Rumi heard the lintel fall behind her, the sound striking between her shoulders while the lowest mouth came skidding up the witness service stair.
She turned too quickly.
Its edge caught her sleeve, tearing cloth beside the dyed thread before she threw herself toward the clear paving outside the rubble.
"Nari!"
Hajin was already at the fallen arch, one hand raised toward the surviving vent as a muffled answer reached him through the dust.
Rumi heard her sister's voice.
Then the high mouth struck the wall beside her head.
'Deal with these.'
She dropped to one knee, putting her palm against sound paving while the three predators curved around the cleared approach.
Behind them, the hall watch held people above the service stairs, the first rescued bundle of plates resting safely beyond the barrier.
Rumi pointed at the empty recess below it.
"Nobody down there."
"Clear," the keeper shouted.
The low mouth lunged again.
