Chapter 152

Camille crouched beneath a table with three young women in evening gowns, all sobbing in terror. The second explosion had blocked their path to the main exit with burning debris.

“Listen to me,” Camille said firmly, her voice cutting through their panic. “There’s another way out. Through the service corridor. But we need to stay low and move fast.”

The women nodded, their faces streaked with tears and soot.

“Follow me,” Camille ordered. “Stay close. Cover your mouth with your dress if you can.”

They crawled from under the table into the thickening smoke. Camille led them along the perimeter of the room, away from the worst of the flames. Her eyes burned. Her lungs screamed for clean air. But she pushed forward, guiding the terrified women toward safety.

The service door appeared through the smoke, its outline barely visible. Camille reached it first, pulling it open to reveal a relatively clear corridor beyond.

“Go!” she urged the women. “Straight