5
We exited the room into the entrance hall and with each step our feet made the ancient boards creak. The staircase rose up before us like a curved lake monster with elegant scales for the white steps.
Caius stopped beside the underbelly of the beast and leaned close against the wall. He rapped his knuckles against the surface and arched an eyebrow as the sound made a hollow woody noise. His eyes flickered to me. “Does that sound like a solid staircase to you?”
I shook my head. “Nope.”
Caius stretched his head above the steps and looked around. “I suppose it wouldn’t hurt to take a peek.”
He drew one arm back and slammed his elbow into the wall. The wood broke under the impact and revealed itself as little more than plaster that crumbled to the floor. We tore off a few large
