AlsobyRoshaniChokshi

AruShahandtheEndofTime

Formygrandparents—Vijya,Ramesh,Apolonia,andAntonio—whocarriedsomuchinthecrossingofoceans.

Iloveyou.

CONTENTSCover

AlsobyRoshaniChokshi

Dedication

1.NewDemonWhoDis?

2.KeepingUpwiththePandavas

3.AruShah:DemigodandHamsterImpersonator

4.WeLiterallyJustWentonaQuest

5.ThisIsFine.Really

6.TheWarehouseofQuestMaterials,aka“DoNotTouchThat”

7.WhoDoesn’tLikeVeganGranola?

8.SwansAretheWorst

9.ThatOneTimeIGotIncinerated

10.ThatWentWell…Not

11.TerminalC.GetIt?LOL

12.AruShahIsaPieceofSushi

13.IMean,Technically,We’reFamily….

14.Heeeere,MonstrousKitty!

15.No,ICan’tSing.LeaveMeAlone

16.MiniGetsa(Spooky)NewPower

17.Uloopi’sSecret

18.AChocolatyTruce

19.Dehhhh-Spah-CITO

20.IDon’tTrustNobodyandNobodyTrustsMe

21.TheDangerousSamosa

22.AidenBringstheSmolder

23.LeavetheRockOuttaThis

24.MistakesHaveBeenMade….

25.AndThenCametheFieryCows

26.CowsAreOfficiallyCancelled

27.SageDurvasaCurses

28.We’llEvenThrowinStarvationforFree!

29.DidYourParentsReallyNameYouSparky?

30.BrynneLosesanEatingContest

31.AruShahIsonFire.No,butSeriously.Like,FireFire.ThisIsNotaDrill

32.PresentsfromUncleAgni

33.ButRealTalk,WhereAretheCookies?

34.OhNo!OhNo!Oh,WaitaMinute….

35.Hello,NewFriend!

36.TheTaleoftheDemonPrincess

37.LadyMMakesaRequest

38.Who’stheHeartlessOneNow?

39.ShadowfaxSavestheDay

40.Well,ThisIsAwkward

41.YouShallNotPass!

42.ThereandBackAgain,anAruTale

Glossary

PraiseforAruShahandtheEndofTime

AbouttheAuthor

Copyright

ANewDemonWhoDis?

ruShahhadagiganticlightningbolt,andshereallywantedtouseit.

But if she used it now, she risked attracting the herd of zombiescurrentlyswarmingthroughtheNightBazaar.

“This is the worst Saturday ever,” moaned Mini, clutching her celestialweaponlikeateddybear.

While Aru’s soul father—the god of thunder—had gifted her a lightningbolt named Vajra, Mini’s soul father—the god of death—had given her anenchanteddandasticknamedDeeDee.

ThetwoofthemcrouchedbeneathatablebytheFrozenYogurtandDreamsstand, watching through the gaps in the wood as Otherworld citizens ranscreaming, dropping grocery bags, or, in the case of one bull-headed rakshasa,wallopingazombieovertheheadwithatotefulloftomatoes.

Overhead,aloudannouncementblared:

“ATTENTION, ATTENTION! WE HAVE LOCATED ANUNWANTED DEMONIC PRESENCE IN THE AREA. PLEASEEVACUATETHENIGHTBAZAAR.ATTENTION,ATTENTION…”

Aru hated sitting still. But their job here wasn’t to fight, but to find …because somewhere in the Night Bazaar was a thief who had raised theOtherworldalarmandprobablyletinallthesezombies.

Unfortunately,thatthiefwasalsohernewestPandavasister.

Whichmeantthat,justlikeAruandMini,shewasthereincarnationofoneof the five legendary demigod brothers from Hindu mythology. Hours ago,they’dseenhercarryingagiantbowandarrowjustasBoo,theirpigeonmentor,hadsaid,Thatwasyoursister.

“Aru!”whisperedMini.

“Shh!Azombiemightfindus—”

“Ithink…Ithinkonealreadyhas…”saidMini.

Aruturnedaroundjustintimetoseeapairofpalehandsflipoverthetabletheywereunder.Brightsunlightandmoonlightwashedoverthemfromthehalf-day-half-night sky overhead. Aru blinked against the sudden brightness. Shecouldn’tgetagoodreadonthezombie’sfeatures,evenasitsnappedoffatableleg(thestandhowled,“HOWDAREYOU!”)andbrandisheditatthem.

Aruprobablyshould’vebeenscared,butshehadafearsomeweapon,andsheknewhowtowieldit.

SheflungVajraasifitwereajavelin.Thelightningboltzappedthewoodenpeg out of the zombie’s hand, and he pulled his arm back, stung. The entireyogurtstandtippedoverontopofhim.

“Run!”saidMini.

Vajra zoomed back into Aru’s hands and she took off. Around them, theNightBazaarhadfallenintochaos.Storefrontshadbeentoppled,andwhilemostof the shop owners had evacuated, the displays kept fighting. An enchantedflower stall turned its pumpkin vines into a row of exploding jack-o’-lanterns,andthekitchenappliancessectionsummonedanarmyofwoodenspoonstobeatagroupofzombiesoverthehead.Whensomeoftheintrudersspilledabowlofglassbeadsandstartedslippingandslidingonthem,ayakshastoreownerhollered,“YOU’LLPAYFORTHAT!NOSATURDAYDISCOUNT,EITHER!”

“Thatzombieischasingus!”MiniyelledatAru.

Aruglancedoverher shoulder. Sure enough, the samezombie stalked afterthem,shovingasidetheferalgrocerycartsthatwereanxiouslyzoomingthroughtheNightBazaar.

“Why do all zombies lurch?” asked Aru. “Is that, like, a universal zombiething?”

ShecastVajra like a net, thinking thatwould stophim, but the electrifiedmesh slipped right off, and he stepped over it. Aru frowned.Maybe her aimwasn’t as good when she was running… but Vajra had never failed as a netbefore. Vajra bounded back to her, transforming into a bracelet that woundaroundherwrist.

Mini skidded to a halt in front of the entrance to the frozen pizza andenchantments aisle. A herd of grocery carts, packed tightly together in fear,blockedtheirway.

“Theresheis!”saidMini.

Attheendoftheaisle,ArucaughtsightoftheotherPandavagirl.Thethief.Shehadshiftedintoabluewolfandwascarryingthelargebowandarrowinhermouthassheran.

“Hey!Stop!”yelledMini.

But theycouldn’t chaseafterher. In frontof them, thegrocerycartshissedandzoomedbackandforthlikeapackofangrycats.Behindthem,thezombielurchedevercloser.

“Canyoumakeusinvisible?”askedAru.“Maybewecanslippasthim?”

CastingashieldofinvisibilitywithDeeDeewasoneofthenewpowersMinihad learned in Pandava training. Except she wasn’t that good at it yet. Miniwavedherdandastickinanarc,creatingaforcefieldaroundthetwoofthem—butitimmediatelyflickeredanddied.

Beyondthegrocerycarts,thePandavathiefslippedawaybeforeArucouldtrytoensnareher.

Alowgrowleruptedbehindthem.Aruturnedslowly,willingVajratoturnbackintoalightningbolt.Forthefirsttime,shecouldtakeagoodlookatthezombie.Hewastallandworeawhitecoatopenoverabarechest,andtherewasastrangepalescarrightabovehisheart.Notsomuchawoundasthecenterofaspiderweb, which looked like frost creeping out over the skin. And then shenoticedsomethingevenmorebizarre.Thecoat’sbuttonswereenamelpinsintheshapeofteeth.Embroideredwordsnexttotheleftlapelread:

DR.ERNSTWARREN,DDS

OPENWIDE!

“Thezombieisadentist?”saidAru.

“Myaunt’sadentist,”saidMini.“Shesaidit’ssoul-crushing.”

“Makessense.”

Asifhighlyaffronted,thezombieletoutagutturalcryandchargedatthem.

Weeksoftrainingkickedinimmediately.Inasplitsecond,bothgirlsstoodback-to-back,theirweaponsoutbeforethem.Thezombieroaredandraisedhishands.MiniswungDeeDeeathisankles,knockinghimover.AruspunVajrainherhandsuntil itbecamea rope.Thenshe threw it at thezombie,bindinghiswristsandankles.

MinibeamedatAru,butasecondlaterhersmilefell.

“Don’tpanic,”saidAru.“Twoagainstoneworkedfine!”

“Whatabouttwoagainsttwodozen?”

Aru followedMini’s gaze. Panic zipped through her heart as she watchedtwentyzombies stepout frombehind thewreckageof storefronts.Allof themwore the same slack-faced expression and ripped shirts that revealed identicalfrostlikewoundsrightovertheirhearts.FroyoZombieshuckedoffthelightningropeamomentlater,andVajrawhippedbackintoAru’shands.Besideher,Minicastanotherforcefield,butitblinkedandfizzledout.

“Ourweaponsaren’tworking…”saidMini.

Arudidn’twanttoadmitit,butMiniwasright.Itshould’vebeenimpossible.Celestialweaponsusuallyovercameeverythingexcept,well,othercelestialweapons.

Just then, a shadowcrossedover them.Bothgirls lookedup in time to seeBoocareeningtheirway.Hecarriedasmallgrayvialinhistalons.

“ThosearemyPandavas!”hesquawkedatthezombies.

He dove in front of the girls, smashing the vial on the ground. Plumes ofsmokeshotup,obscuringthezombies’view.Flappingquickly,BoodidaU-turnandsaid,“Notimetowaste,girls.Goafteryoursister!”

Some sister, thought Aru. That other Pandava, whoever she was, had landedtheminthismess.

“Butwhataboutyou?”askedMiniworriedly.

“Iamapigeoncapableofmassannoyance.”Boopuffedouthischest.“Don’tworryaboutme.Justfindher!”

Aru and Mini turned to face the crowd of angry grocery carts. The cartnearesttohergnasheditsmetalgrate,thenreareduponitshindwheels.

Aru swungVajra the rope above her head and lassoed the cart. It buckedangrily, but the lightning lariat held tight.Aru clambered into the carriage andpulledMiniinafterher.

“Giddyup!”yelledAru,nowusingVajraasreins.

Thegrocerycartsnorted,rearedback,andthenchargedthroughtherestoftheherdanddownthefrozen-foodaisle.Minileanedoutofthecart,knockinghundredsofboxesontothefloortostopthezombiesintheirtracks.

“I’llbepayingforthisoutofmyallowanceforyears!”shecried.

Arutuggedthereinstotheright,steeringthecarttowardthelastplacethey’d

seenthePandavagirl.Attheendoftheaisle,adirtpathledtoanarenawheresheknewsomestudentstrained.AruandMinihadnevermetanyoftheotherkidswho,becauseoftheirlineage,wereentitledtostudyintheOtherworld.Arulikedto think that she andMiniwere kept separate from thembecause, asPandavas,theyneededexclusivelessons.ButMinisuspecteditwasreallybecausethetwoofthemwereinremedialclasses….

Oncetheyreachedthearena,Aruspottedapairofgirlsfightingforcontrolofagoldenbowandarrow.OnewasthePandavasistertheyhadseenbefore—theshape-shifter.Shehadchestnutskinandbrownhairwithgoldhighlights.Shewasalsoridiculouslytall,andthoughshehadlonglimbs,theyweren’tganglylikeAru’s,butthickandsturdy,andcoveredinmetalbracelets.

Andtheothergirl?Arufeltasifthewindhadbeenknockedoutofherlungs.

“Howisthatpossible?”whisperedMini.

BecausethepersonthePandavawasfightingwas…

Aru.

“IKeepingUpwiththePandavas

sn’tthat…you?”saidMini,thetiniestamountofuncertaintyflickeringinhervoice.

Real Aru pointed at Fake Aru, who was currently unleashing a powerfuluppercutagainsttheotherPandavagirl.Thebowandarrowwereonthegroundbehindthem.

“WouldIeverweardenimondenim?!”demandedAru.

“Goodpoint,”saidMini.Shepushedherglassesuponhernose.

The Pandava girl, Aru realized begrudgingly, had some seriousmoves. Shedarted ridiculously fast, dodging blows and kicking up dirt. At one point, shetransformedintoamassiveblue jaguar(whichwas sounfair)andattackedFakeAru,butFakeAruheldherown.Withafinalpowerfulblow,FakeArusentthePandava girl–jaguar flying back against a wall, where she slid to the floor,unconscious.Inaflashofbluelight,thebigcatturnedbackintoagirl.

FakeArudraggedherarmoverhermouth,breathingheavily,andpickedupthe bow and arrow. Then she snapped her fingers. The zombies, who hadcontinuedrunningrampantthroughtheNightMarket,immediatelywentstill.

Aru’seyeswidened.FakeAruwascontrollingthezombies.Buthow?

“Shehastobearakshasi,”whisperedMini.

Aru recalled from Pandava class that some rakshasas, beings with animalheads,couldtakeontheappearanceofgods,demons,andhumans.Including,itwouldseem,Arus.Butwhywouldarakshasidecidetolooklikeher?

“Shemustbeanevilone,”saidAru,brandishingVajra.“Thatoutfitsaysitall.”

Thelightningboltflaredtolife.DeeDeeturnedintoavioletspear.Butjustas the twoof themrushedtowardFakeAru,aburstofwhite light threwthem

back.FakeAruturnedtofaceRealAruandMini.

Therakshasiwiggledherfingersinahello,whichwasnotonlyreallyrude,butseemedtocausethezombiestoperkupandlurchintoattackmodeagain.Inaflash,FakeArudisappearedwiththebowandarrow…butnotwithoutleavingsomethingbehind:

Amassivefire.

Searing flames erupted in a circle all aroundMini and Aru. Black smokechokedoffanysightofthezombies.

“Boo!”shoutedMini.“Helpus!”

Aru lookedup.Theskieswereempty.Theirpigeonmentorwasgone.TheotherPandavagirlwasstillslumpedontheground.

Right aboveherhead,Aruheardwind ripping through the air and felt thewhumpofvastwings.Sheshieldedhereyes,squintingupasseveralGuardians—the celestial beings who protected each generation’s Pandavas—started todescend from the sky. Aru felt relief and annoyance twinned inside her.Whycouldn’ttheyhaveshownupthirtysecondsearlier?

TherewasHanuman,themonkeydemigod,whoappearedasagiantversionof himself. His cheeks looked strangely full. Beside him was Urvashi, thestunningapsara, wearing a black tank top that readDANCE ISMY SUPERPOWER.Behindthem,ArucouldseetwootherfiguresfromtheCouncilofGuardians:agiganticbearwearingacrown,andanold,scowlingwomanwiththelowerbodyofasnake.

Somethingaboutherwasevenscarierthanthezombies.

“SHIELDEACHOTHER!”shoutedBoo,swoopingoverhead.

Aru cast a wide net over herself, Mini, and—though she probably didn’tdeserve it—the unconscious Pandava girl. ThenMini blasted a force field ofvioletlightaroundthem—successfullythistime.Themagicalshieldshadbarelymaterializedbeforejetsofwater,asiffromabunchoffirehoses,hittheflames.AruglanceduptoseeHanumanshootingwaterfromhismouth.Hemusthaveslurpedupawholelake.Thefiredied,steamhissingintheair.

Oncethesmokecleared,Aruexpectedtoseeanarmyofsoggyzombies.Butinstead, all she saw was the wreckage of the Night Bazaar: Stalls overturned.Stripsofnightskydanglingdownintheair.Acoupleofshopkeepersshoutingaboutinsurance.Aruignoredallthat.

Thezombieshaddisappearedcompletely.Notasingletraceofthemwasleft.

Minicoughed.“Thatwasawful!”

“Iknow,”saidAru.“Allthosezombies—”

“Andthesmoke!”Minireachedforherbackpackandtookoutherinhaler.“Italmostgavemeanasthmaattack.”

“How?”askedAru.

“Well, there’re these small airways in your lungs called bronchioles, and ifyouhaveasthma,theairwaysbecomeinflamed,which—”

“No! Not the asthma! The zombies! Where did they go? There were, like,hundreds!Canzombiesdisappear?”

Miniwheezed.“Theycanifthey’rebeingcontrolledbysomethingelse.Likethatbowandarrow.”Shepointedherchintowardthenow-weaponlessPandavagirl.Miniwalkedovertoher,stillclutchingherinhaler,andArufollowed.

Behindthem,theGuardiansalightedontheground.

Arucrouchedbesidethenewgirl.

“Hey,”shesaidgruffly.Sheshookthegirl’sshoulder.

Mini lifted thegirl’swristand lookedatherownwatch.“Herheart rate isseventybeatsperminuteandstrong.That’sgood.”

Sluggishly,thePandavablinkedupatthem.Herhazeleyesgrewwide.

“Situpslowly,”coaxedMini inherbest one-day-I’m-going-to-be-a-doctorvoice.“Thatwasaroughhit.How’syourvision?”

Leave it to Mini to be super nice to the person who had wrecked theirSaturday.Arucrossedherarms,scowling.

The girl blinked again and looked around.Thenher gaze focused onAru.Shepushedherselfofftheground,shovingMiniaside.

“Icanseejustfine,”growledthegirl.“Icanseethethiefrightinfrontofme.Handitover.”

“I’mnotthethief,youare!”saidAru,holdingupherhands.“Butthatrakshasi—theonewholookedlikeme—tookthebowandarrow.Justsowe’reclear,I’mtherealAru.”Shegesturedatheroutfit.“Notethelackofdenimondenim.”

The girl smacked her hands down. The moment they touched, Aru felt ashock,asifalivewirehadsnakedbetweenthem.

Wind stirred the dirt. Then it rose up in a cyclone around the other girl,

liftingherofftheground.

Honestly,ifithadbeenAru,shewould’vestartedscreaming.Butthisgirljustsmiledandraisedherarms.Arureallywantedhertosay,Allshalllovemeanddespair!Butshedidn’t.Maybeshehadn’tseentheLordoftheRingsmovies.

ApalebluelightburstaroundthePandava.Aflag—thesymbolofVayu,thegodofthewind—rotatedaboveherhead.Itwas,Aruhadtoadmit,epic.Andthegirl didn’t even seem surprised that she’d been claimed! She didn’t blink oncewhenshewasloweredbacktothegroundandaglowingblueweaponthatlookedlikeacaveman’sclubthuddednexttoher.Shejustpickeditup,swungitoverhershoulder,andstartedmarchingtowardAru.

Whoa,thoughtAru.Howcomesheautomaticallygetsacelestialweapon?AruandMinihadbeenforcedtotrudgeallthewaythroughtheKingdomofDeathbeforetheirweaponsturnedintomorethanaPing-Pongballandacompactmirror.

Thatwas…thatwascompletelyunfair.

Only then did Aru notice they had an audience. On the outskirts of theNightBazaar, shoppers and storeownerspressed closer, eager to get inon thedrama.

MiniracedinfrontofAruandheldupherhands.“Listen,sometimespeoplemakemistakes,whichyouclearlydidbackthere….Butwesavedyourlife!Youcan’tbemadatus!”

“Iammad,” said the girl, not breakingher stride. “You stole the bow andarrow.Wherearethey?”Herstomachgrowledloudly.Shepaused,adding,“AndI’mhungry.”

“Maybe you’ve got hypoglycemia—very common, andprobablymakes youirritable,” saidMini, talking fast.“WantaSnickers?”Shepulleda full-sizebarfromherbackpackandhelditoutinfrontofthePandava.

AruwasreallygladLordVayuhadplacedhissouldaughteragooddistanceawayfromthetwoofthem.Evenso,whenthegirlswungherclublikeabaseballbat,windexplodedaroundMiniandAru.Theybothdugintheirheels,butthegust liftedMini into the air. The Snickers bar fell on the ground as she wascarriedoff,shouting,“ButIofferedyoucandyyyy!”

Aruwaiteduntil she sawMini safely, though ratherunceremoniously,plopontothegroundafewfeetaway.

“Youcould’vehurther!”saidAruangrily.

“So?Whatareyougoingtodoaboutit?”demandedthedaughterofVayu.

Vajraturnedintoalightningsword.Electricitycrackleddowntheblade.

“Oh,sothat’showyouwannaplayit,thief?”

“You’rethethief!”

HanumanandUrvashiracedtowardthem,shouting,“Okay,girls,there’snoreasontofight!”

Someoneofftothesideshouted,“Catfight!Catfight!”

Someoneelsegoaded,“Grabherbythehorns!”

Anotherchimed,“Shedoesn’thavehorns!”

“STOPIT,BRYNNE!”shoutedHanuman.“Fatherwillnotbepleased.”

“ARU,PUTTHATSWORDDOWN!”holleredBoo.

AndthenablastofwindshotArustraightupintothesky.Herarmsstartedpinwheeling.Sheglanceddown—thatwasahugemistake.Everyonelookedlikereallycattyants.

As she fell, the last thing she saw before blacking out was a pair of gianthandsreachingtosnatchheroutofthesky.

AAruShah:DemigodandHamsterImpersonator

ru woke up floating among the clouds in a gigantic glass bubble. A holeopenedupbeneathher,andAru’sstomachlurched.Hundredsoffeetbelow,

she saw the colorful (though torn-up) tents of theNight Bazaar and the lastwispsof smoke from the epic fire.She scuttledbackward inherbubblebeforelookingup.Nothingbutclearsky.Hanumanhaddroppedherinthereasifshewereamisbehavinghamster.

Fine,thoughtAru,I’llbeahamster.

She started running, trying to get the sphere to move. In the distance, athunderstormletloosealowgrowl.Arucouldn’thelpbutthinkitwasthetiniestbitofscoldingfromherdivinedad.

“Shestartedit!”protestedAru.

Thethundergrowledagain.ItsoundedlikeitwassayingOh,really?

A dusky cloud unraveled in the wind, allowing Aru to catch sight of twoothergiantbubblesfloatingjustacouplefeetawayfromher.OneofthemcarriedMini, who was sitting cross-legged and reading a book. When she saw Arulookingather,shegaveasmall,sadwave.InthebubblenexttoherwasBrynne.

“Let me out!” shouted Brynne, but it sounded muffled. She beat her fistagainsttheglass,andspiderwebcracksbloomedonthesurface.

Well,ifshecandothat,Idefinitelycan,too,thoughtAru.Sheslammedafistagainstthebubble.Pain shot throughher arm.“OW,OW,OW,OW!” she shrieked,clutchingherhand.

Intheotherbubble,Miniraisedhereyebrows.

Aru tapped into their telepathic Pandava link. Usually, she only felt aconnection to Mini’s brain. This time, though, she sensed the presence of asecondpathway.IfMini’slinkfeltlikevelvet,thisotherpathwasthorned.Ithadtobelongtotheothergirl,andtherewasnowayAruwouldtapintothatlink.

Didyouseethat?

DidIseeyoualmostbreakyourhand?Yep.

HOWDIDSHEDOTHAT?

I think she’s the reincarnation ofBhima the Strong? She could probably bite through a steelbeam.Butsheshouldn’ttry.Mightbedangerouswithoutatetanusshot….

Aru’smindwentelsewhere.BhimatheStrongwasthesecond-oldestPandavaand the sonofLordVayu.Thatmeant shewasHanuman’shalf sister.WhichexplainedwhyHanumanhadsaidFatherwillnotbepleased.

ArurecalledthatBrynnehadn’tbeentheleastbitsurprisedwhenhersouldadsweptherupintotheair.She’dlookedso…graceful.LikearealPandava.AndAruhadn’tforgottenhowshe’dfought.Likeafullytrainedhero.

A pang of jealousy shot throughAru, followed by a strangememory. Justbefore she’d gone unconscious, she’d felt a cold, smooth hand against herforeheadand theunsettling sensationof someone rifling throughhermemorieslikefilesinadeskdrawer.

Who’ddonethat?

Sheploppeddown in themiddleof thehamsterball. Itcouldn’thavebeenMini. Though they shared a Pandava mind link, she could block her friend’sentry if shewanted to.Thispersonhad rudelybarged in andmade themselvesright athome, andAruhadbeenpowerless against them.Maybe itwasBrynne,Aruthoughtwithaflashoffury.

Aru gazed over atMini now and saw her urgently pointing andmouthingLookdown!

About fifty feet below them, theCouncil ofGuardianswas gathered in itselaborateCourtoftheSky,aflatplaneofmarbledcloudswhereasemicircleofgoldenthronesandaroundtable floated ineeriesplendor.Aruhamster-joggeduntilherglassbubbledriftednearertothem—closeenoughsoshecouldgetthegistofwhattheyweresaying.

Asusual,notall theGuardianswere inattendance.Therewas thebeautifulUrvashi.Shetookanangryswigfromherwaterbottle,andArusawthroughthesemitransparentplasticthatitdidn’tcontainwater,butsunshine.BesideUrvashi,Boowasperchedatthetopofhisthrone,squawkingloudly.Hanumanwasthere,too, dressed in an all-white tuxedo. A fourth seat was occupied by KingJambavan, the giant bear, whose crown, Aru could now see, looked like smallconstellationsknittedaroundhisforehead.

Allof themwere arguingwithwhoeverwas seated in the fifth throne.Arucouldn’tseewhoitwas,becauseacloudwasintheway.Shepushedoneendoftheglassbubble,tryingtosteeritasbestasshecould,untilthepersoncameintoview:theancientnagawoman.

MostOtherworldbeingsappearedeternallyyoungoratleastagedsuperslow.Thenagini’sbronzeskinwasshriveled.Hermouthhadahardsettoit,asifshe’dforgottenhowtosmile.Thelowerhalfofherwasobscuredbythetable,butAruknewthatsomewheremid-torso,thewoman’shumanbodymeldedwiththatofaserpent. On her head, the naga woman wore a tiara of moonstones andaquamarines. It made sense that she had so many jewels. Nagas were treasureguardians,afterall.Butitwasstrangethatshedidn’thavethecustomaryjewelinthemiddleofherforehead.

“—aseriousssoffense!”thenaginiwassaying.“Theystolethebowandarrowfrom thenaga treasury!None cando that save for someonewith extraordinarypower.SomeonelikeaPandava.NooneelsecangetpastTakshaka.Trustme.Hedoesnotneedhissighttosenseeverythingaroundhim.”

Thenagawomangesturedtoamalenagawhowasstandingatherside.Helooked immortally youthful, but he had an ancient and powerful aura. Seriousburnmarks roped across his brown chest and face.His eyesweremilkywhitewith blindness. A dark blue jewel gleamed at the center of his forehead.Supposedly,eachnaga’sjewelwastiedtotheirheartorsomething.Thatmadeitall theweirder, thoughtAru, that thenaginihadno jewelonher forehead.AllArusawtherewasahollowdent,markedwithawhitescar.

“The girlwas holding the bow and arrowofKamadeva,” the nagawomancontinued.“Shemustbeheldaccountable.”

Kamadeva. Aru knew theword devameant god. So thatmeant the bow andarrow was a celestial weapon.No wonderVajra andDeeDee hadn’t worked.Celestialweapons couldn’t battle one another.Aru fought the urge topoint atBrynneandgo:Youareinserioustrouble.HA!

“Aruhadnothingtodowithit!”exclaimedBoo.

Wait,what?ME?

AruglancedupatBrynne’sbubble.Thegirlwastakingasavagebiteoutofacandy bar. She grinned evilly at Aru, but it vanished with the Council’s nextwords:

“Aru is to blame, and so is Brynne,” said the nagawoman. “Both of themwereseenintheOtherworldwiththebowandarrow.”

“Howmuchcouldonereallysee?”demandedBoo.“TherewasafogofmagicconcealingthewholeoftheNightBazaar.Ibetarakshasiwasbehindthis.Afterall,thethiefwasashape-shifter.Surelyyounoticedthat,QueenUloopi?”

Uloopi?Aru knew that name from the stories. In theMahabharata, an ancientSanskrit epic poem about the war between the Pandavas and their cousins,Uloopi was not only a famous naga queen, but also one of the wives of thePandavaArjuna.Supposedly,shebroughthimbacktolifeafterhewaskilledonthebattlefield.ButArudidn’tknowwhathappenedtoherafterthat.

Youwerehisfavoritequeen!Trustme,Iknow.I’vegothissoul!Aruwantedtosay.Pleasedon’tkillme?

ClearlyUloopi’sdevotiontoArjunadidn’ttransfertohisreincarnations.

“Oh,IknowwhatIsaw,”saidUloopidarkly.“AndIdonotputmytrustinanyone, particularly you, Subala.Your nicknamewas once theGreatDeceiver,wasitnot?PerhapsnowthattheSleeperisawakeandbuildinghisarmy,weneedtoquestionyourallegiancetothedevas….”

Boosquawkedandruffledhisfeathersindignantly.AruandMinistoodupintheir respective bubbles at the same time, wearing twin expressions of fury.Uloopi’s accusation wasn’t fair. Boo had changed since the days he was thedeviousShakhuni,kingofSubala.He’dprovenitbybeingaloyalfriendtoAruandMini.

Hanumanleanedforwardinhisthrone.Histailwhippedbehindhim.“Thatcommentwasuncalledfor,QueenUloopi.Besides,whentheOtherworldalarmfirstwentoff,IwastrainingtheyoungPandavas.Theycouldn’thavestolenthebowandarrow.”

“The alarmwent off whenwe discovered the breach in security,” said thenagamanbesidethequeen.“Notatthemomentoftheft.Forallyouknow,theirtraining session with you was designed to provide an alibi for theirwhereaboutsss.”

Hanumangloweredandstartedtospeakagain,butUloopicuthimoff.

“Takshakaraisesaworthypoint,”shesaid.“Thingsareshifting.Noneofushasbeenable to locate theSleeper, thoughhe isundoubtedly toblame for therecentspikeindemonicactivity.PerhapstheonewhostolethebowandarrowofKamadevaishisaccomplice.Forallweknow,thesePandavasmightnotevenbeour true allies! As has been foretold, nothing will be as it seems when theinevitablewarbreaksout.”

“We have always known that the Pandavas awaken only when danger is

present,”saidHanumaninhisdeep,boomingvoice.“Buttheyareonourside.”

“Arethey?”musedTakshaka.HisblindgazeturnedtoAru,andguiltsurgedthroughher.Foramoment,shethoughthewasgoingtosayitwasherfaulttheSleeperwasstirringuptrouble.Theproblemwas…itwouldbetrue.Shewastheonewhohadlethimoutofthelampinthemuseum.She’dstumbledintheirlastconfrontationandaccidentallyallowedhimtoescape.Nowthedemonwasatlarge,whoknewwhere,stillhell-bentonhismissiontobringdownthegods.

She’dfailedeveryone.

Even so, how could the Council think she and Mini were their enemies?Their Saturday goals were simple: imitate potatoes on a couch. Instead, theyendedupfightingdentistzombies,andthiswasthethankstheygot?Rude.

Urvashi raised her hand and twirled herwrist. Aru lurched forward as herglassbubblewaspulleddownward.

“You have spoken long enough, Uloopi,” Urvashi said. “You heard thetestimonyfromallsides.Youwitnessedthegirls’memories—”

“I tried to,” cut inUloopi. “Butbecause they arePandavas, theirminds areharder toaccess.There aregaps!Enough tomake itdifficult forme tobelievetheyareinnocent.”

A cold prickle traveled down Aru’s spine. So it was Uloopi she had feltrummagingthroughherbrain.Herfaceflamed.DidthatmeanUloopihadseenAru singing “Thriller” and doing the shoulder-dance move in the bathroommirror?

“Ihaveheardquiteenoughfromeveryone,”saidUloopi.

Urvashilookedoutraged,butevenshedeferredtothegreatnagaqueen.

“Includingtheotherwitness…”addedUloopi.

At this, thenagabesideher—Takshaka—shifted.A scowl appearedonhisface, but it disappeared so fast Aru wondered if she had imagined it. As herhamsterbubblekeptdescending,Arulookedaroundthecourt(halfcheckingtomakesuretherewasn’tsomemagicalscreenshotofhersinginginthemirror),butshedidn’tseeanyotherwitnesspresent.

Herglassbubblegentlybouncedonacarpetofmistbeforedissolvingaroundher.Slippersmagicallyappearedonherfeettoprotectherfromfallingthroughthepatchywhiteclouds.Wayuphere,wheretheCourtoftheSkyhovered,theairwasthinandcold,anditburnedinAru’slungs.Thetwootherglassbubbleslanded on either side of her and dissolved, too, leavingMini on her right and

Brynneonherleft.

Brynne was no longer smug. Instead, she was looking at Aru as if she’dsproutedasecondheadthathadjustintroduceditselfasKathywithaK.

“You’retheotherPandavas?”

Arumadejazzhands.“Ta-daaaaa!”

Brynnefrownedather,thenatMini.“ButIsawyousteal….”

“AndIsawyourunningthroughmyneighborhoodwithabowandarrowthatI’mprettysureweren’tyours.”

“Areyoucallingmeathief?”saidBrynne.

“Well,IknowforafactIdidn’tstealit.”

Brynne gave her a head-to-toe look and smirked. “Actually, I believe that.ThethiefIwasfightingactuallyseemedlikeaPandava.You,ontheotherhand,barelylooktrained.”

Ohnoshedidnot.

“Wearetrained!”saidMini.

“Weareseriouslydeadly,”addedAru.

“Yeah!”saidMini,takingasteptowardBrynne.

At thatmoment,Mini stumbled.Shewould’ve fallen face-first intoacloudwithout her enchanted slippers, but instead she just vibrated in place like apluckedguitarstring.

Brynnerolledhereyesanddeadpanned,“I’mscreaming.”

“Youknowwhat?”

“Girls!”hissedBoo.

Allthreeofthemsnappedtoattention.Theroundtablehaddisappeared,andtheCouncilofGuardians’ throneswerenow fanningout around them.On theonehand,Aruwasgladshewasn’twearingpajamasthistime.Ontheotherhand,she really wished her backpack weren’t bright purple with HAKUNA MATATA!spelledoutonitinhugeletters.

“Youhaveallbeenjudged,”saidUloopi.

“Butwaitaminute—”saidAru.

Takshaka’stailwhippedout,stirringmistoffthecloudsashehissed,“Keepquietwhenyoureldersaressspeaking!”

EvenBoo shot her a disapproving look.Aru had a horrible feeling of acidspreadingthroughherveins.Red-faced,shehunchedhershouldersandlookedatthenagaqueen.Upclose,shewasevenmoreintimidating.Uloopisathighonherthrone,heremeraldserpenttailcoiledbeneathherlikeacushionedseat.

“The theft and misuse of Kamadeva’s bow and arrow will have seriousconsequencesinthemortalworld,”saidthequeen.

Duh,thoughtAruangrily.PeoplewouldstartscreamingZombieapocalypse! andlosetheirminds,andtheInternetwouldprobablycrash,andthenitwouldreallybeanapocalypse.

“Thethiefiskidnappinghumanmenatanalarmingrate,turningthemintothoseslack-jawedcreaturesyousawintheOtherworld.”

That was not what Aru expected to hear. That meant all those zombiesweren’tzombiesatall…butkidnappedvictims.Herstomachchurned.

“Ifthebowandarrowarenotrecoveredsoon,theeffectsonthosemenwillbepermanent.TheywillbeHeartlessforalleternity.”

Heartless? Aru gulped, remembering the weird scars on the zombies’ chests.Hadsomeoneactually…?

Uloopi interrupted her thoughts with a declaration. “The Pandavas mustprovetheirinnocence.”Sheleanedforward,hercrownglitteringsobrightlythatArucouldn’tlookatitstraighton.“Youareherebychargedwithretrievingthebowand arrow in tenmortaldays’ time. If you fail, therewill be a cost.YourmemoriesoftheOtherworldwillbewiped.YouwillnotrememberyouwereeverPandavas, and your Pandava souls will go dormant. Furthermore, you will bebanishedfromtheOtherworld.Forever.”

AWeLiterallyJustWentonaQuest

rucouldn’tbreathe.

Memorieswiped…

Pandavanomore…

Banishedforever…

Iftheyfailed,allthosementurnedHeartlesswouldstayzombies!Itseemedlikeafateworsethandeath.Plus,ifthisgeneration’sPandavaswereexiled,whowouldstoptheSleeper?

She glanced over atMini, who looked like Aru felt: stricken. And then sherealized that, if they failed, shewouldn’t even rememberMini.Thiswhole lifewouldbeerased.Thistinyclaimtomagic,thissensethat,forthefirsttime,shecouldbreatheeasybecauseshehadfoundherhome…Itwouldallbetakenfromher.SimplybecauseQueenUloopirefusedtobelievethetruth.

Arucouldn’tletthathappen.

Vajra, now shaped like a humble bracelet, crackled against her wrist. Shecouldfeelhertemperseethinginsideherchest,ahotpressureonherlungsthatmade it difficult to breathe. From his throne—which had transformed into asinglegoldentreebranchsuspendedintheair—Boomadetinydon’t-do-it!gestureswithhiswholebody.Aruignoredhim.Sheopenedhermouthtospeak….

Butsomeonebeathertoit.

“Areyouserious?”demandedBrynne.

Arulookedoverather.Thereweretearsintheothergirl’seyes.Allthecolorhaddrainedfromherface.

“TaskedasIamwithmaintaininglawandorderintheOtherworld,Ifindnoreasontojokeaboutthesematters,”saidUloopicoldly.

The rest of the Council looked grave and solemn. Even through her own

fury,ArucouldsensethatUloopitooknopleasureinthis.Butthepersonbesideher—Takshaka—didn’tseemtomindatall.Thecornerofhismouthtwitched.

“Do the Pandavas findQueenUloopi unmerciful?” he askedwith a sneer.“Hersss was the deciding vote in allowing you to prove your innocence. Thewitness’sphotodidn’tfoolme.”HeflickedhistongueinBrynne’sdirection.“Iknowfirsthandhowmanipulativeanyoneofasuralineagecanbe,evenifsheisssaPandava.”

Brynne’s lower lip trembled for just an instant, but shequickly set her jawandglaredattheserpentking.

SoBrynnewaspartasura.Thatwouldexplainwhyshecouldshape-shift—only asuras and rakshasas had that ability. While being an asura or rakshasadidn’t automaticallymake someonedemonic, itdidmake themharder to trust.AruhadseenOtherworldpeopleactsuspicious—evencruel—towardthem.

ButifBrynnereallywasthethief,shewouldn’tlooksoupset.AndAruhadtoadmit that Fake Aru had been convincing. It was… possible… that Brynnereallyhadbeentryingtocatchthetrueculprit.

AruquicklysharedherthoughtswithMini,whoseresponsewasbrief:Idon’tthinkshe’sthethief.

“Don’t worry, Pandavas. If you fail, a new batch of warriors will comealong,”Takshakasaid.“Itdoesn’tmatter.”

Itdoesn’tmatter.Arufeltthosewordsclangthroughher.Shedidn’tmatter.

“You’rewrong,”shesaidquietly.

Minisniffled,noddingfiercely.“We’llproveit.”

Uloopi lookedatAru,Brynne,andMinias if shewereseeingthemfor thefirsttime.Finallyshesaid,“Whatastrangevesselforsuchasoul,”eyeingAru.Shesighed,soundingasifshehadneededanapforthepastfivethousandyears.“Ihaveagreat-grandsonyourage.”

Aru’seyebrowsskatedupherforehead.What?

ThatwasnotwhatshehadexpectedUloopitosay.

But maybe raising her eyebrows was the completely wrong thing to do,becauseUloopi’sfacedarkened.

“What?”shespatviciously.“DidyouthinkthatbecausemysonwithArjunadied in battle I was supposed tomourn for the rest ofmy days?No! I had akingdomtorule!Peoplewholookeduptome!Iwasnotjustsomeone’swife.”

AruglancedbetweenBrynneandMini.MinishookherheadlikeIhavenoideawhatishappening.

