فصل 12

Chapter 12

HOW DO I look?” Call asked. “Repentant?”

He was standing in front of Anastasia Tarquin’s door in the hallway that housed the Masters’ chambers. Call, Aaron, and Tamara had decided they ought to clean up a little before descending on the Assemblywoman. She was something of a terrifying presence, with her jewels and her cultured, contemptuous attitude. Call felt she would take their apologies more seriously if they dressed up, so he and Aaron were wearing the jackets from the outfits they’d worn to the awards ceremony and Tamara was in a black sundress.

Havoc hadn’t come with them. Havoc, Call pointed out, had nothing to apologize for.

Tamara exhaled hard enough to blow a lock of hair off her forehead. “You look fine,” she said. “For the umpteenth time.” She shivered. “It’s cold in here,” she complained. “Knock on the door already.” Aaron raised an eyebrow. “Is everything okay?”

“I don’t know,” said Tamara. “Ever since I saw my sister, she’s all I can think about.” She swallowed. “And then today’s lessons. I don’t like being separated from you two as if there’s something wrong with me because I’m not a Makar. Plus, Master Rufus was twice as hard on me as he usually is.” “Well, we’re doing it again Monday,” said Call. “Alma’s coming to teach us something creepy called the soul tap.” “I don’t like her,” Tamara said. “She gives me the creeps.”

Aaron stepped up to the door. “We’d better get this over with.”

He knocked. The sound seemed to boom and resound in the corridor. Anastasia’s door opened. She stood before them wearing a white silk robe of great magnificence over a gown that was even fancier. Her feet were in white leather slippers. “I was beginning to expect you’d never arrive,” she said, raising one silvery eyebrow.

“Um,” Call said. “Can we — come in? We want to apologize.”

Anastasia opened the door wider. “Oh, of course. Come right it.” She smiled as they filed past her. “This should be an interesting conversation.” Tamara gave Call a significant look. Call shrugged. Maybe Anastasia was bent on murder — they were going to find out, either way, and that was kind of a relief. The Assemblywoman slammed the heavy door behind her with a satisfying bang and joined them in the living room. She was tall — tall enough that her shadow, cast against the far wall where the safe had stood, was enormous and spidery. The safe itself had been removed; Call wondered where the Masters had put it.

“Do please sit,” she said. Diamonds sparkled in her ears, glimmering against her hair.

Call, Tamara, and Aaron settled themselves on her white couch. Anastasia sat opposite them, on an ivory chair. On the coffee table in front of them were five cups and a teapot on a tray inlaid with something that might have been bone.

“Can I offer you some?” she asked. “I have a lovely lavender and lemongrass tisane that you might enjoy after all the fungus and lichen you’re served up in the Refectory.” She made a face. “I never acquired a taste for underground cuisine myself.” They all leaned away. “Under the circumstances,” Tamara said, “I think we’ll pass.” “I see,” Anastasia said, with a pinched smile. “Now, does that make sense? You’re the ones who broke into my room and stole my belongings. You broke into the elementals’ prison. Isn’t it more likely that you’re a threat to me than that I’m a threat to you?” “We’re students,” Tamara said, looking outraged. “You’re an adult.”

“You’re Makars,” said Anastasia. “Well, two of you are.” She gestured toward Call and Aaron. “And I was speaking rhetorically. I know you mean me no harm. But equally, I mean you no harm. I’ve only ever looked out for you. I don’t deserve suspicion.” Call felt his eyebrows fly up into his hairline. “Really? So why do you have a photograph of Constantine Madden in a weird box under your bed, and why is the password to your safe the name of his brother?” “I might as well ask you how you managed to obtain Constantine Madden’s wristband and, having obtained it, what in the world would make you actually wear it?” She gave Call a significant look.

Call blanched, his hand going to the wristband, shoved up under the sleeve of his jacket. Now that he was paying attention, he saw there was a subtle outline where the fabric pulled over it. “How did you know?” Anastasia lifted the teapot and poured herself a cup. The pleasant scent of lemongrass filled the room. “Without it, you wouldn’t have been able to get into my room in the first place. The reason is simple — long ago, I used magic to synchronize our wristbands. I knew him, you see, when he was a boy. I know, to children of your generation, the idea of the high-and-mighty Enemy of Death as a mere boy is shocking, but he was just a child when he came to the Magisterium.

