Geryon gave Alice a long look as she fell in beside Emma. It had only been a few days since the business with the century fruit, and the promised punishment had yet to materialize. Is that what this is? But then what are the others doing here?

“Alice,” he said. “Gentlemen. I’ve called you here to inform you that I will be leaving the Library for a time.”

Alice blinked and stood up a little straighter. Geryon hardly ever left the estate and never for more than a few hours. It was his fortress, his place of power. All the old Readers were so afraid of one another, in the murderous, twisting games they played, that they’d practically made themselves prisoners within their own defenses.

“I am leaving tomorrow morning, and I will be gone precisely one week. I have left an ample supply of power for the house wards until then. While I am not expecting trouble, should there be any difficulties, you should all take shelter in the library.” He looked from Mr. Black to Mr. Wurms, and then to Alice, locking eyes with her for a moment. “Ending will be more than adequate to protect you, I’m sure.”

Mr. Wurms nodded, and Mr. Black said, “Yes, master.”

“Alice, the estate is in your charge until I return.” Geryon’s eyes flicked to the two non-humans, then to Ashes. “My apprentice is to be obeyed as though she were myself. Is that understood?”

Alice was sure she could hear Mr. Black grinding his teeth, but he nodded again.

Ashes cleared his throat. “When you say obeyed,” he began, “do you mean—”

“I mean obeyed,” Geryon said, a touch of rumbling thunder entering his voice. “Please inform your mother, as well.”

“Yes, sir,” the cat said, flattening himself against Alice’s shoulder. His tail flipped back and forth.

“There should not be a great deal to do,” Geryon said, returning his attention to Alice. “I expect to see you on my return, with a full report. Is that understood?”

“Yes, sir,” Alice said, working hard to control her voice. “Good luck on your trip, sir.”

“Thank you.” He gave a brief, humorless smile. “That’s all.”

Mr. Black stomped back to his basement and Mr. Wurms returned to the library. Emma stood quietly in the main hall, with the blank look she got while waiting for instructions. Alice and Ashes went to the dining room, where the house’s invisible servants prepared a meal of sausages swimming in gravy beside a mountain of mashed potatoes for Alice, and flakes of something that was probably tuna for the cat. Ashes ate with every sign of enjoyment, but Alice worked her way through the food mechanically, lost in thought.