THE HEIRESS VOW - Chapter 26

Chapter 26: Escape from the Underground
The damp, cold air of the underground tunnel wrapped around Ava and Liam like a suffocating blanket. Each breath was a struggle, but their determination was stronger than the shadows creeping along the walls. The distant echoes of their pursuers’ footsteps resonated through the labyrinth, a constant reminder of the danger looming behind them.

“Which way?” Ava’s voice, though hushed, was tinged with urgency. Her eyes darted to the fork ahead, the dim light of her torch barely piercing the darkness.

Liam paused, the map they’d pilfered from their captors now clutched in his trembling hands. “Left,” he decided, his voice steady despite the chaos. “We need to get to the main chamber. It’s our only shot.”

Without hesitation, Ava took off, her footsteps light but swift, with Liam right on her heels. The ground beneath them was uneven, and every so often, they stumbled, catching themselves before the fall could slow them down. The tunnels twisted and turned, each corner revealing another shadowy path, each one as foreboding as the last.

Ava’s mind raced alongside her feet. The map hinted at a vast network of tunnels, a web spun by the enemy to trap anyone who dared to infiltrate. Yet, she and Liam had managed to slip through the cracks, relying on wit and sheer willpower. Her thoughts flickered to the plan they had uncovered—a chilling plot to obliterate her family’s legacy. The weight of that knowledge pressed down on her, but she shoved it aside. Survival came first.

Suddenly, a low rumble echoed through the tunnels. The walls seemed to tremble, dust raining down from the ceiling. Ava and Liam exchanged a glance, the unspoken question hanging between them: how much time did they have before everything came crashing down?

“Keep moving!” Liam urged, his grip on her arm firm as they pushed forward.

The tunnel widened, revealing a cavernous chamber that stretched beyond the reach of their torches. Ancient columns, worn by time, stood like silent sentinels. In the center, a faint light flickered—an exit.

“There,” Ava breathed, hope igniting in her chest.

But as they sprinted toward it, a figure stepped into the light. Ava’s heart dropped. Dr. Callahan, the very man who had orchestrated their capture, stood there with a sinister smile, flanked by armed guards.

“Well, well,” Callahan drawled, his eyes gleaming with malice. “Look what the rats dragged in.”

Ava’s grip tightened on her torch, her mind racing for a way out. Liam stepped forward, placing himself slightly in front of her, a protective gesture that didn’t go unnoticed.

“We know what you’re planning,” Liam said, his voice a low growl. “And we’re going to stop you.”

Callahan laughed, the sound bouncing off the walls, cold and mocking. “You think you can stop me? You’re too late. The wheels are already in motion.”

Desperation clawed at Ava’s insides, but she forced herself to stay calm. “Then why keep us alive?” she challenged, buying time.

“Because, my dear,” Callahan said, taking a step closer, “watching you struggle is so much more entertaining.”

In an instant, Liam lunged, catching one of the guards off guard. The ensuing chaos was a blur—shouts, the clang of metal, the sharp crack of a bone breaking. Ava fought beside Liam, her movements fueled by adrenaline and fear.

“Run, Ava!” Liam’s voice cut through the melee, his eyes locking onto hers. “I’ll hold them off!”

“No!” she cried, but the resolve in his gaze was unshakeable.

“Go!” he commanded, and she had no choice but to obey.

With a heavy heart, she turned and sprinted toward the exit, her breath coming in ragged gasps. Behind her, the sounds of the struggle grew fainter, but the image of Liam fighting alone burned in her mind. She burst into the open air, the cool breeze a stark contrast to the stifling tunnels.

She didn’t have time to process the relief before a new realization hit her. Ahead, standing with a look of triumph, was someone she never expected.

“Welcome to the end of the line, Ava,” said Cassandra, a supposed ally who had been with them from the beginning. The betrayal stung worse than any physical wound.

Ava staggered back, her mind reeling. “Why?” she demanded, her voice breaking.

Cassandra’s smile was cruel. “Because, dear Ava, the enemy of my enemy is my friend.”

Before she could react, a sharp pain exploded at the back of her head, and darkness claimed her.

The dank cell was cold, a stark contrast to the searing pain in Ava’s head. She groaned, forcing her eyes open. The memories flooded back—Liam, the fight, Cassandra’s betrayal.

“You’re awake,” Liam’s voice was a lifeline in the darkness. She turned her head to see him in the cell opposite hers, battered but alive.

“They got you too,” she whispered, a mix of relief and despair in her voice.

“Yeah,” he replied, managing a weak smile. “But we’re not done yet.”