“If they were scared before, now they’ll be terrified. We’ve beaten the Ouroborean. We’re a threat to them. They may wait for a while, but they’ll be back.”

Silence had returned. Even the spider had quieted herself. Alice hesitated, just for a moment.

“I’m going to fight them,” she said. “I’m going to tear it all down, the whole thing. The libraries, the prison-books, the tribute. Everything. I’m going to take away every bit of power they’ve ever used to hurt anyone, in any world. They’ve controlled us for long enough.

“I don’t know if I’ll win. But I do know I’m going to need help. Ending asked me to be a different kind of Reader, a partner instead of a master. So that’s what I’m going to do. You’re all welcome to join me.”

In the deepest recesses of her heart, she’d expected cheers. Applause, at least. Something. But the crowd of strange creatures simply stood, silent, as though they’d all been hypnotized. Then the spider’s sign clicked and whirred.

HYPOTHESIS:, she said. SUICIDAL INSANITY.

That broke the spell. Everyone was suddenly talking at once, arguments rising in a dozen places, a babble of voices that threatened to overwhelm her. Alice hopped down from the table and went to her fellow apprentices, who stood in a tight group off to one side.

“That could have gone better,” said Ashes, who’d joined them.

“They’re just scared,” Isaac said.

“Of course they are scared,” Dex said. “No one stands up to the old Readers. No one ever has.”

“Is it true, what you said about your father?” Jen said.

Alice nodded. Dex hugged her.

“Oh, Alice,” she said. “I’m so sorry.”

“You know I’m with you,” Isaac said. “I can’t go back to my master, not now. He probably thinks I’m dead.”

“The Most Favored . . .” Dex hesitated, her ever-present smile flickering. “I wish to say that she would never sacrifice me to the Ouroborean. But I am not certain. I have realized . . . how little I am certain of.”

“I’m staying with you,” Michael said. They all looked at him, including Jen.

“Why?” Jen said. “You barely know her!”

“Because she’s right,” the boy said simply. He pushed his glasses up his nose and ventured a smile. “Shouldn’t that be enough?”

Jen let out an exaggerated sigh. “Then I guess I have to stay as well. Someone has to take care of you.”

“Thank you,” Alice said. “All of you.”

“Girl!” said someone behind her.

Alice turned to find the woman dressed in bones looking down at her. She cut a large, impressive figure, with long dark hair bound back in a no-nonsense bun.

“I’m sorry,” Alice said again. “I know it’s not enough, but—”

“Never mind that. You’re really going to stand up to the old Readers?”