The direction bell struck again while its first note still shook the ridge. The sound came from the kitchen side, but the stone under Ty's right palm moved toward a road that had not been there when he put his hand down.
Jade tugged his chain toward the service steps. Ty followed with his handless left arm held close, keeping the newly seated shoulder from catching a wall. Behind him, Nessa kept her left hand on the rail. Her right glove brushed every third step, fingers closing too late to help. The two pieces of West Four steel had gone beneath the ridge, and she looked back once as if the slope might offer them up for asking.
The collar at Ty's throat drew toward Dimitri and the rib Dimitri held. It pointed away from the bell. Ty set his teeth against the chain's next tug and nearly missed the pantry hatch.
"I saw Dey under the knives again, and I can reach the counter before they drop," Jade said.
