Nora's POV
My body turns to stone at the doorway, terror freezing my blood. I refuse to let my eyes sweep the room, terrified of discovering James reduced to ash and charred remains scattered across the floor.
"Nora." His voice cuts through my panic. He's alive. But that's impossible.
I force myself to look inside and find him positioned near the window.
"James?" My voice barely escapes as a whisper. "How are you..."
He shifts away from the glass. "The smoke cleared, but whatever magic you cast...you've made it so sunlight can't harm me anymore." He faces the window again, pressing his palm against the surface. "I haven't experienced the sun's warmth in ages."
"Jesus Christ," I exhale, my feet still planted firmly in place. The door swings wide and hallway light floods in.
James flinches, stepping quickly aside. I snap out of my shock, rushing into the room and slamming the door shut. "You're actually alive?"
"Technically, I've been dead for quite some time."