“Um,Ineversaidthatyou—”

“I have had as many consorts”—it took Aru a second to remember thatconsort was just a fancyword for spouse—“as there are days in a year. And asmanychildrenasthereareflowersintheworld!”

“That’s…alot?”offeredAru.

“Can you lay eggs?” askedMini. “I’m just thinking how, statistically, thatwould work. A wax scale insect can lay more than ten thousand eggs in onesitting!Ow!Aru,whyareyouelbowingme?”

Something about Uloopi’s face told Aru that the naga queen did notappreciatebeingaskedifshecouldlayeggs.

Boo flew in front of their faces, flapping wildly. “YourMajesty, the girlsmeannodisrespect.Theyarevery,very,veryyoung.Eonsyoungerthanyouand—”

Uloopiraisedhereyebrows.“Eons?”

Boo’s feathers poufed in embarrassment. “Which is not to say that you’reancient,exceptyouare,butnotinawaythat—”

“This weariesme,” saidUloopi, rising up on her coils. “I have issuedmyproclamation.Youhave ten days, Pandavas.Returnwhatwas stolen to restoretheHeartlesstotheirformerselves.Orbebanished.”

Besideher,Takshakamadeaslitinthecloudfloor,creatinganopeningthatwasprobablyaportalbacktothenagarealm.Withoutanotherwordorglance,Uloopi slipped through anddisappeared.Takshaka, though, tookhis time.Heswunghisheadintheirdirection.AndeventhoughAruknewhecouldn’tseeher,she felt the weight of his attention. It made her shudder, and she instinctivelycalledVajraintoherhandasalightningbolt.

“Goodluck,”hesaid.

Itdidn’tsoundlikehemeantit.

And thenbothof themweregone, leavingAruandMinialonewithanewquest…andanewsister.

TheotherCouncilmembersbenttheirheads,whisperingtogether.

Brynne tossed her wind mace over her shoulder. “Right,” she said, allbusinesslike.“Iwouldbehonoredtoclearournames.Youtwostayhere—”

“Noway!”saidAru.“MeandMinihavedonethisbefore.”ShesummonedVajratoherhand.“We’retheprofessionals.Youstayhere.”

“‘Professionals’iskindofastretch,”Minimumbled.

Fromherthrone,UrvashisnappedherfingersandpointedatBrynne.“Youarenotgoingalone.”

“Why? Just because I wasn’t on some quest where these two got lucky?”demanded Brynne. “I could’ve gotten it done faster. I’ve been training in theOtherworldforyears.Haveyou?”

Aru decided not to point out that she and Mini were in the middle ofremedialclasses.

“Sowhatifyou’vehadtraining?”shotbackAru.“AsfarasIremember,youweren’twithus.”

Brynne turned red. “I would have if …” She stopped herself, her handturningtoafistatherside.“Whatever.”

“Why don’t we start over,” said Mini, putting herself between Aru andBrynne. “Three heads are better than two! Unless it’s like craniopagus parasiticus,whichwouldn’tbegood,butthatonlyhappensinfourcasesoutoftenmillion—”

Boo interrupted by fluttering down and alighting on Aru’s shoulder. Arureacheduptopathishead,andthepigeonpeckedherhand.“Notjustthethreeofyou,”hesaid.

Arusmackedherforehead.“Oh,duh!Andyou,too,ofcourse.Whatwouldwedowithoutyou,Boo?”

“I am afraidmypresencewill not be allowed,” he said heavily.He lookedbackat the remainingCouncilofGuardiansmembers.Urvashihad tears inhereyes.Hanuman looked stony. “Itwould seem that I am to be held in custodyuntilsuchtimeasmyallegianceagainsttheSleeperisproven.”

Aru’searsburned.Furyshotthroughherveins.

“Theycan’tdothat,”shesaidloudly.“Youhaven’tdoneanythingwrong!”

Boosadlyruffledhisfeathers.

“Donotworry,” he said. “I ampermitted to send someone inmyplace. IhavechosentheCouncil’switness,someonewhohasprovenhimselfcommittedto the truth. It is thanks tohimthat someCouncilmembersdoubted thatyoustolethebowandarrow.”

“Imean,goodjobandall,witnessdude,butwedon’twanthim,”saidAru.“Wewantyou.”

“Wedon’tevenknowwhoheis,”pointedoutMini.

Boo held up a wing. “I am getting to that. He is a brilliant student:exceptional with a sword, familiar with the Otherworld—thanks to hissemidivinelineage—andquiteknowledgeable.Asastudentofours,itishisdutytofightonbehalfofthedevasalongsidethisgeneration’sPandavas.Therefore,hehasbeengrantedtemporaryPandavasecurityclearance.”

Right on cue, a door opened in the sky, and the clouds parted. Sunraysilluminatedthecourt.

Aruconsideredherselfsomethingofa“filmbuff”(aphrasesheonlyrecentlylearneddidnotmean thatwatchingmovies gave youmuscles). Sheknew a lotaboutBollywoodmovies inparticular.Therewas a formula to them: Someonealwaysgotslapped.Someonealwayscried.Themoviesalmostalwaysendedwitha wedding. And, oh right, everyone knows when the love interest shows up,becausethewindstartsmagicallyblowingtheirhair.

At that moment, wind started blowing. But that was because Brynne haddroppedhermace.Aru literally started chokingon the rushof air.ThenMinipanickedandstartedclappingherontheback,whichdidn’thelp.Inthemiddleofacoughingspell,ArulostholdofVajra.

“Uh-oh,”saidBrynne.

ArulookedupintimeforVajratobonkheronthehead,knockinghertotheground.“Ughhhhh,”shesaid,rubbinghercrown.“Todayisnotmyday.”

In themidstof all this chaos, a boywalkedup to them.Hewas tall, withsandybrown skin.A shockof blackhair fell over his forehead, andhewore adark green long-sleeved hoodie, faded jeans, and bright red sneakers. Slungagainsthishipwasaserious-lookingcamera.

“Girls,”saidBoo,“allowmetointroduceyourcompanion,AidenAcharya.”

Aiden? As in the dimpled, curly-haired new boy at school? The person sheaccidentallyword-vomited to and toldhim sheknewwherehe lived?HemadeeyecontactwithAruforasplitsecondbeforequicklylookingaway.

Aru pinched Vajra, and the lightning bolt sent a shock through her skin.Well,shewasdefinitelyawake.Arucouldforgetabouttodaynotbeingherday.

Nope,thoughtAru.Todayiscancelled.

AThisIsFine.Really

rudidnothaveacrush.Thatwasforcertain.Whatshehadwasadesirenottolooklikesomeonewhocombedtheirhairwithaforkandthoughteggs

grewontreesorsomethingequallyridiculous.Thatwasall.Sheespeciallydidn’twanttolooklikethattosomeonewhosmelledniceandhaddarkeyesandwhohadonlybeen in school for, like, a secondandwas alreadymorepopular thanArucouldeverdreamofbecoming,evenifshebroughtanactualelephanttoclassandcookiecaketohomeroomfortherestoftheyear.

“Called it!” shrieked Brynne happily, punching Aiden in the arm. “Knewyou’dcomethrough.”

He winced before grinning back. “Always.” He held up a picture on hisphone.“Managedtogetashotofyouandthethiefwhoshape-shiftedintoAru,andthentherealAruinthebackground.”

Inthepicture,BrynneandFakeArulookedliketheywereinthemiddleofanepicbattle.Inthebackground,RealArulookedlikeshewasinthemiddleofanepicsneeze.Great.

“Ithoughtthiswouldbeenoughtoproveit,buttheCouncildidn’tbelieveme,”hesaidunhappily.“DoIstillgetlasagnaasareward?”

Brynnelaughed.“DependsonwhetherGunkyhasanyleftover.”

Aru andMini glanced at each other and shrugged. It seemed Brynne andAidenwerefriends.Goodenoughfriends,apparently,tosharelasagnaandknowsomeonenamedGunky.What?

Brynnepaused, lookingbetweenAru andAiden. “But…how’d youknowhername?”

Aidenlookedoverather.Hisexpressiongotalittlestrange.“She,um,goestoschoolwithmeandlivesacrossfrommyhouse.”

“Wait,”saidBrynne.Aslowsmilespreadacrossherfaceasshespunoneofthe

dozensofgoldbraceletsonherwrist.“Thegirlacrossfromyou?”SheturnedtoAru,hereyessparkling.“Areyoutheonewhosaid‘Iknowwhereyoulive’?Thecreepystalkergirl?”Thenshestartedtolaugh.

Arureallywishedhercloudslipperswouldfailsoshecouldfallthroughthesky. Bright red spots appeared on Aiden’s cheeks. But he didn’t deny talkingaboutherwithBrynne.Inthatsecond,whateverscrapofsomethingshemighthavealmostfeltforhimdiedonthespot.

AidenAcharyawasofficiallycancelled.Alongwithtoday.

“Iwastired,”saidAru.“Isaidsomethingweird.Getoverit.”

“Yeah!”addedMini.“That’snothing!Arusays lotsofweirdthings.Yougetusedtoit.”

“Awesome.Thanks,Mini.”

Minibeamed.

BoolookedbetweenAru,Aiden,Brynne,andMiniandmumbledsomethingthatsoundedlikeWhyisthismylot?

“Itistime,”saidUrvashi,appearingatBoo’sside.

Hanumanpoppedup,too.“Sayyourgood-byes.”

“Nowthatwehavesurvivedintroductions,”Boosaidtothem,“Imustgo.”

Aru’sheartlurched.Shehadtogetbackthatbowandarrow.Shecouldn’tloseherPandavalife,andshewouldn’tletBoopayforacrimehedidn’tcommit.Boomighthavedonebad things inhispast,but thatwas then….Nowhewas likefamily.Whenhewasinagoodmood,hesometimestoldherbedtimestories—excepthecalledthemeveninglecturesandflat-outrefusedtosayonceuponatime.

Urvashiwavedherhandandadaintygoldenbarappearedintheair.

“Whatisthat?”askedMiniwarily.

Urvashigently liftedBoofromAru’sshoulder.Thegoldenbarfloatedovertohimandsettledacrossthebackofhisneck.Hehunghishead.Theneachendofthebarfoldeddownandclampedhiswings.

“Youcan’tdothattohim!”saidAruandMiniatthesametime.

Urvashilookedaway.“Wedonothaveachoice.Itisthelawthatallpossibleaccomplicesareheldincustodyuntiltheyareproveninnocent.”

“What about ‘innocent until proven guilty’?” askedAru. “You didn’t evenreadhimhisMirandarights!”

BoowhisperedtoMini,“Who’sMiranda?”

ArufeltproudthatherLaw&Ordermarathonshadfinallycometogooduse,butHanumanandUrvashididnotseemimpressed.

“Thefourofyoucanchangehisfate,”saidHanuman,placingalargehandonAru’sshoulder.“FindthebowandarrowtoreversethestateoftheHeartless.Becauseyouaresuspects,thereislittlewecandotohelp.Thelawisthelaw.”

Arufeltlikesomeonehadkickedherinthestomach.

“Wait—”saidMini,rummagingthroughherbackpack.“Onefortheroad.”Sheheldupacookie.

“AnOreo!”saidBoo,brightening.“Sweetgirl.Thankyou.”

Ministuckitinhisbeak.

Urvashimurmuredafewwords,andBoodissolvedintotheether.

“Wheredidyousendhim?”Arudemanded.

“Don’tworry.Hewillbecomfortable,”assuredHanuman.

Arusaidnothing.Miniclutchedherbackpacktighttoherchest.Besidethem,Aiden fiddled with the strap of his camera. Aru rarely saw him without thatcamera in school. Even though Aiden was only one year above her, in eighthgrade,apparentlyhisphotographsweresogoodthatthehighschoolnewspaper,the Vorpal Blade, often used them. Aru scowled. If he was such an importantwitness,heshould’vetakenbetterphotosofthefightbetweenBrynneandFakeAru.ThenBoowouldn’tbelockedup,andsheandMiniwouldn’tbeatriskofbanishmentfromtheOtherworld.

Hanumanletoutalongexhale,hisgazefallingonBrynne.Themomenthelookedather,Brynnewentfromsmugtoserious.Sheslippedhermaceoffhershoulderandhelditrespectfullybyherside.

“Brynne.”

“Bhai,”saidBrynneinasmallvoice.

Bhaimeantbrother.

“Youhaveagreattaskaheadofyou,”saidHanuman.

Brynnegrippedhermacetighter.“Iknow.”

Mininodded.“Weallknow.”

“Remember,”Hanuman said in a tone that Aru had come to recognize as

trust-me-I’m-super-wise,“nobodywinswhenthefamilyfeuds.”

Arufrowned.“DidyoujustquoteJay-Z?”

Aidenstartedsnickering,buthestoppedshortwhenBrynneglaredathim.

Hanuman’stailswitched,andhescowled.“What?No.Okay,maybe.Listen,Idon’t know where I hear everything. I’ve been around a while, kid. Now, myadviceistogohomeandpackwhatyouneed.Afterward,reportimmediatelytoUrvashiintheWarehouseofQuestMaterials.”

Warehouse?Aruhadneverheardofaplacelikethat….

Urvashi waved her hand, and a portal appeared in the sky. “Aiden, I’vealready spokenwith yourmother. She sent some belongings ahead to Brynne’shouse.It’llbeeasierforyoutotravelfromthere.”

“It’stechnicallyapenthouse,”correctedBrynne.

Arurolledhereyes.

“Thanks,Masi,”AidensaidtoUrvashi.

Okay, now Aru had many questions. First, it didn’t seem like Aiden wasshockedbytheideaofgoingtoBrynne’spenthouse(chill,Brynne),sohemustgotherealot.Second,Urvashiwashisaunt?He’dcalledhermasi,whichisawayofaddressing your mom’s sister, but Aiden couldn’t possibly be her nephew.Urvashiandherthreesisterswereultra-eliteapsaras,andassuchweren’tallowedtomarrymortals.ButBoohadsaidAidenwasonlysemidivine.

“C’mon,”saidBrynneexcitedly.“Ifwepackfastenough,theremightbetimeformyunclestofeeduslasagna.I’mstarving.”WithoutasinglewordtoAruorMini,shedisappearedthroughtheportal.

Aidenhesitated.ThenhesaidtoUrvashi,“Didmymomsayanythingelse?Idon’tmindstoppingbyhomefirstifsheneedsme….”

Urvashi’s face softened. “I wouldn’t do that, child. You know how hardthingsareforherrightnow.Justknowshesendsherlove.”

“Fine,” saidAiden, buthis jaw seemed tight.Hebarely looked atAru andMini.“Seeyousoon.”

Arusteppedoutofthestoneelephant’smouthandontotheflooroftheMuseumofAncientIndianArtandCulture.Itwas7:00p.m.,soall thevisitorshad leftandArucouldtakeamomenttobreathedeep,closinghereyes.Shesmelledthepolished bronze of the statues, the ink that the museum’s head of security,Sherrilyn, used to stamp guests’ hands as they entered, and even the candied

fennelseedsinbrassbowlsthathermomhadleftoutforvisitors.Itsmelledlikehome.

Butlatelyithadn’tfeltveryhomey.

WhenAruopenedhereyes tothe lobby, shesawthememoryofherbattleagainsttheSleeper,her…dad.Itwasstilltooweirdtoprocess.Sometimeswhensheslept,theirepicfightreplayedinhermind.Andyettheworstnightmareofallwasn’t how awful he was then… but how kind he’d been long ago. In theKingdomofDeath,she’dseenavisionofhiminthehospitalwhenshewasborn,hisT-shirtreadingI’MADAD!Hemusthaveheldherwhenshewasababy.Hemusthaveonce,evenifonlyforasecond,lovedher.

“Youokay?”

Arushookherself.She’dalmostforgottenthatMinihadaskedtocomeover.

“Yup!”shesaidwithfalsecheer.

“Needhelppacking?”

“Notreally?”

“Okay,butwhataboutafirst-aidkit?OrIcouldhelpyourmomaroundthehouse?Or—”

Arucrossedherarms.“Whyareyouavoidingyourownhome?”

“Amnot!”

“Aretoo!”

“D2—”Minibrokeoffwithagrumble.“Ihatewhenyoudothat.”

“Justtellme,”saidAru.

Minisighed.“Ilovemyparents,andIknowtheyloveme,butthey’re…”

“Puttingatonofpressureonyou?”askedAru.

“Abit,yeah.”

She’dbeenovertoMini’shouseloadsoftimes,and“abit”ofpressurewasanunderstatement.Mini’sparentshadafull-blownPandavaregimenforher—Runtwo miles a day! All the vitamins! No Internet after 8:00 p.m.!—on top of a five-yearscheduletogetherintoatopcollegeandatopmedicalschool.

“They’regoingtofreakoutoncetheyhearthatwecouldbebanished,”saidMini.

“That’snotyourfault.”

“Mightaswellbe,”saidMini.“Iknowwhatthey’llthink….IfmybrotherwasthePandava,thiswouldn’thavehappened.”

Arushookherhead.“Iftheygetmad,justtellthemit’snotlikeyougambledaway yourwhole kingdomand got everyone exiled to the forest for a bajillionyears.”

Minifrowned.“Whatareyoutakingabout?”

“That’ssomethingYudhistira—akayouabajillionyearsago—did.Hesetthebarprettyhighformistake-making,sodon’tworrysomuch.”

Aru’smomhadtoldher thestoryawhileago.TheeldestPandavabrother,who had a reputation for being morally upright, lost a game of dice, and hisfamilywaskickedoutofthepalaceandintotheforestasaresult.Imaginehavingtoexplainthatduringafamilymeeting.So…goodnewsandbadnews.First,wholikescamping?

IfMini’sparentshonestlythoughtaguywould’vemadeabetterPandava,thisstorymightraisesomedoubts.Butinsteadoflaughing,Mini’sfacepaledandshewalkedbacktotheelephantstatue.

“Hey!”saidAru.“Where’reyougoing?”

“Home,”huffedMini.“Igotthemessage,Aru.Ifhemadeamistakelikethat,imagineallthethingsImightdowrong.Igottagoandgetready.”

NowArufeltridiculouslyguilty.“Mini,that’snotwhatImeant….”

“I’ll see you at the warehouse.” And with that,Mini disappeared into theportal.

Aruwasabouttogoafterherwhensheheardhermomcalldownfromthetopofthestairs.“Lethercooloff,Aru,”shesaid.“She’llcomearound.”

Aru glanced up.As always,Dr.K. P. Shah looked beautiful but exhaustedfromdoingresearch long intothenight.Eversince theSleeperhadreappeared,Aru’smomhadbeentirelessinhersearchforamagicalartifactthatcouldstophim. Her travel schedule was still brutal, but she was making an effort to be“morepresent”whenshewashome.Recently,they’dhadlotsofgreattalks.JustnotaboutAru’sdad.

Yourmotherneedsmoretimebeforeshecantalkabouthim,Boohadtriedtoexplain.It’shardforher.

Thathad just leftArumore frustrated.As if thiswasn’thard for her?Howmuchtimedidhermomneed?Whatiftheywererunningoutoftimeandtherewassomethingshewasn’ttellingher?

Ashermomwalkeddownthestairs,ArusawshewascarryingthemorningnewspaperandAru’s“emergencyquest”backpack,whichwasfullofclothesandsnacks so that she wouldn’t be stuck wandering through the Otherworld inSpider-Manpajamas…again.

“Iknowyouhave togosoon,”saidhermom.“Urvashisentmeamessage.Andthentherewasthenewsthismorning.”

Sheheldupthenewspaper,whereaboldheadlinescreamed:

MASSKIDNAPPINGSTHROUGHOUTTHEWORLD!

THESEARCHCONTINUES…

Aru shuddered, thinking of the crowds of Heartless she’d seen in theOtherworld.Theyonlyhadtendaysbeforethosepeoplewouldbestucklikethatforever.

“Urvashitoldmealotofthings,actually,”saidhermom.

Ohno.

“Anythingyouwanttotalkabout?”askedhermom.

“No.”

“WhatabouttheAcharyas’sonacrossthestreet—?”

“No.”

“Becauseyouknowyoucantellmeanything.”

Arumumbled,“I’dratherwalkinfrontofabus.”

“Whatwasthat?”

“I’drathergetgoingandnot…makeafuss.”

Aru liked talking with her mom about lots of things, like the newestacquisitions for the museum. Or movies that Aru loved or hated. Or studentgossip,likehowRussellSheehansomehowsmuggledinaherdofllamasandletthemlooseonthefootballfieldofAugustusDaySchool.Whatshedidnotliketodiscusshad,unfortunately,becomehermother’snewfavoritetopic….

Feelings.

Sometimesafterdinnerhermomwouldmakethemcocoaandthey’dsnuggleon the couch and watch movies (which was nice), but sometimes Aru’s momwouldlaunchintoadiscussionaboutthe“tumultuousadolescentpsyche”(whichwasnotsonice)andstartspoutingthings likeYou’re a youngwomannow.Which

madenosense,becausewhatwasArubefore?Ayounghorse?

“WhataboutyournewPandavasister?”pressedhermom.“Ihearshe’sratheraccomplished.Shegoestooneofthetopprivateschoolsinthecountry.”

“Ugh,”saidAru.“Notyou,too.Iget it.Brynneisthebest.”Shewavedanimaginarytinyflag.

HermomgotthatI-am-feeling-wise-and-maternallook.“DidIevertellyouthestoryaboutEkalavya’sthumb?”

“Who?Isthisaboutthatfamilyfriend’ssonwhostapledhishandonadare?”

Hermothersighed.“No,Aru.It’sastoryfromtheMahabharata.”

“Oh.”

“Arjunawasagreatwarrior—”

“Breakingnews,”grumbledAru.

“—buthehadflaws,too.Hecouldbepridefulandinsecure.”

Thatwasunexpected.WheneverBootold themstoriesabout the legendaryPandavas, he pretty much stuck to all the happy look-how-awesome-you-used-to-beversions.

“WhenArjunawasastudent,hewitnessedanincrediblefeatofarchery,”hermombegan.“Itmadehimveryjealous,andhegotscaredthathewouldnolongerbe the best archer.His famous teacher, Drona, discovered that the impossibleshothadbeenmadebyEkalavya,thesonofatribalchief.EkalavyaaskedDronatotrainhiminarchery,buttheteacherrefusedhimbecauseofhislowerstatus.EkalavyameditatedonDronaanyway,andevenwentsofarastobuildastatueofhimout ofmud.This ledDrona to demand gurudaksina, a way of honoring ateacher.He asked forEkalavya’s right thumb, so no onewould be better thanArjuna,andEkalavyaagreed.”

Arugagged.“One,that’sgross.Two,that’sawful.Whydidn’tEkalavyajustsay‘nothankyou’?”

“Hewashonorable,andhe’dagreedtodoanythinghisguruaskedofhim.”

“Mom, what’s the point of this story?” asked Aru, shuddering. “Don’t beinsecureorsomeonewillgettheirthumbchoppedoff?”

HermomsighedandputthebackpackonAru’sshoulders.“AllI’msayingisthatnoonecantakeyourplaceifyoumakeroomforthem.Trustyourselfmorethanyoudistrustothers.Doesthatmakesense?”

“I’mstillthinkingabouthowthatguygaveuphisthumb.”

Hermomshookherheadandhuggedher,andArubreathedinthesmellofherjasmineperfume.

“You’vegotsomuchpotential,”saidhermom.

Aru cringed. Potential could go eitherway.Even now,Aru couldn’t forgetwhattheSleeperhadsaid.Youwerenevermeanttobeahero….Whatifshewasmorelikehimthanlikehermom?

“Whatifit’sthewrongkindofpotential?”sheaskedquietly.“Hesaid—”

Hermompulledbackimmediately.

“Idon’twanttohearabouthim,”shesaidsharply.“Forgetwhathesaid.”

Aru’s jawclenched.Every time.Every time shebroughthimup, shegot shutdown.

“I love you,” said her mom, pushing the hair back from Aru’s forehead.“ThinkaboutwhatIsaid,okay?AndjustknowthatIbelieveinyou,mySwedishFish–eating,slightlybizarrechild.”

“Loveyou,too,”saidAru,butshedidn’traisehergazefromthefloor.

She hoisted the backpack higher, stepped into the portal of the elephantmouth,andwavedgood-byetohermom.MagicfromtheOtherworldprickledoverherskin,waitingforthecommandforwheretotakeher.Arubreatheddeepandsaid:

“TakemetotheWarehouseofQuestMaterials.”

A

TheWarehouseofQuestMaterials,aka“DoNotTouchThat”

ru looked out of the portal tunnel and saw the vast night sky saltedwithstars.

The portal had opened a foot above a thin cloud uponwhich sat a whitemarble mound with a little door and a sign that readWAREHOUSE OF QUEST

MATERIALS. The structure was so small, Aru doubted even she—at hermagnificentlyintimidatingheightoffivefootnothing—couldstandcomfortablyinsideofit.

“Whatisthis?”scoffedAru.“Awarehouseforants?”

Outofhabit,shelookedtoherright,wherenormallyMiniwould’vebeenonthevergeoflaughter.Butshewasn’tthere,andArurememberedwithapangthatherfriendwasangryather.

Shesighedandpreparedtojumpthroughthedoor.Beforeshedid,apairofslipperspeeledoffthecloudandcoveredherfeet.

Frombehindthemoundcameamuffledsqueak.“Aru?”

Minipokedherheadout.

Thentheyspokeattheexactsametime:“I’msorry.”

“Ioverreacted—”startedMini.

“Ididn’tmeanitlikethat—”saidAru.

Theystoodthere,waitedamoment,andthenstartedlaughing.Itwasn’ttheirfirstfight,anditwouldn’tbetheirlast.Butfightsbetweengoodfriendsareabitlikelightning:aflashofanger,andthenit’sfine.

“Weshouldgoin,”saidAru.

“I know, but I was waiting for you,” said Mini as she walked out from

behindthemound.

Aru’seyeswentwide.Miniwasdressedinhead-to-toeblack,includingblackcombatboots.Hershirthadaskullonit,andtherewerefainttracesofeyelinerunderhereyes.

Minifrowned.“Whatisit?”

“Nothing.”

“Sayit,”saidMini.

“Nothing.You’re just leaning into thewhole daughter-of-the-god-of-deaththingprettyhard.Idigit.”

“Isittoomuch?”askedMini,glancingatherownoutfitasifshe’djustseenit.“Ionlyworeblackbecausedirtdoesn’tshowuponitthateasily.”

“Whataboutyourgothshirt?”

“Oh, that?”Mini smootheddown the front. “I like being remindedofmyownmortality,youknow?Itmakesstuffmeaningful.”

“Youdoyou,Mini.”

The warehouse was a whole lot bigger on the inside than it looked on theoutside. When the doors opened, Aru saw rows upon rows of shelvesdisappearingintothedistance.Onceshesteppedontothepolishedmarblefloor,hercloudslippersvanished.

Aiden,Brynne,andUrvashiwerewaitingfor them.Brynnemuttered,“Waytoshowupontime.”

Aru ignored her, choosing instead to skim the small labels affixed to thebottomofeachshelf.Theyhadstrangenames,likeOMINOUSDREAMSEQUENCE

andASHARPKICKINTHEREAR.

“ThisisourWarehouseofQuestMaterials,”saidUrvashi.“Eachofyouisallowedtotakeoneitem.Theitemwillvanishonthetenthday,souseitwisely.”

“Buthowdoweknowwhattopick?”askedMini,lookingoverwhelmed.

“Choosewhat speaks toyou,” said the apsara. “I cannot tell youanymorethan that.Remember, you are considered suspects until the bow and arrow ofKamadevaarefound.”

“Butyouknowwedidn’tstealthem!”saidAru.“Itisn’tfair.”

Urvashi smiledsadly.“What is fair andwhat is justdonot always look thesame.IknowonlythatIbelieve inyou,butIcannothelpyoubeyondoffering

thispieceofadvice:aswithanylostitem,thebestwaytofinditistospeakwiththeownerfirst.”

“YoumeanKamadeva?”askedAiden.

“That’sallyouwantustoknow?”askedMini.

Urvashisighed.“Thoughitdoesn’thelpyou,knowthatIdonotagreewiththenagaqueen’sdecision.”

“What’sUloopi’sproblem,anyway?”askedBrynne.

Urvashi’seyeslookedfaraway,andeventhoughshewaseternallyyoung,sheseemed old in that moment. “She is very powerful, and she suffered a greattragedy.Ibelieve ithardenedher.Besides,shebearsan incredibleburden.”Theapsararaisedherhandinblessing.“Bewell,children.Ieagerlyawaityourreturn.”

Withthat,shedissolvedintothemoonlight.

Aru looked around at her questmates: Mini, trying to pretend she wasn’tfeeling anxious. Aiden, seemingly preoccupied with his camera. Brynne, whoclearlywishedsheandAidencouldgooffontheirown.Notexactlyprimedforsuccess.

“Well,”saidAru,“Iguessit’stimetogoshopping.”

Brynne was immediately drawn to a shelf marked SHARP THINGS. Mini ran afingeralongtheonethatreadMISCELLANEOUSSIDEKICKS.Itheldbottlesmarkedwith things like TALKING DEMON-HORSE,WITTY GHOST, and UNREMARKABLE

DRAGON.

Arusawappleswithgoldenskin,andthosesilverpistachiocakesfromIndianweddings that always look better than they taste. Aiden had walked over to ashelf marked KITS OF NECESSITY that had small satchels filled with differentmaterialssuchasSUNSHINEONYOURSKIN,AGULPOFAIR,AFIVE-SECONDPAUSE,TWONAPSSQUEEZEDINTOTWOSECONDS,andevenACLIFBAR.

Arucouldn’tdecidewhattoget.Thereweretoomanyoptions,andshehadno clue where they were going after this. She walked over to a shelf markedBRIGHT IDEAS. Itwascoveredwithslenderglassvials, each filledwithacloudy,colorlessliquid.SomethingaboutthemdrewArucloser.Shemovedtopluckoneofftheshelfwhenshefeltataponhershoulder.

“No,Mini,Idon’tthinkit’spoison,”saidArutiredly.“Andyes,ifitwas,itwouldprobablykillme.”

“It’snotMini?”

AruwhirledaroundtoseeAiden.Hehadhishandsshovedinthepocketofhisdarkgreenhoodie.

“Whatdo youwant?” askedAru, not very nicely. Shedidn’t feel very niceafterBrynnehadridiculedherinfrontofhim.

Aidenflushed.“Listen,Iknowwegotofftoabadstart.Iwasthinkingweshouldalljuststartover.Isthatcool?”

Aruglaredathim.Whatdidhewant,afriendshipbracelet?Shecrossedherarmsandthen,afteramoment,letthemfalltoherside.BorrowedJay-Zlyricsornot,Hanumanwasright.Fightingwouldgetthemnowhere.Shewasn’tgoingtoholdontoagrudgeifthatmeantBoowouldstayimprisonedandshe’dbeexiled.Arutookadeepbreath.Fromhereonout,sheresolvedtobethebest,heroine-estversion of herself. ShewasARU SHAH.Devourer ofTwizzlers and SwedishFish.BearerofaRidiculouslyPowerfulLightningBolt.DaughteroftheGodofThunderandLightning.VesselofMovieQuotes.

She was not going to let herself feel embarrassed in front of anyone.EspeciallynotBrynneandAiden.

Aru smiled at him, then looked over atMini,whom she hopedwouldsaysomethinglikeGooddiplomaticPandavamove.

Instead,Minisentoveramindmessage:You’vegotsomethinginyourteeth.

Arustoppedsmiling.

“Fine,”shesaid.Sheheldoutherhand.

“Really?”askedAiden,smirking.

Aru saidnothing,mostlybecause shewas still trying toworkoutwhateverwasstuckinherteeth.

Aidensighed,thenshookherhand.“Stillcan’tbelieveyou’reaPandava.”

Aruglared,andsparksofelectricityshotoffherlightningboltbracelet.

Aiden quickly stepped back. “Not in a badway! Itwas justweird to lookacrossthestreetandrealize—”

“Holdup,”saidAru,raisingherhand.“SoyouknewIwasaPandavabeforethegodstoldyou?”

Aidenwentwide-eyed.

“How?”demandedAru.

Atthis,Aidenlookedalittleshifty.“Uh,well,earliertoday,Isawsomething

kindaweirdthroughmywindow.Youhadalightningbolt.”

“Howdidyouknowitwasalightningbolt?”

Aidenduckedhischinandmumbledsomething.Aruonlycaughtoneofthewords:zoom.

She glanced at his camera. “Zoom lens? You took a picture ofmy lightningbolt?!”

“Ididn’tmeanto!Youwereleaningoutthewindow!”

“AndI’mthecreepystalker?”

“Okay,I’msorry!”

“Sayyou’reacreep.”

“Can’tI—?”

“Sayit.”

“I’macreep.AndI’msorry.Butitwasalightningbolt…inyourhand…andthatthrewme.”

Vajrabeamed,clearlyflattered.Aruignoredit.

“Don’tspyonmeeveragain,”saidAru,“orIwill lightning-boltyou.”Aruwasnotsurelightning-boltwasaverb,butshealsodidn’tcare.

Aidensquaredhisshoulders.“Fine,thendon’tspyonme,either.”

“Ididn’t—”

“Isawyou,Shah.”

“Okay,fine.Sorry.”

“Metoo,”saidAiden.Heshuffledinplaceforabitbeforeadding,“Also,IknowBrynnecanbea…alot?Butshemeanswell.Shejust—”

At that second, Brynne strolled overwearing shinymetal sneakers that shemusthavepickedupfromtheshelfmarkedSHARPTHINGS.

“Check it out.” She grinned, showing them off. She pointed her chin atAiden.“Thesekicksenhancethewearer’sfightingability.Theycanonlybeusedinonebattle,though,soyougottamakeitcount.What’dyouget?”

AidenheldupakitofUNIDENTIFIEDNECESSITIES.

“ClassicAiden,”saidBrynne.“You’resuchanammamma.”

Aidentuckedthekitintohiscamerasatchel.“I’mnotagrandma.”

“Doyouordoyounothavesnacksinyourpurse-slash-camera-bag?”

“Letmelive,Bee,”hesaid,buthewassmiling.

Bee?Ammamma?Theywere,Arurealizedwithastrangepang,closeenoughtohavenicknames for eachother.Aru turned toMini,whohad justwalkedoverwithalittlebarlabeledPOWERNAP.

“What’dyouget,WebMD?”

EveryonestaredatArublankly.

Minipointedatherself.“Areyoutalkingtome?”

Arulaughed,anddesperatelywishedshe’dchosenadifferentfakenickname.“Oh,Mini,youkillme.Duh,I’mtalkingtoyou.You’reWebMD.”

Minifrowned.“Sincewhen—?”

ButBrynnecutheroff.SheglancedatthevialinAru’shand.“Inneedofalotofbrightideas,Shah?”

“Youneverknow,”Arusaiddefensively.

“I know that something sharpworks better than a bottle full of nothing,”saidBrynne.Hermacehadtakentheformofabluechokeraroundherthroat.Itglowedeversoslightly.

“Abottlefullofnothingworksbetterthanaheadfullofnothing,”Arushotback.Despiteherpledge tonotholdagrudge, sheblurtedout,“Ican’tbelieveyougotusinvolvedinallthis!Ifyoudidn’tstealthebowandarrow,thenhowdidyouendupwiththem,anyway?”

Brynnesniffed.“Youwouldn’tbelieveme.”

“Tryme,”saidAru.

“Ifoundthemonthesidewalkoutsidemyhouse,”shesaid.

“Oh,sure.Acelestialweaponjusthappenedto—”

“See?Iknewyouwouldn’tbelieveme!YouthinkjustbecauseI’vegotasurabloodthatI’maliar—”

“Trustme,it’sgotnothingtodowithyourblood,”saidAru.

That seemed to confuse Brynne, but before she could say anything more,Mini stepped between them, her arms extended to keep them a safe distanceapart.“Ibelieveyou,”shesaidtoBrynne,thensheshotaglareatAru.

“Maybethebowandarrowwereplantedthere,”saidAiden.“Imean,that’sa

prettyobviousplaceforsomeonetoleavethem….”

“Yeah,”saidMini.“Youcould’vebeenframed?”

“Exactly!” Brynne said. “Someone knew I would bring them to theOtherworldtofindtherightfulownerand—”

“AndsomehowthatreleasedanarmyofHeartless…”Aruadded,somewhatreluctantly.Hermindwasspinning.WhowasFakeAru?Andwhatdidshewantwiththebowandarrow?

Aiden tapped his fingers against his camera. “It’s like this massiveconspiracy,”hesaidexcitedly.“Imaginebreakingthatstoryonthenews.It’dbeepic.”

“Look!”saidMinihappily.“We’reallonthesameside!”

AruandBrynnejustgloweredateachother.

“So…sincewe’re going tobeworking together,” saidAiden, “I thinkweshouldputeverythingbehindus….Forthesakeofthemission?”

AruwasbeginningtoseewhyBrynnecalledhimAmmamma.

“I’mreadytomoveon,”Arusaid.“Butitwouldbeniceifsomepeopleatleastpretendedtobegratefulthatwe’retryingtoclearhername.”

“Grateful?” scoffedBrynne. “What, youwant another fan just becauseyouwentonabigPandavaquest?”

“What fans?” said Aru. She gestured at the empty space around them.“There’snooneherebutusandabunchofweapons.What’syourproblem?Andincaseyouhaven’tnoticed,you’reaPandava,too.”

Atthis,Brynneturnedherheadaway.“Notreally.”

Aru ticked off two points on her fingers. “You got claimed by your soulfather.Andyougotacoolweapon.Bam!Pandava.”

“Is thatall thismeans toyou?”WhenBrynne lookedbackatAru,hereyeswereglossy.

Arulookeddown.Ofcoursethatwasn’tallthismeant.Forthefirsttime,shefelt like she belonged.Thatwasn’t something shewould give up for anything.When she thought about never being able to come back to theNight Bazaar,neveragainholdingmagicinherhands,herstomachdropped.Butitwasn’tlikeshewasgoingtotellallthattothisgirl.

Miniclearedherthroat.“Wehavejustasmuchtoloseasyoudo,”shesaid

quietlytoBrynne.

Brynnestayedsilent,herjawclenched.

“Howaboutagroupelbowbump?”suggestedMini.“Handshakesarereallyunhygienic.”

“No,”saidBrynneandAruatthesametime.

Aflashoflightwentoff.

“Ugh!”saidAru,holdingupahandtoshieldherface.“Nopaparazzi!”

Aidenloweredhiscamera,frowning.“Notpaparazzi.”

“Hehatesthatword,”saidBrynne, teasingly.“Heprefers tobeknownasa‘photojournalist.’Hetakespicturesofeverything.”

“Including whatever dish Brynne experiments with in the kitchen,” saidAiden.

Weget it.You’reBFFLs,Aru thoughtgrumpily.Butat least they’dbroken thetension.

Brynnepointedathershoes.“Okay,we’vegotthequeststuff.Wheredowegofromhere?”

“Urvashisaidweshouldspeaktotheowner—Kamadeva,”saidAiden.“Butwheredowefindhim?”

“Er,quickquestion,”saidAru.“WhoisKamadeva?”

“‘WhoisKamadeva?’”repeatedBrynne.“Don’tyouknowanything?”

FaintsparksshotoutofVajra,butonceagainMinisteeredAruawayfromafight.

“Kamadeva is the godof love,” saidMini. “Thebow and arrowbelong tohim—he uses them to shoot gods andmortals tomake them feel passion forsomeone.Althoughtheweapondidn’tlookanythinglikehowIimagined…Thelegendssaythatthebowheusesismadeoutofsugarcane,andthestringismadeoutofhoneybees.”Minishuddered.“NotthatI’mdisappointed.I’mallergictobees.”

