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The Iron Trial Holly Black 21750K 2023-09-01

"We talked about our lessons," Aaron volunteered "Drew followed us into the hall -- he wanted to talk to Call"

"About the Devoured I think he was really scared" Call didn’t knohat else to say He had no other explanation for Drew’s behavior

"Thank you," said Master North "Noe need you to go back to your roo to need your help Drew left the Magisteriuht, and it was only due to another apprentice getting up for ahis note that we discovered he was gone at all"

"What did the note say?" Talowered at her, and Master North looked surprised to be interrupted Clearly, neither of the away froisteriuerous it is for half-trainedof the Chaos-ridden ani woods"

"We have to find hi slowly "The whole school will help search We can cover round that way I hope that explanation is sufficient, Ta, Tamara rose and headed toward her room, and Aaron and Call went to theirs Call slowly drew on his winter clothes: his gray unifor woken by theto realize how little sleep he’d had, but the idea of Drew stuh the dark made hi for his wristband, Call’s fingers trailed over Alastair’s cuff and the mysterious note to Master Rufus He remembered his father’s words: Call, you et away as soon as you can

He was supposed to be the one running, not Drew

After a knock, the door to his room opened and Tamara came in She wore her uniforhtly around her head She looked a lot ot to -- what’s that?"

"What’s what?" He glanced down and realized he still had the drawer pulled open, Alastair’s wristband and letter on full display He fished the wristband out and leaned back, pushing the drawer closed with his weight "I -- this is isterium"

"Can I see?" Tamara didn’t wait for an answer, just reached out and plucked it from his hand Her dark eyes widened as she looked at it "He ood student"

"What makes you say that?"

"Those stones And this --" She broke off, blinking "This can’t be your father’s wristband"

"Well, I guess it could be my mother’s…"

"No," Tamara said "We saw their handprints in the Hall of Graduates They both graduated, Call Whoever’s wristband this is, it ends at Silver Year There’s no gold" She handed it back to hiraduated froisterium"

"But --" Call broke off as Aaron came in, his wavy hair pasted down to his forehead He looked like he’d splashed water on his face to wake up

"Couys," he said "Master Lemuel and Master North went on ahead, but Rufus seems about to break the door down"