CHAPTER 34Ginger ran down the stairs in a blur, bouncing off the curved wall of the staircase, slowing only when she saw Diana on a landing, skittering to a stop at the edge of the step behind Diana’s calves, hiding from whatever came from above. A cloud of smoke rolled down the stairs, filling the air above and cascading over Mara and Diana.
Her eyes watering, Mara scanned the outer wall for signs of attacking vines and—seeing none—leaned toward it to get a wider view above. The smoke swirled in a way that made her think someone moved around up there. Heavy footfalls confirmed it as did the hem of a robe peeking around the curved wall.
Mara held up her detached hand. Diana and Ginger stopped, now a couple steps below Mara on the landing. After pressing herself against the transparent in
