Zora’s words prick my memory. “Panic is the first enemy. Patience is my greatest weapon.” I dip in my stance like she showed me, hands at the ready, searching for some indication of who or what is doing this.

“Hot,” someone shouts. “It’s burning me!”

People scatter in circles, clinging to one another. Their gazes sweep in my direction, then Taavi’s, then back to me.

“Hold still, let me just…” I light my fingers and fan the ground, searching for some sign of how the trap works. That’s when I see it. A grid of silver energy runs along the ground like someone laid a giant cross-link chain fence made of live wire across it.

I spot Bri and cup my hands around my mouth. “The magic is heat driven. It’s melting anything on-site.” She nods and I say a prayer she doesn’t freeze this time.

I step on a spot where two grid lines meet and it crackles, my foot stinging like I’ve stepped on a flame. Burnt rubber stings my nose.

“Where the wires intersect is the most lethal spot,” I shout, hoping someone hears me. Hoping it helps somehow. I look out ahead, and as far as I can see, the chain extends.

“Taavi!” I peer in every direction, but it’s pure chaos, people running in every direction, into one another, pops of energy biting their heels. “Don’t step on where the lines meet.” I demonstrate, planting my foot between the lines, instead of on them. No pops. “Between!” I gesture, trying to shout above the screams. Short of a levitating spell, which I don’t actually know, I can’t think of a way to fix this with magic. Everyone has to pipe down and listen.

If panic is the enemy, we’re losing.

People barrel into one another, trying to run past one another, outrun the grid. Joshi stumbles on something or someone and tumbles to the ground. He writhes in pain, the chain wires searing through his clothes.

“Joshi!” I rush over, careful to plant each step in the space between the lines. I pull him up, but he’s covered in burns. “The lines, keep your feet between the lines.” He nods, panting, and points. I turn to find another trampled by the others. “Everybody, listen!” My voice is raw in my throat, but I throw it as loud and big as I can. “Keep your feet off the lines. They burn hotter each time they make contact.”

“My face. I can’t see!”

People are hardly listening. Ears don’t work the same amid panic. I spot Bri standing still, her feet twisted around each other, her hands out like she’s trying hard to balance. Zora’s next to her, balanced on one foot to avoid the other touching a hot spot. Her spear tip is on the ground and her lips are a thin line.