“Er,that’sallgreatinformation,Mini,”saidAiden.“Butwheredoeshelive?”

“SomewhereintheMidwest,Ithink?That’swhatBoosaidinclass.”

“Okay,sowe’lltakeaportaltoKamadeva,”saidAru.

“I’vegotabetter—andfaster—idea,”saidBrynne.Shebroughttwofingersto

herlipsandwhistled.

The domed ceiling of the warehouse slid open, and down came a rush ofwind.The sound of bleating filled the air. Aru had to remember to close hermouthwhenfourgiganticgazellesthesizeofelephantsburstthroughtheclouds.

Whenever Aru thought of a gazelle, she pictured one of those naturedocumentarieswhereaBritishdudecalmlyannounces,Andnow the gazelle is in thejaws of death as the mighty lioness drags its carcass through the Sahara. Nature is cruel, butmagnificent.

Thesegazelles,ontheotherhand,lookedliketheysnackedonlionsforfun.

“TWhoDoesn’tLikeVeganGranola?

hanks, Vayu!” hollered Brynne. She blew a kiss to the air, then lookedcoollyatMiniandAru.“Giftsfrommydad.Clearly,hesendshisregards.”

“He…hetalkstoyou?”Miniasked.

Brynnejustliftedhershoulderandsmiledsmugly.

Arucouldn’thelpherself.Shewasjealousagain.Farabove,shecouldseetheglimmeringoutlineof the celestial cityofAmaravati, ruledover by noneotherthan her father, Lord Indra. Amaravati was where the apsaras danced.Supposedly,thewholeplacewascoveredinsacredgrovesandmagicalwonders,includingatreethatgrantedwishes.

AruliftedherhandtowaveatIndra,andthenthoughtbetterofit.Itwasn’tas thoughhewouldhave seenher.Andanyway,hehadn’t come toherdefensewhenshewaswronglyaccusedofstealingKamadeva’sweapon.Arutriednottofeeldisappointed,butitwaslikehewassayingCool!Bye!at theprospectofArunolongerbeingpartoftheOtherworld.WasshesobadatbeingaPandavathatherownsouldadcouldn’tstickupforher?

“Ithinkanygodwouldacknowledgetheiroffspring,aslongasthatoffspringwasworthy,”saidBrynne.

Mini’s lips tuggeddown, and sheheldDeeDee a little closer toher chest.Vajra,ontheotherhand,lookedasifitwerereadytounfoldandstrikeBrynneupsidethehead.

Beforethem,thefourgazelleseachshrankdowntoamoremanageablesize,about as big as a horse.They looked slightly familiar toAru….Then it camebacktoher—they’dbeenthereduringthebattleinthemuseum,tohelpfighttheSleeper.Butshedoubtedtheyrememberedher.

Brynnestrode in frontof thegazellesandwavedherarm likeagameshowhost.“Thesearethefourwindsthatmyfathercontrols.Helentthemtome,”she

said loftily. “North.” A gazelle the color of blue ice swung its head. Iciclesdangled from its slenderblackhorns.“South.”Agazelle thecolorofablazingfiresanktoitsforelegs.Flamesdancedatopitshorns.“East.”Agazellethecolorofapalepinkroselifteditschin.Flowerswoundarounditshorns.“AndWest.”Agazelle the colorof bright green grass,withhorns that looked like twists ofmoss,boweditshead.

“Asdaughterofthegodofthewind,I’llchoosefirst,”saidBrynne.

But when she moved to the gazelles, they took a step away from her andtowardAruandMiniinstead.

“We remember you, daughter of Indra,” said the Gazelle of the West,bowingagain.ItturnedtoMini.“Andyou,too,daughteroftheDharmaRaja.Itwasanhonortofightbyyourside,anditwouldbeanhonortocarryyounow.”

Aru smiledwidely.Her grinhadnothing todowithBrynne’s shocked andfuriousface.(Fine,maybeitdid,alittle.)ShereachedfortheGazelleoftheWestandswungontoitsback.MinichosetheGazelleoftheNorth.AidenchosetheGazelleoftheEast,andBrynneleapedsavagelyontothebackoftheGazelleoftheSouth.Shegrippeditshorns,andflamesdancedaroundherfists.

“TotheabodeofKamadeva!”sheshouted.

Thegazellestookoff,gallopingpasttheshelvesintheWarehouseofQuestMaterialsbeforetheyleapedintothesky.CloudsbrokeoverAru’sheadandcoldairburnedinherlungsastheyheadedbacktowardthemortalrealm.

FlyingintheopenairatnightwasunlikeanythingAruhadeverimagined.Itwasbeautiful.Hundredsoffeetbelowthem,thecitylightsshonelikefallenstars.Silverycloudsscuddedacrossablackvelvetsky.ShecouldhearAidensnappingpicturesbesideher.Whenhesawherlooking,hesaid,“What?Thisissocool!”

“Howareyoutakingpicturesinthedark?Theywon’tcomeout.”

Aiden raised his camera. “I bought some enchantments for it, like nightvisionandemergencyaccessorytransformation.”

OnAru’sotherside,Miniwasholdingtighttohergazelle’shorns.“Didyouknowyoucangethypothermiafromairthiscold?Wecould—”

“Die?”askedAruwearily.

“Oryourlimbscouldfreezeandturnblackandsomeonewouldhavetocutthemoff,”saidAidencheerily.

“Yes!”saidMini,hervoicebrightening.“How’dyouknow?”

“I have a big book of diseases,” he said. “Mymom gave it tome. She’s amicrobiologist.”

AruwaitedforsomeonetosayDidwe just become best friends?Butnoonedid.Forthenexttwentyminutes,AidenandMinitalkedoverAru’sheadaboutweirdmedicalconditionswhileshetriedtocloseherears.Aiden’scommentmadehercurious,though.HowcouldhismombeabiologistifUrvashiwashisaunt?Thatwould make her an apsara. Was it his other parent who had blood ties toUrvashi?

“Whataboutyourdad?”sheasked.“Whatdoeshedo?”

Aiden’s tone instantly flattened. “He’s a lawyer. He’s going to practice inNewYorkafterheandAnnettegetmarried.”

Annette?Suddenly, itwasclearwhyAruneversawhisparents together,eventhoughtheylivedinthesamehouse.Theyweregettingadivorce.

“Oh,”saidMinisoftly.

Aidenshrugged,mumbledsomethingaboutcheckingonBrynne,andpushedhisgazellepastthem.MinidriftedtowardAru.

“Shouldwesaysorry?”

Aru shook her head. “I think ifwemake a big deal out of it, it’ll only beworse.”

Mininodded.“Didyouknowhisparentsweresplittingup?”

“Ididn’tputittogetheruntilnow,”saidAru.

ButshehadnoticedtherewassomethingoffabouttheAcharyahousehold.Itseemedlikeeverytimehisdad’scarpulledintothedriveway,Aidenwouldleavethehouse,hiscameraslungoverhisshoulder.Hismom,Malini,rarelysmiledatanyone.

Wow,Shah,youreallyareastalker,shetoldherself.

Iamobservant,Aruthought.Hugedifference.

Andyoutalktoyourself.

Arugrumbled.

“Itmustsuckforyourfamilytobreakup,”saidMinisadly.

Aru didn’t knowwhat to say to that. She partially agreedwithMini.Thedivorcehad tobehard forAiden.But shedidn’t agree that itmeanthis familywas broken. Lots of kids at school had divorced parents, and not all families

neededadadandamomtobewhole.Somehadtwodads,ortwomoms,orjustoneparent, or noparent at all. Itwasn’t like her family,with just her andhermom living in amuseumwith abunchof statues,was exactly“standard.”Andanyway, families weren’t like a box of standardized-test-taking number twopencils. Families were like a box of assorted-color Sharpie markers: different,kindastinky(butnotinabadway),andpermanentwhetheryoulikeditornot.

TheypassedthroughtheborderbetweentheOtherworldandthehumanworld,which looked like a thick, rolling fog.Timehadmoved forward in themortalrealm. Weak morning sunlight streamed across their skin. They were stillsurroundedby abarrierofmagic, but toAru it seemed as flimsy as froston awindowpaneandjustaseasytoseethrough.Asthegazelleslopeddownhighwaysand pranced across the tops of billboards, their delicate hooves sometimesbouncedoffthebarrierwithasharpbell-likechime.

Whentheywerebarelytenfeetawayfromaminivanwithaboredkidinside,Aruasked,“Cantheyseeus?”

“Nah,”saidAiden.“Watch.”

Thekidwasmoreorless lookingintheirdirection.Aidenwavedhishandswildlyandpulledhisfaceintostrangeexpressions.Noreaction.

Arulaughed,thendidthesame…andmaybethe lightcaughther,becausethekidstartedpointingandscreaming.

“Uh-oh,” saidAru.She tuggedup the reins,pulling the gazellehigher.Ohwell.Maybeshe’dlivenedupsomeone’sgameofISpyatleast.

Soontheyarrivedata littlepark.Below,thetreeswerebareandicesleevedthebranches.Thegazellesgentlyloweredthemselvestotheground,andAruandherthreecompanionsfoundthemselvesinaclearinginfrontofagleaminggreensignthatsaidLOVESPARK,ILLINOIS.

“We’realongwayfromA-T-L,”saidAiden.Herolleduphissleeves,andforthefirsttimeArunoticedtwinleatherbandsaroundhiswrists.Beforeshecouldaskaboutthem,thetreesstartedchangingrightinfrontoftheireyes.Blossomsburst from the branches. The pale sky transformed into a sheet of vivid blue.Puffywhitecloudsrolledabovethemandsparklingsunshinedrenchedtheworld.Nowitlookedlikethehomeofthegodoflove.

Thethreeof themslidoff thegazelles,gaping inastonishment. Itwasas ifthey’d skippedwinterandgone straight to spring inamatterof seconds.Afterbowing, the gazelles opened their mouths at the same time and said, “Thetemperature is sixty-three degrees Fahrenheit, seventeen degrees Celsius. The

southeastwindsareblowingatsixmilesperhour,andthehumidityisforty-threepercent.Allinall,favorableconditionsinLovesPark.Fairwinds,Pandavas!”

“I’mnot aPandava! I just got special clearanceorwhatever!”Aiden called,butthegazelleshadalreadydisappeared.

“Whyisitspringhere?”askedAru,lookingaround.

Aiden snapped a photo of the scenery. “Probably because we’re close toKamadeva.He’sthegodoflove,andloveissupposedtofeellikeeternalspring.”

Aru and Mini exchanged a look. Mini smothered a laugh, and Brynneglowered.

“Aiden,areallyourInstagramcaptionsEdSheeranlyrics?”askedAru.

Aidenrolledhiseyes.“It’sjustsomethingmymomtoldme.”

“Aiden’sanartist,”saidBrynne,butshesaiditlikear-teest.“That’sjusthowhethinks.”

Arumimickedar-teest inherheadforagoodfive seconds.Love likeeternalspring?Nothanks.Herfavoriteseasonwasautumn,butshedidn’twantlovetofeel like that. It would be crunchy and orange. Or worse… pumpkin-spice-flavored.

Minirubbedhereyes.“Ugh,spring.Myallergiesareactingup.IcanalreadyfeelmyeyesgettingwateryandIdon’thavetissues—”

Aidenreached intohiscamerabagandpulledouta tinypacketofKleenex.Minisquealedwithdelight.

Atthesametime,Brynne’sstomachletoutamassivegrumble.Sheclutchedit,moaning,“God,I’msohungry….Ididn’thaveanythingthismorningexcepttwoBelgianwaffles,fourpoachedeggs,granola,homemadeyogurt, sixpeaches,andapieceoftoast.”

Arustaredather.“Yeah…whowouldn’tbehungry?”

AidenwordlesslyhandedBrynneacandybar.

“Youdabest,Ammamma,”shesaidhappily.

Minishuddered.“MymomwouldkillmeifIwaseatingcandyfirstthinginthemorning,wouldn’tyours?”

Atthewordmom,Brynne’sfaceshuttered.Angrily,sheshovedthecandybarintoherpantspocket.“Let’sgo,”shesaidgruffly,chargingdownapaththroughthespringwoods.

Guessyouhitasorespot,AruthoughttoMini.

The restof themfollowed.At theendof thepath, the treesopened intoanewclearingwithalargepond.Justbeyondit,hoveringintheairabovethepondrushes,wasabluedoor.Twosignshungfromthetreebeneathit.Onesaid:

ALLPERSONNELMUSTSUBMIT

IDENTIFICATIONPRIORTOENTRY

Thesecondsignread:VISITORSMAYGAINACCESSWITHGUESTPASS

“Personnel?” asked Mini. “I thought we’re seeing the god of love, not aCEO?”

Brynne parted the pond rushes with her mace. “I don’t see a guest passanywhere.”Shelookedatthedoor.“Wecouldalwaysjustsmashitopen….”

“Wait,”saidAru.“IthinkIseesomething.”

Aglintofgoldappearedontheshoreofthepond.Arusteppedthroughtheweedsandstoppedshortwhenshecameacrossalargepileofsticksanddirt.

“Anest!”saidBrynne,pushingpasther.

In the middle of the nest was a golden key. Beside it napped a miniaturewhite swan,nobigger than someone’spalm. It looked like it could fit inside ateacup.

“Aww!”saidMini.“Socute!”

“Thatkeymustbetheguestpass,”saidAiden.Heliftedhiscamera,snappedapicture,andthenexaminedthedigitalfile.“Hmm…Thelightingisoff….”

“Leaveit,Aiden!”Brynnesaid.“Let’sgrabitandgo.”Shestartedtoreachforthekey.

“Doyouthinkwecanpettheswan?”askedMini.“Ormaybenot?Canswansgiveyoubirdflu?”

“Wait,Brynne,”Arusaid.

“What’s wrong, Shah? Frightened by a tiny bird?” Brynne eyed the swan.“Youknow,swanusedtobeadelicacy.”

“Gross!Idon’twanttoeatit!Iwanttoavoidit.Haveyoueverseenaswaninaction?”askedAru.“They’revicious.”

“Shah,thatswanisthesizeofatoy,”saidBrynne.“We’lllive.”

Brynneplucked thekey from thenest.All fourof themwatched the swan.Nothinghappened.

“See?Toldya!”Brynnestartedwalkingtowardthehoveringdoor.

Aruhesitatedforamomentbeforefollowing.Nowshefeltdumb.Maybeshehadbeenoverreacting….

Theywerehalfway to thedoorwhen thewarmspringair turnedcold.Arucouldn’tseehershadowonthegroundanymore.

“Itgotcloudyquickly,”saidMini,rubbingherarms.

Aidenlookedup.Hiseyeswidened.“It’snotacloud.”

Slowly, Aru raised her head.That teeny-tiny, itty-bitty, so-cute-I-just-wanna-squeeze-you swanwas no longer itty-bitty. In fact, it had grown to the size of athree-storyhouse. Its longwhitewings fannedout toeither side,obscuring thesun.Withaheavywhoosh, itlandedrightinfrontofthem,blockingthedoortoKamadeva’sabode.Itcockeditsheadsharplytooneside.Thefeathersonitslongwhiteneckbristled.

“Nosuddenmovements,”Brynnesaidtothem,holdinguphermace.

Mini ignored her. She dug into her backpack and pulled out a half-eatengranolabar.Shebrokeit intwoandtossedittotheswan.Theswanlookedatthegranola,lookedatMini,thenlookedbackatthegranola.

“It’svegan?”offeredMini.

Theswanraisedonewebbedblackfoot.Anditcrushedthegranolaintothedirt.

“Butit’sanexcellentsourceoffiber!”

Apparentlythegiantswandidnotagree.Withaloud,honkingsquawwwwk!itcharged.

ASwansAretheWorst

rusizedupthemonsterswanasitcameatthem.Andherself,too.Sheknewshewassmall.Shewasn’tthatstrong,either.

Butshedidn’thavetobe.

The battle was a game in her head—dodge and jab, use the enemy’s ownmomentumagainstthem,andletthemdoallthework.

“Mini!”shoutedAru.

Her sister knew immediately what to do. Dee Dee flashed and grew,sproutingfromMini’ssleeve.Purplelightexplodedinaburstinfrontofthem.Theswansquawkedandstompedback,itswebbedfootcrushingthepondreedsthathadsurroundeditslake.

Besidethem,Aidentappedhis leatherbandsandtwoshiningscimitarsshotoutfromthemagicalarmbraces.Hepushedagoldenbuttononthetopofhiscameraandit,alongwithhiscamerabag,foldedupuntil itbecameawatchonhiswrist.

Aru’seyeswidened.Sothat’swhatemergencyaccessorytransformationmeant.Whoa.

Amoment later, the swan found its balance and stalked toward them.Arumentallyranthroughsomestrategies,butbeforeshecouldsayanything,Brynneleapedintotheairandshouted,“Aiden,I’lldistractit!Takethekey,butdon’tgoinwithoutme!”

“Waitup!”saidAru.“Wehaven’t—”

“Stayoutoftheway,Shah!”shoutedBrynne.“I’vegotthis!”

ShethrewthekeytoAiden,whocaughtitinhisfist.

Then Brynnemorphed. Blue light blazed around her.Where she had oncestood, there was now a blue elephant almost as large as the swan. Elephant-Brynneswungherhead.Tusksout,trunkraised,shechargedatthebird.Aruhad

justenoughtimetorollawaybeforeshegottrampled.

As it turnedout,elephant trumpetingandswanhonkingsoundeda lot likehowAru imagined fighting dinosaurswould. Elephant-Brynne tried to dig hertusks into the swan. It honked loudly, thrashing. Feathers exploded in the air.The swan pumped itswings.They unfurled to the length of an airplane.Andwhentheywereflappedvigorously,theeffectwaslikethatofajetturbine.Eventhepuffywhitecloudsoverheadwereblownbackbythewind.Thetopsofthetreesswayed.ArugrabbedholdofabranchjusttokeepfromflyingawaywhileElephant-Brynnetumbledheadoverheelsandsmackedintoatreetrunk.

Thewinddieddown.WithaloudTAKE-THAT-WEIRD-BLUE-ELEPHANT!honk,theswantoddledforward.Itstargetwasclear:

Aiden.

Hehadonlyjustrecoveredhisbalance.Staggeringforward,Aidenbrandishedhisscimitars.Theswanstartedpeckingathimlikehewasaparticularlyyummybreadcrumb. Aiden dodged, parrying the swan’s stabbing beak as if it were asword.Buttheswanwasfaster.

Elephant-Brynne came chargingback into the scene. “DOSOMETHING,SHAH!” she bellowed, which, firstly, was supercool, because she could be atalkinganimal,butsecondly,wasnothelpful,becauseAruwasdoingsomething.At first, she’d tried to throwher lightningbolt,butVajramissed.NearAiden,Mini’sforcefieldskeptflickering,weakenedbyherfear.

Aruneededtothink….

IfHanumanhadtaughtheranything,itwastoassessafightnotjustfromherpointofview,butalsofromtheeyesoftheenemy.Whatdidtheswanwant?

Elephant-Brynne trumpeted again, but the swan didn’t turn around to faceher.ItsentireattentionwasfocusedonAiden—whohadthekey.Thekeythathadbeenlyinginthemiddleoftheswan’snest…likeanegg.Whichmeanttheswanconsideredthekeyitsbaby!

“Ihaveanidea!”shoutedAru.

Brynne’sbellowingdrownedouthervoice.ThatleftAruonlyoneoption—thePandavamindlink.ThelastplaceshewantedtobewasinsideBrynne’shead,butshedidn’thaveachoice.

She closed her eyes, reaching for Brynne’s mind the way she reached forMini’s….

Brynne?

Elephant-Brynnejumpedupandletoutastartledcry.WHOTHE—?

Ineedyoutoturnintoabird.

What?!Why?GETOUTOFMYHEAD!Andno,Igotthis—

Dude,youjustgotthrownintothetrees.

Aidenwas tiringquickly.His scimitar jabswere slowingevenasheduckedanddanced through the swan’s legs. Finally,Mini cast a shield just in time toblockapeckfromtheswan’swickedlysharpbeak.Aidendoveintoathicketofspringtimehedges.

Brynnetappedintoherthoughts:Whatkindofbird?

Arugrinnedassheansweredher.ThenshesentamessagetobothBrynneandMini.Newplan.Wehavetoworktogether.Mini,doyourememberwhatthekeylookedlike?Weneedaduplicate.

Onit!cameMini’sreply.

TheswanpeckedatMini’sviolet force field.Thebirdmadeone, thentwocracksinit,andfinallytheshieldsplintered.TheswanwaswaddlingpastMinitowardAiden’shidingplacewhenAruranforwardandshouted:

“Didyouknowsomepeopleeatswansasadelicacy?”

Theswanlifteditswebbedfoot.Arusteppedback.Theswandrewcloserasshe retreated,matchingher step for step.All thewhile, the bird’s narrowheadswayedbackandforth.Foeorfood?itseemedtobeasking.

“Wouldyouratherbeaswanburgeroraswanpanini?”

Theswanhissed.

“Oh,sorry.Swanpasta,maybe?”Arutaunted.ThenshetelepathicallyaskedMini,How’sthedecoycomingalong?

Nearlyready.

Justastheswanletoutanoutragedsquawk,Minishouted,“LookwhatI’vegot!”Shewavedaperfectreplicaofthekeyintheair.

Theswanpaused. It lookedat thehedges, thenatMini.Then it squawkedsomethingthatsoundedalotlikeWHATFRESHBETRAYALISTHIS?

Now,Brynne!Aruordered.

Ina flashofblue,Brynnechanged fromanelephant toa regular-size swan.She swooped down low and snatched the fake key from Mini’s outstretched

hand.Then,withtwopowerfulpumpsofherwings,sheshotoffintothesky.

The swan letout a strangled cry—meaningMYBABY!—and tookoff afterBrynne.

WhenAruwassuretheswanwasgone,sheandMiniranovertothehedges.Aidenclamberedoutofhishidingspot,hisfacepale.

“Thatwas a totalSlytherinmove,”Aiden said toAru,dustinghimselfoff.Sparks of electricity shot offVajra andAiden quickly added, “Not that that’sbad.”

“IsthatyourHouse?”MiniaskedAru.

Yes.

Arushrugged.“Maybe?Idunno.I’dtotallypretendtobeHufflepuffjusttostayclosesttothekitchens,though.”

Aidenstaredather.“You’rebizarre,Shah.”

Itdidn’tsoundlikeaninsult.Forasplitsecond,Arufeltthatsametugof…something.

Aidentouchedthewatchathiswrist.Hiscamerabagandcamerareturnedtohiship.Heliftedthecameratohiseye,togglingoneoftheswitches.

“IseeBrynne,”hesaid.

Arusquintedupatthesky,butallshesawweretwobirdishspecks.

“Where’d you get an enchanted camera?” askedMini, awed. “Is that legal?BecauseaccordingtotheOtherworldTransportationSecurityGuidelines—”

“Notthisagain,”groanedAru.

“—you’renotallowedtobringapurchasedenchantedobjectback into themortalrealmunlessyou’reovertheageofeighteen.”

“Howdoyouevenknowthat?”askedAiden.

“Ilikerules,”saidMiniprimly.

Aiden lowered the camera.He rubbedhis thumbs along its sides. Itwasn’tsleekormodern,butthatwasn’tabadthinginAru’sopinion.ShecouldtellthatforAiden,thecamerawaslikeablanketorteddybear(or,inAru’scase,apillowin the shapeof a fried eggnamedEggy).Kindadumpy-looking, butobviouslyloved.

“It’s aHasselblad that belonged tomy dad,” saidAiden. “It’s from 1998,

back when he wanted to be a photographer. Amechanic in theNight BazaarmodifiedtheinternalmechanismoftheSLRandconverteditintoyourmoderndigitalSLRandaddedaBluetoothchip.Thatway,thephotosdon’thavetobedeveloped but automatically get sent to my phone, to check out, and to mylaptop,forediting.”

AruandMinijustblinkedathim.Aruhadnoideawhathe’djustsaid.

“That’s…good?”offeredMini.“Especiallythathegaveittoyou?”

“Yeah,” saidAiden, but then the corners of hismouth tugged down. “Hesaiditwasapresent,butIthinkhejustdidn’twantitanymore.Hedoesn’twantalotofthingsanymore.”

Aloudsquawkingmadethethreeofthemlookup.

Aidenlookedthroughthecamera.“Uh-oh.”

Suddenly,ringingsoloudly intheirmindsthatbothAruandMiniclappedtheir hands over their ears (as if thatwouldmake a difference), cameBrynne’svoice:GETTOTHEDOOR!

NolongerwasBrynneadistantspeckinthesky.Nowshewaszoomingbacktoward them, and she wasn’t alone. The monster swan was hot on her heels,squawkingloudly.

“RUN!”Aidenshouted.

Theyracedtothehangingdoor.

“Vajra!”calledAru.

Thelightningbolthadbeenlyingontheground,waitingforhercommand.Nowittransformedintoaglitteringhover-board,longenoughtoholdthethreeofthem.

“Woo-hoo!”Arusaid.

GettingVajra to transform was no easy feat. But at least Aru was gettingbetterat it.All shehad todowaskeepher focus.They jumpedon, andVajrazoomedtowardthebrightbluedoor.Aidenheldoutthekey.

Behind them, theyheard loud squawking fromtheotherbird.Aru riskedaglanceoverhershoulderandsawSwan-Brynneflyingasfastasshecouldtowardthedoor.

“Faster,Aiden!”yelledMini,ashetriedtojamthekeyintothelock.

“I’mgoingasfastasIcan!”

Finally, thekey turned.Thedoor swungopen.The threeof them tumbledonto the floor. Vajra swung backward, and the force of the lightning boltslammedthedoorshut.

“Ohno!Brynne’sstilloutthere!”saidMini.

Aru,herchestheaving,jumpedtoherfeetandthrewopenthedoor.“I’msureshe—”

Swan-BrynneflewstraightintoAru.Bothgirlswereknockeddown.Aruhitherhead,hard,againstthefloor.Ithurtlikeanything.TherewasanotherflashofbluelightasBrynnetransformedbackintoagirl.Shewasbreathingheavily.Hereyeswereredand…teary?

Aru’ssarcasticThanksalot!diedonherlips.“Brynne?”

“Didyoutrytoleavemebehind?”sheasked.BrynnewasgrippinghermacesohardthatArufeltbadfortheweapon.

Miniwasthefirsttorecover.“No?That’swhyAruopenedthedoor….”

Brynne loweredthemace.Shetookadeepbreath.“Iknewthat.”Thensheraisedherchinandcrossedherarms.“Well,goon.Sayit.”

“Itwasmyidea,too.I’mnotsayingthankyou—”

Brynnelookedshocked.“Thankyou?That’swhatyouthoughtImeant?”

Now itwasAru’s turn to be confused. “What’d you think Iwas going tosay?”

“Nojokesaboutturningintoabird?”

“Birdsarenothingtojokeabout,”saidMini,shuddering.

Brynne looked embarrassed and instead turned around togaze at theirnewsurroundings.

Thebuildingtheywere inremindedAruofpicturesshe’dseenof theNewYork StockExchange.The floorwas polishedmarble, and it seemed like theywere inside a lobby. Large windows revealed different views: sleepyneighborhoods,bright cities, coastal towns, and sunlitmeadows.A shimmeringveilofsoundproofingmagic—thesamekindUrvashiusedinherdancestudio—separated them from the clusters of giant circular hubs that dotted the entirefloorandhundredsofOtherworldpeopleinsharpsuitswhowerescreamingintotheirheadsets.Aruwasusedtoskyceilings,andthegodoflovehadchosenthenightheavensforhis.Itwasbeautiful.Thecosmosseemedcloserthanusual,asifAru could reach out, pluck a planet, and put it in her pocket. On one wall,

enchanted screens that looked like panes of moonlight buzzed with numbers.They were similar to the stock screens her teacher had showed them in theirCivicsandEconomicsclass.Arudidn’tremembermuchfromthatclass,butshehadlearnedgreenarrow=good;redarrow=bad.Andrightnow,shewaslookingatatonofredarrows.

UNIVERSALHEARTSKIPS –1000.23

INTENTIONALEYELASHFLUTTERING –800.21

FAKINGINTERESTINYOUTUBECATVIDEOS –900.41

PEOPLEMAKINGEDSHEERANPLAYLISTS –3000.18

At thatmoment, an extremely handsome youngmanwalked toward them.Hishairwasashockofblackcurls.HeworeadarkNehrujacket,andabrightblueparrotrodeonhisshoulder.Hewouldhave looked liketheexecutiveofaglobal corporation and also like a Bollywood movie star if it weren’t for onestrangedetail:hisskin.Itwasbrightgreen.Thismancouldonlybeoneperson.Orgod,tobeexact.

HewasKamadeva,thegodofloveanddesire…andtheownerofthebowandarrowthathadbeenstolen.

Thefourkidsrespectfullybowedandtouchedthegroundbeforethegod,butKamadevaseemedunmoved.

“Lord Kamadeva—” started Aru, trying to take a step forward before shefoundthatshecouldn’t.Herfeetwerefrozeninplace.

“Teensareusuallymyfavoriteconsumers,”saidKamadeva.“Butthieves?Notsomuch.”

Fourgleamingswordsappearedintheair.Theyhoveredforasecondbeforethebladesturnedandpointedatthekids’throats.

“WThatOneTimeIGotIncinerated

e’renotthieves!”saidBrynne.

“Iwillbethejudgeofthat.”

Kamadevasmiled.Aruhadneverseenamorebeautiful—orcrueler—smileinallherlife.

“Ah,oneofyouthinksIamweak…”hesaid,hisgazeturningtoBrynne.“Isitbecauseyoudonotseemewieldingamace?Orasword?”

“I—” started Brynne, but she couldn’t lunge at him, not with a swordpointingatherthroat.

“Youthinkdesireisnothing,doyou?Empiricalevidencepointstoquitetheopposite.Icanstartawar,youknow.”

Kamadeva waved a hand and the four of them stared down as a sceneunfurledacrossthemarblefloor:

In the woods, Surpanakha—an ugly tusked demoness with red eyes andsagging gray skin—confronted twohandsomemen and abeautifulwoman.WhenSurpanakhasawthehandsomeRama—whowasanincarnationofthegod Vishnu—and his younger brother Laxmana, she transformed into abeautiful woman, and tried to make one of them marry her. But Ramapointedtohiswife,Sita,anincarnationofthegoddessofgoodfortune.AndLaxmanarefusedSurpanakhawithavehementHeckno! (At least that’swhatAruimaginedhesaid.)Furious,SurpanakharushedatSita,andLaxmanacutoffthedemoness’snose,revealinghertruenature.

Humiliated, Surpanakha ran to her brother, the great demon kingRavana.ShetoldhimaboutherdishonorandblamedthebeautifulSita.

Ravana’s ten heads turned to Surpanakha. “What does this Sita looklike?”

Aruknewwhathappenednext,becauseitwasthestorytoldintheepicpoemtheRamayana.RavanastoleSita,andRamalaunchedawartogetherback.

Kamadevawavedhishand,andtheimagechanged.“OrIcanendawar.”

The land had been ravaged by a terrible demon. A council of the godsdeclaredthatonlythesonofLordShiva,thegodofdestruction,andParvati,theMotherGoddess, could do awaywith the culprit.Therewas only oneproblem, though…Parvati had been reborn on Earth and had nevermetShiva.Sotherewasnokid.

“Allowmetoassist,”Kamadevasaidtotheconcernedcouncilofgods.

He found Lord Shivameditating in a clearing in themiddle of a lushforest. The beautiful Parvati was approaching. Kamadeva ran around thegladerearrangingleavesandflowers.“Lookalive,people!”heshouted.“Thisisit!Firstimpressionsareeverything!”

Just as Parvati was about to enter, Kamadeva reached for his bow andarrow.

“Andone…two…three…”saidKamadeva.“Springbreeze.”

Alightwindrolledthroughtheforestclearing.

“Perfume!”

Flowerblossomsopened.

“Music!”

Softdrummingandafluteechoedintheclearing.

“Lights!”

Theafternoonsun’sraysdimmedtoagoldenglow.

“Andnow…atouchofjenesaisquoi.”

Kamadeva gently blew some glittery dust from his palm and the airlookedstar-touched.

“Perfection!”hesaid,stringinghisbow—

“Wait…”saidAiden.Atthesoundofhisvoice,theimageonthefloorfrozewith a sharp sound like a record scratch. “Isn’t this the part where you getincinerated?”

Kamadevadusted the shouldersofhis suit. “Oh, soyou’veheard this storybefore.”

Brynnefrowned.“Yougotincinerated?”

“Alittle.”

Aiden shook his head, which was hard to do with a blade at his throat.“That’snotwhatIheard.”

Kamadevascowled.“Let’sjustcallitabetatestthatwentwrong,okay?Asitturns out, immortal beings don’t like their hearts being tampered with. Youcannot rush love. And I wasn’t! I’m simply one aspect of attraction. Like apricklingawareness,youknow?Inthisform,I’mjustheretoopenyoureyesandopenyourheart,youunderstand?”

Thefourofthemworematchingexpressionsofnope.

“Whataboutthebowandarrow?”askedBrynne.“Theoneswedidn’tsteal,”sheemphasized.

Kamadeva’sexpressionturnedsly.“Oh,Ibelieveyou,”hesaid.“Whileyouwere watching my stories, I had a peek inside each of your hearts. Veryinterestingthingsthere.Lotsofsorrow.Lotsofyearning.Sovery,veryripe.”Hisgaze lingered onAiden. “You, especially. Look at that handsome face!All themakingsofatortured,broodinghero.Icouldmakeyouastar!”

Aidenlookedhorrified.“Pleasedon’t?”

Aru was tired of people looking inside her without her knowledge orpermission,butsheletitgofornow.“Ifyou’veseenourhearts,”sheasked,“thencanyoutellUloopiwe’reinnocent?”

Surelythegodoflovecouldconvincethenagaqueen,Aruthought.Thentheywouldn’thavetobebanishedfromtheOtherworld.AndBoo—poorBoo—he’dbefree.

“She’dnever listen tome, I’mafraid.Sheblamesme formakingher fall inlovewithArjuna, which led to her present condition…” saidKamadeva.Hisfaceturnedrathersolemn.“Butthatisnotmystorytotell.WhatIcantellyouisthattheonlywayyou’llconvinceUloopiofyourinnocenceisbybringinghermybowandarrow.”

Miniraisedatimidhand.“But…it’syourweapon.”

“True,butIhadtoputitaway.Yousee,afterIwasblastedtosmithereens,my beloved wife, Rati, carried the bow and arrow for me while I awaitedreincarnation.Butshefeltthepainofmylosssokeenlythatthesonginhersoul—”

“Whatsong?”cutinBrynne.

Arugentlytappedhercollarbone(isthatwheresoulshide?),wonderingifasongmightburstoutsomeday.Whatifhersongwasreallydumb?Whatif,whenshewasabouttodie,everycellinherbodystartedsingingThehillsarealiiiiiiiivewiththesoundofmusiiiic—?

“It’snotasongyoucanperceive,”saidKamadeva,withasharplookatAru.Shedroppedherhandbacktoherside.“It’sthehummingofharmony,thesubtledanceofpulses,therhythmthattwoheartsbeattogetherinblissfulaccord.”

Aiden looked likehis eyeswere going to roll back inhis headoutofpureboredom.

“MyRati’ssoulsongfled…anditgrantedmybowandarrowadarkpower.Anyone struck by grief and armed with the knowledge of enchantment couldcarveouttheirownsoulsong.Thesheerdesperationofthatactwouldgivethemthepowertowieldthebowandarrowforaterriblepurpose,allowingthemnotto joinhearts together, but to rip them out instead.That’swhy, afterRati’s soulsongreturnedandwewerereunited,IgavetheweapontoUloopi.Thequeenhaskeptitsafelystoredinthegreatvaultsofthenagarealmforthousandsofyears…untilnow.”

“Does thatmean you don’t use the arrow anymore tomake people fall inlove?”askedAru.

“Correct,”saidKamadeva.“Buttrustme,Idon’tmissit.ThesedaysI’dhavetolieinwaitatcoffeeshops,oryouthgrouplunches,ortakeintrotophilosophyclassesateightthirtya.m.,orscrollthroughRedditFortnitethreads.Nothanks.”

“You said that the bow and arrow could rip out people’s hearts…” saidMini.“IsthatwhatthatwoundwasontheHeartless?”

Kamadeva nodded, and Aru shuddered, remembering the strange scars intheirchestswherefrostspiderwebbedoutontotheirskin.

“WhywouldsomeonewantanarmyofHeartless?”askedAiden.

ThatwasthesamequestionAruwasgoingtoask.Sheglaredathim.

“Asyou’veseen,they’renearlyinvincible,”saidKamadeva.

“Nearly?”askedBrynne.

“TheirstrengthistiedtotheonewhomadethemHeartless.Ifthatperson’ssoul song is returned, then thenegativeeffectsof thebowandarrowwouldbereversed,thuschangingthembackintohumanform.”

“Doyouknowwhothethiefis?Couldyouhelpus?”askedMiniexcitedly.

“Or…youknow…goafteryourownbowandarrow?”pointedoutAru.

Foramomentshethoughtthegodoflovewouldcurseherandturnherintoanunfeelingtoadorsomething,butinsteadheshookhisheadsadly.

“Thetaskwasgiventoyou,Pandavas,”saidKamadeva.“Iamnotallowedtointerfere. Besides, the SoulExchange is in dire straits—just look at the stocks!There’s far toomuch chaos going on in the mortal realm right now, and theinvestorsareupinarms.ButIcantellyouthis.Whoevercorruptedmybowandarrowhadtoleavetheirsoulsongintheplacewheretheweaponwasstolen.”

“Thenagarealm,”saidBrynne.

“Specifically,thetreasury,”saidMini.

Aru recalled the blind naga king who guarded the treasury: Takshaka.Hehadn’tseemedtolikethematall,thoughshedidn’tknowwhy.

“What’sasoulsonglooklike?”askedAru.“Sheetmusicorsomething?”

She really hoped it wasn’t that. She couldn’t remember anything aboutreadingpianonotesexceptsomeweirdacronym….Eachgoodbeardeliversfrogs?Thatcouldn’tberight.

“The song might take a variety of forms,” said Kamadeva. “It’ll berepresentativeofthethief’ssoul,butitwon’tlooklikeanyordinaryobject.”

Well,thatwashelpful.Not.

“Onceyouhavefoundthesong,”saidKamadeva,“youmustspeakthenameofthethiefoverit.Thenthesongwillrevealthelocationofthestolenweapon.Whenyouretrieveit,youmustplungethearrowthroughtheheartofthethief.Only thenwill theHeartless be restored to their human selves, and the arrowcleansedofitsdarkpower.”

Plunge the arrow through the heart? Aru thought that sounded kind of violent.Then again, getting yourheart tornout andbasically becoming a robotwasn’tgreat,either.

“How are we going to get to the naga realm?” askedAiden. “It’s not likeUloopiandTakshakaareexactly fansofours.Theymighthaveguardswaitingforusattheportals.”

“There’sawayaroundthat,”saidKamadeva.“Butyou’llhavetowatchout.”

“Forwhat?”

“Sharks,obviously.”

AThatWentWell…Not

ccording to Kamadeva, the best way for them to get into the naga realmwouldbeviatheaquaticairport.

“Youcanblendinwiththeothertouriststhatway,”hetoldthem.

“Whywouldanunderwatertransportationsystembecalledanairport?”Miniasked.“Isn’tthatanoxymoron?”

The god of love dismissed her questions with a wave. “The Otherworldauthorities sometimes pick names just because they like how they sound, likeAbattoirSpa.It’sveryFrench.Italsomeansslaughterhouse.Anyway,comewithmetomyoffice!”

