More reprogrammed citizens were climbing the tower. Iona weaved between them and the king and Saori followed. The reprogrammed citizens were outnumbered by those loyal to Clarence but crucially their intervention slowed the loyalists down.

“I can’t hold onto him much longer,” the king said as he tried to keep the furious Clarence away from his head. The cat had made several deep cuts across his face. “I’m going to find a window and throw him out.”

Clarence yowled and hissed.

“No!” shouted Iona. The reprogrammed citizens were still passing them on the steps. She weaved around them as best she could but she was slower than Saori or the king. “The fall won’t kill him—we need to trap him somewhere while we get out—”

Iona stumbled on a dismembered citizen body, falling awkwardly. She may have been preserved by the cage but she was still a good deal older than the others. She was slowing them down.

Saori stopped to help her stand. The king turned and looked up the stairs, Clarence still struggling in his hands. He saw the citizens bearing down on them. The ranks were moving swiftly and they would inevitably catch up.

But then the king’s face broke into a grin. “Wait—yes,” he said. “This way!”

The king ran through the door that led to the eighth floor. Iona and Saori had no time to ask or even consider why. They followed him.

* * *

Once Iona and Saori were through, the king slammed the door behind them, put the bolt in place, and then turned and looked around.

“Aren’t we stuck in here now?” said Saori.

“No,” said the king and walked on through the room. This had once been the kitchens. They’d been used for preparing his meals when the tower had been half its present size, but it was now twenty-three floors away from his quarters and by the time his food got there it would be lukewarm, so these kitchens had been abandoned and new ones installed farther up. The old kitchens had never been repurposed.

In the corner near the exterior wall was a stone oven. The king opened the oven door. Clarence realized what was happening: he hissed and spat and threw himself around wildly.

“Help me!” said the king.

Iona and Saori joined the king at the oven. Iona held the door open while Saori helped subdue Clarence. The cat tried to bite and scratch them but they managed to push him into the opening and the moment the oven was clear of human hands Iona slammed it closed. There was no latch on the door so she kept her hands pressed against it while the king and Saori pulled a large, heavy table across the floor and lay it down so the top held the oven closed.

“Now what?” said Saori, panting. The citizens were battering on the door of the old kitchen and the bolt wasn’t that strong.

The king pointed to the window. “That way.”