“I hold myself partially responsible for what happened to him and to Jericho. Reminders of Constantine and Jericho are reminders of my own failure.” She looked down. “I should have seen what was happening, should have stopped Joseph before he pushed the boys too far. In a way, I am responsible for Jericho’s death and for what Constantine became. I won’t allow myself to forget that.” She took a sip of her tea. “I owe those boys a debt. And the way I will repay it is by making sure that the next generation of Makaris remain unharmed. I am an old woman and I have lost a great deal, but before I die, I want to know that you’re both safe. Callum and Aaron, you are my hope for a better future.” “So that’s why you volunteered to come here and help find the spy?” Tamara asked her.

She nodded slowly. “And if I knew who it was, believe me, I wouldn’t hesitate to act.” “We’re sorry,” Aaron said. “I mean, that’s what we came to say, but we really are. We shouldn’t have gone through your things or broken into your room or any of it. I mean, we can’t apologize for trying to keep Call safe, but we’re sorry for the way we did it.” Tamara nodded. Call felt uncomfortable that everyone was sticking out their necks for him.

Anastasia smiled, the way all adults smiled when Aaron turned on his charm. But before she could respond, there was a knock on the door. Call, Aaron, and Tamara looked at one another in alarm.

“There’s no need to worry.” Anastasia rose to her feet. “That’s our fourth guest. Someone I invited to join us.” Master Rufus? Call wondered. Someone else from the Assembly? But when Anastasia opened the door, it was Alma Amdurer who stood on the threshold. She was wrapped in a dark red poncho, and she slipped into the room, letting Anastasia shut the door behind her.

“Hello, children,” Alma said with a smile. “Has Anastasia explained everything to you?” “I haven’t,” said Anastasia, moving to stand beside Alma. With her all in white, and Alma in dark crimson, they reminded Call of the Red Queen and White Queen from Alice in Wonderland. “I thought you’d better do that.” Alma fixed her dark eyes on them. “You know, of course, of the Assembly’s plans to round up Chaos-ridden animals and dispose of them?” she said, without preamble.

Call blinked, wondering what this had to do with Anastasia — or any of them.

“It’s horrible,” he said.

Alma smiled. “Good. Most people don’t think so. But the Order of Disorder agrees, and we’re willing to do whatever we need to do to keep those animals safe.” “Well, we’d like to help,” Aaron volunteered. “But what can we do?”

“We know when the animals rounded up in the woods here are being transported,” said Alma. “We need the help of a Makar to assist us in moving them from the transportation vehicles to a safe place.” Tamara held up a hand, stopping Aaron and Call before they could volunteer. Her eyes were flinty. “No way. It’s too dangerous.” Alma looked hard at the three friends. “If you care about Havoc, then you should help me. These are his brothers and sisters in chaos. Perhaps even literally.” “If we’re going to help you — and yes, I come, too, even if I’m not a Makar — then you need to do something for us,” Tamara said.

“Well, that would only be fair,” said Anastasia, with a small smile.

“Anastasia has told us of your difficulties,” said Alma. “And of course, we hear things. The Order is not entirely disconnected from the world of the mages. We would be willing to help you find the spy.” Aaron sat up straight. “What makes you think you can find the spy?”

“Because,” said Alma, “we have a witness we can interrogate.”

“But there haven’t been any witnesses!” Call protested. “The Assembly hasn’t found any —” “There’s Jennifer Matsui,” said Alma calmly.

There was a silence. “She’s dead,” Tamara said finally, looking at Alma as if she’d lost her mind. “Jen is dead.” “The Order has been studying chaos magic for years,” Alma said. “The kind of magic practiced by the Enemy of Death. The magic of life and death. Master Lemuel has learned a way to speak to the dead. We can talk to Jennifer Matsui and find out who attacked her, if you help us with the Chaos-ridden animals.” Call looked from Tamara’s stunned face to Aaron’s hopeful one. Aaron probably wanted to find the spy more than any of them, Call thought. More even than Call did himself.