ThefourofthemfollowedhimfromthelobbytothevastflooroftheSoulExchange.Allaroundthemhoveredgiantmonitorsfilledwithlonglistsofnamesandzodiacsigns.Overhead,swansswoopedacrossthenight-skyceiling,honkingandtrumpeting.AftertheirencounterwiththeswanoutsidetheSoulExchange,AruhadtofighttheurgetoyellBack,beast!Begone!

“The sixo’clocknewsheadlines arehere!” shoutedoneof the swans.“‘ArethePandavasonthevergeofexile?’”

Arugroanedandpulledherhoodietighteroverherhead.They’dgonefrombeinglegendstolosersinthespaceofaday.

“‘Nagaqueendemandsjusticeforstolentreasure—’”

“‘Mortal realm fullofpanic as thenumberofmissingpersons triples everyhour!’”

Aru’s stomach dipped.More people missing meant more people who mightneverbehumanagain…andallofitdependedonwhethertheyfoundthethiefbeforetimewasup.

Andfinally:“‘WhichHollywoodChrisareyou?ChrisPratt,ChrisEvans,or

ChrisPine?Takethequizandfindout!’”

Brynne’smaceglowedas shegrumbled,“Someoneshouldputa stop to thegossipaboutus.It’snothelpingourcase.”

“Ignoreit,”saidMinimildly.“Peopleenjoyseeingotherpeoplefeelbad.Itmakesthemfeelbetteraboutthemselves.Don’tfeedthetrolls.”

Aru had to hand it to Mini. She could be totally weird, but with herweirdnesscamewisdom.Brynneloweredhermaceanditreturnedtochokerformaroundherneck.Aiden,ontheotherhand,lookedcompletelyunconcernedwiththerumors.HekepttryingtotakepicturesoftheSoulExchange,buteverytimehecameclose,Kamadevaraisedhishand,andlightbeamedoffthecameralens.

“Can’thavemycompetitorslearningmysecrets!”saidKamadeva.

The tips ofAiden’s ears turned red, butAru saw him try to sneak photosanyway.

As they approached the end of the atrium, the atmosphere of the SoulExchangeshifted.Itbecamedarkersomehow.Brynnestartedanxiouslyspinninghermanybracelets.

Aru was close enough to see that they were all engraved… BRYNNE RAO,FIRSTPLACE!BRYNNERAO,CHAMPION!

Brynnecaughtherpeekingandshrugged.“Ihadmytrophiesmelteddowntomakebracelets,”shesaid,raisingherhandproudly.

Aru’smouthfellopen.“Whodoesthat?”

“Winners,”saidBrynnesmugly.

Aru shotMini a can-you-believe-this? look, but her best friend was blissfullyunaware,andtoointentonfollowingKamadeva’sinstructions.

At the far side of the Soul Exchange, the desks were pitch-black, and thespace was divided into two large cubicles, one labeled SPITE and the otherINDIFFERENCE. Here, patches of fog hid the sky ceiling from view. In a fewplaces,moonlightbrokethrough,revealingdelicatesilverstaircasesthatspiraledupto thosegaps.Thesamepairofwordsappeared in thefiligreeofeachstep:LISTENandLAUGH,LISTENandLAUGH,LISTENandLAUGH.

A grand staircase made of polished silver and twined with jasmine vinessuddenlyappearedbetweenthetwodesolatecubicles.

“Ascension!”calledKamadeva.“Finally.”

They climbed thegrand staircase and entered an executive’s gigantic corner

office.Rosylightfilledtheroom.Ahanginggardenformedtheceiling,andlushfloweringvinescrawleddownthewalls.Apairofsmokedglassdoorsappearedontherightwall,darkshapesshiftingeerilybehindthem.

“All aquariums in the United States have access points to the underwaterrealmsoftheOtherworld,”explainedKamadeva.“The largeraquariums leadtomajordestinations.”

“Likelocalairportsversusinternationalones?”askedMini.

“Precisely,” saidKamadeva. “Theone you’ll be taking has portals tomanydifferent underwater realms. Just be sure to take the door on the left. Do youunderstand?”

“Doorontheleft,”repeatedAru.

“Right,”saidBrynne.

Aidengroaned.“No,left!”

“Right,Iknowthat!”saidAru.

“Stopsayingright!”saidAiden.

“Stayfocused.TheHeartlessmaybeafteryouaswespeak,”saidKamadeva.“Ifyoutrulyneedhelp,thereisonepersonwhoseassistanceyoushouldseek.ButIwarnyounow…you’llhavetobeverypolitetohim.”

KamadevahandedAruabusinesscard.Itread:

S.DURVASA

DONOTBOTHERMEWITHINFANTILECONCERNS

IWILLCURSEYOUFORWASTINGMYTIME

Hesoundslikemyguidancecounselor,thoughtAru.Shewantedtoaskwho,exactly,S.Durvasawas,butKamadevabeckonedthemtotheglassdoors.

“Youmust hurry,” said Kamadeva. “You only have nine mortal days left.Findmybowandarrow,andIwillgrantyoueachaboon.Somethingfittedtoeach of yourneeds.”Ashe said this,his gazemoved toBrynne,Mini, and, last,Aruagain.Shecouldhearhisvoiceinherthoughts:I’veseenyourterrors,AruShah.I’ve seen your guilt, your battle with your very soul…. I can help. Aru thought of theunendingnightmaresoftheSleeperandshamecoiledinsideher.

Next,KamadevaturnedtoAidenandsaidaloud:

“As for you, Aiden Acharya. I will give you that which you desire most.Though I no longer usemy arrow, I do have plenty of itsmilder brethren in

supply,andIshallgiftyouasingleonetouseatyourdiscretion.”

BrynnereachedoutandsqueezedAiden’sshoulder.Aruwasn’tsurewhattomakeofthat.Aidenwantedalovearrow?It’snotlikeheneededthehelp….Atschool, tons of girls had crushes on him. Aru rolled her eyes, even as sherememberedthatthefirsttimehe’dsmiledather,she’dfeltlikeshe’dbeenhitbyatruck.

Kamadeva opened the doors on the right wall. A burst of cold, wintry airblew throughAru’shoodieandshe shivered.So long,pretty springtime.Hello,cold and misery and despaiiiir. She stepped over the threshold and into theblindinglight.Kamadevahadn’tsaidwhichaquariumairporthe’dchosen,butitsuredidn’tfeelliketheMauiOceanCenter.Rats.

Kamadevawaved.“Farewell,Pandavas!”

“I’mnotaPandava!”calledAidenashesteppedthrough.

ButKamadevaonlysmiled.“IknowwhatIsaid.”

Once they crossed, they found themselves on a sidewalk, facing an emptyroad.Arublinkedagainstthecoldsunlightandpulledherhoodietighter.AcrossfromthemwasanaquariumwhereafishtailattachedtoagiantGglowedbrightblue.TheGeorgiaAquariumonBakerStreet!She’dcomeherejustlastmonthona school field trip. For half an hour she’d tried speakingwhale to the residentbeluga, and she could’ve sworn she’d heard a voice sayMyGod, that’s an appallingaccent!Butitwasprobablyjustherimagination.

Today the aquarium was entirely empty, which was bizarre. It was almostalwaysbustlingwithtourists.Acoldwindsweptasheafofwhitepapersacrosstheground.

Minipickeduponeoftheflyersandreadit.Herfacepaled.“There’remorepeoplemissing….”

“Morepeople turningHeartless, youmean,” saidBrynne. “That’swhat theheadlinesintheSoulExchangesaid,too.”

Arugrabbedaflyer.Inboldblacklettersitsaid:

HAVEYOUSEENTHISPERSON?

Therewereoffersofrewards,andalsosomeweirddetailsthatAruhonestlydidnotneed toknow.Onedescription read,Charles is easily recognizable, because heonlywearsboxersthathaverubberduckiesonthem.Anothersaid,Thomas looksabit likeanorganicegg.Bald.Brown.Speckled.

“PoorThomas,”saidAru.

Aidenpulledouthisphone.“Check itout,”hesaid,holdingupthescreen.“It’sthefirsttimeinawhileI’vehadanybars.”

Thegirlsleanedinandsawatext-messagewarning:

ALLCITIZENSAREADVISEDTOSTAYINDOORS.ANYSUSPICIOUSACTIVITYCANBEREPORTEDTOTHEFOLLOWINGNUMBER…

“Weshouldmoveinsideasfastaswecan,”saidAiden.

Acrossfromhim,Mini—andevenBrynne—lookedthoroughlycreepedout.

“It’sokay,”saidAru,eventhoughthatwasfarfromhowshefelt.“There’snoonehere.”

Onherwrist,therewasasurgeofheatfromVajra.

“Ithinkyouspoketoosoon,Shah,”saidBrynne.

WhenArulookedupfromtheflyer,shenearlystoppedbreathing.Whathadbeen an empty street beforewasnow filledwithHeartless.Therewere at leastfifteenstalkingtowardthem,eachwithablank,slack-jawedexpression.

AruheardaclickasAidensnappedaphoto.

“Thisissonotthetimeforthat!”shesaid.

ButAidenignoredher.Heseemedtobefocusingonsomethingshecouldn’tsee.

“We’reblockedoff!”saidMini,pointingattheentrancetotheaquarium.

Kamadeva’s instructions had been clear: Take the door on the left. But theycouldn’tgettoit.AlineofHeartlessstoodthere,asiftheyknewthatwaswherethePandavasandAidenwereheaded.

OneHeartlessstalkedcloser.HewaswearinganApplestoreshirtthat saidHI!I’MAGENIUS.HOWCANIHELP? Inonesharpmove,Aidenhit thepavementwithhisscimitar.TheHeartlesshissedandrearedback.

“Whathappenedtoyouraim?”demandedBrynne.

“Ididitonpurpose,”saidAiden.“IfIhitonewithaswordandhedoesn’tgethurt,they’llalljustattack.”

“Ohright.Wecan’tuseourweaponsagainstthem,”saidBrynnegrimly.Sheraisedherfistsinafighter’sstance.“Sobeit.”

“Holdup,Rocky,”saidAru.“Wehavetogettothedoorontheleft.Butwecan’tletthemseewherewe’regoing….”

Mini brandished Dee Dee and a shield flickered around them, but the

Heartlessdidn’tstop.Theygroanedandshuffledcloser.

“Wecan’tfightthem,”saidAru.“Wehavetodosomethingdifferent.”

“Likehide?”askedMini.

“Don’tbesuchababy,”Brynnescoffed.

ThatmadeMini stand up straighter. In her daughter of the god of deathoutfit,shelookedscaryinthatsecond.

“I’mtheoldestPandava,remember?AndImeantwhatIsaid,”assertedMini.“Wecanstilluseourweapons,justnottofight.Wecanusethemtohide.WhatifIturnedmyshieldintoamirror?”

Arusnappedherfingers.“YES!That’lltrickthem!”

“Goodidea,”saidAiden.

GuiltflickeredonBrynne’sface.Aidengaveheragentlenudge.

Brynne looked at the ground, fidgeting with one of her trophy bracelets.“Um,Icanaddtothat?”

Mininodded.“Good.”

Mini’spurpleshieldballoonedoverthefourofthem.Itwasherbestcastingyet.Brynne turnedher chokerback intoamace and swung itoverherhead.Acoldwindpickedup.Allatonce,thesheetsofpapercoveringthesidewalkliftedintotheair.Brynnetwirledthemaceasifsheweregoingtolassothepapers,andtheyspiraledlikeacyclonetowardthechargingzombies.Atthesametime,Minimadeaquicksilversubstancepouroverhershield.Itmadeaone-waymirrortheycouldseethroughbutthezombiescouldn’t.

TheHeartlessstoppedshort.

“HNGHHHHHH?!” the Apple-Genius-Heartless zombie shouted inconfusion.

ItsoundedalotlikeWhoa!Where’dtheygo?!

Aidensnappedanotherphoto.

“Seriously?”demandedAru.

“Thelightingisperfect!”

Slowly,thefourofthemshuffledacrossthestreetunderthedome,themirrorillusionhidingthemcompletelyuntiltheygottotheleft-sidedooroftheGeorgiaAquarium.Thisonelookedolderthanthepolishedglassentranceontheright.It

wasmadeoutofdriftwoodandaseasmellrolledoffit.Lightleakedoutaroundtheedges—alightAruwassurenohumanwouldbeabletorecognize.

Brynneopenedthedoorfirst,andMinifinallyletdownhershield.

“Yousavedusbackthere,”AidensaidtoMini,grinning.

Aru elbow-bumped her, and Brynne—bright red in the face—mumbledsomething.

Aruwasn’tsure,butitsoundedlikesorry.

TTerminalC.GetIt?LOL

hefourof themwalkedquicklydowna long tunnel—well, everyoneexceptAru.

“Whyareyoumovingsoslowly?”demandedBrynne.“Stopgawking!”

“Can’thelpit!”saidAru,awed.“We’reunderwater.”

Arugesturedaroundher.Theywerewalking throughan invisible tube thatkept themcompletelydry.Outside, jellyfishbobbedpeacefully.A sharkdartedoverhead. Mini, however, was not convinced by the magic. She was huddledbeneathaspottedumbrella,whichmadeherlooklikeatravelingmushroom.

“We’realsoonadeadline,”saidBrynne.“YouheardKamadeva.Ninemortaldaysleft—”

“AndtimemovesfasterintheOtherworld,”Aidenpointedoutinaworriedtone.“We’reobviouslynotinAtlantaanymore.”

“ThisisasfastasIcanwalk,honest,”saidAru.“Sounlessyouwanttocarryme,then—Wait,Brynne.Whyareyoulookingatmelikethat?Hey!”

BrynneliftedAruandthrewheroverhershoulderlikeasackofpotatoes.

“Shouldn’tyouatleasttakeavote?”askedAru.

“Allinfavor?”askedBrynne.

“Aye,”saidAiden.

“Aye,”saidMinisheepishly.

“Betrayal!”shoutedAru.

Actually,Aru found it pretty comfortable.Thewalk to the aquatic airportwas long, and her legs were tired from all the walking through Kamadeva’sendlessSoulExchangeandtherunningfromtheHeartless.Itwasn’tsobadbeingcarried.Infact,itwaskindanice….

Afewminuteslater,shewasunceremoniouslydumpedonthefloor.

“Hey!”

Brynnehadherhandsonherhips.“Youfellasleep.”

“Didnot!”

“Youstartedsnoring.”

“Oh…”

“Ican’thaveyoudroolingdownmyback,”saidBrynne.

“Look!” said Mini, lifting her umbrella and pointing up ahead. “We’realmostattheentrancetotheaquaticairport!”

Something zoomed past them on the right: a giant eel with a transparentbubbleon itsbackcrammedwithmembersof theOtherworld.Beyond theeel,Arucouldseewhatlookedlikearunwayinthedistance.Largeglowingfishswaminstraightlines,guidingorcasandhumongousseaturtlesthatwerecarryingtheirownpassengerpods.Asforthearrivals,ahugeoctopusdetachedthepodsfromtheaquaticrafts—handlingseveralatonce—andthenslotted themintohatchesinthe“airport.”Aruwonderediftheoctopusevergotthingsmixedup.

Throughthewater,shecouldhearthedimcrackleofsomeoneannouncing,“Leviathan,you’reclearedforRunwayOnewithservicetoAvalon.”Arulookedaround,tryingtochoosewhichoftheseacreaturesshe’dwanttotakethemtothenagarealm.

“Hopefully they’re not boarding immediately,” said Brynne, patting herstomach.“I’mhungryagain.Aiden,gotanything?”

“Youateitall,”saidAidendistractedly.Hewasstaringathisphonescreen.ThoughtherewasnocellserviceorWi-FiintheOtherworld,Aiden’senchantedcamerawassomehowstillabletotransmithisdigitalphotostothephone.

Brynne’sstomachgrumbledlouder.

Frowning,Aidenliftedhisphonetoshowthemapictureofazombie.“Youknowwhat’sweird?”

“Thefactthatyoudon’thaveanysnacks?”askedBrynnegrumpily.

“No….All theHeartlesswe’veseensofarareallguys,”saidAiden.“Whywouldthearrowthiefonlychoosemen?”

“Becausethethiefhatesthepatriarchy?”suggestedAru.

Brynneraisedafistinsolidarity,andMinisnortedbackalaugh.

“I’mserious!”saidAiden.“It’sweird.”

Itwasweird,buttheydidn’thavelongtositwithAiden’srealization,becausethey’dpushedthroughthebrightcoraldoorsoftheaquaticairport.Beinginsidewas like standing inside a large, blown-glass jellyfish that protected them fromthe water outside. Slender, translucent tentacles disappeared into differenttransportationdockswiththenamesofplacesthatAruhadalwaysthoughtwereoutofmyth:LEMURIA,AVALON,ATLANTIS…NAGAREALM.

There were businesswomen typing away on glowing laptops.Men pushingstrollersacrossthehard-packedsandfloor.Nagakidsdraggingsuitcasesshapedlike tiny BB-8s. Jellyfish floated in the air overhead, carrying digital readoutsannouncingthedeparturesandarrivalsofvarioustransports.Aseaturtleflappedlazilythroughthejellyfish,trailinganadbannerthatsaid:TIREDOFWAITINGIN

LINE?SIGNUPFOREXPRESSPRECHECKSERVICE!COST=JUSTONEYEAROFYOUR

LIFE!

“‘TerminalCforNagaRealm,’”Minireadaloudfromaninformationscreeninsideagiantopenclamshell.Shefoldedherumbrella,stuffeditinherbackpack,andscannedmorelinesbeforegroaning.“Ohgreat,therearenomoredeparturestothenagarealmafterdusk.”

“Whatdotheymean,afterdusk?That’ssoimprecise!”saidBrynne.“Thetimefor sunrise and sunset isn’t always the same.Howarewe going toknowwhen—?”

Aidencoughedandpointedup.

In the ceiling above them, a large sand dollar slowly rotated.Words werewrittenon it indifferentcolors.A faint lineof light shotout from itsmiddle,looking likeonehandonaclock. Itwasclose tohittingaword inpurple ink:DUSK.

“Ohno,ohno,ohno!”saidMini.“Wegottarun!”

Aruwas staringup at the inkywaterbeyond the ceiling,where shewas99percentsureshe’djustseenamermaid,whenMini’swordsregistered.

“Right,I’mready!”shesaidquickly.

AidenraisedaneyebrowandMinishookherhead.

“Whyareyouguyslookingatmelikethat?”Aruasked.

Brynnetookastepcloser.

“Notagain—”

Oncemore,Aru foundherselfdanglingoverBrynne’s shoulder.Tobe fair,Brynnewas fast.UnlikeAru, shedidn’t stop to lookaroundat all the airport’smarvels.Inamatterofseconds,theyfoundthemselvesinthesecurityline,whichlooked almost exactly like the one at the entrance to the Night Bazaar. Allpassengershad to step through a glittering archway.To the rightwas a crystalconveyerbelt.Andattheendstoodaverybored-lookingnagaflippingthepagesofthelatestDanBrownbook.

“Please take out all laptops, cellular devices, cursed items, andweapons ofmild devastation. Bottled constellations or enchanted bodies of water must bekept in a three-ounce container. Please note that Samsung Galaxies are nowbanned,aspertheOtherworldTransportationSecurityGuidelines,”dronedthenaga.

Aidenwentfirst,placinghiscameraandsatchelontotheconveyerbelt.Hemovedthroughthearchwithoutincident.

ThenagamanpawedthroughAiden’sbagandexaminedhiswallet,pullingoutaphotothathadbeentuckedinside.“Isthat…?No,itcan’tbe!”saidthesecurityguard.“IsthatMalini?Theapsaracelebrity?Shehasn’tbeenseenforages!Howdoyouknowher?”

Aidensnatchedbackthephoto.“That’smymom.”

Theguardblushed.Sincehewasmostlygreen,hedidn’tturnred,butbrightyellow.Aruquickly lookedaway.Now sheknewwhyAidenhad calledUrvashihisaunt.Maliniwasafamousapsaradancerandsinger,oneoftheelitesistersofUrvashi.AruvaguelyrememberedasignedposterofherinBoo’sclassroom.

NextwasMini,whosepurplebackpackpassedthrougheasily.AfterherwentBrynne. Aru lagged behind…. She’d never had much luck with OtherworldTransportationSecurity.Somethingalwayswentwrong.

The naga picked throughBrynne’s stuff. “Whydid youpack salt? You areawarethatthiscouldbeconstruedbysomespeciesoftheunderwaterworldsasanactofaggression?”

A familyof sea slugson theother sideof the conveyerbelthuddledclosertogether.

Brynne crossed her arms. “I always carry salt with me. I hate when fooddoesn’thaveenoughsalt.”

WhenArulookedupagain,thefamilyofseaslugswasnowheretobeseen.

Probablyforthebest.

“Tellthetruth,asuragirl,”saidthenagaman.

Brynneturnedred,andArurememberedhowTakshakahadtreatedherintheCouncil of Guardians. As if her lineage made her dangerous. Anger spikedthroughher,butBrynnedefendedherself:

“JustbecauseI’vegotasurablooddoesn’tmeanI’mlying.”

“Ihavereasontodoubtyou,andthat’sallIrequire,”hesaidwithasneer.Heconfiscatedthesalt.Next,hepickedupwhat lookedlikeaphotoalbum.“Andthis?”

Brynneclenchedherjaw.“That’spersonal.”

The naga man leafed through it. From what Aru could see, it was just abunch of pictures of Brynne. Brynne with her #1 medals and trophies beforethey’dbeenturnedintobracelets.Arurolledhereyes.Self-confidencewasgreatandall,butwhatkindofpersonneededtocarryaroundproofoftheirsuccesses?Itwasjustweird.

The security officer carelessly tossed the album back to Brynne. Then heturnedtoAru.“Yourturn.”

Okay,yougotthis,Shah.

She felt a zing of reassuringwarmth fromVajra, whichwas now in Ping-Pong-ball form inherpocket.Aruplacedherbackpackonto the conveyerbeltandputVajraintoaseparatebin.Shewalkedthroughthescanneronlytomeetthenagaman’supheldpalm.

“Miss,pleasewait.”

“’Kay,”saidAru.

Oneminutepassed…thentwo….

Shecouldspottheotherswellaheadofher.Miniwaspurchasingticketsnearavastglowingpod.Passengerswerelineduptoenter.Firsttheyhadtogiveasea-glass ticket toanaga lady inagreenuniform.Shewouldscan thechipsoveracoraltubeandthen,onebyone,thetravelerswouldwalkinandfindtheirseats.

Brynne had finished repacking her stuff and was now at a kiosk orderingfood. Aiden was talking to the owner of a stall marked MESSAGE DELIVERY

SERVICE, and pointing to a bouquet of flowers. Wow, he was really goingthroughalotoftroubleforsomeone,thoughtAru.FirsthesecretlywantedalovearrowfromKamadeva,andnowhewassendingflowers?

Arufelttheslightesttwingeofenvy.Itwasn’tthatshewantedtobethegirl

on the receiving end of Aiden’s flowers—or, heaven forbid, the god of love’sarrow….Shejustwishedshecouldinspirethatkindofattention.

Her mom certainly did. Over the years, Aru had had to sign for lots ofdeliveriesof elaboratebouquets fromdifferentmenwhowere smittenwithherbeautiful, brilliant archaeologist mom. Usually her mother tossed the flowersstraightinthetrash,andthat’swheretheystayed…exceptonValentine’sDay.EveryFebruaryfourteenth,Aruwouldfishabouquetoutofthetrashandbringit to school (nevermind if the bloomswere slightly crushed and had a bit ofeggshell on them) and tell everyone that they’d been delivered to her house(which,technically,wasnotalie).

Ohwell,thoughtAru.AtleastIhaveVajra.

Thenaga security guard coughed. “Your lightning bolt keeps transformingandIcannotproperlyscanit.”

Arusighed.SometimesVajragotskittish. ItwouldchangefromPing-Pongballtoswordtoropeandwhateverelse,refusingtosettledown.

“Sorry…”

The scanner whirred impatiently. Aru started to panic. The last thing shewantedwastohavetodemonstrateVajra’sfullcapacity,whichwassomethingasecurityrakshasahadrequiredonher lastquest.Ithadtaken literallyathousandyears.

Oratleasttwentyminutes.

Whatever.

Theydidn’t have twentyminutes to spare.Already, the ray of light on thesand-dollar clock was about to hitDUSK, and the pod to the naga realm waslosingitsglow.Thegreen-uniformedpassenger-serviceagenttappedherserpenttailimpatiently.Fromtheticketkiosk,MinimouthedtoAru,HURRYUP!

Timetoturnonthecharm,Shah.

“IkeepthinkingI’llseeLucaBrasihere,”shejokedtothesecurityguard.

“Who?”

“Youknow,fromTheGodfather?‘LucaBrasisleepswiththefishes’?It’s,like,afamousquoteaboutthisguywho—”

“Miss, if you know of any Luca Brasi who is trying to find lodging withfishesandhasbeenreportedmissing,itisyourcivicdutytonotifytheauthoritiesperOtherworldTransportationSecurityGuidelines—”

“Ohmygod,it’sajoke!”

“Jokesareprohibitedinthesecurityarea,”saidthenagaman.“Also,sleepingamong fishes is no laughing matter. They never blink! Do you know howdisturbingthatis?”

Atthatmoment,thecrystalscannerbeeped.Vajrapoppedoutontheothersidelooking,Aruimagined,rathergrumpyforaballoflight.WhenArureachedforit,itzingedherwithatinyboltofelectricity.

“Youmaygo,”saidthenagamansourly.

“Thankyou.Bye!”

AruracedovertoMini,whowaswaitingforthematthegate.Aidenstrolledoverwithabagfullofcandyhehadbought.

“Foremergenciesonly,”hesaid,catchingAru’sgreedyeyes.“Sorrythattookawhile.Hadtosendsomethingtomymomincaseshegotworried.”

Oh…thoughtAru,feelingabitsilly.Sothat’swhotheflowerswerefor.

“Where’sBrynne?”Miniasked.“Thepodisgoingtoleavesoon!”

“Ithoughtshewasgettingsomethingtoeat?”saidAiden.

Overatthefoodkiosk,theysawabull-headedrakshasanervouslypacingandwipinghishandsonhisapron,buttheydidn’tspotBrynneatfirst.Thethreeofthemcreptcloser.Behindthecounter,wearinganapronandlaboringoverafire,was Brynne. She held out a spoon to the rakshasa, who took it gingerly, andsipped.

“THAT,”Brynne yelled, “ISFOOD!Noticehow it satisfies the fivebasictastes?Sweet!Sour!Bitter!Salty!Umami!”

Aru’seyebrowssoaredup.Whosemommy?What?

“Iwillcomeback,”saidBrynnemenacingly.Shetoreoffherapronandthrewitonthefloor.“AndIhopeyou’velearnedtocookbythen.”

“Yes, m-ma’am. Sorry, m-ma’am,” stammered the rakshasa, clutching thespoonfordearlife.

Brynne stomped toward them, still glaring and mumbling, “If I wantsomethinggood,Ialwayshavetomakeitmyself….”

MiniandArutriedtomeetherhalfway,butAidenheldthemback.

“Someadviceforthefuture,”hewhispered.“DonotgetinthewayofBrynneandfood.”

Thefourofthemjustbarelyreachedthepodbeforeitsdoorclosed.Theywerethe only non-naga passengers aboard, whichmadeAru feel self-conscious. Shetook a seat on a plushy pink anemone and pretended to read aDivine Peoplemagazinewhileshesnuckpeeksoutthewindow.

Thepodwasspatoutofthedockandintotheocean,onlytobesnaggedbyan octopus tentacle that attached the bubble to the top of a humpbackwhale.Aru—though thrilled—washalf-terrified that she’dgocatapultingout thepodfromalltheturbulence.Miniexaminedthetranslucentwallslikeshefearedtheywere going to spring a leak anyminute.Aiden snapped pictures—though theyweregoingsofast,Aruthoughtthey’dallcomeoutblurry.Brynneconcentratedoneating.

After a short flight (swim?), theydocked andde-whaled in a vastbutdarkindoorterminal that remindedAruofanartdecotrainstation.Thewallswerecoveredwith overlapping jewels that looked like serpent scales. Living, hissingcobraswith tongues of flame cast the only light. At the end of the hall, theirglimmersturnedwavy,likemoonlighthittingthesidesofaseacave.

Thereweretwoexittunnels.Abovetheoneontheright,asignreadBAGGAGEANDSCALESCLAIM.Thesignabovethelefttunnelsaid:CUSTOMSFORNON-NAGA

RESIDENTS.

“That’sus,”saidAiden,headingtotheCUSTOMSsign.

“Kamadeva didn’t say anything about having to go through customs,” saidMini.“Doyouthinkthat’ssafe?”

“Too late to worry about that now,” said Brynne. “The last whale justdeparted.”

AruhadbeentotheOtherworldplentyoftimesbynow.Shewasusedtothesensation of being surrounded by magic. But the feeling here … this wasdifferent.Herskinprickled.Seamistsurroundedherandleftherthoughtsstickywith fear. Even Aiden, who was always documenting the world around him,hadn’traisedhiscamera.

Aruglanceddownandquicklywishedshehadn’t.Flatblacktilescutintotheshapesofsnakesformedthefloor.Inthedim,flickeringlight,theykindalooked…alive.

At the customs checkpoint a tired-looking nagini official sat inside a glassbooth.

“Identifyyourselves,”sheintoned,bored.

Miniblanched.

“I’m sure it’ll be fine,”Aiden said, nodding encouragingly to her. “Just gowiththeflow.”

Thefourofthemhelduptheircelestialweapons.

“WearethePandavas,”saidBrynne,liftingherchin.

“Butnotme,”saidAidenquickly.

The customs officer scowled at them. “No Pandavas, including theirassociates, are welcome in Naga-Loka, the illustrious”—the naga said it likeillustriousss—“capitalofthenagakingdom,bytheorderofQueenUloopi.”

“Butwe’retryingtohelpQueenUloopi,”protestedAru.“She’stheonewhosentusonthistriptofindthebowandarrow,and—”

“Ah.YoumustbethedaughteroftheLordoftheHeavens,”saidtheofficer.“LordTakshaka,guardianofthetreasureroom,leftspecialinstructionsforyou.”

ArurememberedthescornfulnagamanwhohadsatnexttoQueenUloopihighabovetheclouds.Whatwasthatguy’sproblem?

Justthen,theflooropenedbeneathAru,plungingherintofrigidpitch-blackwater.Vajra immediately changed from a bolt to a bracelet, leaving her handsfree. Her head came back up to the surface quickly, but as she tried to keepherselfafloat,sheaccidentallyswallowedamouthfuloftheseawaterandstartedcoughing.

“ARU!”screamedMiniandBrynne.

Aidenscrambledforward,tryingtograbherhand,butthenaginiofficer’stailwhippedoutandsentherfriendflyingbackward.AsMinibonkedtheguardwithDeeDee,BrynneextendedhermacetoAru.Shetriedtograspit,butherfingerskeptslipping.Finally,shegotahold….

Butapparentlyshewasn’taloneinthewater.

Acoldtendrilwrappedaroundherankleanddraggedherunder.

CAruShahIsaPieceofSushi

old,darkwaterclosedoverAru’shead,pullingherdeepintotheoceanuntilshelostallsenseofdirection.Shestartedtopanic.Weretheresharksinthis

water?Becausetheyterrifiedher.Arukickedout,shakingoffthetendrilthathadgrabbedher,andswamforward.

Light,shecommanded.

Vajra,inbraceletform,sentoutabeam.Aruhadthatpainful,tightfeelinginherchestthatonlycomesfromholdingone’sbreathforfartoolong.Anysecondnow,she’drunoutofair.Shelookedup,butevenwithVajra’slight,shecouldnolongerseethesurface.Shewasfarbeneaththewaves.She’dprobablydrownhere….

Something zipped past her—something that felt pointy and sharp. Arugasped.

Andthen…shegaspedagain.Which, technically, sheshouldn’tbeable todounless…

Cautiously,Aruinhaled.Nocoldwaterrushedintohernoseandmouth.Airfilledher lungs.Shecouldbreathe.Shecouldbreatheunderwater!COOL!Wait,sincewhenhadshebeenabletodothat?

By now, her eyes had adjusted to her surroundings. As she swam over theseabed, phosphorescent seashells lit it up like a motion-activated sidewalk.Shadows carved out a sunken, ruined city. Aru dove down to investigate, andwhen she reached the bottom, she discovered that she could stand and walkupright.Shecouldevenheareverythingaroundherasifshewereonland.Beingunder the ocean sounded like there was a never-ending thunderstorm in thedistance.Seaweed-chokedstatuesofnagasstuckupoutofthesandybottom.Fishdartedinandoutamongthem,flashingiridescently.

Aru looked up at the surface again, but it was far out of sight. If Brynne,Aiden, orMini had fallen in here, too, she couldn’t see them. She also didn’t

knowiftheycouldbreatheunderwater,likeher.

Arutookamomenttoprocessthis.Shecouldbreatheunderwater.Thinkofallthepranksshecouldpull!Shecouldstraponadorsalfin,pretendtobeashark,andclearthebeachtohaveitalltoherself.

Butthatdepended,ofcourse,onhergettingoutofhere.

Takshaka didn’t like her—that wasmade obvious when Aru was droppedthroughatrapdoor.Rude.But thatwasn’tgoingtostopher fromgettingtothetreasuryandfindingthethief’ssoulsong.

Howwasshegoingtogetthere,though?Itwasn’tlikeshecouldasksomeonefordirections.Shemightaswellfindacoconut,namehimWilson,andgrowabeard.

Abluefishswampasther.

“Gotanycoconuts?”sheaskedwearily.

The usual answer from a fish would have been: *bubble* *gape* *bubble**disappear*

Butthisfishsaid,“Ibelievethere’ssomeIndonesiankopyordwarfcoconutsbeingsoldintheupstreamnagamarket.Or,ifyou’reinterestedinthePhilippinevariety,ashiphasjustsunksoutheastofhere.”

Aruscreamed.

Thefishlookedhighlyaffronted.“Ifyoudon’twanttheanswer,thendon’task!You’re theoneaskingaboutcoconuts intheoff-season!”ithuffed.“Foolishgirl!”

Aruglared.“Well,youswiminyourowntoilet!”

Thefishdidnothaveaneyebrowtoraisevillainously.Butitstonemanagedtheeffectwellenough.“Andyou’llneverknowwhen Iusetheoceanasa toilet.Enjoythemystery.”

Itflappeditstailandswamoff.

Whywaseverythingsorude?

AndwhydidthefishhaveaBritishaccent?

One thing at a time, Shah. So far, she had discovered that she could breatheunderwater, walk underwater, talk underwater, and also argue with a fish. Shewonderedifanythingelsecouldunderstandherdownhere.

Aru tapped into the mind link she shared withMini, but only static ran

throughher thoughts. She hoped her friendswere okay.Maybe theywere stillstuckincustoms.

SheturnedVajrafull-sizeandheldittightly.Dad?

Thelightningboltglowed.

Encouraged,Aruasked,CouldIgetsomehelp?I’mnotpopularwithsnakes—surprise.Also,Icantalktofish?Isthatnormal?

Upahead,somethingemergedfromthesand.Nagastatuesfellleftandrightasahuge, speckled eel liftedoff theground.ThewordsSEALINEwerewrittenacross its dorsal fin. The eel opened its mouth, and passengers—fish, people,fish-people, and…Was that Tilda Swinton?—streamed out of its jaws. Thehuman passengers wore clear bubble helmets.Most of the nagas were wearingheadphonesandhadcanvasbags slungover their shoulders.OnlynowdidArunotice that there were little trails stretching across the ocean floor. In thedistance,shecouldseethecolorfullightsofwhatmighthavebeenanagamarket.

Sothiswasanunderwatersubwaystop?

WasthisasubtlesignfromTakshakatogettheheckouttahere,orhadhehopedshe’djustdrown?Arudidn’twanttothinktoodeeplyaboutthat….

Theeelcoughedupsomesandandthensaidinamonotonousvoice,“Nextstop,theWilloftheSea.Allwhoenterwaivetheirrighttosubmitacomplaint,per Otherworld Transportation Security Guidelines. You hereby acknowledgethatifyouendupinthemouthofalargerseacreature,orifIgethungry,orifyou are lost to the BermudaTriangle, you brought it upon yourself and that’sthat.”

Vajraglowedbrighter.

“You’rekidding,”saidAru.“Dad,youreallywantmetoboardthat?”

Whileridingonawhalehadbeenfun,ridinginsideaseamonsterdidn’tseemthatgreat.Thatthinghadteeth,andlotsof’em!

Vajracontinuedtoglow.

Arucrossedher arms. “N.O. I amnot going in there. I’mnot interested inbecomingmonstersnack.”

Vajraturnedbackintoabracelet.

Arurelaxed.“See?Youagreewith—”

Along,thintailstretchedoutfromthebracelet.

“Uh,what’reyoudoing?”

Thetailstretchedoutfarther,growingthicker,windingitswaytotheeel.

“Vajra,whydoyoulooklikearope?”

Vajra yanked, and Aru zoomed through the water like a piece of bait on afishingline.

“BETRAYAL!”shehollered.

VajrawhippedAruintotheeel’smouthandthenchangedbackintoaPing-Pongball,retractingitstailandslidingintoAru’spocket.Shefeltlikeshewasonan invisibleSlideofDeath.Down,down,down shewent into thebellyof thebeast. It was empty except for benches on either side covered with moldyupholstery.Aranksubwayscentwaftedfromthemasshe tookaseat,andAruwrinkledhernose.Elevatormusicboomedfromtheeel’ssharpteeth,stillvisibleevenfromfaraway:

Tallandtanandyoungandlovelyyyyy,thegirlfromIpanemagoeswalkingand—

Abeltofseaweedwoundacrossherlap.Arutriedtowrestleherselfoutofit,butthebeltjustgottighter.

“All passengers must wear some manner of protection, per OtherworldTransportation SecurityGuidelines,” said the eel. “The presence of a seat beltmaynot, however, prevent somepassengers on theWill of theSea route frombeingdigested.”

Hysterical laughter bubbled throughAru. She plucked at the seaweed belt.“I’msushi.”

Theeelsnappeditsjawsshut,plungingherintodarkness.Itsurgedforward,causingawhooshtohitAru’sstomach.ShetooktheVajraballbackoutforsomelight,butallitdidwasmaketheeel’spointyteethglowatthefrontofthetrain.

“Where’sitgoing?”mutteredAruunderherbreath.

OncemoresheattemptedtoreachMiniandBrynnetelepathically,butonlystaticfilledherhead.

She tried to ignore thepanicked racingofherheart, but itwas impossible.Wherewerethey?Didtheythinkshehaddrowned?Hadtheyjustacceptedherdeath asUloopi’s judgment and continued on the quest?Ormaybe they wereplanning to retrieve the bow and arrow before trying to rescue her. And thenwhat? If the others returned the weapon without her, would she be the onlyPandavacastoutoftheOtherworld?

Theeelstopped.Theseaweedseatbeltretracted.Aruheldherbreath.Thiswasit—eitherdigestionordestination.

TIMean,Technically,We’reFamily….

hankfully,thejawsopened.

“Arrival,”saidtheeel.“ThePalaceofVaruna.Pleaseexittoyourleftandmindthegapinmyteeth.”

Varuna?

Varunawasthegodof thewaters,andhewasknownforbeingasfickleastheseaitself.InallthepaintingsofhimAruhadseen,herodeagiganticmakara,acreature that looked like a crocodile-lion.The last time she’dmet amakara, ithad asked if she was a rodent. At least it hadn’t taken a bite to find out foritself….

