XXVI
ExpendableTom had just left Jules with some of the squints on the second level and was descending the narrow-rough-hewn stairwell to the main floor when the first hit impacted the building and showered grit and dirt around him. The second hit made the stairwell drop a few inches, slamming stone against stone pillars with a deafening c***k. Not wasting time, Tom all but jumped the last few steps as the building shuddered and groaned around him again, over top of the voices shouting from the other room. Too well-seasoned to let the shock stay for long, Tom hurried into the temple room he tried to raise Jules on her link. Another boom shook the building again and this time, he felt it in his bones.
“We're heading down now!” Jules finally responded.
“Watch the stairs, they've come loo
