THE HEIRESS VOW - Chapter 96

Chapter 96: The Escape Route
The tunnel’s entrance loomed ahead, dimly lit by the flickering flames of torches mounted on the stone walls. Ava’s heart pounded in her chest as she and her team crept forward, every step echoing through the underground passage. The tension was palpable, their breaths shallow and synchronized with the silent rhythm of their movement. The designated escape route had seemed promising at first, but now, with the increased security, it was turning into a deadly gamble.

“We’re almost there,” whispered Marcus, glancing back at Ava. His face was tense, the usually composed features marked by worry.

Ava nodded, her grip tightening on her weapon. She couldn’t shake the gnawing guilt that weighed on her shoulders. Each member of the team had risked everything to ensure her safety, and now they were all in this together, their lives entwined in a dangerous dance.

Suddenly, a low rumble echoed through the tunnel. Marcus raised his hand, signaling the team to halt. Ava’s heart skipped a beat as she strained to listen. The rumble grew louder, the sound of footsteps approaching from the shadows.

“Quick, hide!” hissed Marcus, pushing Ava towards a crevice in the tunnel wall. They pressed against the cold, rough stone, trying to blend into the darkness.

A group of heavily armed guards marched past, their conversation barely audible over the clinking of their armor. “We can’t let anyone escape,” one of them muttered. “The new orders are clear. Check every corner.”

Ava held her breath, her mind racing. The plan had changed, and now they had to adapt or perish. As the guards moved on, she exchanged a worried glance with Marcus. They couldn’t afford to linger any longer.

“We need to find another way,” Marcus said, his voice barely above a whisper. “The main exit is too heavily guarded.”

“There’s a hidden exit,” came a voice from behind them. Ava turned to see a man stepping out from the shadows. His eyes gleamed with a mixture of urgency and familiarity. “I know these tunnels well. Follow me.”

Marcus hesitated, eyes narrowing. “Why should we trust you?”

Ava looked at Marcus, then back at Elias. They didn’t have much choice. “Lead the way,” she said, hoping they weren’t walking into a trap.

Elias moved swiftly, guiding them through a series of twists and turns. The tunnels seemed endless, each corridor a potential deathtrap. The air grew colder, and the walls damp with moisture.

Ava’s thoughts were a whirlwind of fear and determination. She couldn’t let her team down. Not now. They had come too far.

“How much further?” she asked, her voice strained.

“Not far,” Elias replied. “But we need to be careful. The hidden exit is well-guarded.”

As they approached a narrow passage, Elias stopped and pointed to a barely visible crack in the wall. “Through here,” he said. “It’s a tight fit, but it leads to the exit.”

The team squeezed through the crack, emerging into a small chamber. The hidden exit was just ahead, but two guards stood in their way.

Marcus signaled for silence, then turned to Ava. “We need to take them out quietly,” he said. “Ava, you take the one on the left. I’ll handle the right.”

Ava nodded, her heart racing. She crept forward, her movements fluid and precise. As she approached the guard, she could see his face, the lines of fatigue and determination etched into his features. In one swift motion, she struck, her weapon silencing him before he could react.

Marcus did the same, and soon both guards lay unconscious at their feet. The hidden exit was clear.

Elias led them through the exit, and they emerged into the cool night air. Ava took a deep breath, the scent of freedom mingling with the adrenaline still coursing through her veins.

But their relief was short-lived. As they moved further from the stronghold, Elias stopped abruptly. “There’s something you need to know,” he said, his voice tinged with regret.

“What is it?” Ava asked, her guard up.

Elias hesitated, then took a deep breath. “I was sent to lead you into a trap,” he confessed. “But I couldn’t go through with it. I know what you’re fighting for, and I want to help.”

The revelation hit Ava like a punch to the gut. “Why should we believe you now?” Marcus demanded, stepping protectively in front of Ava.

“Because I can get you to safety,” Elias said earnestly. “There’s another way out, one that isn’t guarded. Trust me, and I can make up for my betrayal.”

Ava glanced at Marcus, then back at Elias. She could see the sincerity in his eyes, the desperation. They didn’t have time to debate. “Alright,” she said. “But if you try anything, we’ll make sure you regret it.”

Elias nodded, leading them further into the forest. The team followed, their trust hanging by a thread. Ava couldn’t shake the feeling of betrayal, but she had to focus on the mission. They needed to survive, and Elias was their best chance.

As they moved through the dense underbrush, Elias began to share his story. “I was forced into this life,” he said quietly. “They have my family. I had no choice but to obey.”

Ava listened, her heart softening despite herself. “We’ll help you get them back,” she said. “But first, we need to get out of here.”

The path grew more treacherous, the obstacles more challenging. They had to navigate through narrow passages, climb over rocky terrain, and avoid patrols. The tension was palpable, each step a test of their endurance and resolve.

Finally, they reached the edge of a cliff. Below, a hidden valley stretched out, offering a potential escape. But the descent was perilous, the rocks slick and unstable.

“We need to rappel down,” Elias said, handing out ropes. “It’s the only way.”

Ava looked down, her stomach churning. But there was no turning back. She secured the rope and began the descent, her movements cautious and deliberate. The team followed, each member focused on the task at hand.

As they neared the bottom, a shout rang out. Ava looked up to see a patrol approaching from the cliff’s edge. “Hurry!” she urged, her heart pounding.

They reached the valley floor just as the patrol began to fire. Ava ducked behind a boulder, her mind racing. They needed to move, and fast.

Elias pointed to a cave at the far end of the valley. “In there,” he shouted. “It’s a safe house. We’ll be protected.”

The team sprinted across the open ground, bullets whizzing past. They dove into the cave, the darkness swallowing them.

Ava’s breath came in ragged gasps as she leaned against the wall. They were safe, for now. But the danger was far from over.

Elias turned to face them, his expression grave. “There’s something you need to see,” he said, leading them deeper into the cave.

They emerged into a hidden chamber, filled with maps and documents. Ava’s eyes widened as she realized what they were looking at. “These are their plans,” she whispered. “This could turn the tide of the war.”

Marcus examined the documents, his face lighting up. “This is it,” he said. “We’ve hit the jackpot.”

But their victory was short-lived. A noise at the cave entrance made them turn. The guide, Elias, stood there with a group of armed men, his face betraying no emotion.

“I’m sorry,” he said, his voice hollow. “I had no choice.”

Ava’s heart sank as the realization hit. They had been betrayed.