Aru stepped carefully along the slippery ridges of the eel’s gums, trying toavoid getting impaledon its rowsof needle-sharp teeth.A couple ofmomentslater,shejumpedoutofthecreature’sjawsandontoarockypedestal.Justwhenshewasbeginningtowonderwhereshewassupposedtogonext,acurrentcaughtherandpulledherthroughtheoceanuntilshewasdroppedontoapathwaymadeofpolishedmother-of-pearl.

“Whoa,”breathedAru,whenshelookedup.

Thewordpalacedidn’tevenbegintocoverit.Itwasthemostbeautiful(inaslightlybizarreway)placeAruhadever seen.Ontheonehand, it lookedabittraditional.Thepathwoundthroughaseagardenofbloominganemone,statelycoralcolumns,andtopiariesofkelpinneat,organizedplots.Buttherewasotherstuff tucked in among the domed spirals.One section ofVaruna’s palace washauled-together parts of shipwrecks. A neon Jimmy Buffett MARGARITAVILLE

signbeamedaboveaspire.Thefrontstepswerepatternedwithsparechangethathadfallentothebottomofthesea.Attheopenentrancestoodahugebluelotusflower, its petals waving gently in the water. Each petal bore the name of adifferentocean:ATLANTIC,PACIFIC,INDIAN,andARCTIC,andalsooneAruhadn’texpectedtosee:THEOCEANOFMILK.

ItsSanskritnameappearedbeneathit:KṢĪRASĀGARA.

WhenArufirstheardabouttheOceanofMilk,herinitialthoughthadbeen:Thatmust have taken a lot of cows.Hermother had told her the story all the timewhenshewaslittle.Afterbeingcursedbyanangrysage,thegodsbegantogrowweak.Theonlythingthatwouldcurethemwasamrita,theelixirofimmortality,whichwashiddensomewheredeepinthecosmicOceanofMilk.Inordertofindit,thegodswouldhavetostiruptheentireocean.Theycouldn’taccomplishthistaskalone,sotheyturnedtotheasuras—semidivinebeingswhoweresometimesgood and sometimes straight-up demonic—for help. The gods promised theasurasthattheywouldberewardedwithsomeofthenectar.Intheend,though,thegodstrickedtheasurasanddrankalltheamritathemselves.

Someasurashadbeenwagingwarwiththemeversince.

Unfortunately, thoseresentfulasurascastashadowonall theothers,whichAruthoughtwas ridiculous.Youcan’t lookat apart and judge thewhole.NowonderBrynneactedsodefensiveallthetime.

Aru’sfavoritedetailabouttheOceanofMilkstorywasallthestuffthatcameoutof thewaterswhen itgotchurned.Likethemoon!Andatreethatgrantedwishes!Theoceanevenunleashedgoddesses.

Goddesses like the one who suddenly materialized in the middle of theentranceandglaredferociouslyatAru.

Arualmostsqueaked.“Uh…hi?”

ThegoddesstoweredoverAru.Atfirst,herskinwasadeepgarnetcolor.ButwhenshetookanothersteptowardAru,itchanged.Nowitwas…sparkling.Andgolden. It reminded Aru of champagne.Which was disgusting. The one timeshe’d sneaked a sip from her mom’s New Year’s Eve glass, it had tasted likerottensoda.However,itwaspretty.

Thegoddess’sblackhairsweptthefloorandlookedliketheoceanatnight—thewavesrippled,andeverynowandthenArusawminiatureglitteringfishdartthroughherdarkringlets.Aruthoughtbacktothepaintingsshehadseeninhermother’scollection….IfshewasinthePalaceofVaruna,thegodofthesea,thenthatmeantthisgoddesswashiswife,Varuni.Thegoddessofwine.

Varunicrossedtwoofherarms,butshehadtwoothers.Herthirdhandheldabluelotusflower.Inherfourthhand,shegentlyswirledaglassofredwine.

Must be enchanted red wine, thought Aru, because it completely defied physicsthattheliquidshouldstayinitsglassunderwater.

“Mortalsarenotallowedhere,”saidVaruni.

“I—”

At that second,Vajra began to glow brightly inAru’s hand.Varuni’seyeszippedstraighttoit,lingeringforjustamomentbeforehergazesnappedbacktoAru’sface.“Oh,Isee.Verywellthen,”thegoddesssaid.“Comewithme.”

Pretty much every instinct in Aru was screaming Don’t do it! But when agoddess gives a direct command, there’s noway to say no.Theywalked (well,Aruwalked,Varuniglided)pasttheopenentranceandintotheglitteringcavernsofthePalaceofVaruna.ThewholetimeVarunididn’tsayaword.

“Youhaveabeautifulhome?”Aruattempted,paddingafterher.Itwasweirdnotswimmingunderwater,butwhenevershetriedtopaddleinsteadofwalk,shetripped.Magiccouldbeveryannoying.

“Iknow,”saidVaruni,withaflickofherwrist.

Thewinegobletinherhandchangedtoatallglassoficedliquidwithasprigofmintstickingoutofthetop.

Varuni led her into a vast atrium. Chandeliers of jellyfish andmoonstonefloatedabove.AgiantcrocodilewascurledupinacorneronaruginscribedwiththewordsDADDY’SLITTLEGIRL.WhenitsawVaruni, itstail thumpedhappily.Inthemiddleoftheroomwasalargevelveteenlotusflowerthatlookedalotlikeanarmchair.Arucouldn’tseeanyoneinit,butfromtheothersidecamealoudyell.

Aru went still. Vajra lengthened into a sword, but Varuni continued on,unfazed.Shestoppedatthelargelotus,twoofherhandsonherhips.

“Jaani,wehavecompany.”

Jaaniwaslikesayingdearorhoney.Mini’sparentscalledeachotherthatallthetime…whichmeantthatVaruniwastalkingtoherhusband,thegodofthesea.Humbly, Vajra folded back into a demure Ping-Pong ball. Varuna yelledsomethingincomprehensibleagain,andArubracedherself.Hehad tobeyellingabouther.Washefuriousthatamortalwasinsidetheirpalace?Andshehadn’tevenbroughtahostgift!Sheshould’vegrabbedacoconut,atleast….

“THEMATCHREFEREEISNOTDOINGHISJOB!”shoutedVaruna.

“Itcanwait!”saidVaruni.“Ourguestisfarmoreimportant!”

“Butthegameison,jaani,”wheedledtheman.“I’mwatchingViratKohli….”

Kohli?Thecricketplayer?AruonlyknewthatnamebecauseBoowasahuge

fanofthegame.

Withanirritatedsigh,Varunispunthelotuschairaround,andArugotherfirst glance at the god of the waters. He looked just as shocked as Aru felt.Varuna’sskinwasthecolorofcutsapphires.Hisfourhandswavedaroundhim.InonehandheheldaniPad,whereacricketmatchwasplayingonthescreen.Inanotherhehadaconchshell.Anoosedangledfromhisthirdhand.AndinhisfourthhandwasabottleofThumsUp,a sodafromIndia.Hermomloved it,butAruthoughtitwastoosweet.Besides,italwaysstruckAruasdeeplyweird,becausethelogowasabrightredthumbandyetthenamewasn’tspelledright.

VarunadroppedhisiPadandgesturedtowardAru.“AreyouseeingwhatI’mseeing?”heaskedhiswife.

“Obviously,”shesaid,rollinghereyes.

“Well, sometimes I’mnot sure,” saidVaruna,with apointed glance at herdrink.

“I’mAruShah?”saidAru,hatingthathervoicewentupattheend.Itwasn’tlike she didn’t know who she was, but she felt cowed by the presence of theancientgods.

“APandava,tobeexact,”saidVaruni.

“Butwhyisshehere?”

Aruwasgettingalittletiredofbeingreferredtoasifshewasn’tintheroom.“Honestly,it’sabitofamisunderstanding,”shesaid.“Iwastryingtogettothenagatreasurywithmyfriends,theotherPandavas.Well,exceptAidenisn’tone—that’sanotherstory.Anyway,I’mlookingforthebowandarrowofKamadevaand—”

Varuni interrupted her by taking a loud slurp from a large wide-brimmedgobletthathadatinyumbrellainit.

Varunagroaned,hischindroppinginhispalm.“Mustyoumakethatsound?”

“Yes, Imust,” said hiswife primly.When she looked up atAru, her eyeswereglowing.Inaverydifferent,moresolemnvoiceshesaid,“Isee.”

Just then,Aru remembered thatVaruniwasn’t just the goddess ofwine….Shewasalsothegoddessoftranscendentwisdom.

“What is it? What do you see?” demanded Varuna. He sat up straight,droppingeverythingelsehewasholding.“Iwanttoknow,too!Wivesshouldn’tkeepsecretsfromtheirhusbands.”

“Husbandsshouldn’tkeepconchshellsonthefloorwherewivescantriponthem.”

“Andmaybewivesshouldn’tdrinkandwalkatthesametime!”

“Ha!Youtrybeingaroundyouforacouplemillenniaandseeifyoudon’tdothesame!”

“What’sthatsupposedtomean—?”

“Uh,isthisabadtime?”askedAru.

“Timehasnoinclinationtowardevilorgood,”Varuniannounced.

“Here she goes…”mutteredVaruna,massaging his temples with all fourhands.

“Iseewhatyoudon’tsee,”saidVaruni.Herspeechslurredjustatadasshewavedherglassandpronounced:

“Thegirlwitheyeslikeafishandaheartsnappedintwo

willbemetinbattlebyagirlnamedAru.

Buttakecarewhatyoudowithaheartsobroken,

forugliertruthswillsoonbespoken.

You,daughterofIndra,haveatonguelikeawhip,

butbewaryofthosetowhomyouservelip,

forthereisatalebeyondthatsoonyoushallsee—”

“Butallthatdependsonyoursurvivingthesea,”Varunafinishedwithagrin.

Varuniblinked,andthenfrowned.“Yourhymedseawithsee?”

“What’swrongwiththat?”demandedVaruna.

“It’slazy,”saidhiswife.

“Homonymsarenotlazy.Theyaresubtle.”

“Subtlylazy.”

“You—”

“Excuseme,”saidAru,“butIhavetogettothenagatreasury.Ineedtofindsomeone’s soul song. And, um, my dad sent me here, so I was thinking, youknow,becausewe’relikefamilyandall—”

The Lord of theWaters laughed. “Do you think I care? No offense, of

course.ButnoteventhegreatkingRama—”

“‘—whowas LordVishnu himself and had been reborn in the form of amortalman,couldcontrolme,forIamthegreatandtempestuoussea,andnonecanreininmypower,’”recitedVaruniinaboredvoice.“Weknow,dear.”

Varuna sulked foraminute, and then shook itoff.“It iscurious,Pandava,thatyoudonotevenknowwhatitisyouseek.Itisthesoulsongofthethief,yes?Andthenyoumustspeakthethief’snametodiscoverthelocationofthestolenbowandarrow….Buthowwillyoufindoutthename?”

Aru’sspinetingled.Shehatedthatthegodwasright.Partofherhadhopedthe thief’snamewouldbewrittenon thebackof the soul song, like a tag,butsomethingtoldherthatwasn’tgoingtobethecase.

“Ifyouknowthatmuch,”Arusaid,“thendoyoualsoknowwhotookthebowandarrow?Couldyoutellme?”

Varuni inspected the nails of three of her hands. Her drinking vessel hadchangedtoanicedcoppermug.“Theseagives—”

“Andtakes,”chimedinVaruna.

“Itisgenerous—”

“Butnotpronetocharity.”

WhichwasfancygodspeakforNOPE.YOU’REONYOUROWN.

“Butwecangrantyoustraightpassagetothetreasury,”saidVaruna.“Itisasecretroute,andnoneshalldiscoveryou.Allyouhavetodoissatisfythewhimsofmyguardpet.”

Arusnuckaglanceatthecrocodilenownappinginthecorner.Ithadflippedontoitsback,itsstumpylegstwitchinglikeadoghavingadream.

“It’sveryhungry,”saidVaruni.“Soyouonlyhavetofillitsbelly.”

Arudidnottrustthegods.Sheliftedherchin.“Youcangetmetothenagatreasury,oryouwill?”

Varunilaughed.“Ilikeyou,daughterofIndra,”shesaid.

“Iwillhelpyou,child,”saidtheLordof theWaters.Heclappedhishandsand a small blue crab scuttled into the hall. “The illustrious Pandava girl hasagreedtofillthebeast’sbelly,”Varunasaid.“Showhertheway.”

ThecrabbowedtothegodsandwavedonepincertoAru,motioninghertofollow.

Aruwaitedforamoment.VarunaandVarunihadn’texactlybeenkind,andshemightnotlikethemverymuch…

Butthatdidn’tmeanshedidn’trespectthem.

IfBoowerehere,hewould’vepeckedherearsfornotshowingrespectsooner.

AtleastIeventuallyremembered,shethought,asshewalkedforward.

Arubowedherheadandperformedpranamabytouchingthefeetofthetwogods. She felt Varuna’s andVaruni’s hands at her shoulders, drawing her up.Varuni’sglasshadchangedtoafluteofsparklingchampagne.

“Seewell,daughteroftheheavens,”saidVaruni.

For his part, Varuna said nothing, as he was once again absorbed in thecricketgame.

THeeeere,MonstrousKitty!

he blue crab shuffled down a hallway lit by massive anglerfish that swamalongsidethem.Arutriednottostareattheirgapingjawsandlongrowsof

sharp teeth. From their scaly brown foreheads swung tiny pendulums of light.Aru realized she had zero idea aboutwhat she had just agreed to do.Was shesupposedtofindsomethingforthegods’makaratoeat?

MaybeVarunahadbeentalkingaboutadifferentpet.Arucrossedherfingersandhopeditwasadolphin.Ormaybeanon-stingingjellyfish.Or,betteryet,aseahorse.

Aruwas sobusy thinkingaboutwhatkindofpetsVarunamightkeep thatshenearlysteppedonthebluecrab.

“HEY!”itshouted.“WATCHIT!”

“Youcantalk?”sheasked,startled.

“No,”saidthecrabbitterly.“Thisisallinyourhead.OfcourseIcantalk.”

“Sorry,” she mumbled. “Still getting used to this whole talking-to-underwater-animalsthing.”

“Hmpf.”

“So…canyousing,too?”

Thecrabwentutterlystill.“Why.Does.Everyone.Ask.Me.That?”Itturnedaroundandsnappeditspincerssharply.“Didyoualsoexpectmetobebrightredand have a Jamaican accent? Because if so, I am not sorry to disappoint! JustbecausemybrotherwentHollywooddoesn’tmeanthat I singanddance, too!”The crab scuttled ahead, muttering something that sounded a lot likeMotherwouldn’tunderstand.

Talkaboutcrabby,thoughtAru.HersecondthoughtwasHa!Nopunintended.HerthirdthoughtwasIamtalkingtomyselfagain.Ishouldstop.

“You should never seek help from theLord of theWaters,” said the crabdarkly.“Heisfickleandunpredictable,justliketheocean.Theseahasatemper.Also, it keeps things it likes. Bright baubles that catch its eye. Pretty girls andboyswholookattheirreflectioninthewaterfortoolong…neverrealizingthatthewaterislookingback.”

Arushivered.

“Theseaishungrytoday.”Thecrab’svoicesoundedintentionallydramatic,andAruimagineditholdingaflashlightuptoitsface,likeoneofherclassmatesatasleepover.

Toobadtheseaisn’thungryforbluecrabbisque,thoughtAru.

The crab seemed to glare at her, its two stemlike eyes narrowing, and shewonderedwhetheritcouldreadthoughts,too.

“So,whatexactlyisthispet,andwhatamIsupposedtofeedit?”

“You’llsee.”

Aru followed thecrabdownadarker,narrowerpassageway.Therewere nofishlanternshere.Theonlylightcamefromnaturallyphosphorescentshellsthathad been set into the walls. They passed several wooden doors locked withmenacingironboltsuntiltheystoppedatthelastone.Thecrabtappeditwithapincer,anditswungopen.Inside,theroomwasmassive.Itwashardtoseemuchinthedarkspace,butitlookedlikeanarenaofsorts.Smoothblacksandcoveredthe floor and a net stretched along the sides of the room, as if to keep backspectators. It took her a moment to realize that she was no longer walkingunderwater.Theroomwassomekindofmagicalairpocket.

Butshedidn’tseeanypet.Wasshesupposedtocallit?Howdidonesummonacelestialpet?Heeeere,monstrouskitty!Arusteppedin,peeringintothedarkness…andacoldshadowfelloverherthoughts.Ifshewassupposedtobefeedingthisthing,thenwherewasthefood?BecausetherewasnobigbagofOtherworldpetkibblelyingaroundhere.

WhatArudidseewasacagedanglingoverthemiddleofthearena.

AndtrappedinsidewereMini,Brynne,andAiden.

Brynnewasthefirsttoseeher.“Aru!”

Aru’sheartnearlyburstwithrelief.“You’rehere!Didyoucometosaveme?”

“What’dyousay?”shoutedAiden.“DoIlikegravy?”

“No!”saidMini.“Shesaid,‘Doyouguysblameme?’”

“She said ‘Didyoucome to saveme?’”grumbledBrynne, loudenough thatArucouldhear.

“Oh!Well,wewereaboutto,”saidMini.“Butanagaguardthrewusallintoapodandtransportedushere.”

“Inotherwords,wegottrapped,”saidBrynne,crossingherarms.

Aru turned to the little blue crab, which had been oddly silent the wholetime.Ahorriblefeelingsnuckthroughher.

“Whyaremyfriendsinatrap?”sheasked.“Andwhere,exactly,isthefoodI’msupposedtofeedthepetcreature?”

The crab didn’t smile, probably because it couldn’t. But it did do a weirdhappy scuttle, like itwas sayingGotcha! “You already know the answer to that,Pandavagirl.”

Arubegantoslowlyspinaroundthechamber.“Whataboutthecreature?”

Ashadowgrewoverherthen,andalouderclick,clicksoundfilledtheair.Thehairsonthebackofherneckprickledallatonce,andAruturnedtolookbehindher.Thebluecrabwasbeginningtogrowbiggerandbigger….NowitwasthreetimesthesizeofAru.Itcrouchedandsaid:

“Thatwouldbeme.”

TNo,ICan’tSing.LeaveMeAlone

hecrabsteppedforward.“There’snoonetorescueyou,littlePandava.”

Fromoutofthecornerofhereye,ArusawAidenpickingthelockonthecagewithoneofhis scimitars.MiniwasusingDeeDee as a flashlight tohelphim.The cage door swung open silently, the sound redirected with a wave ofBrynne’smace.

Assilentasshadows,Brynne,Aiden,andMinidroppedtotheground.

Arugrinned.“Iwouldn’tbetoosureofthat.”

With a great roar, Brynne rushed at the gigantic crab.The crab reared up,swinging one of its pincers, and Brynne went flying against the wall. She sliddown, shook her head, and then got back to her feet. She twirled her mace,probablytryingtomakehertrademarkwindcyclone…butinsteadofair,aforceofbubblessurgedforward,poppingonthecrab’sshell.

Thecrabtittered.“Thattickles!”

Brynneexaminedtheendofhermaceinconfusion.

Aidentriedtoflashhisscimitars,buthismovementswerestrangelyslowed,asifhewerefightingastrongwind.Thecrabcaughthimaroundtheleg,andhetripped backward. The crab stabbed the ground with a pincer, but at the lastsecondAidenrolledacrossthesand.

“Bubblepoweritis!”holleredBrynne,pointinghermacesothatastreamofbubblesmomentarilyblindedthecrab.

Thecrabstumbled,itslegsnearlycrushingallofthemuntilMiniletlooseaforcefield.

Acrackling sphere surrounded the fourof them.The crabbatted away thelastofthebubblesandthentappedatthespherewithoneclaw.

“Comenow,”itcoaxed.“I’llbeveryquickaboutit.I’lleatyouinonebiteif

youcomeoutnow.Twobitesifyoumakethisdifficult.”

“That’ssuperenticing,”mutteredAru.

Quickly,shetoldtheotherswhathadhappenedwithVarunaandVaruni.

“Youpromisedto‘fillitsbelly’withoutaskingwhatyou’resupposedtofillitwith?”demandedAiden.“Nicegoing,Shah.”

Thecrabhadgrowntothesizeofasubmarine.Allofthembarelycameuptothefirstjointinitsspindlyblueleg.

“Can’twejustblastitwithsomething?”whisperedBrynne.

“Withwhat?Everythingworksweird inhere!”Aidensaid inanequally lowtone.“It’salmostlikewe’reunderwaterwithoutthewater.”

“Besides”—Minigrunted,strainingtokeepuptheshield—“theOtherworldwillnotlikeitifyoubreakyourpromisetoVaruna,Aru.”

Arueyedthecrab.“Solet’skeepmypromise.Let’sfillitsbelly.Justnotforlong.”

“What, like make it eat something and then spit it out?” asked Brynne.“Whatwouldevenfitinsideit?”

AidencaughtontoAru’sideafirst.ThenMini.ThethreeofthemlookedatBrynne.

“You’vegottobejoking.”

The crab loomed above them. It slammed its pincer into the shield, and acrackspiderwebbedthroughit.Miniwinced.

“Whydopeoplealwaysstareatmelikethat?”thecrabroared.

Fortheirplantowork,theyneededthecrab’smouthopenwide.Wideenoughthat something could fly straight down its throat without it noticing.Whichmeantthattheyneededittobetalking…orshrieking.

“Askhimtosing,”whisperedAru.

“What,likethecrabinMoana?”askedAidenloudly.

“WHOSAIDMOANA?”thunderedthecrab.

The shield broke. Down came the pincer. The four of them rolled indifferentdirections.Thecrabrotated,tryingtocatchthemallatthesametime.Brynneconjuredanotherbubblestormaroundher.Aruthrewouther lightningbolt,intendingittobeadistraction.Afterall,herlightningboltwasaweaponof

thesky,soitprobablywouldn’tworkwell inhereeither.But,tohersurprise, anetcracklingwithelectricitycoveredthecrab’seyes.

“Whatthe—?”breathedAru.

Vajra,sensingherconfusion,weakened.Thecrabtorethenetfromitseyes.

“Mybrothercansing,”saidthecrabfuriously.“Butme?Ohno!IHADTOPLAYTHECLARINET!”

It stabbed the ground angrily. As Aru dodged out of the way, she sentmessagesthroughthePandavamindlink:

Brynne,turnintoafly!Mini,we’regoingtoneedadistraction.TellAiden.

Idon’twanttogointhere!

Just do it, Brynne! Mini, you’ve heard the crab. You know what it doesn’t like. Countdown….

“Three!”shoutedAru.

Mini popped out of her shield and screamed, “Why don’t you have aJamaicanaccent?”

Thecrabwhirledonher,pincersraised.Itroared.

“Imean,youareunderthesea,youmightaswellsingit!”shoutedAiden.

“Two!”calledAru.

Thecrabpaused.Andthenitletoutalongshriek.Itsoundedlikesomeonehaddropped adeathmetalband into a thunderstormand thrown in abrayingdonkey just for the heck of it. “Is this what you wanted,Mother?Me to betauntedandtortured?Areyouhappynow?Yes,Jayeshistalented,butIbethe’snevereatenaPandava!”

“One!”Outof thecornerofher eye,Aru sawa flashofblue light.Brynnehaddisappeared.

Aidenheldouthisscimitarsandsaidhurriedly,“Aru,touchthesewithyourlightningbolt—”

“You’llgetelectrocuted!”shesaid.

“Trustme,”saidAiden.“Light’emup,Shah.”

Something in Aiden’s voicemade her believe him. She tapped both of hisweaponswithVajraandelectricitycrackledaroundthemetal.

“Whoa!”

“Toldya,”saidAiden,runningforward.Hemusthaveadjustedhispressuretoaccountforthestrangeairresistance,becausethistimehisscimitarsconnectedwiththecrab.

“Hot!Ow!Toohot! Stop that!” shouted the crab. Itsweird stem-like eyeswavedwildly.WitheachstabAidenmade,thecrabletoutashriek,itsbluejawsgapingwide.It liftedits legs,tryingtogetthemoutoftheway,butAidenwasfaster.

ArucastVajra.Herlightningboltsoaredtotheright.MinithrewDeeDeetotheleft.Eachofthecrab’seyeswentadifferentway,whichleftablindspotinthecenter,whereasmallbluebugsailedthrough,rightintoitsmouth.

AruheardBrynneinherhead:

Ihateyouguys.

You’reaheroicparasite!sentMini.

Brynnewentsilent.

Brynne?calledMini.DidIsaysomethingwrong?

Nowallthatwasleftwasawaitinggame.Thethreeofthemdodgedthecrab,but within moments, the electricity had faded from Aiden’s scimitars. It wastakingMinilongerandlongertobringupnewshields.Aruwasgettingtired.

“Enough!” shouted the crab. “Daughter of Indra, you have failed to keepyourword!I—”Thecrabstoppedanditseyesbulgedout.“I—”

“What’swrong?”askedMini.“Upsetstomach?”

“Doyoufeelasongcomingon?”askedAiden.

The crab swayed. Aru, Mini, and Aiden braced themselves. This wassupposed to be the easier part, the partwhen theweakened crab,with Brynnestomping around in its stomach, started to lose focus. But if anything, theoppositehappened.Itrushedatthemwithterribleforce.

“WHATDIDYOUDO,PANDAVAS?”

Aruhadalwaysassumedthat if somethingwasbeginning to feelpain, thenthatsomethingwouldkeeloverandsquirmontheground.That’swhatshewoulddo,anyway.Butthiscrabwasnotlivinguptoexpectations.

Its claws started spinning likemanic drills, and it thrust them far into theground.Blacksandfleweverywhere.Minitriedtocreateashield,butshewasn’tfast enough.Aiden dropped his scimitars, his hands going straight to his eyes.Sandy grit sprayedAru’s face. She fumbled for the lightning bolt, butwithout

beingabletoseeit,shecouldn’tchannelitproperly.ShemighthitMiniorAidenbyaccident.

Vibrationsrattledthroughthesand,thentheystopped.

“Comingtogetyouuuuu,”sangthecrab,comingcloser.

Thecrabwasright.Itcouldnotcarryatuneworthitslife.

“Jeez,that’sawful,”Arumuttered.

Arufeltthecrabloomingoverher.Blearily,shesawVajra’slightpulsing.Thecrabstabbeditspincersintothegroundagain.Arubracedherself,readytothrustupthelightningbolt….Thenthecrab’sstomachgurgledloudly.

“Mother?”Thecrabgroaned.“Idon’tfeelsogood….”

Aru’s vision finally cleared. She opened her eyes to see the crab’s mouthwidening,abluelightfillingitsjaws.

It tookAru less than a second to realize that sheneeded to getoutof theway.

Unfortunately,thatwasstilltoolate.

Brynne had taken the form of an elephant. She trumpeted victoriously,standingatthelipofthecrab’smouth.Thecrabswayedandstartedgagging,andthensomethingspewedoutofit.Thatspewed-outsomethingstartedtoyell.

“CANNONBALL!”Brynnetrumpeted.

“Wait!NO!Brynne—”Arustarted.

JustbeforeBrynnelandedonAru,shetransformedbackintoherhumangirlself.Thatsaid,herhumangirlselfwasn’texactlylight.

Arugotflattened.

Anddousedwithcrabpuke.

“Thatcan’tbehygienic,”saidMini.

Thecrabpulleditslegsintoitsshellandmoanedinpain.

Brynne got off Aru and summoned a bubble bath with hermace to cleanthemup.Herfaceshonewithtriumph.“How’dIdo?”

AidenandMinirushedover,grinning.

Arucontinued to lieonherback,Vajraglowingweaklybesideher. “Can Iborrowyourspine?”shecroaked.“IthinkIbrokemine.”

Theothershauledherup,andthefourofthemfacedthemonstrouscrab.Itlookedlesslikeamonsternow.Theonlythingthatstuckoutofitsshellwereitstwoeyes,slantedinfury.

“That,”itsaid,“wastricksy.AssoonasIhavetheenergy,Iwilleatyou—”

“Idon’tthinkso,”saidAru.“Iheldupmypartofthebargain.”

“Youdidnosuchthing!”saidthecrab.“Youweresupposedtofeedme.AmI fed?No.AmI thoroughlydisgusted?Yes.Noticehow thoseare twoentirelydifferentthings.”

Aruhateditwhenpeoplespokeinrhetoricalquestions.Hercomputerscienceteacherdidthatallthetime.IsteachingyoukidshowtouseMicrosoftExcelthehighlightofmyday?No,itisnot.AndamIexcitedabouttoday’s“funkymushroom”lunchspecial?No,Iamnot.

“Actually,thecommandfromLordVarunaandLadyVaruniwastofillyourbelly.”

Brynnetookabow.“Consideryourbellyfilled.”

“Butitdidn’tstayfull…”protestedthecrab.

“Thegodsneverspecifiedhowlongyourstomachwassupposedtostayfull.Youshouldalways read the tinyprint,” saidAiden.“That’swhatmydadsays.He’salawyer.”

“Goeasyonyourstomachforawhile,”suggestedMini.“Youshouldn’teatanythingafteryouvomitupanelephant.”

“Motherwillhearaboutthis,”saidthecrabdarkly.

Itdugaholeinthesand,anddisappearedintoit.

Anexitlightblinkedintoexistenceattheotherendofthearena.

“Thatwassick,”saidAiden,grinning.“Literally.”

Brynnestrodeoverandraisedherhandinahighfive.“Wedidit!”

Minisqueakedout,“Gross!Elbowsonly!”

Herelbow-bumpswithMini andAidenwere fine,butAruwaspretty sureBrynne’sdamagedherfunnybone.

“Ow,”saidAru,rubbingherarmevenasshesmiled.“Easy,Brynne.Wegetit,you’reabeast.”

Brynnedroppedherarm,herfacestricken.“I’mawhat?”

Aru looked from Mini to Aiden. Had she said something wrong? Minilooked just as confused,butAiden’s face crumpledwith sympathy.Maybe beastmeant something totally different to Brynne than it did toAru.Too late,Aruremembered how Brynne had expected them to make fun of her after she’dturnedintoaswannearKamadeva’sabode.

“Abeast,” saidAru, trying for lightness.“Youknow, like superstrong! It’s agoodthing.Honest.”

BrynnelookedtoAiden,andhenoddedinconfirmation.

“Okay,”saidBrynneuncertainly.“Sometimespeopledon’tsaythatlikeit’sagoodthing.Especiallywhenyou’repartasura.”

Arumadeapishsound.“They’rejustjealous.”

“Ofme?”

“Duh.”

Brynne’ssmilewasshyandquickbutthenturnedintoasmuggrin.“Imean,obviously.Nowlet’sgo,I’llleadtheway.”

Andwiththat,shestrodetotheexitwithhershouldersthrownbackandherheadheldhigh.

“Wait,”saidMini.“Wheredoyouthinkthatexitleads?”

“Idon’tknow,”saidAru.“Itcouldopenintotheocean….”

“Maybe there’s a transportation pod waiting for us outside?” Mini askedhopefully.

Brynnestoppedandturnedaround.“Well,I’mnotstayinginhereanylonger.Aiden?”

“Justasec,”saidAiden.Hepulledthekitof“unidentifiednecessities”fromhis camera bag. “I’ve got us covered.With these inflatable air-bubble helmets,we’llbeabletobreatheunderwater.Justincase.”

Hehandedonetoeachofthem,butAruwavedhersaway.“Don’tneedit,”shesaid.

Theotherslookedatherinacombinationofshockanddisbelief.

“Honest,” saidAru. “Howdo you think I got here? Somehow I canwalk,breathe,andeventalktofishunderwater.”Shetriedtosayit likeitwasnobigdeal,butBrynnestillscowledather.

“What?” said Aru. “I guess we both have friends in high places.” She

rememberedhowVajrahadbeenstrongerthantheothercelestialweaponsinthecrab’sarena.Whyisthat?shewondered.

Brynneshrugged,stillfrowning.Sheinflatedherairbubbleandputitonoverher head.The helmet automatically tightened around her neck in a perfect fit.Minifollowedsuit,andtheystartedtowardthedoor.

Beforeputtingonhisownhelmet,AidenfellintostepbesideAru.“IcantellthatBrynnedoeslikeyouguys.Honest.”

Arualmostsnorted.“Howdoyouknow?”

Heshrugged.“Ijustknow.”

“How’dyoutwoevenbecomefriends?”askedAru.

Aiden got quiet. “Brynne has always been bullied because she’s part asura.Onetime,whensomeoftheOtherworldlykidsweretryingtomakeherchangeshapebyaccident,Ikinda,um,cursedthem.”

“What?Youcandothat?”

“Mymomisanapsara,”hesaidhaughtily.“I’vegotsomeabilities.”

“Ithoughtyourmomisabiologist?”

“Sheisnow,”saidAiden,hisfaceturningred.“Shewasaneliteapsaraonce,buttomarrymydad,shehadtogiveupherplaceintheheavens.”

Give up her place? Considering how famous she once was, Aru thought, shemusthavegivenupalot….

“Sowhatotherkindsofabilitiesdoyouhave?”

“Notimportant,”saidAidenquickly.“Longstoryshort:IhadBrynne’sback,andshe’shadmineeversince.”

Oh, thoughtAru, feeling somewhat… lopsided. Itmade sense that he andBrynnewouldbesoclose.Whatdidn’tmakesensewasthestabof jealousyshefelt.Itwasn’tlikeshe’dknownAidenverylong.

“Goodforyou,”shesaidstiffly.

Aidengaveheraweirdlookbutsheignoredit,joggingaheadtoBrynneandMiniandshouting,“What’sAiden’ssecretapsarapower?”

Brynnestartedlaughing.“It’sactuallykindagreat,Aidencan—”

“Nope!”holleredAiden.“Iaminvokingthebest-friendrule,Brynne!Don’t!”

Brynnesighed.“Fine.”

Okay,nowAruhadtofindout.

“Whydon’twehavebest-friendrules?”MiniaskedAru.

“Becausewedefyrules,dude.”

Minihungherhead.“ButIdon’tlikedefyingrules.”

Evenwiththeirhelmets(orPandavapower,inAru’scase)on,theyeachtookadeepbreathbeforeBrynnepulledthedooropen.But itwasn’tnecessary.Thecorridorontheothersidewasdry.

VarunaandVarunistoodtherearguing.

“I told you so!” saidVaruni primly. She sipped on something that lookedliketomatojuiceandhadapieceofcelerystickingoutofit.

“Well, you have divine knowledge!” huffed Varuna. “You already knewthey’dbefine!”

“Iknewnosuchthing,”sheinsisted.“Youlostthebet,mylove,whichmeans…”

Varunasighed.“NoiPadforamonth.”

“Thinkofallthequalitytimewecanspendtogether!”

VarunagrumbledsomethingthatsoundedalotlikeIhatequalitytime.

Aiden,Mini,andBrynneremovedtheirhelmetsandpaidtheirrespectstothewatergods.

“Ikeptupmyendofthedeal,”saidAru.“Pleasegrantuspassagetothenagatreasury.”

“Okay, fine,” said Varuna. “The tunnel on the right will lead you there.We’llremovethewatersoyoucantraverseit.Butkeepinmind,Isaidnothingaboutthistunnelbeing safe. Ithasn’tbeenaccessed inthousandsofyears.Whoknowswhatsurprisesmightlieinyourpath.”

“And remember to keepmywords close, daughter of Indra,” saidVaruni,tappingherdrink.“Atonguelikeawhip…”

“Oh,andonemorething,Pandavas,”saidtheLordoftheWaters,ignoringAiden’s usual protest about being lumped inwith them. “The sea gives. But italsotakes.”

“GMiniGetsa(Spooky)NewPower

ointoancienttunnel.Check.”

AruheldoutVajraasalantern,whichrevealedaceilingofdarkkelpwavingabovethemlikethetanglesofaseagiant’sbeard.

Minisqueaked.“Thisiscreepy.”

“Saysthegirlinthegothoutfit,”teasedAru.

“I’mgoingtogeteaten!”

“They’dprobablyuseyouasatoothpick,”saidBrynne.“I,ontheotherhand,wouldbeanentrée.”

Aru rubbedher temples. “I can’t believe you’re bragging about being eatenfirst.Whodoesthat?”

“Brynnedoes,”saidAiden.Heclutchedhiscameraprotectivelytohischest.

“I’mjustpointingoutthatImakeabettermeal,”saidBrynne,twirlingoneofherdozensoftrophybracelets.“Thananyone.”

They walked down the damp passage slowly.Mini had charmedDeeDeeintoasphericalmirrorthatcast lightandilluminatedcorners,butitstillwasn’tenoughtoremovetheundeniableessenceofcreepythatlurkedthere.

“At least it’smostlydry,”Aidensaidcheerily.“I thoughtweweregoing tohavetoswim.”

“Pieceof cake forAru.The restofus?Not somuch,” saidBrynne. “Howcomeyoucandosomuchunderwater?Itmakesnosense.Indraistheskygod,nottheseagod.”

Arushrugged.“Idunno.”

“Maybeyourmom’spartnagini?”suggestedAiden.

“Nope,”saidAru.

“What about your real dad—?” Brynne tried, butMini cut her offwith aswiftshakeofherhead.

Arupretended shehadn’t seenMini’s gesture,but she couldn’tpretend shehadn’t heard the question.Her real dad. It sounded simple, but it wasn’t. TheSleepermightbeherbiologicalfather,buthewasalsotheirenemy…thereasonbehind the demonic mischief, the shadow of fear that had fallen over theOtherworld,eventheirquesttofindthethiefofthegodoflove’sbowandarrow.WhenAruthoughtofhim,shedidn’tpicturethepersonwhohadcradledherasababy….Shesawapuppetmasterpullingstringsbehindadarkcurtain.

“Well, that’s the only explanation I can think of,” said Aiden awkwardly.“Otherworldkidsalwaysinherittheirparents’traits.”

“Does that mean you dance really well, Aiden?” asked Mini. “Like anapsara?”

“I.Don’t.Dance.”

“Um,yeahyoudo!”saidBrynne,laughing.“Onetime,Aidendidn’tknowIwasthere,and—”

Heclappedhishandsoverhisears.“La-la-la-la-la-la-la-la—”

“I’d askmy souldadwhere I got theunderwater skills, but it’snot likehetalkstome,”saidAru,mostlytoherself,beforeadding,“ever.”

Vajra glowed, and the light seemed sorrowful to her. Mini touched hershoulderbriefly.

After a time, Brynne said, “No Pandava’s soul dad is allowed to speak tothemdirectly.”

“Yoursdoes,”Arupointedout.

Brynne’s shoulders fell. “Not…exactly.Hekeeps to the rulesanddoesn’tinterfere, but he did sometimes send messages before I was officially claimed,through my half brother Hanuman. Not often, though.When I got my firstOtherworld trophy, Vayu sent a tiny whirlwind of daisies to my room. Andthere’sotherwaysIknowhecares….Like,Ineverhavetowaitformybakingtocool.Ijustasktheairtoblowonthefood,andvoilà!Roomtemperature.Prettyusefulforcooking.”

“Nottopry,”saidAru,totallyprying,“buthowlonghaveyouknownyou’reaPandava?”

Brynneshovedherhandsdeepintoherpockets.“Sincelastautumn.”

Autumn…RightaroundwhenAruandMinihadgoneontheirfirstquestandintotheKingdomofDeath.

“I’ve always been really strong and stuff, but one day a car was headingstraightformyuncleandIpusheditoutoftheway.ThesecondIdidit,Ifeltwindrushingthroughmyblood.Iknowthatsoundsweird,butthat’swhatitfeltlike.”Brynneshrugged.“MyunclestoldmethesoulofBhimahadawokeninme.They thought I was going to be summoned to go on the quest to stop theSleeper. It made sense—Bhima was the second-oldest Pandava brother. Butthen”—she paused, swallowing hard—“but then no one came to get me. Ifiguredthegodsdidn’twantanasuraPandava.Idunno.”