“Okay,” Call said. “What exactly do you need us to do?”

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That night, Call and Tamara went outside the caves to walk Havoc. Aaron had been willing to come, but it was obvious he didn’t really want to — he was sitting on the couch, bundled up in a blanket, reading comics that Alastair sent Call from home. When some people were upset, they ran around and yelled a lot, but Aaron curled into himself in a way that Call found more worrying.

“This isn’t your fault, you know,” Tamara said to Call as Havoc nosed a patch of weeds. The wolf knew that as soon as he chose a tree or whatever and did his business, they were going to take him back inside, so he was lingering as much as possible.

“I know that.” Call sighed. “I didn’t ask to be born — or reborn, or whatever.” She snorted. The night was clear, the stars bright, and the air less chilly than it should have been that time of year. Tamara wasn’t even wearing a jacket over her uniform. “That’s not what I meant.” With a deep breath, he went on. “I just feel like something happened way back when, with Constantine and Master Joseph and even Master Rufus and Alastair. They discovered stuff, back at the Magisterium. Important stuff. I mean, the Order of Disorder knows how to talk to the dead? That’s huge. And yet no one else seems to know that.” “No one wants to know it,” Tamara said. “No, scratch that. I bet it’s the Assembly that doesn’t want people to know.” Call blinked at her. “What about your parents? They’re on the Assembly.” “They didn’t even want me to know about Ravan.” Tamara kicked a clod of dirt with the toe of her boot. “You’re right. Anastasia and the Order of Disorder all knew Constantine when he was at school, which means they know more about what happened than we do. Lots more.” “And they know more about how chaos magic really works.” Call called to Havoc, urging him back inside. “And maybe they know something about the spy, too.” “The greatest Makar of our generation,” Tamara said thoughtfully. “So someone else, here at school, is using chaos magic. They just haven’t gotten caught doing it yet.” “Not by us,” Call said. “But they will.”

The wind picked up, blowing the trees hard enough to send a cascade of leaves down on them. It tossed Tamara’s unbound hair and carried away their voices when they called to each other. After a moment of frustration, Call pointed toward the Magisterium and they bent their heads and started back toward the mission gate, Havoc racing behind them.

As they went inside, into the darkened halls and the narrow cavern passageways, Call couldn’t help but be conscious of the heavy weight descending on his shoulders the deeper into the caves he went: the weight of, once more, not knowing whom he could trust.

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On Monday, Master Rufus announced that there would be a test that Friday, one in which the entire Bronze Year would be competing with one another. Master Rufus even had purple armbands for Tamara, Aaron, and Call, proclaiming them a three-person team.

Callum groaned. He’d never liked the tests, not since they’d had to fight wyverns in his Iron Year. After running away during Copper Year and coming back with the head of the Enemy of Death, he’d been able to opt out of a few more, but now it seemed like his test-avoiding luck had run out.

Aaron was too sunk in the gloom of being disliked, or at least suspected, by everyone in school to do more than solemnly accept his armband. Call wanted to tell Aaron that he’d never been popular and he was perfectly fine, but he worried that maybe Aaron wouldn’t find his words all that reassuring. Still, gloomy Aaron was even less likely to argue than regular Aaron.

“Can you tell us anything about the test?” Tamara asked. “Anything at all?” Master Rufus shook his head. “Most certainly not. You three are considered — for many reasons — to be an extraordinary group. If you don’t acquit yourselves well, you will be letting many people down, myself included. I expect you to do your best. And I expect that you will be able to do so without any hints.” Tamara shrugged and grinned. “You can’t blame me for trying.”

Master Rufus gave her a look that said he most certainly could, but he didn’t belabor the point. Instead, he launched into a lecture about what to do when one seems to have an abundance of magic and a spell starts getting bigger than was intended. The short answer: It was that person’s responsibility to control it.

