Jade's forearm shifted beneath Ty's chest. He moved his weight toward the grooved rib before it dragged her down with him. The bone scraped in its notch, and his right hand locked over it. Beneath the shelf, the lower track pulled again.
The shelf slid sideways, hauling Jade's boots toward the lower fitting. The stair rail had vanished below the ledge. Nessa crouched on the far edge with the recovered field finger in her left fist. Her right hand jerked toward the frame, then folded against her ribs.
"I can step to the ridge at this gap, but only if I drop the West Four piece," Nessa said.
Jade checked the gap with one foot. "You'd have to release it before the shelf rolls under. I can't catch it and Ty at once."
"If I drop it here, it goes under the fitting. I won't reach it again," Nessa said.
Ty's grip slipped on the rib. He reset his palm, keeping it clear of the receiver. Jade's arm tightened around his chest. The plate scraped stone; the shelf slid another handspan.
