But what if we do find Jacob, and somehow it’s up to me to fight him? If he attacked her, she supposed she would fight back. But she wasn’t certain she could attack a person if he just refused to come with her. Could I stand by and watch while someone else does it? Isn’t that just as bad?

She couldn’t shake the feeling that there was more to it than Geryon was saying. It was all very well to say Jacob had murdered his master, but how? In spite of what Geryon had said, it was hard to picture someone like Esau—who’d lived for God-knows-how-long by virtue of caution and paranoia—lowering his guard enough for a mere apprentice to get the advantage of him. And why would Jacob do it? He had to know what the other old Readers would do to him.

I can talk to Jacob, she decided. Perhaps he’s mad. Or perhaps he had a good reason, and he can explain things to Geryon and the others. And if I can get him alone, maybe he can answer my questions too.

Chapter Five: The Cave of Doors

CHAPTER FIVE

THE CAVE OF DOORS

ALICE DRESSED IN her usual outfit for expeditions: sturdy, boyish trousers, a belt hung with handy pouches, and a coat suitable for rugged outdoor work. She stuffed the pouches with a few things she’d found useful in emergencies: matches, bandages, extra socks, and the three special acorns from the library. Lastly, she added a knife, in a leather sheath on her hip. She thought of this as a tool, rather than a weapon. If she ever were inclined to kill someone, Alice reflected, these days she hardly needed a knife to do it.

Ashes swung his tail approvingly as she emerged, circling around her feet and brushing against her ankles.

“You look like a proper little wildcat now,” he said. “Remember the night we met? Sneaking into the library in your nightshirt and one slipper?”

Alice didn’t dignify that with a response. She headed for the stairs, and Ashes padded along behind her. Truthfully, though, she did feel—competent, perhaps? Even a little dangerous. The threads hummed at the back of her mind, tense with latent power. Look out, world. She grinned, feeling suddenly ridiculous, and shook her head.

Geryon greeted her at the door to his suite. He frowned at Ashes.

“I’ll be raising the wards,” he said to the cat. “So you’ll have to stay outside.”

Alice knelt down and scratched Ashes behind the ears—something he enjoyed, even if he wouldn’t admit it.

“Don’t do anything silly,” he said, soft enough that Geryon couldn’t hear. “I won’t be there to rescue you this time when it all goes wrong.”

Alice smiled. “I’ll do my best.”

“Ashes,” Geryon snapped.