“And what were you planning to do if you found it?”

“I had Ishi with me,” Flicker said, sullen defiance in his voice. “And my spear.”

“A hound and a boy with a spear against a monster out of legend,” Pyros said. “I’m sure that would have been a fight to remember.”

“Then I’d be dead,” Flicker said. “So what? At this rate, we’ll all be dead sooner or later. Better than just waiting here.” His eyes, glowing bright, went to Alice. “Better than running to the Readers for help.”

Pyros slashed a hand in the air. “Enough. Be silent.” He turned to Alice. “I am sorry for that. Flicker is young, and like all youth, inclined to foolishness.”

“It’s all right,” Alice said. “If he hadn’t been there, I’d have had a hard time finding my way here.”

She left out the part where Ishi had attacked her. Flicker watched her, eyes narrowed, trying to figure out what sort of game she was playing.

“A happy accident, then,” Pyros said. “For both of you.”

He turned and walked to one of the stone seats, limping a little, and waved Alice to another. She sat, shifting uncomfortably on the hard, cold rock.

“I am afraid I don’t have much to offer in terms of hospitality,” Pyros said. “In the past, Readers have told me that our food and drink does not agree with them. But I hope I can make you feel welcome here, nonetheless. We are honored to receive an apprentice of the great Master Geryon.”

“Thank you,” Alice said.

“And we are deeply grateful that he is willing to aid us in our time of need.” Pyros bent his head again. “Please tell your master we appreciate his acting so quickly on our request.”

Need? Alice thought quickly. Ending hadn’t said anything about a request. But better for everyone if they think I’m here on Geryon’s business.

“Yes,” she said, making things up as she went along. “The master appreciates your . . . your loyalty. I am here to help you however I can.” She hesitated, then added, “Afterward, there may be some small matters in which you can help me, as well.”

“Of course,” Pyros said. “Anything we can do.”

“What?” Flicker said, breaking his silence. “You can’t mean that. You know what she wants. The agreement—”

“I said enough,” Pyros spat, and bowed again toward Alice. “My apologies. We are grateful, I assure you.”

“What exactly is the problem?” Alice said. “Flicker said something about a monster.”

“A bluechill,” Pyros said. “A terror my people thought we had left behind long ago, when we first came to this world. It must have come through the wild gate.”

“It attacked your village?”

“Several times. We tried to kill it, but—”