The heavy wooden doors loomed ahead, just a few steps away from the life I had only dreamed of. My heart pounded against my ribs, each beat screaming, Run, run, run.
But I forced myself to stay steady. I had come too far to let panic take over now.
Thane reached the doors first, his fingers wrapping around the iron handle. He glanced at me, his golden eyes sharp in the dim torchlight. "Are you ready?"
I swallowed hard, gripping my mother's pendant so tightly it might as well be a lifeline. "More than ever."
He nodded and pushed.
The doors groaned in protest, the sound far too loud in the silence. I winced, my gaze flicking over my shoulder. If anyone heard that—
No one came.
The passage before us was dark, but the cool night air rushed in like an embrace. I inhaled deeply, tasting the crisp scent of pine and damp earth.
Freedom.
It was so close I could almost touch it.
