“Best not to tarry,
then,” the avatar said, putting on a burst of speed. She heard and vaguely sensed him disappearing round the curve of the winding stair.
“I can’t go that fast!” she shouted.
“Of course not,” he said, stopping; she thudded into him. “My apologies. Jump on my back; we’ll go faster. Just keep your head down.”
She was too breathless to argue. She climbed onto his back, legs round his waist, arms about his neck.
“Hold tight,” the avatar said. She did. They set off, whirling down the steps so fast it was almost falling.
- Surface Detail, Chapter 26