Chapter 20: Into the Fire

Noor didn't have time to process what she had just learned. Before she could react, Zayd grabbed her hand and pulled her toward the door. The sound of heavy footsteps echoed in the hall outside. The men who had attacked them weren't the only ones after her—they were only the beginning.

As they moved through the darkened halls of the mansion, Noor felt a strange, suffocating sense of urgency fill the air. Zayd led her with a determined pace, glancing over his shoulder to make sure they weren't followed. But as they reached the grand staircase, a sound echoed from behind them—loud, ominous, and unmistakable.

The door slammed open, and the two men from earlier reappeared. But this time, they were not alone. More figures—dark, hooded, and sinister—emerged from the shadows, surrounding them. The atmosphere grew heavy with the pressure of impending danger.

Zayd's grip on Noor's hand tightened as he positioned himself in front of her, facing the oncoming threat. "Run, Noor!" he commanded, his voice filled with a raw urgency that sent a chill down her spine.

But Noor hesitated. "I'm not leaving you," she replied, voice unwavering.

Zayd turned to her, his eyes filled with frustration and something else—something darker. "You have no choice," he snapped, pushing her toward the exit. "This is bigger than you, bigger than us. You need to survive."

Noor's pulse raced, her heart thundering in her chest as she found herself caught in the midst of this deadly game. But before she could make a move, Liam stepped in front of her, blocking her path.

"Go!" he commanded. "Get out of here. Zayd and I will handle them."

Noor glanced at Zayd, his face a mask of determination. She could see it in his eyes—this wasn't just a fight for her. This was a fight for survival, a fight that neither of them could afford to lose.

Reluctantly, she nodded and turned toward the exit. Her legs felt like lead as she ran, adrenaline coursing through her veins. But even as she sprinted down the hall, her mind remained fixed on the chaos she had left behind.