‘She did.’ The hair on the back of Alice’s neck prickled at the memory of the deep, rumbling voice and the luminous feline eyes. She wondered if Ending was watching them right now, from some hidden shadow. Pushing the pieces around the board . . . ‘At least, she explained a little bit. You’re looking for a book, and it’s hidden somewhere in the library.’

Isaac nodded eagerly. ‘Not just hidden, but guarded as well. Ending told me she’d find help, and she brought me you. I didn’t understand at first, but once I realized you were one of us it all made sense.’

‘Who said I was going to help?’

Isaac blinked. ‘Ending did.’

‘She made me a proposition,’ Alice agreed, ‘but I haven’t decided on it one way or the other.’

‘But you’ve got to help!’ Isaac protested. ‘Otherwise—’ He stopped abruptly.

‘I’m not sure I should,’ Alice said. ‘I’m Geryon’s apprentice, after all. What I really ought to do is tell him you’re here.’

‘Listen.’ Isaac’s voice dropped until it was almost a whisper. ‘You can’t trust Geryon. If he made you his apprentice, it’s only because he wants something from you.’

‘That’s what Ending said. But as far as I can see, I haven’t got any special reason to trust her. Or,’ Alice added, ‘you. Geryon’s helped me, and I can’t imagine what he could want from me that he couldn’t get for himself.’

‘You don’t know him,’ Isaac said darkly.

‘And you do?’

‘Yes!’

‘How? From hiding in his library?’

There was a long pause. Isaac bit his lip, glancing sidelong at Alice.

‘What are you going to do?’ he said.

‘I’m not sure yet,’ Alice said, frowning. ‘I need to think about it.’

‘Well, think quickly, all right? I think we may be running out of time.’

‘You may be,’ Alice said. ‘I belong here.’ She sounded as haughty as she could, but the worry in Isaac’s face took some of the sting out of it. She re-crossed her arms uncomfortably. ‘I’d better get back to work.’

‘If you do . . . make a decision, come and tell me, all right? Ending can help you find me.’

Alice sighed. ‘All right.’

Some colour returned to Isaac’s face, and he let out a long breath. Alice gave him a little nod and turned back the way she’d come.

‘Alice?’

She looked over her shoulder. ‘What?’

‘Was that your creature I saw on the shelf? From the prison-book?’

‘The book you let me get trapped in, you mean?’ Alice said.

Isaac winced. ‘Yeah.’

‘Yes. One of them, anyway.’

‘Ashes told me what happened in there.’ Isaac scratched the side of his head, further mussing his already ruffled hair. ‘He was still angry about getting wet, but I thought what you did was brilliant.’

‘Oh.’ Alice frowned again, not sure what to say. ‘Thanks?’ she ventured.