Everything they learned was about responsibility and control these days. And none of it helped at all.

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On the way back to their new rooms, they saw Gwenda lurking in the hallway. It was chilly in the corridors, and she was wearing a heavy sweater and jeans, as well as an irritated expression on her face. She brightened up when they approached, rubbing her hands up and down her arms to warm herself.

“I hoped I’d catch you,” she said.

“What’s up?” Tamara asked. Aaron hung back, looking worried that she’d snap at him or glare. But she only looked hopeful.

“I need to talk to you guys,” she said. “Can we go to your new room?”

The three of them glanced at one another. Call could see his own spark of excitement mirrored in the eyes of his friends. Maybe Gwenda knew something about the spy, had seen something or suspected someone?

They ushered her into their common room, and Call directed Havoc to guard the door just in case anyone tried to break in. Havoc took up his post with a vigilant air.

“Look,” Gwenda said, once the three of them had settled onto the couch and were looking at her expectantly, “the thing is …” “Go ahead, Gwenda,” said Tamara. “You can tell us anything.”

“I want to move in with you!” Gwenda burst out, a flush rising on her dark brown skin. “I know apprentices in the same group are supposed to share rooms, but I looked it up and you can change if you want to. I heard you had an extra room free, and the thing is, I can’t stand it anymore!” “Stand what?” asked Aaron.

“Jasper and Celia!” Gwenda said in exasperation. “They’re always cuddling on the couch, kissing, slobbering into each other’s ears. It’s horrible.” “So tell them to stop,” said Call, disappointed. Tamara, on the other hand, looked entertained.

“They won’t stop,” said Gwenda. “I’ve tried; Rafe has tried, and it’s totally hopeless. They don’t listen. This is why interapprentice group relationships suck for everyone.” “We’d have to ask Master Rufus,” said Aaron, who was a sucker for a sob story and was probably also glad that Gwenda preferred his criminal background to Jasper’s face-sucking ways.

Call glared. He liked Gwenda fine, but given the amount of plotting and sneaking around he, Aaron, and Tamara did, he didn’t see how having her in their rooms would be anything but an inconvenience.

“My parents were an interapprentice group relationship,” he said.

“Well, I bet whoever else was in their group hated them,” said Gwenda ungraciously.

Call was about to open his mouth to tell her that they’d shared a group with the Enemy of Death and his brother, but decided not to. It wasn’t exactly a secret, but neither was it something everyone knew. Call felt like the less people talked about him in connection with Constantine Madden, the better.

Also, if she started implying that the Enemy of Death was driven to becoming an evil overlord because of Call’s parents’ being gross in a romantic way, he might have to kill her.

“Gwenda …” Tamara started, evidently having some of the same doubts as Call.

There was a banging on the door. Gwenda jumped, then looked hopeful. “Is that Master Rufus?” she said. “You could ask him right now.” Aaron shook his head. “Master Rufus just walks right in,” he said, getting to his feet. He went across the room and flung the door open.

It was Jasper.

“Oh, my God,” said Gwenda. “Why can’t I get away from you?”

Jasper looked puzzled. “Why would anyone want to get away from me?”

She whirled on Call and Tamara. “Does he come over here all the time? Like dropping in unannounced like this?” “Constantly,” said Tamara.

“It’s a problem,” Call seconded.

Gwenda threw her arms up. “Forget it, then,” she said. “Forget the whole idea.” She stalked out of the room, past Jasper, who looked puzzled.

“What was all that about?” he asked.

“Mostly that you suck,” Call replied. “Although we knew that.”

Jasper came into the room, the door swinging shut behind him. He was drawing in a breath to say something when Havoc sprang, knocking him to the ground. Jasper yelled.

“Whoops,” Call said. “We told Havoc to guard the door, so …”

Jasper yelled some more, which Call thought was uncalled for. There was no indication that Havoc was going to hurt him. Havoc knew Jasper. He was just sitting on Jasper, his tongue hanging out, looking thoughtful.

“Get … him … off … me,” Jasper said through his teeth.