Arucouldpictureit….Brynneandhertwounclesexcited,waitingforhertogowithAruandMini,becausewhywouldn’tshe?Brynnewasthekindofheroinepeopleexpected.Aruwasn’t.Brynnemusthavewaitedandwaited…fornothing.Aruknew that feeling. Itwas the sinking sensation she got every time shewaschosen last for a team during PE. Or when she wasn’t invited to a party. Itsucked.AndshewasbeginningtoseewhyBrynnewasso…well,Brynne.PartofherevenfeltguiltythatsheandMinihadbeensummonedfirst,andnother.

“Thegodsjusthadyouinreserve,”Arusaidfirmly.“Theyweresavingyouuntiltheyneededyourspecificskills,andthat’srightnow.”

“Ibet youruncles andparents are reallyhappyyou’reon thisquest?” triedMini.

“Myunclesare,”saidBrynne,pullingatoneofherbracelets.“Idunnoaboutmyparents.Nevermetmydad.Mymomsaidhewasamusician.AsforMom…shedoesn’treallyvisitme.ButIknowsheworriesaboutme.Iknowshecares.”

AidenmovedclosertoBrynne,suddenlyprotective.Aruknewwhy.Thelasttwo things Brynne had said sounded jumbled together and flimsy, likeunpracticed lies.Aru coulddetect those on the spot. She even recognized howBrynne held herself, shoulders up around her ears, gaze shifty. Like she waswaitingforsomeonetocallherbluff.

“I’msureshedoes,”agreedAru.

Brynne lowered her shoulders. When she looked at Aru, it wasn’t withsnootinessornastinesslikebefore….Instead,shelookedrelieved.

Thetunnelopenedupintoacourtyard.

Perhaps,longago,ithadbeenpartofaseakingdom.Butitwasmostlydrynow,with just a few tidal pools scattered around the ruins—serpentine pillarsandcrumbledwalls studdedwith sapphiresandemeralds.Thecourtyardmight

haveoncebeenthesiteofglamorousparties.Fishspinescrunchedunderfootastheymadetheirwayacross it, towardamassiveblackrockinthedistance.Thewholeplacefelt…sad.Shriveled,somehow,likeallthelifehadbeensuckedoutofit.

“I bet thiswas a grand naga palace once,” saidMini. She crouched down,pluckingapieceofkelpoffabrokencoral-and-pearlchandelier.

“It’s … it’s Uloopi’s old palace,” said Aiden. He had brushed aside someseaweedtoreadthewritingonacollapsedwall.“Itsayshername….‘ThispalacewasbuiltinhonorofQueenUloopiand…andherconsort,PrinceArjuna.’”

ThatfeltdeeplyweirdtoAru,whocarriedhissoul.

“Um…saywhatnow?”sheasked.

Theotherswere looking at her as if shewas supposed toknow somethingabout this place, but it was from—literally—lifetimes ago. It’s like when yourparents show you a baby picture and sayRemember when… and it’s physicallyimpossibletorememberthatbecauseyouhadlikefivebraincellsatthetime.

“How’dUloopiandArjunameet?”askedAiden.

“Accordingtothestories,shesawhimbytheriverbank,thoughthewascute,andtookhimintotheocean,”saidMini.

Brynnenodded.“Aggressive.Ilikeit.”

“Nothing says romance like casually stalking someone and then draggingthemunderwater,”saidAru.

“Well,whenyousayitlikethat…”saidBrynne.

Minicontinued.“Andthentheygotmarried,buthehadtogobackandfightinthegreatwaragainsthiscousins,theKauravas,soheleft.Andthen…Ican’tremember,honestly.Ithinkatonepointshesavedhislife?Withamagicjewel?”

“Butthenwhat?”askedAiden.

Minishrugged.“Shelivedwithhiswives inthepalaceafterthegreatwar,Iguess.”

“Howmanywivesdidyouhave?”AidenaskedAru.

Sherolledhereyes.Inthestories,itseemedlikeArjunacollectedwivesasifitwereahobby.Getotherhobbies!Arualwaysthought.Whycouldn’thehavetakenupstamp-collecting?Orfly-fishing?

“Can we not use the word you?” said Aru. “Arjuna and I are completely

differentpeople.That’slikeexpectingBrynnetohavethepoweroftenthousandelephantsjustbecauseshe’sBhimareincarnated!OraskingMinitoruleacountrynowjustbecauseshe’sgotYudhistira’ssoul!I’mnotArjuna!”

Theothersstaredather.OnlythendidArurealizeshe’draisedhervoice.Herface flushed.The truthwas,Arudidn’t recognizeevena sliverofherself in thetalesofArjuna.Sometimesshethoughtthatwasagoodthing.Itmeantthatshewas her own person. But other times, it felt horrible. Maybe, in a differentperson,Arjuna’ssoulcouldmakesomeonealegendaryhero.Butinher?Inher,itseemedjustaverage.

“Dude, don’t worry. We’ve seen you in action,” said Aiden. “We knowyou’renotArjuna.”

Arudidn’tknowifshewantedtothankhimorstranglehim.Maybeboth.

“Let’s justgetthroughthisplace,”shesaid.“It literally lookslikeahorror-movieset.”

AndthenMinishrieked.

Theyturnedtoseeherscuttlingbackward.

“It—it—ittalked!”shesaid,pointingatsomethingontheground.

Therestofthemwalkedclosertoinvestigate.Itwasahumanskull.

Minishuddered.“Thisplaceiscursed.”

Brynnetoeditwithhertheedgeofhersneaker.“Hello?”

Theskulldidnothing.

“Ithinkyou’rehearingthings,Mini,”saidBrynne.

Minitiptoedover,bentdown,andtappedtheskullgently.“Hi?”

As soon asMini touched the skull, its jaws snapped open. A faint purpleglow, like the light thatDeeDeegaveoff,bristledalongtheedgesof theboneandlituptheentirecourtyard.

Ah…Wecanstrikeabargain,DaughterofDeath.

Nearbyanotherskull—or,honestly,littlemorethanajawbone—laughedandwhispered,Youseektoundoagreatwrong,butyoudonotknowthenameofthethief….Whatgoodiscapturingthesoulsongwithoutanametounlockitssecrets?

Thefirstskullspokeagain.Eventhoughitdidn’thaveeyeballs left(gross),somethingaboutitshollowsocketsseemedfixatedonMini.DaughterofDeath,youmustmerelytakeourburdenandwewillgiveyouwhatyouseek….Itisthejustthingtodo.Are

younotasjustandwiseasthePandavaprincewhoonceheldyoursoul?

Theruinstrembledasifinasmallearthquake.

“Mini,stop!”calledAiden.

But she ignored him. It looked as if she’d fallen under some kind ofenchantment.

“Theyknowthethief’sname….AllthoseHeartlesscouldbesaved…”shemutteredas shemoved inaneeriedaze, touchingeverybone shecould find.Amultitudeofvoicesrippledintotheair.

“Hearourtale,Pandavas—”

“Arjunawascursed—”

“Ah,howQueenUloopiwishedtofreehim—”

“Buttherewasonlyoneway.”

“What?”askedMini,hervoicedistant.“Whatwastheway?”

Laughterfilledthecourtyard.

At first, Aru thought that a lot of skulls had started talking at once.HerimmediatereactionwasNOPE.Butitwasn’ttheskulls.

Shesawaflickerofmovementinsideoneofthethreecavesintheblackrock.Wasthatatail?

“Brynne, hold Mini!” ordered Aru. She extended her lightning bolt intoswordform.Energycrackledthroughherbones.AidenmovedclosertoAru,andthey stood back-to-back, weapons raised. A tail whipped out from themiddlecave,abouttenfeetaway.ThetailnearlywrappedaroundAru’sankles,butatthelast second it recoiled, as if it wasn’t supposed to touch her. Brynne spun hermace. It brought forth a vortex that spun up the debris and skulls in a sandyhurricane.

“Foolishgirl.Doyouthinkyoucanintimidateus?We,whoaretheguardiansofterriblesecrets…”cameavoicefromthefirstcave.

“Andknowledge…”saidavoicefromthesecondcave.

“Andtreasuresuntold,”avoicefromthethirdcavecontinued.

Aru’s heart pounded.Out of the corner of her eye, she saw the edge of apurplebackpack.Mini.Shewaswalkingtowardthecaves,stillinadaze.

“BRYNNE,GETMINI!”Arucalledout.

“Welcome, daughter of theDharmaRaja,” the voices said in unison. “Paythepriceofknowledge.”

Three powerful tails whipped toward Mini, one from each cavern. Arurushedatthem,tryingtoprotecthersisterasaninkypoolofdarknessemergedfromthecavesandenvelopedher.

Right then,Mini turned towardAru. It lookedas though shehad snappedoutofthetrance.“Iknowthethief’sname!”shesaidtriumphantly.“It’s—”

ButMininevergotthechancetofinish.Aserpenttailasthickasaredwoodtrunkcurledaroundherbodyandyankedhertowardthecave.

“No!”shoutedAru.ShethrewVajraatthetail,butfearfrayedherthoughtsandruinedherconcentration.Thelightningboltmissed.“MINI!”

JustassheranafterMini,anothertailslashedtowardAru.Someonehauledherback—Brynne.Besideher,Aidenslicedatthetailwithhisscimitars.Thetailrecoiledandalowhissfilledthecourtyardasitretractedintoitscave.Thethirdtailfollowedsuit.

WhenAru looked up,Miniwas nowhere to be seen. She haddisappeareddeepintothefirstserpent’scave.

Arufell toherknees, tearsstreamingdownherfaceandascreamcaught inherthroat.TheLordoftheWaters’voicedriftedthroughherhead:Theseagives.Butitalsotakes.

Inthatsecond,Aruhatedherself.Whatwaswrongwithher?TheSleeperwasright.Shewasn’tmeanttobeahero.

Herwordsechoedbacktoher:I’mnotArjuna.Thatmuchwasobvious.Arjunawould never have lost his family. He was a brave warrior, and he’d also hadKrishnabyhis side,whisperingadvice inhis ear,helpinghimevery stepof theway.

ButnogodspoketoAru.Nohelpcame.Andintheend,AruwasleftwiththeterribleconsequenceofhowdifferentshewasfromArjuna….

Shehadlosthersister.

MUloopi’sSecret

iniwasgone.

Mini? MINI? MINI! Aru called through the Pandava mind link.Nothing.ItwaslikeAru’sthoughtswerebeingthrownagainstaninvisiblewall.

She had to do something—now! Aru struggled against Aiden, who hadhelpedhergetbacktoherfeet.

“Don’tpanic,Aru,”hesoothed.“We’llfigurethisout.We’llgetMiniback.”

AruwhirledaroundtofaceBrynne.“Itoldyoutoholdher!”

“The snakeswere coming for all of us!” shoutedBrynne. “I had to handlethatfirst!”

“Youshould’velistenedtome!”

“Why?”demandedBrynne.“Whosaysyougettocalltheshots?”

Aidenmoved inbetween them,his armsheldout. “Stop fighting!”he said,hisvoiceraw.“Just…takeadeepbreath!Let’sthinkforaminute….”

ButAruwastoowoundup,andsowasBrynne.

“You’renotbetterthanme,Shah.Sostopactinglikeit.”

Aruwas so furious in that second.Furious thatBrynnewouldn’t admit shewaswrong.Furious thatAidenwasn’t standingupforherwhenshewas in theright.FuriousthatnoneofthemhadgottentoMiniintime.

“Youwanttoknowwhyyouweren’tchosenforthatfirstquest?It’sbecauseofthis,”saidArucoldly.“Youonlywanttoactlikeahero.Notactuallybeone.”

BrynnerecoiledasifAruhadslappedher.

Aidendroppedhisarms.Disappointmentwasplainonhisface.“Thatwenttoofar,Shah,”hesaidquietly.“Andyouknowit.”

There was a moment when Aru could have—should have—admitted that itwasn’t just Brynne’s fault.Yes, Brynne should have held on toMini. But thenagain,Minishouldn’thavewalkedstraighttoward theserpents’ caves.AndArushouldhavekeptaclosereyeonher.Theywerealltoblame.

“Brynne—” startedAru, guilt floodingher, but the hissing sound returnedandallthoughtoftalkingleftherhead.

ThethreeofthemturnedtofacethecavernswhereMinihaddisappeared.Anagawoman streamed out of each one.Their skinwas the dark shiny gray ofhematite stones. Ragged white bandages covered their eyes. Their tails werepowerfulsilvercoils.

Brynnehelduphermace.“Whatdidyoudotoourfriend?”shedemanded.“Giveherback,or—”

“Ssshe…”saidthefirst.

“…isss…”saidthesecond.

“…resssting…”saidthethird.

Thethreenaginislaughed.

Resting?Aru’sstomachdropped.Whatdidthatmean?TherewasareasonwhypeoplewroteRIPwhensomeonedied.Itstoodforrest inpeace.Restwasanotherwordfordeath.DidthatmeanthatMiniwas…dead?Oneofthenaginis’tailswhipped the sand, and Mini’s purple backpack sailed through the air. Arugrabbedit,clutchingittight.Herwholebodyfeltcoldwithpanic.

“Isshe…?”askedAru,unabletofinishthequestion.

Thefirstserpentwomangaveaslysmileandshookherhead.“Sheissssafe…”

“Andssstuck,”whisperedthesecondnagawoman.

“Herknowledgecameatthepriceofenergy.SheisaPandavaandhasmuchenergytooffer…”saidthethird.Sherolledherheadfromsidetosidelikeshewaswakingupfromalongnap.“Ahhh…forthefirsttimeincenturiesIcantastesssecretsagain.”Sheflickedoutaforkedtongue.“Itasteabandonment,”saidthenagini, her sightless gaze pivoting towardBrynne. “A heart broken frombeingleftbehindallherlife.”

ThesecondnaginiturnedherheadtoAiden.“Inyou,Itasteavengefulheart.Aheartthataches.”

AndthenthefirstfacedAru.“Yourheartisfullofdoubts.Andwant.Itaste

aheart thathaseverything to lossse….Butwearenothere togulpdownyoursecrets like candied jewels….Oh no, we need this energy to impart to you atreasure.”

“Wedon’twantyourtreasure!”saidAru.“WewantMini!Giveherbacktous!”

“Ooh, sucha lovely fire toyourwords!” said the second. “You thinkyoursisteristhekeytoyoursuccess.Butifyouabandonyourquestinordertorescueher, you may miss your only chance to locate the thief’s precious song. Andwithoutityouwouldbe—”

“Ruined!”sangthethird.

“Ruined!”sangthefirst.

“Ruined,”echoedthesecondwithacruelsneer.“Ohyes,weknowwhatyouseek. You seek to undo the pronouncement of Uloopi and prevent your ownexile.Suchasssmallthreadyoutuginagreatertapestry.”

“You should thank us for what we are about to offer you,” they said inunison.“Butourgiftwillmeannothingiffirstyoudonotlearnthetruthofthisplace.”

The three naginis shot up in the air, their tails waving powerfully behindthem and swirling the sand. Aru, Brynne, and Aiden gasped as the scenerychanged. The broken spires regrew, the toppled walls righted themselves, theskeletonsfadedaway,andtheruinbecameapictureofitsformergrandeur.Andatthecenterofitwas…Uloopi.

Well,avisionofUloopi,asheryounger,morebeautifulself.

Her hair was strewn with gemstones, but nothing shone brighter than thehugeemeraldinherforehead.Itglowedwithanunearthlylight.Uloopi’sserpenttail was wrapped tightly around her torso and… she was weeping. Pleading.Beforeherwasanenormousblackcobra.Atthecenterofitsforeheadsparkledarubythesizeofafootball.

“Hewilldie,Father,”Uloopisaid.“Youknowthecurse!ThegodsforetoldthatArjunawillbekilledbyhisownson’shand.Icansavehimfromhisfate.”

Thecobra’sdeepvoiceechoedthroughthecourtyard.“Andwhatconcernishislifetome?Mendie.Thatiswhattheydobest.Youhavealreadygivenhimmanygifts,mydear.Youmadehiminvincibleunderwater.Yougavehimthegiftofcommunicationwithallseacreatures.Letthatbeenough.”

“Icannotwatchhimdie,”saidUloopifiercely.“Heismyown,myhusband.”

Thegreatserpentlaughed.“Youhadhisattentionforonenight,andhehasyourheart for the restofhisdays?Thinkofwhat you are saying, for youwillneverdieandhewasalwaysmeantto.”

“Hewoulddothesameforme,”sheinsisted.

“Wouldhe?”askedtheserpentgently.

“Please,”beggedUloopi.“Givemethejewelthatwillrestorehislife.Then,ifthe curse comes true, I will be able to snatch him back from theKingdom ofDeath.”

The cobra bowed. Uloopi reached for the jewel glimmering on his scalyforehead,butbeforeshecouldgraspit,theserpentpulledback.

“Thatisnotthejewelyouseek,mychild,”hesaid.

Uloopigasped inpain,herhand flying toher face.When she removedherhand,a sparklinggreenemerald—theone thathadbeen inher forehead—nowlayinherpalm.Sheclutchedittightly.

“Now do you understand the price?” pressed the serpent. “Without yourheartjewel,youwillage…andyouwillbevulnerableamongtheimmortalsofour kind.Youwill no longer be able to tellwhen someone is lying to you.Ashadowwillfallacrossyourreign.”

“PrinceArjunawillreturnittome,”saidUloopi.“You’llsee.”

Aruandtheothersdidsee,inadifferentvision….

Uloopi, inherhumanform,glidedoutontoabattlefield.Amortalwomanwasalready there, weeping and crouched beside a fallen soldier. Aru knew, evenwithoutseeingtheman’sface,thatitwasArjuna.Andfromthewaythemortalwomanclutchedhim,Arucouldtellthatshewasoneofhiswives.Aruthoughtshe’d feel something looking at this former bearer of her soul, but he was astrangertoher.

Uloopi approached them. She set the emerald—her heart—on top ofArjuna’schest.Afewmomentspassed,andthenhestirred…hischestrisingashedrewbreathoncemore.Butwhenhefinallyopenedhiseyes,hedidnotlookatUloopi.Hegazedatthewomanbeyondher.Anditwaswiththeotherwomanthathesharedthefirstsmileofhisrenewedlife.

ThevisionchangedagaintoshowUloopireturningtothesea.

Anothernagagreetedher, andAru recognizedhim instantly.Takshaka, theblindguardiankingofthenagatreasury.HelookedjustashehadwhenAruhadfirstseenhimintheCourtoftheSky—young,andcoveredwithburnscars.

“ThePandavashave all left this earth,myqueen.And as I suspected, yourbelovedhusbandneverreturnedyourhearttoyou,didhe?”

Uloopiremainedtight-lippedandstone-faced.

“Idonotmeantogloat,”Takshakawenton.“IonlymeanttosaythatIwasamongthosewhotriedtowarnyou.Justbecauseheisaherodoesnotmeanhecannotalsobeamonster.ThePandavasburneddownmyhome,afterall.Ihavenotforgotten.”

Uloopi seemed distant. “I refuse to believe Arjuna would leave this earthwithoutreturningit,whenheknewhowpreciousitwas.Willyoutellmeifitisfound?”

“Ofcourse,”hesaid.“Youhavemyword,QueenUloopi.”

“Thankyou,Takshaka.Youareatruefriend.”

Aru blinked and the vision disappeared. So this was why Uloopi was oldcomparedtotheothernaginis.Herhearthadneverbeenreturned.SomethingelsestruckAru,though.Youwillnolongerbeabletotellwhensomeoneislyingtoyou.Ashadowwillfallacrossyourreign.UloopihadtrustedthewordofTakshaka…butwhatifTakshakahadlied?

“Thessseamaytake,”saidthefirstnagini.

“Butitalsogivesss,”saidthethird.

“We are cursssed for withholding the truth from the queen, and it is asssecretwenolongerwishtobear.”Somethingshinyfellbeforethem,thuddingsoftly into the sand. “Return this to the queen, and our souls shall be free.Perhapsitshallaidyou,too.”

Asone,thethreenaginislaughed.Theirlaughtershookthecourtyard,whichwasonceagaininruins.Thewholeplacehadtakenonadifferenthueduringthenaginis’storyaboutUloopi,anditwasbacktofeelingdesolate.

NowAruunderstoodwhythenagaqueendespisedher.Nowsheknewwhereherownspecialunderwaterabilitieshadcomefrom….Theyweregiftsnotfromher soul father, but from Uloopi to her love. Aru had inherited them fromArjuna.

“Ourenergyborrowedfromyoursssisterfadesnow,”saidthefirstnagini.

“Wehavedoneourduty,”saidthesecond.

“ButMini—”startedAru.

“Is in the landof sssleeeeep,” said the thirdnagini. “Far from the reachof

mortals….”

“Youarewelcome,Pandavas, for thanks tous, sheholds the thief’sname,”saidthefirst.

Andwiththat,thenaginiscrumpledintoshadowsandseaweed.Aru,Aiden,andBrynnestoodinsilenceforamoment.ThenBrynneclearedherthroat:

“One thing at a time, Rao,” Brynne murmured right before she startedtalking.“Miniisinthelandofsleep?”

Aidenfrowned,tuggingathishair.“Iknowwhereitis….It’sneartheCourtoftheHeavensandisruledoverbythegoddessRatri.Butthenaginisareright.Youcan’tjustgothereonawindantelope—”

“Gazelle,”correctedBrynne.

“It’s dangerous,” continued Aiden, “even if you haveOtherworldly blood.Thatplaceissoakedincelestialpower—you’dneedprotectionfromasagejustto walk through it.Mini should be safe while she’s in the land of sleep, butthere’snowayshecangetherselfoutsafely.”

Aru’smouthturneddrywithpanic.“Youmeanshe’sstuckthere?Forever?”

Brynnepoundedherhandwithherfist.“Solet’sgorightnow!We’llfindasageandgether!”

“Andrisknotbeingabletogetbackintothenagarealm?Orfindthesongintime?”pointedoutAiden.“Weonlyhave sixmortaldays leftaccording tomywatch….”

“Areyouhonestlysuggestingweleaveherthere?”askedBrynne.

Aiden crossed his arms. “Not leave her there. But get her after we find thesong.”

Brynne scowled, then turned to Aru. “Aren’t you going to say anything,Shah?”

Aru remained quiet. Hurt and worry and confusion tore through herthoughts.Mini’sbackpackwasstillinherarms,thezipperhalfwayundone.Shetriedtoshutit, justtobuyhersomeextratimebeforeshehadtoanswerthem,butsomethingblockedthezipper.ItwasthecornerofthePost-itnotepadMiniwroteonsometimes.Arufrowned.

“CanIgetsomelight,Vajra?”

The lightning bolt glowed softly, revealing the last list Mini had writtenbeforeshe’ddisappeared:

THINGSTOREMEMBERWHENI’MSCARED

1.Waterkills99%ofgerms

2.Iamthedaughterofdeath~*~dEaTh~*~

3.IfIfreezeup:WhatWouldAruDo?

Aru’s whole heart ached with guilt. Mini was wrong. Aru couldn’t doanything.Instead,shethoughtaboutwhatMiniwoulddo….Miniwouldn’twantto jeopardize the lives of all thosehumanHeartless….Miniwouldputothersbeforeherself.Likeshealwaysdid.

Arushovedthenotepadintothebackpackandslungitacrossoneshoulder,nexttoherownpack.

“We’resoclose.Wecan’tleavenow,notwithoutthethief’ssong,”shesaid.

“ButMini—”Brynnestarted.

“Isstrong,”saidArufirmly.“She’salsothekeytothis.Weneedthesoulsongand the thief’sname.So let’s get the songoutof the treasury, then get toMini.Immediately.”

“Iagree,”saidAiden.

Brynne lookedbetween themandthrewupherhands.“Fine!Let’sgo.Anddon’tforgettopickupthatstupidjewelthenaginisgaveus.”

In her concern over Mini, Aru had almost forgotten about the heart ofUloopi.

“I wish we could just go to the Council and throw it in their face,” saidBrynne,“butIbetthey’daccuseusofstealingitorsomething.”

Withthat,Brynnestompedoff,andAidenfollowedher.

Thejewelwashalf-buriedinthesandnearwherethefirstnaginihadstood.Aru pulled out the emerald and rubbed it on her hoodie until it glittered. Asmuch as Aru hated to admit it, Brynne was right. The Council of Guardiansmightnotbelieve them if they showedupwithout thebowandarrowand thenameofthethief.TakshakawouldjustlieabouttheheartofUloopi.

Right now,Arudidn’t trust theCouncil ofGuardians.And that frightenedher.Becauseifshecouldn’ttrustthepeoplewhoweresupposedtobelookingoutforthem,whowasleft?

DAChocolatyTruce

reamlogicisweird.

Inadream,Arucouldshowuptoschoolwearingagownmadeoutofpaperclipsonlytobesupremelyembarrassedthatshe’dforgottenherhomework.Andnoonewouldcareaboutthegown.Whichwaswhyitdidn’tseemoddtoAru that shewas strolling throughHomeDepot dressed up as a stuffed olive.Miniwalkedbesideherinthedream,wearingherall-blackgetup.

Earlier,Aru,Brynne, andAidenhad campedoutsidewhat they figuredwasthesecretentrancetothenagatreasury.Accordingtothesymbolsonthedoor,itwouldn’topenuntildawn.

“Theregoesanotherday,”Aidenhadsaid.“Onlyfiveleft.I’msettingatimeronmyphonesowe’llbeupandreadytogofirstthing.”

Brynnehadonlynoddedinagreement.

Aidenthrewhissatchelontheground,laidhisheadononehalf,andclosedhis eyes.Brynne floppeddown, taking theotherhalf of the satchelpillow.NooneofferedAruanything.Notthatsheblamedthem.She’dhadplentyoftimetoapologizeforblamingBrynneearlier,butshehadn’t.Toomanyotherthingshadbeendartingthroughherhead,likeMini’sfaceasthenaginisstoleherawayintothecave.

SoAruhadcurledupaloneandfallenintoamiserablesleep.AndwhenshesawMiniinherdream,itwaslikenoneofthebadstuffhadhappened.

Atfirst,Arudidn’tevennoticethattheywerestrollingthroughthemassivehardwarestore.Whichmadenosense,becausethelasttimeshewasthere,she’dgotten into trouble for accidentally turning on a radial saw and was kindly“asked”nottocomeback.

Ever.

In fact, she was pretty sure there was a picture of her face at every cash

register,askingtheemployeestobeonthelookout.

“Whaddup,”Arusaid,noddingatMini.

“WhyareweinHomeDepot?”askedMini.

“WhywouldwenotbeinHomeDepot?”askedAru.“Thisplaceisawesome.They literally have an aisle that’s just door-frames. It’s fun to stumble out ofthem. And then if you run up to people asking ‘What year is it?’ they get allconfused.It’sgreat.”

“You’reamenacetosociety,Shah.”

“Itry.”

Mini laughed, but then her face turned serious. “I don’twanna be trappedhereforever.”

“InHomeDepot?”

“No!Inthelandofsleep.That’swherethenaginisputmetostealsomeofmywakingenergy,andnowI’mstuckhere!”

“InHomeDepot?”

“Aru,” saidMini, grabbing her by the shoulders, “remember the card thatKamadevagaveus?Forwhenthingsgetreallybad?”

Vaguely,Arurecalledabusinesscardbeingplacedinherhand.ThenameS.Durvasa…andawarningnottowastehistime.“Yeah?”

“Useit!Weneedthesage’sprotectiontogetmeoutofhere.Ihavethetruenameofthebowandarrowthief,butthenaginisenchanteditsoitcanonlybeheardinperson,”saidMini.“GotoDurvasa.Hecangetmeoutof—”

“HomeDepot,”saidAru.

Minirolledhereyes.“Yes,Aru.HomeDepot.”

“Gotit.Let’sgolookatthedoorsnow!”

“Aru,onemorething,”saidMini.Thereweretearsinhereyes.“Imissyouguysa lot.Butdon’tbemadatanyone,okay?There’ssomethingelseIneedtotellyou,butI’mrunningoutoftime….Justusemusic.Okay?”

“Okay,okay!Let’sgofindasaw!”

“Aru.Say‘music.’”

“Mooooooo-zique.”

Mini tookadeepbreath. “Idon’tknowhowmuchof this you’regoing to

remember,andI’mgoingtotrymybesttotelltheotherstoo,butjusttry,try,trytorememberwhatI’vetoldyou.MusicandDurvasa.”

SomeonewasshakingAru’sshoulder.

“Whatyearisit?”sheaskedmuzzily.Thenshelaughed.“Gotcha.”

“Shah,wakeup!”thevoicesaid.“It’salmostdawn!Weshouldbeabletogetintothenagatreasurysoon.Let’sgetmoving.”

Aruopenedhereyes.Aidenwascrouchedbesideher.

BehindAiden,Brynnewasstillwakingup.Sheyawnedandsaidgroggily,“Ihadtheweirdestdream.”

Aru blinked. In bits and snatches, her own dream came back to her.Mini.Mini talking about using something? Cows … ? She distinctly rememberedsomeonesayingMooooooo.

“Miniwas in it,” saidBrynne.“Warningmeaboutdancing?No, that’snotright—shewastellingmetodance.ButIwasmadthatthegrocerywasoutofsaltandbasilleaves,andIdidn’twanttomakepestowithoutthem.”

ThatmadeArusitupstraight.“Wait,really?”

“Imean,youcanmakepestosaucewithcilantro,too,butbasiladds—”

“No,aboutMini!Idreamedabouther,too.”

“Samehere!”saidAiden.

“WereyouinHomeDepot?”askedAru.

Theotherslookedatherfunny.

“No?Okay,nevermind.”

“Ifweallhadthesamedream,maybeMiniwastryingtoreachallofus,”saidAiden.“Sheisinthelandofsleep.Maybeshehadspecialaccesstoourdreams?”

“Yeah,maybe,”saidAru.

Aiden lookedbetweenAruandBrynne.“Mini isokay…fornow,at least.Shewantsustokeepgoing,sowecanfindthesongandsaveher.Butwe’renotgoingtogetfarifyoutwocan’tgetalong.”

“Ugh,”groanedBrynne.“Don’tsayit….”

Aidencrossedhisarms.“Ithinkyouguysshouldtalk.”

Hiswordshungintheair.BrynneandArucaughteachother’seyesandthenlookedawayquickly.ArurememberedMinitellinghernottobemadatanyone.

Itwashard,when shewasmissingMini somuch…but fightingwithBrynneseemedpointless.

WhileBrynnehadherbacktothem,AidenwordlesslyhandedsomethingtoAru—abrownpaperbag labeledFOREMERGENCIESONLY. Insidewasa slightlysmushed 100Grand candy bar. Aru bit back a scowl. She hated 100Grands.Theytastedgreat,butshewouldneverforgetwhenaneighborofferedtopayher“ahundredgrand”tocleanoutthegarage.Aruhadspenthoursbattlingspiders(death)andcobwebs(moredeath) inmid-July inGeorgia(suchdeaththatshe’dbeenreincarnatedtwiceinthespaceofanhour)onlytogetameltedchocolatebaraspayment.

“Betrayal…”saidAru,glaringatthecandy.

“I’mgoingtocheckthedoor,”Aidensaid,leavingthem.

Aru knewwhat hewantedher to do.He andMiniwere right. She took adeepbreath.

“Brynne?”

“No.”

“I’llgiveyouahundredgrand.”

“What?”Brynne turned, then saw thechocolatebar.“Very funny,Shah.Areyoutryingtobribemewithcandy?”

“Willitwork?”

Brynnewassilentforamoment,andthenshesighed.“Yeah.Giveit.”

Arutossedherthe100Grand.“I’msorryaboutwhatIsaid.”

Brynnecaughtit,rippedopenthewrapper,andtookabite.“Nooneexpectsmetobeahero.Notwithasurablood.”

Aru felt her throat tighten. “Yeah? Well, try being the daughter of theSleeper,theguywhostartedallthisandisoffbuildinganarmytotakeovertheworldorsomeothervillaincliché,”shesaid.Shetriedtolaugh,butitcameoutasagrunt.

Brynnelookedathersharply,asifseeingherforthefirsttime.“You’rebetterthanthat.Webothare.”

Aru nodded. She wanted to believe that, but sometimes she wasn’t sure.Sometimes, when things went wrong, it was easier to blame what was in herbloodthantotakeresponsibility.

“Aidenisright…”shesaid,sighing.“Wehavetoworktogether.”

“Yeah,”Brynnesaid,thecornersofhermouthpulleddown.“IguessI’mjustusedtodoingstuffalone.”

Aru fell quiet. She remembered how scaredBrynne had lookedwhen she’dassumedtheyweregoingtoleaveherbehind.Aruthoughtofthetrophybraceletsonherwristandthephotoalbumshecarriedaroundinherbackpack,as ifshewashopingtoshowthemtosomeone.

“Well,you’renotaloneanymore.”

Brynnerubbedathereyes,stillfrowning.ThenshestoodupandhelpedArutoher feet, too.Next,Brynnedid somethingAruhadnever imaginedpossible.ShebrokeoffhalfthecandybarandhelditouttoAru.

“Eatup,Shah,”shesaidgruffly.“You’llneedtheenergy.Idon’tcareifyou’refamily—I’mnotcarryingyouanymore.”

Aru took a bite, and even though she’d had 100 Grands before, this onetastedextraspecial,likethebeginningofsomethingnew.

Thetwoofthemstartedwalkingovertothesecretdoor.

“DidAidengiveyouthatcandybar?”askedBrynne.

“No?”Andthenafewsecondslater,“Yeah,hedid.”

Brynnejustsmiled.“ClassicAmmamma.”

“Youguysready?”askedAiden.

“Yeah,”saidBrynneandAru.

“Good,”saidAiden.Aruthoughthissmilelookedabitsmug.

“Weaponsout,”saidBrynne,touchingherbluechoker.Withaflashofazurelight,itturnedintohercelestialmace.

Aidenputhiswristcuffstogether,andscimitarsflashedintohishands.

When Aru reached into her pocket for Vajra, her fingers brushed thebusiness card Kamadeva had given them. She pulled it out and showed it toAidenandBrynne.

S.DURVASA

DONOTBOTHERMEWITHINFANTILECONCERNS

IWILLCURSEYOUFORWASTINGMYTIME

Flashesofherdreamcamebacktoher.

“ThisiswhoMiniwantsustocontact!”

Thoughshewasn’tsurewhy.Minihadsaidsomethingelse,too….Whatwasit?

Aiden let out a whoop of joy. “The S probably stands for sage!We’ll gostraight toDurvasa afterwe find the song.Now, howdo you think this doorworks…?”

Brynnetookonelookatitandkickeditopen.

“Wait…that’sit?”saidAru.“Ithoughtthere’dbemoretoit!LikeinLordoftheRings, where there’s a riddle doorwith themessage ‘speak friend and enter.’ExceptIcan’trememberwhatfriendisinElvish.”

Brynnerolledhereyes,buthersmilewaswarm.Shesteppedthroughfirst.

Aiden held open the door for Aru. As she walked past him, he said, “It’smellon,bytheway.”

“Nerd.”

Varunahadsaidthattheroutetothenagatreasurywassecret.

Thegoodnewswasthathehadtoldthetruth.

Thebadnewswasthattheywerepickingtheirwaythroughsewers.

Theywerebeneaththenagacity,which—basedonwhatArucouldseefromthesewergrates—wasnestledinagiantairbubbleinthemiddleofanocean.Itwaslikelivinginasnowglobe!Butshecouldbarelyconcentrateonhowcoolthatwas, because theworst stench rolled toward them.Aru thought the smell alonehadburnedawayallhernosehairs.

They threeof them stood in a sprawling underground network of tunnels.Slimeoozeddownthewalls.UnderAru’sshoes,snakeskincrumpledlikesoggypaper.

“Ooh,”saidBrynne,cheerilytoeingapileofrottenvegetables.“Thiswouldmake great mulch. Great mulch means great dirt, and great dirt means greatvegetables,andgreatvegetablesmakegreatfood!”

Aidengagged.“Stopsaying‘great.’”

“Howcanyoueventhinkaboutfood?”demandedAru.Becausehersleevewascoveringthelowerhalfofherface,itsoundedlikeHahcanyooebenhinkaboufoo?

Brynnerappedherknucklesonherstomach.“Ironcladgut.”

“Ineedanironcladnose,”saidAidenwoozily.

Brynne raisedherwindmace to her lips. She blewon it, and a continuousbreezewaftedaroundthem,carryingawaythestink.

Brynneimmediatelytookthelead.AsthedaughteroftheLordoftheWinds,shehad aperfect senseofdirection.She alwaysknewwhether theywere goingnorth,south,east,orwest.ArucastoutVajralikeatorch,andthethreeofthemstompeddownoneof the lessnastypassages.Occasionally,Aidenhad tohackthroughstringsofblackgunkwithhisscimitarstoclearanopeningforthemtostepthrough.

Whentheycametotheoccasionalgrateinthetunnel,Arucaughtglimpsesofthesprawlingnagacityabovethem.Theyhadtobecarefultostayintheshadowsincasetherewereguardsonthelookout,buttheysawenoughtogetasenseoftheenchantedkingdomthatUloopiruled.ItremindedAruofNewYorkCity.Wide boulevards. Fashionable nagas and naginis slithering down the streets,shoppingbags inhand.SometimesArucaught thenamesof storefronts:FANGS

“R”USandOPHIDIANEMPORIUM:YOURONE-STOPSHOPFORALLTHINGSSCALY.

TherewasevenanApplestore.

But what she loved most were the seascrapers—huge, twisting spires thatlookedliketheywerehewnoutofthebonesofsomelong-forgottenseacreatureandweresotalltheyalmosttouchedthetopoftheairbubble.Theseamightnothave stars, but the water surrounding the naga realm was lit up with its ownmagicallights.Anemonethecolorofmoonlightbloomedinthealleys.

Atoneofthegrates,Aruwasluckyenoughtogetaglimpsethatlastedmorethanfiveseconds.Sadly,thatwasjustwhensomeonedecidedtodroptheircoffeecup. A red holiday cup from Slitherbucks, with a green-and-white logo of acrownednagaonit,fellthroughthegrate…

…andsplashedalloverAru’sshirt.

“Thisisjustawesome,”Arumuttered.“Howcoulditgetanyworse—?”

Brynneheldupahand.“We’rehere,”shewhispered.

Aiden looked around, and his confused expression matched Aru’s feeling.Howcouldthisbethelegendarytreasuryofthenagas?Theywereinthemiddleofthe sewage system, below-ground, and there was no door or anything elsemarkinganentrytoanotherplace.

“Areyousure?”

“Yes,I’msure,”saidBrynne.“IamthedaughterofLordVayu.Ineverlosemysenseofdirection.”

Aidenpeeredattheground.Withhisrightfoot,hescrapedasidesomeofthegoop. There was a small bronze insignia there, along with a couple of raisedbumps that looked like buttons.He bent down, shining his phone’s flashlightapptogetabetterlook—whichwasagoodthing,becauseVajrarefusedtogetanywherenear thisground, thwackingAru in theheadwhenshe triedacoupletimestolowerit.Shefinallyjustchangedittoabracelet.

Aiden’sscimitarhoveredoveroneofthebronzebuttons.“Huh,”hesaid,“Iwonderif—”

Hedidn’thavetowonderlong.Thesecondhisbladetouchedthebutton,acircularplatebeneaththeirfeetsuddenlywhoosheddownward.Thethreeofthemscreamedasthesurfacefellawayandtheywereplungedintodarkness.

