But the grinding stopped.

I sniffed. Smoke. I slammed my magic into the yarn's. Miles had provided enough of a distraction for me to once more hook into it. I could have kissed him. I ripped the magic free, snagged it into my red forked branches, and let those gorgeous white clusters bloom.

The rope disappeared, dumping Miles and me onto the ground. I swore as my ankle jostled against the concrete.

A thunderous crash boomed from the top of the stairs and I ...