“Yes,” Geryon said, a fragment of his composure returning. “You obviously know this already. I was there the night the Gideon sank, though it wasn’t until afterward that I realized the importance of what had happened.”

“You didn’t even know,” Alice said. “You killed him and you didn’t even know what you were doing.”

“He was a human,” Geryon said. “Humans die.”

“We’re human too.”

“No, we’re not,” Geryon said. “We’re different from them. You know that. If you left here, went back to one of their cities, would you be able to feel like you were a part of it? The same as the rest of them?”

“I . . .” Alice paused.

“You have power that no king or president ever dreamed of,” Geryon said. “You’re confused, I understand. But—”

“Enough,” Alice said.

“Who put you up to this?” Geryon said. “Anaxomander? The Eddicant? Or—” He caught her eye and his face went pale. “No. It wasn’t any of them, was it? It was Ending.”

“What if it was?” Alice said. “You’ve treated her just like your other slaves.”

“Oh, child. You have no idea what you’ve done, what powers you are dealing with.” Geryon shook his head. “She is a labyrinthine. You have to let me out of here. I will swear any oath that you care to name that I will take no retribution against you, I’ll give you whatever you wish, but you have to let me out.”

“I don’t have to do anything of the sort,” Alice said. “I will let you out, eventually. But there are some things I need to do first.

Geryon was getting frantic. “You can’t trust Ending. You can’t trust any of them. The labyrinthine lie as naturally as breathing—it’s what they are. You think we’ve kept them bound all this time just to be cruel? If she gets what she wants, it won’t just be the Readers who pay the price.”

“I don’t know if I can trust Ending,” Alice said, shaking her head. “But I know I can’t trust you.”

“Alice! You don’t understand! Please—”

Alice opened her eyes and took her hand off the book, Geryon’s pleading scream ringing in her ears.

She went back up to the house after saying good night to the others. It was actually only mid-afternoon, and the sun and snow of the outside world came as a shock after so long in the gloom of the library. The invisible servants made her roast beef and vegetable soup, and she had three helpings, along with a big mug of hot chocolate. Then she had a bath, soaking away the dirt and sweat and prodding her bruises.