As he climbed, now, her eyes caught his and, burning, held them for a moment. Then her hands moved in a quick, restricted gesture that momentarily pulled her stylized apron to one side.
The Smith & Wesson hung beneath it.
Burke drew a shallow, unsteady breath.
Six steps more and he'd be at floor level. That left no time to question motives.
Casually, he flipped back his lighter's lid.
Three steps more, now.
Another quick, shallow breath. Then, spinning the lighter's wheel with his right thumb, he knocked Minos' sword from his back with his left forearm and thrust flame straight at the sea-king's eyes.
The monarch gave a choked, incoherent yell and jerked back. A shove, and he was crashing down the stair.
Whirling, Burke charged like a battering-ram straight into the crowd at the head of the steps.
Screams, scrambling, panic. Burke dived across two fallen priests, at Ariadne.