CHAPTER ONE HUNDRED AND SEVENTY FOUR - THE UNLIKELY ALLIANCE

"They're coming after us," Mara gasped as they reached the trellis. "We need to hurry!" Clarissa nodded grimly, swinging her leg over the edge of the ledge and beginning her descent. Mara followed suit, her hands shaking as she gripped the wooden lattice. They were about halfway down when a face appeared at the broken window above them. It was Marcus, his expression a mix of fury and determination. "Stop right there!" he bellowed. "You're not getting away with this!" But Mara and Clarissa were beyond caring about threats. With renewed urgency, they scrambled down the trellis, ignoring the scrapes and scratches from the rough wood and thorny vines. As their feet finally touched the ground, Mara allowed herself a moment of relief. But it was short-lived – the sound of a door slamming open nearby told them that their pursuers weren't far behind. "This way," Clarissa hissed, tugging Mara towards a dense copse of trees at the edge of the property. "We can lose them in the woods!" As