Call sighed and whistled. “Come on, Havoc,” he said. As Havoc sprang off Jasper and went over to Call to get praise and ear rubs, Jasper got to his feet, ostentatiously dusting off his sweater.

“Okay, Jasper,” said Tamara. “Spill. Why are you here?”

“Or just leave,” Aaron said coldly, getting to his feet. “That would be okay, too.” Tamara’s eyebrows went up. Call’s mouth had dropped opened a little. Aaron just didn’t talk to people like that. Aaron didn’t usually look at people the way Aaron was looking at Jasper, either: like he was going to punch him square in the face.

Call found himself with an overwhelming desire for popcorn.

Jasper seemed uncomfortable. “I wanted to apologize.”

Aaron didn’t say anything.

“I know you think that I started the rumor,” Jasper went on. “I mean, not that it was a rumor exactly, about your dad. It’s true.” Aaron looked, if possible, more menacing. “It was a secret,” he said. “And you knew that.” “Yes.” Jasper had the grace to look ashamed.

“And the rest of it is lies,” said Aaron flatly. “I’d never hurt Call. He’s my best friend. He’s my counterweight.” “I know,” Jasper said, to Call’s surprise. “And I didn’t tell anyone you would. I really didn’t! I told Celia the part about your dad, yes, and I shouldn’t have done that. I’m really, really sorry. It’s just that everyone was talking about you and I got caught up in it. But I didn’t say any of the rest of it.” “So do you think I’m the spy?” Aaron asked.

Call remembered Jasper’s words in the Refectory: Aaron told you two different stories about his past. That’s pretty suspicious. We have no idea where he came from, or who his family really is. He just shows up out of nowhere and then, boom! Makar.

Jasper looked over at Call. He was probably remembering them, too.

“I don’t think so,” Jasper answered. “I wondered, after the rumors got started. But the only person I ever told that I thought you might be is Call.” Aaron turned a stricken look on Call, before turning back to Jasper. “You don’t think so?” “No,” Jasper said. “You’re not the spy, okay? I don’t believe you’re the spy, and I am sorry for telling Celia about your dad. And for what it’s worth, she’s sorry, too. She never thought things would get so out of hand. She only told two people, and she swore them to secrecy, but then it spread.” Aaron sighed and the fight went out of him. “I guess it’s okay. You really didn’t start the rumor about me being out to get Call?” Jasper pulled himself up in a weirdly formal manner and placed one hand over his heart. “I swear it on the deWinter family name.” Call snorted and received a very enjoyable glare from Jasper. Things felt almost normal.

“Oh, no,” Tamara said. “If you want things to be okay, you have to do something for Aaron. And Celia has to help.” “What’s that?” Jasper looked at Tamara worriedly, which was pretty much always a good idea but was an especially good idea now, when she was staring at him with a glimmer in her eye.

“Celia’s on the rumor circuit,” Tamara said. “Find out if there could be another Makar at the school, or anywhere. Someone operating in secret. And see if there’s anyone Drew talked to a lot, okay?” “And find out who did start the rumor,” Call put in.

Jasper nodded, holding his hands up to ward away their being mad at him. “Done.” “Good. Apology accepted.” Aaron flopped down on the couch. “You’ve got bigger problems than us anyway. Gwenda was here because she wants to move out of your rooms.” “Because of me?” Jasper said. “That’s ridiculous.”

“Maybe she’s not a big fan of romance,” Tamara said with a sly smile.

Jasper took a seat next to Aaron without being invited. “She’s just jealous because she doesn’t have a boyfriend like me. I am a great boyfriend. I know exactly how to keep a girl happy.” Tamara rolled her eyes. Call was glad she didn’t find this convincing. After Celia’s defection, he wasn’t sure what impressed girls.

“As a proof of how sincerely I am sorry, I could give you some of my best romantic tips,” Jasper offered.

Call, who’d been about to perch on one of the arms of the sofa, started laughing so hard that he fell. He hit his bad leg against the floor — which hurt — but not enough to keep him from howling with mirth.

Tamara was smiling, but clearly trying not to. Her lips kept twitching up and down at the corners.