Theplatestoppednearlythreehundredfeetdownfromthesewers,straightinthebellyofthenagatreasury.Walltorchesintheshapeofsnakeswithtonguesofflamedimlyilluminatedawidecircularspaceaboutthesizeofafootballfield.Hundredsofshelvesthatranfromfloortoceilingsurroundedthem.Piledontotheir surfaces were untold wonders that Aru recognized from stories: a crystalgoblet full of bright jewels, which was labeled PROPHETIC DREAMS; bottledconstellations; and the jawbone of some deep-sea creature, which opened andclosedasifitrememberedchewingaformerenemy.

“Whoa,”saidBrynne,slowlyrotating.

Aiden reached forhis camera,butBrynnebatted itdown.“Someonemightseetheflash!”shescolded.

“There’snoonehere,Bee,”saidAiden,snappingacoupleofpictures.“Thatwas the whole point of the secret passage. And no way am I going to missdocumentingthis.”

“You’renotajournalistinawarzone!”

“Yet,”saidAiden.

Arudidn’t seeanysignof the thief’s soulsong,but they’donly just startedlooking.

Then,fromhighabove,Aruheardafainthissingsound.Thethreeofthemmovedintoatightcircle.Theylookedup…andthere,hangingfromashelf,wasahugescalytail.Arutracedittothepronetorsoofaman.Alittlefartherandshefoundhisfamiliarface,withropyscarsandmilkyeyes.

“AruShah.YouandIhaveunfinishedbusinesss,”hehissed.

TDehhhh-Spah-CITO

akshakaslithereddowntheshelvesoftreasure.Ashemoved,jewelsclatteredtothefloor.Heswunghishead,tastingtheairwithhisforkedtongue.The

end of his jet-black tail quivered, as if the sound of the falling treasure haddisorientedhim.

Something dug at Aru’s thoughts. Something she was supposed to know.Likeanamedanglingatthetipofhertongue.

“Don’t think that because I cannot see that you are invissssible,” he saidsoftly.Hisfacerippledashetransformedfromhishalf-snaketofull-snakeform.He lifted his now scaled head. Ancient scars striped his diamond-shapedforehead.“TherearethreePandavasss….”

Aiden opened hismouth to say something, then closed it. It’s best not tocorrectagigantic,venomousserpentking.

Quietly,thethreeofthemspreadoutacrossthetreasureroom.AidenstoodbythewallbehindAru.Brynnewasofftoherright,outofwhisperingdistance.ButthenshesawBrynnemouthingaword.

ThegoodthingwasthatTakshakacouldn’treadlips.

ThebadthingwasthatneithercouldAru.

It looked like Brynne was saying… Stalin?What? Like the dictator fromhistory?ThenAruheardBrynnescreamingthroughhermindlink:STALLHIM!

Aru didn’t have to try to getTakshaka’s attention, because hewas headedstraightforher.

“Youlaidwassstetomylands,Pandava.Youkilledeverylivingcreaturethattriedtoescapethefire.Youkilledmywife.IthoughtIhadendedyourline,”saidTakshaka.“Butyoucameback.Likeapestilence.”

Aru’sheadwasstillringingfromBrynne’scommand.Veryslowly,shestarted

tobackawayfromtheking.“That’sabitharsh,don’tyouthink?”sheaskedhim.“Imean,thatwaslikeamillenniumago.AndI’mnotArjuna.Wejusthavethesame soul. It’s like getting someone’shand-me-down socks,honest.Whydon’twe just start over? Like this:Hi, I’m Aru. I like Swedish Fish.Now it’s yourturn.”

Takshaka tested the air with his forked tongue, getting a bead on her. “Ididn’tbelieveitatfirst.ThegreatArjuna’ssoulharboredinthefeeblebodyofasmallgirl.”

Vajrapulsedonherwrist,butArudidn’treachforherlightningbolt.Notyet.

“Surprise?”Arusaidwithfalsecheer.

“The gods are cruel,” said Takshaka. “Of course they would summon auselessss girl.Of course theyhaveno interest inprotecting thisworld.Despitetheirimmortality,despitetheirpowersss,thegodsneverkeeptheirword.Justlikeyourfatherdidn’t.”

Arufroze.TheSleeper?Herthroatfelttight.ShewonderedwhetherTakshakawas going to tell her that she was just like him. Destined not to keep herpromises,either.

ButthenTakshakaspat,“Indrafailedme.”

Oh.Indra.Hersouldad.NottheSleeper.

Takshaka’stailwhipped,agitated.Heslitheredfartherdowntheshelvesuntilhewasbarelytwentyfeetaway.“Once,IlivedinthegreatKhandavaForestwithmy family.Back then, Indrawasmy friend.Butoneday,Agni, thegodof fire,grewhungry,andhedecidedthatnothingwouldsatehimexceptmyforest.Myhome.Andyouhelpedhim.Youhelpedhimburnitalldown.”

Aru’smouthwentdry.Now sheknewhowhehad gotten the scars onhisfaceandchest.Thatwasawful.AndeventhoughithadbeenArjunaandnother,herheartachedwithguilt.

“Your fatherwas supposed to protectme,” hissedTakshaka. “He sent hisfavorite rain clouds to put out the fire. But itwasn’t enough to defeat you,OArjunatheGreat.YouhadLordKrishnabyyourside,anditbecametoomuchworkforIndratofightagainstyou.”

Arufaltered.ShehadneverheardthatstoryaboutArjuna.Surely,itcouldn’tbetrue….Arjunawassupposedtobevirtuous.Hewouldn’thaveburneddownsomeone’shome…wouldhe?Aruknewsolittleabouthim.Outthecornerofhereye,shesawAidenandBrynnecirclingtheirhandsasiftosayKeepstalling!

But,forthefirsttimeinawhile,Arudidn’tknowwhattosay.

“Now you have no gods whissspering in your ear,” continued the serpentking.“Youarenothing.Andyouarealone.”

“Listen,”saidAru,gentlinghervoice.“I’mreallysorrythathappenedtoyou.Honest.Butmaybe,uh,youcantalktoIndraaboutit?Meetupforcoffee?Workthingsout?Youguyswerefriendsonce….”

“Ihavenewfriendsssnow,”saidTakshaka.Hesmiledthen,slowandvicious.“Ibelieveyouknowoneofthemverywell.”

Arufeltnauseated.Nowhewastalkingabout theSleeper.Ofcoursehewasbehindthis.

Takshakarearedback.

Andthenhestruck.

TakshakamovedsofastthatArualmostdidn’tseehimcoming.Almost.Hisjawsmissedherfacebyaninch.Asshepivotedoutoftheway,Vajrajumpedintoher hand, fully expanded. Aru threw the lightning bolt like a spear. Takshakaneatlydodgedit.Vajraspunbacktoher,andthistimeAruconcentratedwithallhereffort,focusingontheserpent’swrithingtail,wantingtopinhiminplacelikea butterfly in a display. Vajra shot forward like an arrow. But Takshaka wasfaster.Hispowerfultailwhippedoutandknockedthelightningboltasidelikeitwasatoy.

Aru looked to her friends for help. Brynnewas snorting and stomping herfeetlikeanangrybull,butAidenwasholdingherback.Why?

“Hoverboard!”Arushouted.

Vajraflattened,butArujumpedonasecondtoolate.Takshaka’staillashedthroughtheairandcaughtherinthestomach.Shecrashedintothewallandsliddown,shakingherhead.

Takshakastartedlaughing.“It’stooeasssy.”

Arufeltwoozy,butsheforcedherselftostand.OntheoppositewallAidenwasleaningcasuallyand—Aruwantedtoscreamathim—checkinghisphone.

Brynne’svoicetappedintoherthoughts:

WeknowsomethingTakshakadoesn’tlike.

Us?thoughtAru.

Closeyoureyes.It’sgoingtogetwindyinhere.

“Revealyourssself,Pandava,”saidTakshaka.“Ishallmakethisquick.”

Aruwas so tiredof that line!Whyweremonsters alwaysoffering tomakedeathgoquickly?Whynotoffernodeathatall?

AsTakshakaedgedcloser,Arushuthereyesandflattenedherselfagainstthewall.Windblewagainsther face.Shecouldhear the treasures rattlingoff theirshelvesandcrashingtothegroundwithloud,indignanthowls.

“Youwillpayforthisss,”saidTakshaka.

AsnippetofAru’sdreamfloatedbacktoher.MinistandinginHomeDepot,shakingArubytheshouldersand…imitatingacow?No.Arudidthat.Mooooooo-zique.

Music.

Music!

Just then,Takshakahissed.Evenwithhereyesclosed,Arucouldsensehimrearingup.Dirtandgritwhippedherskin.I’mtotallygoingtodiehere,thoughtAru.

Thenanewsoundjoinedin…asoundthatsuddenlyexplainedwhyAidenhadbeenonhisphone.Arucrackedopenoneeye.Aidenstoodinthecenteroftheroom,holdinghisphoneoverhishead likeagiganticbeacon.Risingabovethedin,likeoneofthoseancientwarriorsblowingahorn…

Dehhhhh-spaaaaa-cito!

Quierorespirartucuellodespacito!

Takshakaroared,“NOOOOOOOO!”Hewrithed.“NOTTHATSONG!I’msickofit!MAKEITSTOP!MAKEITSTOP!”

Aidenkeptblastingthemusic.Nowhewassalsaing.Apsarakidsalwayshaveanartistictalent.DancingwasnotAiden’s.

BrynnepointedhermaceatAiden’sphoneandpickeditupinaswirlofdust.Takshakasnapped, lungingfor it,buteverytimehegotclose, thewinddancedfarther away. Takshaka quivered, now moving across the floor and shelves,oblivioustothescreamingtreasure.

BrynnesentAruanurgentmessage:Anysignofthethief’ssoulsong?

I’monit!Arusentback.

Nothingonthebottomshelf.Nothingonthenextrowup,either.ButwhenAruscannedhigher,aflashofredcaughthereye.Shezeroedinonascarletorbthesizeofalargependant.Itwashuddledagainstthewallasifitwerefrightened.

As Aru’s gaze lingered on it, a feeling of terrible loss surged through her.Kamadeva had said that the song wouldn’t be like actual music, but arepresentation of the thief’s soul… and now thatmade sense. The soul songseemedtoArulikeapieceofsomeone,apiecethathadbeenabandoned.

Ifoundit!ArutoldBrynnethroughthemindlink.

AllAruhadtodowasturnVajraintoahoverboard,zoomoverTakshaka’sweavinghead,andgrabthesongfromtheshelf.

VajrahadjustflattenedwhenAruheardit….

Deafeningsilence.

ThemusiconAiden’sphonehadpausedforacommercial.

“Unsatisfiedwithyourcarinsurance?”

Takshakagrewstill.Hishoodedfacetilted,andthecornersofhisjawturnedupinasmile.

C’mon,c’mon,c’mon!Aidenmouthedasheshookhisphone.

Brynnekept summoning tiny cyclones, trying todistractTakshaka,but thenaga’s forked tongue tasted the air and caught the scent of blood. He dartedtowardAiden.Aruhadtobiteherliptokeepfromscreaming.

Brynnewhirledaround,panicclearonherface,andasthemaceturnedwithher,itsentAiden’sphonesoaringhighintotheaironablastofwind.

“No!”heyelled.

Takshaka’scobrahoodflared.“Foundyou,”hehissed.

Aidenpulledouthisscimitars.Wrongmove.Thesoundechoedaroundtheroom.Takshaka’smouthcurvedintoasmugfangedgrin.Herearedtostrike.

Arudidn’tthink—shejustreacted.HoppingontoVajra,sheleanedbackonherlightning-bolthoverboardandshotuptowardthephone,whichwasspinningontopofaminitornado.Shestretchedoutherfingers,strainingtoreachit.Just…a little… farther. If the phone fell andbroke, if they hadnoway to fill thechamberwithmusic,they’dalldie.

Shethrustherhandintothecolumnofwindandgrabbed.Arufeltthecoldweightofthephoneinherpalmjustasanewsongstarted.Itwashardtohearitoverthehowlingstorm.

Sheglancedbehindher.

AidenhadshovedoneofhisscimitarsintoTakshaka’smouth,proppingopen

hispowerfulcobrajaws.Theserpentthrashedhishead,dislodgingtheblade,andbroughtdownhistaillikeamercilesswhip.Aidenwentsprawling,hisremainingscimitarskiddingacrossthetreasuryfloor.

Arucrankedupthevolume.

“TAYLORSWIFT?”roaredthenagaking.

“What’sthematter?YouaKatyPerryfan?”Brynnetaunted,butherfacewaspure panic until Aiden rose blearily to his feet. She blasted some air in hisdirectionsothathistwoscimitarswerewithingrabbingdistance.

Aruandthehoverboardrocketedhigher.

Takshakawhirledaround,slamminghistailontotheground.Moretreasuresraineddownfromtheirshelves,andthistimehereactedtoeverysound.

Aru spotted the red orb. It was rolling toward the edge of a shelf. Shegrabbeditjustbeforeitfelloffandfoundthatitwasonaneckchain.Instantly,acoldtinglewentthroughherarmandsheheardapiercingnoteinherthoughts:thesoundofsomeonestiflingacry.It tookArubysurpriseandagaspslippedfromherlips.

Takshakaheardit.

Down below, Brynne yelled and jumped, trying to distract him. But theserpentkingpaidhernomind.Histailslashedthroughtheair,knockingAruoffherhoverboard.Brynne’swindcaughther just intime,andthehoverboardflewback under her feet. Aru wobbled, trying to get her balance. While her griptightenedonthesoulsong,thephoneslippedoutofherhand.Below,AidenandBrynnerantotrytocatchit.Thephoneseemedtofallslowlyasitblastedmusicallthewaydown:

I’msorry,theoldTaylorcan’tcometothephonerightnow.

Why?

Takshakaraisedhimselfuptohisfullsize,solargeitseemedhecouldhaveblotted out the sun. The phone hit the treasure-littered floor with a crash. Itsscreen shattered. Takshaka slammed it with his tail again and again until themusiccutoff.

“Oh,”saidTakshakamockingly,“’causeshe’sdead.”

“GIDon’tTrustNobodyandNobodyTrustsMe

iveittome,”saidTakshaka.

Arustiffened.Hergriponthesoulsongtightenedevenmore.“Giveyouwhat?”

“Iknowwhatyouhave,”hesaid.

“Oh, andwhatmight thatbe?” she asked. “There’s all kindsof treasure inthisroom.”ShewonderedifheknewthatshehadUloopi’sheartjewel,too.

“Handoverthethief’ssoulsong.”

“Soyouletithappen!Youletthebowandarrowbestolen!”saidAru.

Takshakalaughed.“Whodoyouthinkletherinhereinthefirstplace?”

Letherin…

Thearrowthiefwasawoman.Wassheanagini?Arakshasi?

Arudidn’texactlylikeUloopi—shehadthreatenedtoexilethem,afterall—butnowshe feltbadfor thenagaqueen.Clearly, she trustedTakshaka.Maybesheeven thoughtofhimas family.Andhe’dbetrayedher.He’dkeptherheartfrombeingreturned.Hemadeherweak.Aru’sjawclenched.

“HowcouldyoudothattoQueenUloopi?”

Takshakarearedbackasifstruck.“Thisisbeyondyou,littlePandava.Giveme the song. You cannot protect that which we seek. After all, your veryheartbeatwillbetrayyou.”

Yourveryheartbeat.

Whatdidthatmean?

But therewasno time to think about it.The serpent king lunged andArubarelyhadamomenttoreact.ShezoomedawayonVajra,narrowlyescapinghisfangs.Seconds later, shedroppeddownontheoppositesideoftheroomfrom

BrynneandAiden.Quickly,Aruloopedthesoul-songnecklacearoundVajraandshotitovertoAidenandBrynne.Aidenleapedup,catchingitinhisfist.

“Missedme!”Takshakagloated.

Hedidn’tneedtoknowthatAruhadn’tbeenaimingforhim.TokeepAidenandBrynnesafe, sheneededTakshakatobefocusedonherandtobelievethatshestillhadthesong.

The great serpent snapped forward.His fangs sank into the shelves aboveAru’shead.Sheswervedoutof theway,narrowlymissingablowfromaheavybookasittoppleddown.

VajrareturnedtoAru’shandsintheshapeofadiscus.Aruhadn’thadmuchpracticeusingitinthisform.Thefewtimesshe’dtriedit,shehadthrownitlikea celestial Frisbee, which she wasn’t great at. Merely flinging it at Takshakawouldbepointless.Hewas ridiculously fast.Shehad toaimnotwherehewasmovingnow,butwherehewasmovingnext.

ArutappedintothePandavamindlink.Gethisattention,Brynne.

Yougotit,shemessagedback.

Brynne motioned to Aiden, who began banging his scimitars against theshelves.TakshakatwitchedandwhirledtowardAidenandBrynne.Ashestartedtomoveforward,Aruaimedherlightning-boltdiscusjustaheadofhim.

Bang!

ThediscushitTakshakarightintheforehead.Anetofelectricityfelldownonthesnake.Hethrashedhiswayoutofitandsaidwithacackle,“NoweaponofIndracanharmme,Pandava!Yourfatherwasmyfriendonce,afterall.Andaboonisaboon,nomatterhowlongagoitwasgiven.Iamimmune.”

He zigged and zagged, his great coils winding way up the shelves andblockingtheentranceintheceilingabove.

“Aru!”shoutedBrynne.

She turned just in time to seeVajra’s lightning net coming at her.UsuallyVajra just spun back into her hand. But making contact with Takshaka hadweakenedit.Itdidnotchangeform,anditdidnotaimforherhand.Arutriedtoleapoutoftheway,butthenetcaughtheraroundthefootandtrippedher.

“Thisistheend,”saidTakshakawhenheheardAruhitthefloor.Heloopedbackoverhimselfanddowntowardher.“Ihope tobringyouasmuchpainasyou caused me. You are no hero. You are a pawn in a game beyond yourunderstanding.Youarenothing.”

Takshaka’sfangslengthened.Theywerestainedyellow,andonewaschipped.Venom dripped onto the ground, hitting the floor with a steaming hiss. Arusqueezed her eyes shut.Aiden andBrynnewere too far away to help her.Andeven if they’dwanted to, if they rushedover, itwouldonly lead toall threeofthemgettingkilled.Thisisit,thoughtAru.

ArushofairhitArujustasTakshakalunged.

Brynne.

Withherwindmace,Brynnehadliftedashelvingunitintotheair.ShetiltedituntilitformedabarricadebetweenTakshaka’sjawsandAru’sbody.Herfaceshonewithsweat.

Wheretheshelvesusedtobe,Aidenwasscalingthewall,usinghisscimitarsasgrapplinghooks.Heclimbedquickly,buthedidn’treachtheexitfastenough.BrynnecreatedagustsostrongthatTakshakawasblownbackward.HeslammedintothewallAidenwasclimbing,andthevibrationsenttheboytumbling.Hehitthefloorwithanastythudanddidn’tmove.

“Aiden!”shoutedAru,scramblingoutofthelightningnet.

Hedidn’tanswer.

Aru and Brynne huddled close. Aru shut her eyes as wind lashed aroundthem.Vajra, nowback in bolt form, flickeredweakly.Aru felt helpless.Therewas no way they could get out of here, which meant Boo andMini and theHeartlesswouldbeimprisonedforever.AndforgetaboutbeingexiledfromtheOtherworld—she’djustdiehereinstead.

Andthen…

Thump-athump-thump.Thump-athump-thump.

Rhythm shook the floor.More treasures quivered and fell off the shelves.Takshakahissed,pullingbackasthesoundofdrumsfilledtheair.

Brynneliftedherhead,frowning.“Isthat…isthatbhangra?”

Bhangra is akindofupbeatmusic that isoftenplayedat Indianweddings.Aruhadnoideahowtodancetoit,butthenagain,neitherdidanyofthebrownunclesatparties.Theirfavoritebhangradancetechniquewastopretendtoscrewinalightbulbandpetadogatthesametime.Andthenstartjumping.

Brynne’sshouldersbegantomoveupanddowntothebeat.

“Nowisnotthetime!”saidAru.

Thenagain, itwasalmostimpossiblenot todancewhenitcametobhangra.

Even Takshaka, who had recovered, started swaying. His tail thumped to therhythmasPanjabiMCand Jay-Z started rapping.ThePanjabi lyrics filled theroom:

Mundiyatobachkerahi

Nahituhunhunhuimutiyarrr

Butthen,overthemusic,cameanewsound:“RUN!”

Aru’s gaze flew to theother sideof the room.A sectionof shelvesopenedlike adoor, allowing anagaboy abouther age to enterbefore it swung closedbehindhim.Hehadcomefromsomekindofsecretpassageway.Fromthewaistup,heworeabrightorangehoodie,butfromthewaistdownhehadacrimsonsnaketailbandedwithyellowstripes.Healsoworesunglasses,whichwasabsurd,consideringhowdarkthechamberoftreasuresalreadywas.HisearswerecoveredbyapairofheavyDJ-styleheadphones.Hehelduptwospeakers,pointingthematTakshaka.Theserpentwrithedasifsomeonehaddousedhimwithspiders.

“RUN!”theboysaidagain.

Brynnewasthefirsttoact.ShehoistedArutoherfeetandthetwoofthemrushedovertoAiden.Arutriedtolifthimbythearmandstumbled.

“I got this,” said Brynne. She gathered him up like he was a bundle ofblanketsandthrewhimoverhershoulder.

Theyrantowherethenagaboystoodbythedoor.Hisheadturnedtowardthemwhentheyapproached,buthisfocusseemedlikeitwaselsewhere,asifhewaslookingatsomethingjusttotheleftofthem.

Nowthatshewasclosetothedoor,Arucouldseethatitwasaportal.Itwasslightlyajar,andthroughthecrackArucouldglimpsestreetsignsandacementsidewalk,carsdisappearingaroundcorners,evenpeople inwintercoatswalkingtheirdogs.

But just as Brynne reached to pull it open all the way, a low hiss startledthem,andthedoorslammed shut.Atfirst,Takshakahadbeenenthralledbythebhangrarhythm,swayingbackandforth,evenhappilyrappingalong.Butnowhewasstiffandalert,hisblindeyesfixedontheboy.

“You!”hesnarled.“Youarenotfittocallyourselfmydessscendant.”

The boy with the headphones flinched, but he didn’t drop the speakers.“Whatyou’redoingiswrong,Dada-ji.”

Dada-ji.That’swhatyoucalledagrandfather.Whowasthisboy?

“Doyoufancyyourselfsomekindofhero?”hissedTakshaka.“SsstepasideandImayforgethowyourveryexistenceisadisss-gracetomylineage.”

“Hero?”repeatedtheboy.“Imean,yeah,Iguess,ifyoucallstoppingmurderon a Saturday heroic. Be mad at me all you want—you probably won’t evenrememberthislater.”

Andwiththat,heputthespeakersdownonthefloor,pulledaphoneoutofhishoodiepocket, andpunched in somenumbers.Themusicgrew louder andTakshakafellintoadeeptrance.

Theboyheldopen thedoor forBrynneandAru.“Ladiesandunconsciousdude.”

AruandBrynnejuststaredathim.

“Whoareyou?”demandedAru.

“You’resupposedtosaythankyou.”

“I’mnotthankinganyone!”saidAru.“HowamIsupposedtoknowwhat’sbehindthatdoor?Andyou’rehisgrandson!Whyshouldwetrustyou?”

Brynnesteppedonherfoot.“Thankyou.”

“I can tell you what’s not behind the door,” said the boy in sunglasses.“Definitelynotanancientserpentkingthatwantsyoudead.Butlotsoftraffic.Andmaybeevensomehelp.”

“You—”

“Savedyourlife,andI’mofferingyouawayout,”saidtheboy.Butnowhewasstandingwithhisbackagainstthedoor.Thatdidn’tseemlikeawayout.Hecrossedhisarms.“Yourmove.”

Maybesomepeoplewouldbewillingtohelpfornoreasonotherthantobekind.People likeMini,forexample.Butthiskidclearlywasn’toneofthose….Therewassomethingtooslyabouthim.Andeventhoughshewasaninchawayfromatotalmeltdown,Aruwasn’tsogonethatshehadn’tnoticedhowTakshakahadspokentohisgrandson.Thisboywas,toputitlightly,notafamilyfavorite.

Therewassomethingelse,too.She’dseenhimbeforesomewhere….

“You’rethatboyfromtheNightBazaar,”shesaid.

Itwasduringtheirlastquest.ThisboyhadsmiledatMini,whichhadledhertowalkstraightintoatelephonepole.

“Hardtoforgetafacelikethis,”hesaid,cuppinghischinandgrinning.

“Whyareyouhelpingus?”demandedAru.“Whatdoyouwant?”

“Aru!” said Brynne, sinking a little under Aiden’s weight. “Why are youarguing?”

“Becausehewantssomething.”Sheknewitinhergut.

“You’reright,”saidtheboy.“Iwantyournumber.”

“Youwhat?”

First,Arunevergaveouthernumbertoboys(thenagain,it’snotlikeanyboyhadeveraskedforit,butthatwasneitherherenorthere),andsecond,Minihadwalked intoa telephonepoleafter seeinghim….Onprinciple, that justwasn’tright.

“Your.Number,” he repeated slowly. “Unless youwantme to send you amessagebycarrierpigeonorsomething.C’mon,it’simportant.Trustme.”

“Aru,”saidBrynne.“Justdoit,andlet’sgetoutofhere.”

Itwasnowornever.

“Fine,”shesaid.Shegavehimhernumber.

“I’ll text you,”he said, finally steppingoutof theway. “I’mgoing toneedyourhelp,AruShah.”

“Howdoyouknowmy—?”

Buthewasalreadyclosingthedoor.ThelastthingArusawwasasmuggrin.

ATheDangerousSamosa

rublinkedandfoundherselfstaringatabrickwallcoveredinflyersforlostpets,moremissingmen,householdhelpwanted,andremediesforbaldness

(Hairtransplants!Nowyoudon’thavetobebaldandcreepy!Youcanjustbecreepy!).Ahardcrustoffrostclungtothecement,andstringsofChristmaslightswoundaroundthe potted trees near the storefronts. The cold air smelled like winter… andcurry.Afewpedestriansbustledpast.Abrownwomanwearingaparkaoverhersalwar kameezdisappeared intoagrocerystore.Ontheother sideof the street, ayoungwhitecouplepushedtheirbabyinastrollerandtookturnseatingoutofapaperbagfilledwithcrispysamosas,anIndiansnackoffriedpastryfilledwithpotatoesandspices.

“Where are we?” asked Aru. She was freezing. They definitely weren’t inAtlanta,thatwasforsure.

BrynnegentlyloweredAidenontothesidewalk.Hegroaned,shookhishead,andlookedaroundgroggily.

“Snake?”heasked.

“He’soffdancingbhangra.”

Aidenblinked.“’Kay,”hesaidfuzzilyandslumpedagainstthebrickwall.

Brynnelickedherfingerandraisedittotheair.

“Doesthatactuallywork—?”Aruasked.

“Weare40.5187degreesnorthand74.4121degreeswest.”

“InEnglish!”saidAruthroughchatteringteeth.

“Edison,NewJersey.”

Arublinked.Now the stop signs, smells, and even thedifferent storefrontsmadesense.“So,we’reinLittleIndia.”

“Yep.”

ItwasnosecretthattherewerelotsofSouthAsianfamiliesinthispocketoftheUnitedStates.Aruwasprettysureshe’devenreadanewspaperarticleaboutitonce.

Nowthatsheknewwheretheywere,ArureturnedVajratoballforminherpocketandlookedateverythingalittlemoreclosely.Snakeboyhadsaidthey’dfindsometraffic,andmaybeevensomehelp,butnothinglookedhelpfulhere….ThiscitytoohadcontributedtothegrowingnumberofHeartless.Inthedisplaywindowofanappliancestore,TVscreensshowednewsanchorsfrowningabovetickersthatpronounced:SEARCHFORTHEMISSINGCONTINUESEXPERTSSUSPECTBIOCHEMICALFOULPLAY

ISTHERESOMETHINGINYOURWATER?

“Isthethief’ssongsafe?”askedAru.

Brynnenodded,tiltingherheadtooneside,soArucouldseethehintofthenecklace’schain.“NowallweneedtodoisrescueMini.Oncewegetherandshegivesusthethief’sname, it’sallover.Andweknowwehave togo toDurvasa.Howhardcoulditbe?”

Itdidsoundeasy.ThenwhywasArusonervous?

“Howfaraway is the landof sleep, anyway?”askedAru.“AndwhataboutAiden?Arewegoingtodraghimbehindusthewholetime?”

“I’vegothim,”saidBrynne,scoopinghimuplikeasackofrice.

Aidengroaned.“Thisishumiliating.Putmedown.”

“You’reabouttopassout.”

Aiden raised his eyebrows. “Fair,” he said groggily, and slumped back tosleep.

Brynneshiveredandshrugged.“C’mon,wecansorteverythingoutoversomechaat.”

Chaat didn’t mean a talk, but savory Indian fast food—a combination ofthingslikecrispypotatopieces,spicedchickpeas,andyogurtsaucesburstingwithflavor. Just thinking about itmadeAru’s stomach rumblehungrily.Pullinghersweatshirt tighter around her, she followed Brynne—who was half-cradlingAiden—intoanearbychaatshop.Thethreeofthemsquishedintoabooth.Thetablesurfacewaskindasticky,whichmadeArumissMinievenmore.Ifshewerehere, she would’ve brought out a one-gallon bottle of hand sanitizer. Brynneordered them a ton of food, and within minutes, the table was covered withsteamingsamosas,paper-thindosasnexttobowlsofbrightgreenchutney,sweet

gulabjamunsittinginadishofsyrup,andicedmangolassis.

“First things first,” said Brynne, picking upAiden’s water glass.He didn’tnotice,becausehisheadwasonthetableandhehadstartedtosnore.“Aru,canyoutakeAiden’scamera?”

“Why?”sheasked.

“Justdoit.”

ArugentlypulledthestrapoffAiden’sshoulder—carefulnottodisturbhim—andlaidthecameraonthechairnexttoher.

“Wedon’twantittogetwet,”saidBrynne.

“Dude,we’reindoors.It’snotgoingtorain—”

BrynnedumpedtheglassofwateronAiden’shead.

“HEY!”heshouted,startlingawake.

“You’llbefine,”Brynnesaidbreezily.“Havesomefood.”

Hescowledatthem,stillsomewhatoutofit.Thenhetouchedhisshoulder,andhiseyeswidened.Panicking,heboltedtohisfeetandlookedrightandleft.Dropletsflewfromhiswethair.“Where’sShadowfax?!”

Aru,drinkingherwater,almostdidaspittake.ShadowfaxwasthenameofGandalf’s horse inThe Lord of the Rings. And she would have definitely noticed ifAidenhadbeenhaulingaroundahorse.

“Shadowfaxisfine,”saidBrynne,pointingatthecamera.“Aruhasit.”

AidenexhaledinreliefasAruhandedbackthecamera.

“YounamedyourcameraShadowfax?”

Aidenpattedhiscameralikeitwasapuppy.

“Isithungry?”askedAru.“Wantmetofeedit?”

“Goaway,Shah.”

“Howaboutabellyrub?”

Aidenflickedapieceofsamosaatherface.Arucaughtitinhermouth,butshewas so surprised she’dmanaged it, she started choking.Death by samosa!No!What a dumb way to go! Brynne had to thump her back a couple times until shehackeditup.

“DidIdreamit,ordidsomeguysaveusback in thenaga treasury?”askedAiden.

“Takshaka’s grandson,” Aru said after catching her breath. She was stillhungrybutnowdistrustfulofsamosas,soshestabbedonea little tooviolentlywithherforktomakesureitknewwhowasboss.Don’tgetanyideas,food.“Hesaidhe’sgoingtoneedourhelplater,buthedidn’tsaywithwhat.”

Brynne tore intoherdosaand said throughamouthful, “Andheasked forAru’snumber.”

Aidenraisedhiseyebrows.“Why?”

“Wow,thanks.”

Heflushed.“Ididn’tmean—”

“Nevermind,”saidAru,ignoringtheslightsting.“Wehavethethief’ssong.That’sallthatmatters.”

Brynnetookoffthenecklacewiththescarletorbandlaiditonthetable.Allthreeofthemwincedatthesametime,andAruknewtheotherswerepickinguptheterriblesensationthatthesoulsongevoked,ofbeingutterlylost.

Aidenshookhimself.“That’sdefinitelywhatwewerelookingfor.”

Hepokeditexperimentallywithafork.

“Stopit!That’ssomeone’ssoul!”saidAru.

“Itgivesoffbadvibes,”saidBrynne.“Whycouldn’t it justplayasadsonginstead?”

Thethreeofthemleanedforward.Smokewhirledintheorb.Foramoment,Aruthoughtshesawaflashofsharpredfingernails,butthe imagedisappearedinstantly.Nomusic whatsoever. By now, that sinking feeling of abandonmenthadvanished.

“Theimportantthingiswehaveit,”saidBrynne.“NowweneedMini.”

“Andasagetohelpusgether,”saidAiden.“Where’sthatbusinesscard?”

Arupulleditfromherbackpocketandsliditacrossthetable.Thethreeofthemstaredatit.

S.DURVASA

DONOTBOTHERMEWITHINFANTILECONCERNS

IWILLCURSEYOUFORWASTINGMYTIME

“HesoundslikeBrynnewhenshe’shungry,”whisperedAiden.

“OrjustBrynneingeneral.”

Brynnescowled.“I’mrighthere,youknow.”

“Isthereanythingonthebackofthecard?”askedAiden.“Likeanaddressorsomething?”Heflippeditover.Inverytinyfontitread:

DMV(DEPARTMENTOFMANYVOICES)LOCATIONREVEALEDWHENINQUIRERSTATESNAMEANDPURPOSE

INQUIRIESANSWEREDINTHEORDERINWHICHTHEYARERECEIVED

“DepartmentofManyVoices?”repeatedBrynne.“Isthatlikeacallcenter?”

“OrtheDepartmentofMotorVehicles,”Aidensaidwithagroan.“Ihadtogotherewithmymomonce.It’sthemostboringplaceintheworld.”

“Well,ifwewanttofindout,Iguessweshouldtrytalkingtothecard,”saidAru.“Ready?”

“It’salluptoyou,Shah,”saidBrynne,slurpingdowntherestofhermangolassi.

Aruheldthecardoutinfrontofherandclearedherthroat.“Um,hi?”

Thecardcontinuedtoactlikeapieceofpaper.

“MynameisAru,and—”

“Useyourfullname,”cutinBrynne.“Waymoreofficial-sounding.”

Aruhesitated. She feltweird saying it in front of the others. “Myname isArundhatiShah.I’mwith…”

“BrynneRao.”

“That’snotyourfullname,”saidAiden.

Brynne groaned. “Okay, fine, it’s technically Brynne Tvarika LakshmiBalamuralikrishnaRao.”

Aru’seyebrowsskyrocketedupherhead,butshecontinued.“Um,weneedtofindoursister.HernameisMini…YaminiKapoor-Mercado-Lopez.ShetoldustofindS.Durvasa.”

Atfirstnothinghappened,andtheyallfeltstupidfortalkingtoacard.Aruputitbackdownonthetable.Whiletheywaited,ArueyedBrynne.

“So…”

“Yeah,Iknow,I’vegotathousandnames…I’maTelugoose—”ShepausedatAru’sconfusion,thensaid,“Youknow,TelugufromSouthIndia?Inevermetmydad,though.IthinkAnilasaidhewasIrish.”

“Telugoose,”cluckedAiden,makingchickenarms.Brynneflickedhisearandhelaughed.

“It’s a pretty name,” saidAru. “But imagine if youwere a spy!You couldneversaysomethinglike‘Bond…JamesBond,’becausethenthevillainwouldbethereallnight—”

Brynnethrewapieceofsamosaatherforehead.

Then,rightinfrontofthem,thecornersofthebusinesscardfoldeddownallontheirown.Thecardtwistedandcreasedandtoreitselfuntilitresembledanorigamiclockwithanactualmovinghand.Theclocktickeddown.

Arufrowned.“Nowwhat?”

“Now,”saidBrynne,“wewaitforananswer.”

For the next few minutes, Brynne went Full Brynne. She sent back threedishes.Onebecause the coconutwasn’t toasted enough.The secondbecause itwastoosalty.Thethirdbecauseitwasn’tsaltyenough.

Aruwas glad she’d had enough to eat by then. There was no way she wasgoing to chanceordering anything else from thiskitchen.Half the staffwouldprobablyspitintoit,thankstoBrynne.

“That’sit,”saidBrynne,startingtogetup.“I’mgoingbackthere—”

“No,”saidAidencalmlyashepulledherintoherseat.“Whenyou’reangry,saythenumbersonethroughten.”

“Onethroughten.NowcanIgo?”

“You should be on a cooking show where you just yell at people. LikeGordonRamsay,”saidAru,tryingtodistracther.ThelastthingtheyneededwastogetthrownoutoftherestaurantbeforetheyhadtheiranswerfromS.Durvasa.

Brynneemittedahappysigh.“That’smydream.”

“Where’dyoulearnallthisstuffaboutcooking,anyway?”askedAru.

Brynneflickedthepapertimeraroundthetable,notlookingupatthem.

“Myuncles taughtme,” she said. “Imoved inwith themwhen Iwas four,afterAnilaleft.”

“Anila?”

Brynne’sjawlookedtight.“Mymom.”

“Oh,”saidAru,embarrassed.

“Myunclessaidthatshehadmetooyoungandwasn’treadytobeamom,”said Brynne. She started tearing her dosa into smaller and smaller pieces. “Shestillisn’t.But,Idunno,maybeshe’llchangehermindsomeday.”

AruthoughtaboutthephotoalbumthatBrynnekeptinherbackpack,andallthosetrophybraceletsonherwrist.NowArugotit.Brynnecarriedthemnotasprooftoherselfthatshewasawesome,butasproofforsomeoneelse…someonelikeamomwhodidn’tstay.

“I like cooking, because you know what’s going to happen,” said Brynnequietly. “You have a good idea of how things will react and taste, and if youdon’tlikehowitcomesout,youcanstartover.”

“Brynnemakesreallygoodlasagna,”addedAiden.

“Thebestlasagna,”shecorrectedhimwithasmile.

Inthemiddleofthetable,thelittleorigamiclockbegantospin.Athintrailof smokecurledoutof it andsnaked through the restaurantandout the door.Arulookedaround,butnoneoftheothercustomersseemedtohavenoticed.Inherpocket,Vajrahummed.

Alittlevoicewhisperedfromthefoldedpaper,“SageDurvasahasacceptedyourrequestforanappointment.”

“Sage!”saidAiden.“Iknewit!”

Asageisaverywiseperson.Aru’smomhadtoldherthatsomehavespecialpowers,becauseoftheirreligiousfocus.Oncetherewasasagesoformidableheput a curseon thegods themselves—hecaused them to lose their immortality.Arudidnotwanttorunintosomeonelikethat.

Beforetheireyes,thetrailofsmokebegantoglow.Thecardspokeagain.

“Please proceed to the highlighted route. Then your route guidance willbegin.”

AAidenBringstheSmolder

ru,Aiden,andBrynnefollowedthebrightsmokeoutthedoor.

Thesecondtheycrossedthethresholdofthechaatshop,Arufeltapullofmagicrightbehindherbellybutton.Itwasthesamefeelingshegoteverytimesheusedaportal.Sheblinked,andwhensheopenedhereyes,theywerenolongeron a street in Edison,New Jersey. Instead, theywere standing on a stretch oflawnfacingamassivebuilding.Thetrailofbrightsmoke ledrighttothefrontdoor.

Itwas,Aru thought, themostunmagical structure shehadever seen.Squat,long,screamingnine-to-fiveadultjob,andpaintedashadeofdepressedsupermarketegg. And yet, she knew they were somewhere in the Otherworld, because nomatterwhichdirectionshefaced,shefoundherselfstaringatthesamebuilding.Itdidn’tfeellikewinterhere.Itdidn’tfeellikeanything.Arucouldn’tevenseethesun.

