“It can burrow through the rock,” Flicker broke in. “Break from one tunnel into another, faster than we can follow. It came in through a wall and took two boys away before anyone else could get there.”

Pyros glared at Flicker but nodded. “He is, unfortunately, correct. The bluechill feeds on heat and flame, and the village stands out like a beacon. It will eat until there is nothing left. And it is growing bolder. At first it would strike and flee, but now it confronts us without fear. A dozen men attempted to stop it, this last time. You have seen the results.” Pyros sighed, a sound like a burned log collapsing in a hearth. “We would not trouble Master Geryon in the ordinary course of events. But I judged that, by the time of our next tribute, there would be no one left to pay.”

“All right,” Alice said. “So you want me to get rid of this thing.”

“With a Reader’s power, surely even a bluechill would be no match for you,” Pyros said.

“A kindling Reader,” Flicker said contemptuously. “This is a bad idea, Pyros. If the bluechill kills her, Geryon will be angry—”

“How many times must I tell you to be silent?” Pyros waved his hand. “Go and tell Actinia and Verid that you’re alive. They’ll be worried.”

“I saw Actinia already,” Flicker said, but he wasted no time slinking out through the curtain, with one last glare at Alice.

“Again,” Pyros said. “I must apologize. He is young, and angry, and has no spark to guide him.”

“Spark?” Alice said.

“The one who kindled him. His . . . father, I think you would say? Mother? Though I understand it is different for Readers.” Pyros shrugged. “I have never been to your world, I’m afraid.”

“Oh.” Alice felt a touch of fellowship for the boy. “I hope you won’t punish him too badly.”

Pyros shook his head. “He must learn not to be so reckless. But that is not your affair.”

She nodded. “Can you predict when the bluechill will attack?”

“Not with any certainty. It is clever, for a beast. But it has been coming more frequently. It will be back, in no more than a few days. When it invades the village, you can confront it.”

Alice could feel the watch ticking away in her pocket. I can’t wait around for a few days. But they’re not likely to help while that monster is out there. She thought of the smoking, agonized sprites, and the table spread with ash.

“Wouldn’t it be better to fight it in a place where nobody else will get hurt?” Alice said, improvising. “Can we lure it somewhere? If it likes flame, maybe we could make a big fire.”