stone floors. No one noticed them.
By the time the noise began to die down, they were already back inside their hostel.
Draven locked the door quietly behind them.
Philipa’s legs nearly gave out. Her chest rose and fell rapidly as she struggled to catch her breath, her heart still racing from fear and adrenaline. Her hands trembled uncontrollably.
Draven steadied her by the shoulde
