The Rejected True Heiress (Liora and Callum) novel Chapter 501

Liora’s POV

“Callum’s waiting in the woods past the east fence,” Zane explained quietly. “Shirley’s on the nearest road, about a mile out. We just have to get there.”

“Just,” I repeated wryly, shooting him a withering look—and yet I was smiling, and couldn’t seem to stop smiling.

“I didn’t say it was going to be easy.” He stood and slid the key into my cell lock. The mechanism turned with a click that sounded enormous in the quiet corridor. Glancing both ways first, he pulled the door open, then moved across the way to Mia’s cell without pause.

Mia was on her feet before he had the key in the lock, her fingers already wrapped around the bars. The moment the door swung open she stepped out and threw her arms around his neck. I looked away, giving them a moment of privacy before she stepped back and lowered her arms.

Zane pocketed the key. “Guards rotate every eight minutes on this level. We’ve got about four left.” He glanced down the corridor toward the far exit. “Stay close and don’t run until I run.”

Mia nodded, lacing her fingers with mine, and we moved.

The corridor was empty, lit by widely spaced wall sconces that left long stretches of shadow between them. Zane led us through the shadow rather than the light, staying close to the wall, his stolen uniform doing just enough work at a distance in case anyone glanced our way. Mia and I stayed pressed closely behind him, prepared to dart into the shadows at a single gesture from Zane.

The exit at the end of the corridor opened into a stairwell. We went up one level, then through a heavy door that Zane held with both hands to keep it from making noise as it closed. We hurried down the hallway to the left, moving quicker now. Zane stopped at the corner and checked, then waved for us to follow.

The door to the outside was unlocked, propped open just enough by a small stone Zane had positioned there on his way in. We slipped out into the night air. Mia pressed herself against my side, looking worriedly up at me.

I offered her a smile, even though my own heart was pounding.

“Don’t worry,” I said. “Zane’s here.”

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