Chapter Twelve: The Escape

Dorian and Kael ran as fast as they could, the guards hot on their heels. They sprinted across the grounds, dodging trees and leaping over obstacles. Dorian's heart was pounding in his chest, and he could feel the adrenaline coursing through his veins.

As they reached the wall, Kael gestured for Dorian to climb over. Dorian nodded, and they both scaled the wall, dropping down to the other side. They landed hard on the ground, but Dorian didn't hesitate. He grabbed Kael's arm, and they took off running again.

They sprinted through the streets, the guards shouting behind them. Dorian could hear the sirens blaring, and he knew they had to move fast. They ducked into a narrow alleyway, and Kael gestured for Dorian to follow him.

They ran down the alleyway, their footsteps echoing off the walls. Dorian could hear the guards closing in, and he knew they had to keep moving. Kael led the way, dodging trash cans and leaping over puddles.

As they emerged from the alleyway, Dorian saw a car waiting for them. Kael gestured for Dorian to get in, and they both jumped into the vehicle. The driver, a woman with short, spiky hair, peeled out of there, speeding away from the mansion.

Dorian looked back, watching as the mansion receded into the distance. He could see the guards searching for them, but they seemed to have lost their trail.

Kael leaned back in his seat, a smile on his face. "Well done, Dorian," he said. "You did great."

Dorian smiled, feeling a sense of relief wash over him. They had done it. They had retrieved the artifact, and they had escaped.

The driver, whose name was Lena, glanced in the rearview mirror. "Where to now?" she asked.

Kael thought for a moment. "Take us to the safe house," he said. "We need to lay low for a while."

Lena nodded, and they drove in silence for a while. Dorian's mind was racing, thinking about what they had just done. They had stolen a valuable artifact, and they had gotten away with it.

But as they drove, Dorian couldn't shake the feeling that they weren't out of danger yet. The guards would be looking for them, and they would stop at nothing to get the artifact back.

As they arrived at the safe house, Dorian felt a sense of relief wash over him. They had made it. They had escaped, and they had the artifact.

But as they entered the safe house, Dorian saw something that made his heart skip a beat. A figure was standing in the shadows, watching them.

"Who's that?" Dorian asked, his voice low.

Kael smiled, his eyes glinting with amusement. "That's someone who can help us," he said. "Someone who can help us unlock the secrets of the artifact."

Dorian's eyes narrowed, his mind racing with questions. Who was this person, and what did they want? But before he could ask any questions, the figure stepped forward, revealing a woman with piercing blue eyes.

"Welcome, Dorian," she said, her voice husky and confident. "I've been waiting for you.