Chapter 3 - The Servant Corridors
Maya stared at the deadly syringe in Victoria's perfectly manicured hand.
She realized that the entire confrontation upstairs had been a calculated distraction.
Victoria had deliberately tried to hit the old woman just to see where she would hide the drive.
"I have no idea what you are talking about," Maya lied, keeping her hands firmly behind her back.
Victoria laughed cruelly and took a slow, menacing step into the small holding cell.
Maya knew the palace layout better than anyone because she was the head cleaner for the basement levels.
She noticed that Victoria was standing directly over the rusty floor grate of the old laundry chute.
Maya suddenly kicked the heavy metal bucket sitting near the wall, sending soapy water crashing across the floor.
Victoria slipped on the slick surface, her expensive designer heels betraying her balance.
She crashed hard onto the wet concrete, dropping the deadly syringe into the dark corner.
Maya did not hesitate for a single second.
She sprinted past the fallen socialite and bolted out into the dimly lit underground hallway.
She frantically pushed through a heavy wooden door that led into the hidden servant corridors.
These secret passageways ran behind the walls of the palace, used strictly by staff to remain unseen.
Maya ran until her lungs burned, desperate to find a way out into the gardens.
Suddenly, a strong hand reached out from the shadows and clamped tightly over her mouth.
May you like
She was violently pulled into a dark alcove, her screams muffled against a leather glove.
"If you want to live to see tomorrow, do exactly as I say," Alexander Sterling whispered directly into her ear.