“Are you okay?” Aaron asked, leaning over to help Call up.

“Yes!” Call managed to say before he started laughing again. He dropped onto the couch on Aaron’s other side, still wheezing. “Fine! I’m fine!” “Number one,” Jasper said, with a frown at Call, who clearly didn’t appreciate the wisdom that was about to be dispensed, “when you talk to a girl, you have to look her right in the eye. And you can’t blink. That’s very important.” “Doesn’t that mean your eyes start watering?” Aaron asked.

“Not if you do it right,” Jasper replied significantly. Call wondered what that meant. Were you supposed to develop a second eyelid, like a lizard?

“Okay, so tip one is that you stare right at a girl,” said Call. “If you like her.” “Tip two,” Jasper went on, “is to nod at everything she says, and laugh a lot.” “Laugh at her?” said Tamara dubiously.

“Like she’s hilarious,” said Jasper. “Girls like to think they’re charming you. Tip three: Smolder at her.” “Smolder?” Aaron echoed in disbelief. “What’s that, exactly?”

Jasper straightened up, tossing his hair back. He lowered his eyelashes and stared directly at the three of them, his mouth turned down in a grim scowl.

“You look mad,” Call said.

Jasper squinted even harder, closing one of his eyes and staring meaningfully out of the other.

“Now you look like a pirate,” said Tamara.

“It works on Celia,” said Jasper. “She melts when I do that.”

“She must like pirates,” said Aaron.

Jasper rolled his eyes. “Tip four is to have the right haircut, but that’s obviously hopeless for both of you.” “There’s nothing wrong with my hair!” said Aaron.

“It’s all right,” said Jasper. “Call’s looks like he cut it with a sharp rock.” “Is there a tip five?” asked Tamara.

“Buy her a cat calendar,” said Jasper. “Girls love cat calendars.”

Havoc barked. Tamara burst out laughing. She rolled to the side of the sofa and kicked her heels up. Call didn’t think he’d ever seen her have such a good time.

“Oh, and if your mind wanders while she’s talking, you should tell her you were distracted by how beautiful she is,” Jasper added. “And whatever she’s wearing, tell her it’s your favorite color.” “Won’t she notice you have different favorite colors?” asked Aaron.

Jasper shrugged. “Probably not.”

Tamara’s giggles were trailing off into hiccups. “Jasper,” she said. “Do me a favor.” “Yes?” Jasper said.

“Never like me like that.”

Jasper looked indignant. “None of you get it,” he said, rising to his feet. “Well, my mission here is done. I’ve apologized and I’ve given you tips.” “And you’ve promised to have Celia look out for useful information,” Call reminded him.

Jasper nodded. “I’ll talk to her.”

“Don’t forget to smolder!” Tamara yelled from the couch as Jasper walked toward the door. He made a face at her as he pulled it open, then frowned.

“There’s a note stuck to your door,” he said, detaching a piece of paper. “It’s addressed to Call and Aaron.” It was a folded note, with spidery handwriting across the front. Callum Hunt and Aaron Stewart.

“I’ll take it,” Aaron said, bounding to his feet. But Jasper, with a sideways smile, was already trying to flick it open.

“Ow!” he said. A small spark, like a jolt of static electricity, had leaped from the paper and shocked his hand.

“It’s got a spell on it,” said Tamara, sounding pleased. “Only Call or Aaron can open it.” Jasper looked grudgingly impressed. “Pretty cool,” he said, grabbing up the note and tossing it to Aaron. “See you later.” He vanished into the corridor. Aaron opened up the note as the door shut. His eyebrows drew down as he looked at it. “It’s from Anastasia Tarquin,” he said. “She’s asking us to meet her at the Mission Gate at ten to midnight on Friday. She says to bring Havoc.” “That’s the same day as our test,” Tamara said, sitting upright. “What does she want to talk about?” “I don’t think she wants to talk,” Aaron said, still looking at the paper. “I think that’s when we’re going to do it. That’s when we’re going to steal the Chaos-ridden animals.”