“Today’s the day,” Tamara said, pointing to her armband, when they were halfway to the Mission Gate. “Everyone’s going to be expecting big things from us at this test, but I’ve been talking to the other students, and Master Rufus has been spending so much time teaching us about personal responsibility and teaching you two about chaos magic that I don’t think we’re ready.”

Call had been concentrating on not tripping. His leg was always stiff in the mornings and it was tricky to put too much weight on it before it limbered up. He nodded. Call always suspected he wasn’t ready for things, but he didn’t like Tamara agreeing with him.

“Maybe we can use chaos magic,” he suggested. “It can be our not-so-secret weapon.”

She snorted. “Sure, if you want everyone to think you cheated.”

“It’s not cheating!” Call insisted. “It’s Aaron’s and my magic.”

Tamara raised her eyebrows. “Is that what you’d think if you weren’t a Makar?”

“Probably not,” Call said reasonably. “But I am a Makar.”

She made the face at him that meant she was either annoyed or amused. Call was never sure in which direction the expression was weighted — all he knew was that she wore it a lot, especially around him.

Havoc did his business as Call drank in the fresh air and kicked at some leaves. Then they went back inside, where they discovered that their stuff had finally been deemed harmless by the mages and returned to them. Although Call was tempted to look through everything, he grabbed Miri, sheathed the knife, and headed for the Refectory with Tamara. They found Aaron already at their table, with Jasper and Rafe. Aaron’s whole body was hunched over his plate, as though he were trying to disappear.

Tamara flopped down in a chair and regarded Jasper. “Well? Did you find out anything useful?”

Japer raised an eyebrow at her. “Go away, Rafe,” he said.

“Why?” screamed Rafe. “For the love of God, why?” He seized his plate and moved to another table as Jasper looked after him with raised eyebrows.

“Never mind him. He’s always grouchy in the morning,” he said. “Anyway, I did talk to Celia. I had to really pull out my full range of charms to get anything out of her.”

Aaron looked alarmed. Call rolled his eyes. “Please, no more masculine tips,” Aaron begged. “Just tell us what she said, if she said anything.”

Jasper looked mildly deflated. “There aren’t any rumors about any Makars other than you two. Although apparently there’s a lot of chatter about you guys, if you’re interested. How you took down the Enemy. Whether you’re going to start experimenting with your powers. If you have girlfriends.”

“Why would they have girlfriends?” Tamara sounded shocked.

“Vote of confidence there, Tamara,” said Call.

“I just meant — well, it’s not like you have time.”

“When it’s love, you make the time,” said Jasper, gazing at them in a superior manner.

Tamara groaned. “And the rumors? Who started them?”

Jasper shook his head. “Still don’t know. Celia said she thought maybe one of the older kids.”

Tamara sucked in her breath. “Do you think it could have been Kimiya?” she said. “She was horrible to Aaron.”

“But why would she make up stuff like that?” Aaron said. “She knows me — a little a least.”

“I don’t think it was her,” said Call. “She acted like someone who was shocked that Aaron might not be who she thought. Not like someone who had already started a rumor about him.”

Jasper tossed a mushroom into the air and munched it. “It’s only been a week. I’ll find out more.”

“Great,” said Aaron. “We might actually get some answers if we survive the test today.”

Call had almost forgotten about the test. He groaned.

Master Rufus headed them off as they were leaving the Refectory. He had a sinister smile on his face and a big bag slung over his shoulder. “Come, apprentices. I think you’re going to like what we’ve got in store for you today.”

Call did not like it.

They were back in the enormous room where many of the tests took place, including fighting wyverns in their Iron Year. But this time it was on fire — okay, maybe not all of it, but a lot of it. Call felt heat encase him immediately, roasting his edges gently, like a marshmallow about to singe.

In the center of the room were leaping flames. They weren’t random, though. They were set out in a pattern. Lines of flame ran parallel to each other, leaving what looked like pathways between them. It reminded Call of pictures he’d seen of hedge mazes, people wandering around inside labyrinths made of trees and bushes. But this one was made of live flame.

“A fire maze,” Aaron said, staring. Tamara was staring, too, her eyes dancing with reflected flames. The fire rose and fell, scattering sparks. Call wondered if Tamara was thinking of her sister.

One of the Gold Year students, probably Master North’s apprentice, passed by and carefully handed Master Rufus three canteens from a pile she was carrying. Rufus nodded and turned back to his apprentices. “These are for you,” he said, indicating the canteens, each of which was carefully engraved with initials: AS. CH. TR. “Water is fire’s opposing element. These are filled with a small amount of water for you to draw on as you navigate the maze. Remember that you can use it all and charge through the walls or save your magic. I am not going to tell you which one is the wiser course. You are to use your own judgment.”

Call was pretty sure that Master Rufus was telling them which was preferable, even if he didn’t want to admit it.

“The only thing absolutely not allowed is flying up above the maze. That will result in immediate disqualification. Understood?” Master Rufus gave them each a stern look.

Call nodded. “Because it’s cheating?”

“And dangerous,” said Tamara. “Heat rises. The air above the maze will be scorching.”

“Quite right,” Master Rufus said. “One more thing: You will be going in individually.” He looked long and hard into each of their shocked faces. “Not as a group, but alone.”

“Wait, what?” Tamara said. “But we’re supposed to be protecting Call! We haven’t been letting him out of our sight.”

“We thought this was a team challenge,” Aaron put in. “What about the armbands?”

Master Rufus glanced toward some of the other Masters standing with their apprentices, readying them for the maze. Some of the older students were weaving between them, handing out canteens, answering questions. Assistants. Call saw the flash of gold and silver wristbands, caught sight of Alex and Kimiya. Kimiya looked over toward them and gave Tamara a small wave, but Tamara didn’t wave back. Her dark eyes were flinty.

“It is a team challenge — your scores will be averaged,” Master Rufus said. “This test is to demonstrate that it’s important for each and every one of you to take responsibility for the educations of the other apprentices in your group. And while it’s important for you to know how to function in a group, it’s also important to know how to function on your own.