“Freaky,”saidAiden,spinninginacircle.

“ThatistheDepartmentofManyVoices?”askedBrynne.

“DefinitelylookslikeaDMV,”saidAiden.

“NotonlytheDMV,”saidAru,lookingattheplainwhitesignonthelawn.In small letters, it read ASHRAM. Whenever Aru thought of an ashram, sheimagined a posh spa where rich people paid someone to identify the color oftheiraura.ButsheknewthatthewordashramhadoriginatedinIndia.Itwaslikeamonastery, a place where hermits went. The austere outside of the DMVdefinitelyfitthatdefinition.

The three of them walked up the sidewalk and through the pair of glassentrancedoors.Inthelobby—whichhadbothhandsanitizerandhoofsanitizerdispensersonastand—therewasawidereceptiondeskwithacalendarandaboxofpaperclips,andaboxofwhat looked likeKleenexbutread:CURSEWIPES.Agirltheiragepokedherheadupbehindthedesk.Shewasafair-skinnednature

spirit,ayakshini,withtendrilsoffrostforhair.Abadgeonherblackshirtread:

WINTERINTERN

MYNAMEISIRIS.HOWCANIHELP?

“What,”saidtheyakshinigirl,clearlybored,whentheyapproachedthedesk.

BrynnesteppedforwardandslidtheS.Durvasabusinesscardacrossthetable.“WewerereferredbyLordKamadeva,thegodoflove—”

“Identification,”theyakshinisaidinthesameexacttone.

“I’mgettingtothat,”saidBrynne,bristling.“Yousee,we’reactuallyPandavas—”

“Right,andI’mKimKardashian,”saidthegirl.“Thewaittimewillbe”—shepausedtoconsultastackofpapersonherdesk—“threecenturies.Youcantakeyourplacein—”

“THREECENTURIES?!”explodedBrynne.

“If you’d like to lodge a complaint about thewait time,please fillout thisform in standard blood-of-my-enemies ink,” said the girl. A piece of paperpoppedupinfrontofeachoftheirfaces—except,inBrynne’scase,thepieceofpapersmackedherinthenose.“Pleasetakeyournumberandhaveaseat.”

“Youcan’tspeeditup?Please,Iris?”askedAru,flashinghermostcharmingsmile.

IrisrearedbackasifAruhadasuper-contagiousgumdisease.

“Um,no,”saidthegirl.“Ifyouwanttobefirstinline,you’vegottohaveoneof these”—shepaused towaveaglowinggreen ticket sittingonherdesk—“andyoudon’t.Sositdownorgetout!”

Aruwasgoing to tryagain,butBrynneyankedonher sleeve.Aru followedherandAidentotheentrance,whichwasoutoftheyakshini’srangeofhearing.

“What?”askedAru.

“Wegottagetthatgreenticket,”saidBrynne.

“Howarewegoingtodothat?”Arulaughed.“Justpluckitoutofherhandsandrun?”

“Yeah,prettymuch.Youknowwhatthatmeans,Aiden.”

Hiseyeswidened.“Oh,c’mon.Don’tmakemedoit—”

“It’stheonlyway!”

“What’stheonlyway?”

“So,asthekidofaneliteapsara,Aidencan—”

Hegroanedloudly.

“Aidencanwhat?”askedAruexcitedly.“Ooh!Canhesummonaflashmob?Willweallstartdancinginperfectchoreography?Likeeveryonedoes‘Thriller’atthesametime,andthenwetaketheticketandrun?”

“Aiden can smolder,” explained Brynne. “It’s temporary, obviously, but theeffectsshouldlastforatleastanhour,whichislongenoughforS.Durvasatoseeus.”

Aruwasveryconfused.First,becausesmolderingsoundedlikeatalentonlytheRockcouldpulloff.Second,didthatmeanAidenwasgoingtoburstintoflames?Because,sure,that’dbeaprettydecentdistractionwhilesheandBrynnetooktheticket.

“Youknowhowapsaraswerealwayssenttodistractsages?”saidBrynne.

Aru nodded. In stories, apsaras were the ultimate temptation, because theywere unnaturally beautiful andmagical. Between spending timewith a celestialMissUniverseormeditatinginaforest,there’sclearlyawinningchoice.

“Well, apsarashave akindofhypnoticpower.They can render themselvesimpossibletolookawayfrom,andevenmakepeoplefollowthem,”saidAiden.Then, without looking at either of them, he added,“AndIcandothattooandthatwayyoucanstealtheticket.”

Arubitbackacackle.“So…whenyoudothiswholesmolderthing,doesitlooklikeaBollywoodmovie?Willsomeoneburstintosong?Invisiblewindandallthat?”

Brynneelbowedher,butasmilepulledatthecornersofhermouth.

“I’monlydoingthisforMini,”hesaid,andstompedoff.

That sobered Aru immediately. She and Brynne watched as Aidenapproachedtheyakshiniatthedesk.

“BecarefulnottolookatAiden’sface,okay?”whisperedBrynne.“Itsoundslikeadumbpower,butit’sdangerous.Evenmoredangerousifyou’reintohim.”

Arusnorted.“GoodthingI’mnot.”

Brynnelookedlikeshewasabouttosaysomething,butinsteadshenoddedandgesturedAruforward.“Okay,let’sgo.”

WhenArulookedup,Aidenwasstillstandingthere.Enchantmentradiatedoff him, pulling the light differently so that he appeared as if in a beam ofsunshine.Theyakshini girlwas standing too, staring athimas ifhe’d toldhershe’d a) won the lottery b) gotten her letter from Hogwarts and c) soon bereceivinga lifetimesupplyofOreos.That’s some smolder, thoughtAru, as she andBrynnecrepttothedesk.

“Watchtheentrance,”saidBrynne.

Arudid.ButeventhoughsheavoidedlookingatAiden,shecouldstillhearhim.Hisvoicechanged, andnot in that suddenbrokenwayof theguys inhergrade.He sounded the same, but itwas like someonehad linedhis voicewithvelvet.

“Hey!Aru!”Brynnewavedthegreenticketinherface.“Let’sgo!Aiden!”

“I’mhere,”saidAiden.

Aruwasverygladhisvoicehadreturnedtonormal.

“IwishIhadsmolderpower,”shesaid.

“Idon’t,” saidAiden, shudderingas ifhe feltbugscrawlingonhis skin.“Ionlyuseitincaseofemergencies.”

“Why?”

Heturnedhiscamera inhishandsbeforepressingabuttonthatoncemoreconcealedit,andhisbag,insideamagicalwatch.“I’veseenmyauntsandunclestakeittoofar….Itdoesn’tseemrighttodothattosomeonewhentheydidn’tagreetoit.”

Bynow,thethreeofthemhadturnedthecornerfromtheyakshini’sdeskandcometoagreatspiralstaircase.Atthebottomofthestepsstretchedawideroomfilledwith a hundred or so ricketywooden seats facing a row of empty glass-framedbooths. It remindedAruof the lobbyofadentist’soffice.Someof theOtherworldmembers were slumped over, fast asleep.Others werewide-awake,yellingattheirlaptopswhiletheywaited.Thelightsoverheadwerewhitemoths,flutteringaroundaimlesslyand spreadinga strange luminescence that remindedAru of cafeteria lighting. In the corner sat a dark-skinned gandharva, a celestialmusicianwithbrightgoldenwings.At first hedidn’t see them,becausehewaslisteningtoanancient-lookingstereowithhugeheadphones.Hetookthemoffwhenthegroupgotcloser.

“Good luck to you, dudes,” said the gandharva. “They’ve all been on thelongestlunchbreak.”

“Whohas?”askedAru.

“Thesages…duh.”

Abovetheboothswere littleneonsignsbearingthenamesofvarioussages:BHRIGU,KINDAMA,NARADA—andDURVASA!

“They’re probably meditating or something,” said the gandharva, irritated.“We’ve no choice but to wait for them to be done. A fewminutes ago, SageNarada stoppedby,but I couldn’t talk tohim,because Iwas in themiddleoflisteningtothissicksolo.Sohecursedmetokeepwaiting,andtoloseallsenseoftime.”Themusicianlaughed.“Butdon’tworry—that’sjusttalk.It’sstill1972!”

“Actually—”startedAiden.

“PANDAVAS,”boomedavoicecomingfromtheDurvasabooth.

Aru’s heart rate kicked up a bit.They neededDurvasa to help them bringbackMini.Surelyhewould,right?Minihadmentionedhisnameforareason.

Inacorner,alight-skinnedgirlwithantlersrockedbackandforth,muttering,“Nextinlinenextinlinenextinline…”

Aru,Aiden,andBrynnewalkedovertothebooth.AlittlemetalboxmarkedTICKETShoppedupanddownuntilBrynnedroppedthegreenticketintotheslot.Therewasa shimmer in theair andanoldmanappearedbehind theglass.Hehadagenerousbelly,nut-brownskin,andblackhairpiledintoamattedbunontopofhishead.Hewaswearingawhitepoloshirtwithasmallbadgethatread:

S.DURVASA

THEANSWERISNO

Thiswasthegreatsage?

“I didn’t like him, he had a horrible haircut,” the sage wasmuttering.Hestarted scribbling something in his book. “Anddid he offerme a place to sit?Inquire about my health? No! And he breathed through his mouth.Disgusting.Hmm…Whattodo,whattodo?Ha!”

Helickedhispenandwroteintheair.Sparklinglettersappeared:

Mayallthechocolatechipcookiesyoureachforturnouttobecleverlydisguisedoatmealraisin.

“Yes,yes.”Hecackledtohimself.“FEARME,MORTAL!”

Thesagesteepledhisfingerstogether.Herifledthroughsomeone’sfileandscoffed.“Ugh.Thispersonasksforamantraforbettersleep?Thisiswhatpeople

choosetowastemytimewith?Abominable.Ohyes,Ihaveablessingforyou—”

Oncemore,hewroteintheair:

Whenyougotobed,maybothsidesofyourpillowbeslightlytoowarm,andmayyourdoorkeepopeningacrackassoonasyougetsleepy.

Aideninhaledsharply,whispering,“Harsh.”

Butthesagewasn’tdone.Hislistofcursescontinued:

Mayyourspoonalwaysfallinyourcereal.

MayyoualwaysfumblewithyourcreditcardinStarbuckswhenthere’sahugelinebehindyou.

Mayyourtowelafterashoweralwaysbeasmidgetoofartoreach,soyouhavetostepout.

“Hey—”startedBrynne,butAruyankedherarm.

The sage paused. It seemed as if he was giving them amoment to decidewhetherornottodisturbhim.Theywerehardlyafootaway.Therewasnowaythesagecouldn’tseethem,butArufeltaprickleofforeboding.Thiswasatest.

SherememberedKamadeva’swarning:BEVERYPOLITE.

Something itched at the back of Aru’s skull. There was a reason whyDurvasa’s name had stuck with her… a reason why she’d been a little wary.Goosebumpspebbledherskin.Shesuddenlyfeltaboutthesizeofanant.

ArutappedintothePandavamindlink.

Brynne’sresponsewasimmediate:Whatisit?

Remember the sagewho cursedall the gods to lose their immortality?sentAru.And that’swhy they churned theOceanofMilk for thenectarof immortalityandeveryone lost theirmindsandtheuniversedescendedintochaos?

Yeah?

Well,sentAru,IjustfiguredoutwhoDurvasais.HE’STHESAGEWHOCURSEDTHEM.

SLeavetheRockOuttaThis

ageDurvasafixedthemwithanangrystare.

“Pandavas,”hesaid,sneering.

“And—”Aidenstarted.

Thesagecuthimof.“IknowwhatIsaid.AndIknowwhyyou’rehere.Youwanttoretrievethatobnoxiousgirlwhohasafixationonphysicalillness.”

ThatdefinitelysoundedlikeMini.

“Theonewiththeallergycard?”askedAru.

“Handsanitizer?”askedBrynne.

“Glasses?”askedAiden.

Durvasa made an irritated grunt. He shuffled through some things on hisdeskbeforestandingup.“Yes.”

“So,willyouhelpusgetherback?”askedAiden.

“It’s critical, sir,”Aru said, trying her best to sound kind. “You see,MiniknowsthenameofthethiefwhostoleKamadeva’sbowandarrow.Andwehavethe thief’s soul song.”Brynnepulledout thenecklacechain, revealing thesoul-songpendant.“Ifwecan justputeverythingtogether,wecanfixtheHeartless.Please?”

Aruwasgoingtosaymore,butthenBrynneshoutedintoherbrain:DON’TSOUNDWEAK!

Aruwasquietafterthat.Shehadleftoutpartsofthestory….Likethefactthat their entire connection to theOtherworldwouldbe severed if they failed,and the fact thatBoowasbeingheld captive for crimeshedidn’t commit.ButmaybeBrynnewasright.Maybeitwasbettertosoundheroicversushurting.

Foramoment,itseemedasifDurvasawereconsideringherrequest.Hisgaze

wentsomewherebeyondthem.Thenheshookhimself,andhisbrowsflattenedoverhisblackeyes.

“No.”Andwiththat,heexitedthebooth.

Arustoodthereforamoment,shocked.MinihadsaidDurvasawouldhelpthem….Whatweretheysupposedtodonow?

The sage began walking down the row of glass booths. Aru, Brynne, andAidenfollowedhimuntiltheygottoalockedgoldengatewithscrollworkthatlooked like a fanned peacock’s tail. Durvasa opened it with a fancy key andsteppedthrough,shuttingitbehindhim.

“Canwechangeyourmind?”calledAru.“DoyoulikeOreos?”

“Howaboutlasagna?”askedBrynne.“Imakegreatlasagna!”

Durvasascowled.“Oreosmakemyteethlookatrocious,andIdespiselasagna.”

Heturnedonhisheelandpushedopenadoorbeyondthegoldengate.Thered sign above it said DIVINITY ONLY. Durvasa slipped inside without evenwavinggood-bye.

“Whodoesn’tlikeOreos?”demandedAru.“That’sinhuman!”

Meanwhile,Brynnelookedasifsomeonehadpunchedherintheheart.“ButImakegreatlasagna….”

Out of nowhere, Aiden let out a hoot. Aru frowned, ready to yell at him.What was there to be happy about? Their last line of help had straight-uprefused,Miniwasstillimprisoned,andthethiefwasstillouttheresomewhere.

But Aiden was grinning. He sat cross-legged on the floor, the kit of“unidentified necessities” on his lap. He’d chosen well in theWarehouse ofQuest Materials. Aru wondered if she’d ever get a chance to use her vialcontainingasingle“brightidea.”

“Look,”saidAiden,holdingupa largegoldenkey.“Thiscanchangetofitanylock.”

He got up and held the key against the lock. It transformed in his hand,assumingthesameshapeasthepeacockdesignonthegate.Hestuckitintothekeyhole,andlightburstaroundit.Thegateswungcreakilyopen.

“Nicework!”saidBrynne,high-fivinghim.

OutofsolidaritywithMini,Aruofferedonlyherelbow.

“Durvasacouldn’thavegottenfar,”saidAruquietly.

Thethreeofthemsnuckthroughthegateandthen,withsometrepidation,thedivinity-onlydoor.Butmaybetheycounted,becausetheywerepartdivineandAidenhadaspecialPandavadispensationforthisquest.

Unlikethebuilding’sdullexterior,theinterioroftheDMVwashuge,likeacosmicgallery.Beneaththem,thefloorglittered,asifsomeonehadpaveditwithcrushedstars.TheceilinglookedlikethatoftheNightBazaar,anopenskythatwashalfindaylightandhalfindarkness.ThelongerArustaredattheceiling,themoredetailsshenoticed.Likehowthereseemedtobeaslendersilverbridgethatconnected day and night, and how, if she waited for the clouds to move, shecouldmakeouttwograndpalaces,oneineachrealm.Thepalaceinthedaytimehalf of the sky looked like itwas studdedwith carved rubies and garnets.Thepalace in the nighttime half looked like it was chiseled out of sapphire andmoonstone.

Butasuncannyaseverythingseemed,thatwasnothingcomparedtothesightonthewalloppositethem.Insidearowofglassdisplaycases,therewerestatues… that appeared to be alive. They twisted and morphed in place, sometimeslookinghuman,othertimesresemblingasurasandapsaras.

“Whatisthisplace?”askedBrynne.“Itgivesmethecreeps.”

Aruwalkedup to a statueof abeautifulwoman sittingon thegroundandweeping.AmetalplaqueatthebottomofthecasereadSHAKUNTULA.

“Iknowthatstory,”saidAiden,walkingupbesideher.“Shakuntulawassodistractedbythoughtsofherhusbandthatsheignoredthesagewhocametovisither.He put a curse on her thatwhoever shewas thinking aboutwould forgether.”

“That’s…hostile,”saidAru.

“Atleastherhusbandrememberedheragain.Iforgothow.Somethingtodowithafish…”

Yeah,right,thoughtAru.Becausenothingsaystruelovelikeafish.

ThestatueinthecasebesideShakuntulawasjustarock.Curious,Arumovedtowardit,butBrynnegrabbedherbythewrist.

“Stoplookingatstatues!”shesaid.“We’vegottofindDurvasa!Hecouldbeanywhere.”

“Heisrightbehindyou.”

Allthreeofthemjumped,spinningaroundtofacethesage.Heloomedoverthem,hisarmscrossed.

“Getout,Pandavas!Thesignsaid‘divinityonly’!”

“We’redivine!”counteredBrynne.“Sorta?”

“Yeah,checkitout!”saidAru,brandishingVajra.

Butat the sightof thepowerful sage,her lightningboltwilted intoameeknoodle.

“Vajra!”hissedAru.

The lightningbolt turned intoaPing-Pongballandzoomedback intoherpocket.

“Coward,”whisperedAru.

Vajrastungherspitefully.

Durvasasmirked.“Itseemsyourfatherhasnotforgottenmymight.ItwasI,afterall,whopunishedthegods.Itookawaytheirimmortalityforspitingme.”

“WhatdidLordIndradotomakeyoumad?”askedAru.

“Igavehimabeautifulgarland.Andwhatdidhedo?Heputitonthatcloud-spinningelephant’shead!Theelephantdecidedtheflowerstickledtoomuch,andthecreature threw it on the ground! So, just asmy gift hadbeen cast down, Idecreedthatthegodsshouldbecastdown,too.”

Aidenfrowned.“Butitwastheelephant,notIndra,that—”

“Pah!Whyhaveyoufollowedmehere?Itoldyoutoleave.”

“Wewerejust…admiringyourrock?”triedAiden.“It’s,um,agreatrock.”

Durvasascoffed.“That’snotjustarock.It’stherock.”

“The Rock?” echoed Brynne, looking horrified. “How could you do that toDwayneJohnson?”

“No,notthewrestler-actor-man!”

“Oh.”

“That rockwasonce the famouslybeautiful apsaraRambha.Someone senther to disturb the meditations of a rishi, to prevent him from becoming toopowerful.Obviously she was not successful, for she was cursed to assume theformofarockfortenthousandyears.”

Tenthousandyearsasarock?Justbecauseyoufollowedorders?

Aruscowled.“That’snotfair.”

Durvasashrugged.“Fairnessisbutanideaconceivedbysomeonewhohasthepower to make such pronouncements. As for curses themselves, well, they arefinicky,spitefulthings.”

“Butshewasjustdoingherjob,”saidAiden.

“As am I,” said Durvasa. “According to the legal ordinances of theOtherworld,Iamforbiddenfromassistingorblessinganyonewhoissuspectedofcommittingacrime.Andyoutwo”—henoddedatBrynne,thenAru—“havebeenaccusedofthievery.AndImightbelieveit,too.Don’tthinkIdon’tknowhowyougottobefirstinline.”Heraisedaneyebrow.

“It’snotlikewehadachoice!”protestedAru.“Thatgirltolduswehadtowait three centuries, and according to her office calendar,we barely have threedaysleftbeforetheHeartlessstaythatwayforever.”

“IhateOtherworldtime,”grumbledBrynne.

“Ifyouare innocent, let someoneelseconcernthemselveswiththematter,”saidDurvasa.“Unlessthereissomeotherreasonyoucare?”

Whenafewsecondspassedwithoutanyonespeaking,Durvasadidanabout-face.

“Wait!” Brynne called out. “Please! Okay, fine…. If we don’t manage toreturn Kamadeva’s bow and arrow to Uloopi, she will ban us from theOtherworld.Wewon’tbepartof…partofanythinganymore.”

Arufeltlikeherheartwasbeingsqueezed.LikeBrynne,shedidn’twanttobecastoutoftheoneplacewhereshefeltlikeshemattered.Atthesametime,shecouldn’t stopwondering if shedidn’t reallydeserve aplace in theOtherworld,becauseherdadwastheSleeper.

Youwerenevermeanttobeahero.

Arubanishedthethought.

“Andwewon’t be able to fix something that went terribly wrong,” addedAiden,rubbinghisthumbalongthetopofhiscamera,whichhadreemergedfromthemagicalwatch.

Aru wondered what he meant by that. Was he talking about Mini’sabduction?Shedidn’tthinkso.ButclearlyAidenwasn’tonthisquestmerelytoearnoneofKamadeva’sarrows.ShethoughtatfirstthatAidenhadwantedalovearrowforsomegirl inmiddleschool…butnowshewasbeginningtosuspectshe’dgottenitallwrong.

“Peoplearegoingmissing,”saidAru,thinkingnotonlyofthemenwhowere

becomingHeartless,butMini,too.“Andalso…becauseit’stherightthingtodo.”ForBoo…andevenUloopi,shetoldherself.UloopideservedtogetherheartjewelbackafterspendingsomuchofherimmortallifewastingawaybecauseofTakshaka’sdeception.

Durvasa stoodbefore them, impassive as ever. “I cannothelpyou,”he saidhaughtily.

Brynnewipedher eyes and sniffed loudlybefore glowering.Aruknewhowshe felt. There was nothing worse than being honest with someone and thenhavingthemthrowitbackinyourface.Itwaslikesaltinawound.

“Comeon,guys,”saidBrynne,turningtoleave.

Aru clenched her jaw. “Haven’t you ever wanted a different ending? Orthoughtaboutwhatwouldhappenifyoudidn’tfollowtherules?Allthethingsthatcouldchange?”

Durvasahesitatedforjustasecond.Hisshouldersfellafractionofaninch.

“Istillcannothelpyou,”hesaidstonily.

Aruturnedtoleave,butDurvasakepttalking.“Icannottellyou,forinstance,thatyourfriendliesfastasleepattheBridgeofDawnandDusk.”

Thethreeofthemfroze.

“Icertainlycannotinformyouthatyouwillhavetodobattlewithyourverynightmares.”Durvasaexaminedhisfingernails.“ThereisabsolutelynowayIwilltellyouthatallyoumustdotoreachheriswalkthroughthere,orthatthemerefact I’m speaking to you has granted you adequate protection in the celestialrealms,” hewent on, pointing across the room to awoodendoormarkedTHE

BRIDGEOFDAWNANDDUSK. “Or that youmust be back before sunrise ormyprotectionwillvanish.”

Arusmiled.“Thankyou.”

“Don’tthankme,”Durvasasaid,scowling.Hewavedhishand,andaplushyarmchairsproutedupinthemiddleoftheroom.“IwillbewatchingexactlyonePlanetEarthdocumentaryonNetflix.Afterthat,Iwillnotbehere.”

Brynnewasalreadyracingtothedoor.

“Do you hear me?” Durvasa shouted after her. “I am only watching onedocumentaryandthenI’mgone!Gone!”

Aidengrinned,pattingShadowfax.“Noonehaseverdocumentedtheinsideof thecelestial realms. It’sgoing tobeawesome!”WhenAru scowledathim,he

added,“Andwe’regettingMini!”

“Whataboutthepartwherewebattleournightmares?”pointedoutAru.

“It’sthecelestialrealms,Aru,notnightmareland.I’msurehe’sexaggerating.”

AidenfollowedafterBrynne,butArulingered.

“Whatmadeyoudecideto,um,nothelpus?”sheaskedDurvasa.

Thesagestudiedher,andinthatsecondhelookedverytiredandveryold.

“Let us just say that there are some endings that I, too, wish could beavoided.Nowgo.Seewell.”

Seewell.ThatwaswhatVaruniandVarunahadtoldherintheirpalace.ButAru didn’t have long to think about it. Brynne and Aiden had already gonethroughthedoor.

Aruopened it todiscover that theother sidewas an emptywhite expanse.Theideaofsteppingintonothingnesswasintimidating,tosaytheleast.DoitforMini,shetoldherself.

Shetookadeepbreathand jumpedinwithhereyesclosed,assumingshe’dfallthroughtheair.Instead,Arufloatedupright,asifonaninvisiblehoverboard.SheopenedhereyesandfoundherselfnexttoBrynneandAideninabeautifulmoonlitstandoftrees.Asmallsignhadbeenstakedintothegroundinfrontofit:

THEDREAMINGGROVEOFRATRI

Ratriwasthegoddessofnight.Arudidn’tknowmuchaboutherexceptthather sisterwasUshas, the goddess of dawn,who brought forth a new day in achariotpulledbyredcows.

Apathofpuredarknesscut throughthegrove,windingtowardabridge inthedistance.ItwasthesamesilverbridgeAruhadseenfrombelow,whentheywere in the cosmic gallery. A tingle of nervousness shot through her. Theyweren’t technically in theclouds, so shedidn’tneedcloudslippers,but theywerestandingonanarrowstripofsolidblack—likeoneofthoseglassskybridges—anditfeltasifitwouldgivewayatanysecond.

NowthattheyweregettingclosertoMini,ArucastoutherPandavasenses,tryingtoreachhertelepathically…butitwaslikeacallthatkeptgoingstraighttovoicemail.Shejustwasn’tgettingthrough.

“Wow,”breathedAiden,snappingacouplepicturesofthebeautifulscene.

Arureallywantedtowalkoverandexaminethetreesupclose,butshedidn’t

daremovefromthepath.TherewasnosignthatsaidDON’TDEFILETHENIGHT

GODDESS’S GARDEN, but for Aru, there didn’t need to be. Growing up in amuseum, she had learned not to disturb rare and unusual objects. In fact, sheconsideredherself themuseum’s designatedNOTOUCHIE! hollerer, a job shetookveryseriously.

Brynne, however, went straight for the strange night trees. Their trunkslookedlikespiralsofdarksmoke,andtheirbrancheswerelikeblacklaceagainstthestarrysky.Hangingfromtheirbrancheswereovalfruitswithglitteringsilverrinds.

“IbetIcouldmakeareallyyummypachadiwiththis…”musedBrynne.Shereachedouttotouchoneofthem.

“Brynne,don’t!”calledAru.

ThemomentBrynne’s fingersmet the fruit, it fell from thebranch,hittingthegroundandchiminglikeastruckbell.Aruranforwardandsnatchedupthesilveryfruitbeforeitcouldmakeanymorenoise.

Allthreeofthemheldverystill.

ThenAidenletouthisbreath.“Thatwasclose.Forasecondthere,Ithought—”

Therestofhiswordswerecutoffbyalowgrowl.

Slowly, Aru turned to see three huge night-black hounds prowling towardthem.Salivadrippedfromtheir jaws.Theireyeslookedlikeroundmirrors,butinsteadofreflections, theyrevealedmoving images.Aru’sbloodrancoldasshesaw the Sleeper taunting her… then a scene of four Pandava sisters turningagainsther.ShesawBoostillimprisoned,hisfeathersfallingout,becauseshehadfailedhim.Asthehoundsstalkedcloser,shesawhermomshuttingtheapartmentdoorbehindher andnever comingback.Aru squeezedher eyes shut, trying tokeepthenightmaresout.

“Don’tlookattheireyes!”shewarnedtheothers.

Shebentdownandfumbledforsomethingontheground.Shefoundastickandthrewitfarawayfromher.Thenshecrackedopenoneeye.“Gofetch?”

Instead,thenightmarehoundsstartedbarkingandsnarlingather.

“Nevermind!”sheshoutedtotheothers.“RUN!”

AMistakesHaveBeenMade….

ru,Brynne,andAidenfleddownthenightpathtowardthesilverbridge.

Behind them they heard growls and the thumping of galloping paws.Brynneaimedherwindmaceatthehellhounds,butthepowerfulgustdidn’tevenslowthemdown.

“Keeprunning!”yelledBrynne.“I’vegotthis!”

A second later, she transformed into a blue jaguar as big as one of thehellhounds. Aru looked back to see Jaguar-Brynne hissing and clawing at thehounds, but they leaped straight through her. Brynne changed into an eagle andflewstraightforAruandAiden.

“Nevermind!”cawedBird-Brynne.“Idonotgotthis!”

Aru cast outVajra like a net, but thenet slippedoff them,bouncingbackintoherpalms.

“They’renightmares!”saidAiden,outofbreath.“They’renotreal!”

Aru shuddered at the thought of the hounds’ long teeth and the terriblevisionsintheireyes.“Yeah,I’mnottestingoutthattheory.”

Time slowed, and Aru felt that they reallywere stuck in a nightmare. NomatterhowhardtheytriedtoreachthesilveryBridgeofDawnandDusk,itkeptgettingfartherawayfromthem.Theonlypartofthelandscapethatchangedwasthegroveofnighttrees.Theygrewthicker,crowdingthepathbeforethem,untilitwasaforestripewithshadows.

Brynnejumpedbehindoneofthebiggesttrunks,pullingAruandAidenwithher.Thehoundssloweddown…andstartedsniffingtheground.

“We can’t even get to the bridge!” Brynnewhispered. “Andwhat are theygoingtodowhentheyfindus?”

Aiden shushed her. The three of them huddled together. The sound of

snufflinggot louderand louder…andthen it stopped.Brynnechanged intoabluesnake,slitheringupthetreetogetabetterlook.

“They’regone!”shereportedwhenshechangedbackintoherhumanself.

“Haveyouevertrieddoingthatinazoo?”Aruaskedher.“Like,justpopupbehindtheglassandscarethekids?”

Brynnecrossedherarms.“No,becauseI’mnotatroll.”

“I’mnotatroll,either.It’scalledgenius.”

Aidenstuckhisheadaroundthetrunk.“Sowheredidthosedogsgo?”

Brynneshrugged.“Whoknows?ButIneverwanttoseethem—orthoseeyes—again.”

“Meneither,”saidAru.“Itwasliketheykneweverything.”

Nowthatthey’dstoppedrunning,Arurealizedshewasstillholdingthesilverfruit. It was cold in her hands. Curious, she raised it to her face and inhaleddeeply. Aru had never smelled a fruit like this…. It didn’t give off a scent asmuchasafeeling.Itfeltlikeamomentonthevergeofpassing.Hotcocoaonthebrinkofturningcold.Theendofagoodbook.Thepricklingsenseofwakingupthatalwayscutsagoodnapshort.Itmadeherhappyandsadallatonce.Shelostherselfinit.

“Guys,didyou—?”Arubrokeoff.

Whendiditgetsoquiet?

“Guys…?”

Aru turned around, and staggered backward. Brynne and Aiden were bothcurledupontheground.Anightmarehoundloomedovereachofthem,staringatthemwitheyesnowasbigastelevisionscreens.

ThefruitdroppedfromAru’shandassheranovertoBrynneandpulledonherarm.“Brynne!Getup!”shescreamed.

Aru tried topush thehoundsaway,butherarmswent right throughthem.Brynnehadhereyessqueezedshut,butintheclosestcreature’seyes,Arusawanimageofabeautifulcollege-agedgirlandanangrymiddle-agedwoman.

Thegirl—ArunowrecognizedherasanolderversionofBrynne—heldupherphotoalbum.

“Whatisthis?”askedthewoman.

“Mom…”startedBrynne.

Hermothergroaned,rubbinghertemples.“Don’tcallmethat!”

“Sorry,Anila,” saidBrynne,hereyes shining.“I just thoughtyou’dwant tosee—”

“IfIwantedtoseehowyou’redoing,Iwouldhavestayed.”

Inthevision,Brynne’schinlowered.Hershoulderscavedin.

ArushooktherealBrynne.“It’sanightmare,Brynne!”

ButitwasasifBrynneweresoundasleepandcouldn’thearher.AruletgoofherarmandrantoAiden.Hepressedhishandstightlytohisface,andherolledbackandforth.

“Hey!Snapoutofit!”shesaid,wavingherhandinfrontofhim.

Buthetooremainedinatrance.

Aiden’snightmareblastedlikeahorrorfilminhishound’seyes.

Mrs.Acharyawasweeping.“MaybeifI’dneverhadyou,hewouldstillloveme.Youruinedeverything.”

“Don’tcry,Mom.Pleasedon’tcry.Icanfixit,”saidAiden,reachingoutforher.“I’llgetanarrowfromKamadeva.Theneverythingwillgobacktonormal,Ipromise.Mom?”

Shestartedtofade.

“Aiden?”askedAru.

But he didn’t answer.He just closed his eyes tighter as the next nightmarebegantoplay.

AcoldshadowfellacrossAru.Shefroze.Behindher,thegrowlofthethirdhoundmade her shiver, but she held still, refusing to look at it.Vajra glowedbright in her pocket, but there was nothing her lightning bolt could do. Shecouldn’tstrikedownanightmare.Itwouldbeliketellingsomeonetogopunchfear.Itwasimpossible.

The hound moved closer. With every step, Aru sensed her nightmaresscratching at thebaseofher skull, like amonster reachingout fromunder thebed.

TheSleeper’svoicetauntedher:Youwerenevermeanttobeahero.

Whensheblinked,shesawtheimagethatalwayshauntedhernightmares—herPandavasistersalllineduptofighther,hatetwistingtheirfeatures.Itfeltlikea prophecy in that moment, that no matter how hard she tried to be a hero,

something insidewouldalwayscausehertofail.Thatwaswhyshehadn’tbeenable todefeat the Sleeper.ThatwaswhyBoowas lockedup, his hope for herslowlydwindling.

TheSleeper’svoicekeptwhispering,darkandterrible….

Youareadeceiver,AruShah.

Justlikeyourfather.

Aruwantedtodisappear.Herheartfeltlikeanopenwound.Sheknewbetterthantolookatthehellhound,butitwassohardtoresist.Somethingaboutthatnightmarishvoicepromisedthatifsheonlyturnedaround,she’dseewhetherornotitsvisionsweretrue.

But Aru didn’t want to end up like Brynne and Aiden. She stared at theground instead,where abright glint caughther eye.The silver fruit had rolledclosetoherfeet.Unfortunately,ithadareflectivesurface,andinitshesaw…

Notthenightmarehound.

No, only a big, fluffy white dog, like the Great Pyrenees she had alwayswanted.Itpantedheavilybeforelyingdownnexttoherwithagrunt.

TheSleeper’svoiceatthebackofherheadfadedtoanecho,somethingshewasusedtoignoring….

“Dog?”sheasked.

Inthereflection,thedoglumberedtoitsfeetandwaggeditstail.Whensherisked a peek behind her, she still saw a hulking, snarling form.How come itlookeddifferentinthereflection?Shelookedbackatthefruit,andanideacametoher….

Shecouldn’tpunchanightmare.But she couldend itbywakingup.Rightbeforehe’dfallen intohisbizarrenightmarecoma,Aidenhadsaidtheyweren’treal.Hewasright.

Arucouldn’tfightfearbyignoringit.Shehadtolookitstraightintheeye.

Slowly, she turned around.Thehound’s snarling grew louder.Arudraggedher gaze up from the fruit on the ground, where four dark paws impatientlyscratched at the dirt. In the back of her head, the din of her nightmares grewlouder and louder. They screamed that she wasn’t enough, would never beenough….

Butshepushedhardagainstthepainfulthoughtsclamoringaroundher.

SageDurvasa’swordsrangoutinhermind:Seewell….

“Fine,” she said, raising her head to look at the hound straight on. “I seeyou.”

Thenightmarehoundstartedtowhine.

“Iseeyouforwhatyoureallyare,”saidAru.

Itlaydown,puttingitsheadonitspaws,andblinkedather.

“You’renotanightmare,”saidAru,raisinghervoice.

Thehoundrolledontoitsback,tailwagging.

“You’reafloof.”

Asecondlater,that’sexactlywhatitbecame.Intheplaceofthenightmarishhound was a large, fluffy, somewhat dopey-looking white dog. It had badgermarkingsarounditseyesandatailthatlookedlikeafeatherduster.

“Wakethemup,”saidArusternly.Shecrossedherarms,eventhoughwhatshereallywantedtodowashugthedogandtakeithome.

Dutifully, the dreamdog trotted over to Brynne andAiden. It licked theirfaces, and the other nightmare hounds dissolved. Aiden and Brynne shookthemselves,thenstaredatthepooch.

“Didwehaveadogthiswholetime?”askedBrynne.

Aru felt a burst of relief when she heard Brynne’s voice. The sound of italmostbanishedtheNightmare-Sleeper’svoicestillechoinginherhead.

“Nope!”Aruscratcheditsears,cooing,“Hello,formermonster!Youarethefluffiestmonster!”

Thedog’stailwentinacircle.Brynnereachedouttoscratchunderitschin,andthebigcanineletoutacontentedsigh.

“Aru, you know you can’t keep it, right?” said Aiden. “It might switchback….”

“You’renotmymom!” saidAru, fluffing thedreamdog’s ears. “Youcan’ttellmewhattodo.”

“ButIcan,”saidamelodicvoice.

Theairshimmered,andthegoddessRatriappearedbeforethem.Sheworeablack-and-purple salwar kameez that looked like evening fading to night.Hersable skinwas star-spangled.Herhair ended in smokyblackwisps and aroundherforeheadshoneabrightconstellationcrown.

Immediately,Brynne,Aiden,andArupressedtheirpalmstogetherandbowedlow.Thedogstretcheditsfrontlegsoutandbowed,too.

“Itrequiresnosmallamountofskilltofreeoneselffromone’sowndemons,”saidRatri.

Brynneturnedred.“SorryIpluckedthesilverapplething.”

Ratri laughed softly, then picked the fruit up off the ground. “It’s not anappleatall.ThisisaDreamFruit.”

“Soyoueatitandhavegooddreams?”askedAiden,staringatitlongingly.

“Notquite,”saidRatrislowly.Shekneltonthegroundanddugasmallholeintheearth,whichinspiredthewhitedogtodothesame.Withhandsthatweresomehowstillclean,Ratriplacedthefruitinthecavityandcovereditwithdirt.“It shows you what you cannot normally see. That is one of the purposes ofdreams: to help you see things in a different way. Sometimes a more truthfulway.”

When she said this, her eyes went to Aru. “Dreams connect people,” saidRatri,gettingtoherfeet.

“Wait….WasityouwhobroughtMinitousinourdreams?”askedBrynne.

Ratri smiledandpusheda lockofhairbehindoneear. “Perhaps,” she saidgently. “I try to be subtle in the ways I provide assistance… unlikemy dearsister,whoisabitmoreobvious.”

She gestured over the bridge to the shining Palace ofDay. From here, thedistancetoitseemedlikethelengthofasupermarketaisle,butwhenitcametotheOtherworld,thingsthatlookedfarcouldbenearandthingsthatlookednearcouldbefar.

Thedreamdogwoofed.

“Whyareyouhelpingus?”askedAru.

Ratribowedherhead.“Idoitnotforyou,butoutofmemoryforafriendwho has lost their way…. It is my hope, Pandavas, that you always see well.Remember, in one light something may seem monstrous, and in another it isperhapsnotsoterribleafterall.”

Afriendwhohaslosttheirway?WasshetalkingaboutBoo?Buthehadtriedtomakeupforhispastbybeingtheirteacher.

“Go,”saidRatri,pointingtothebridge.“Mysisterwillwakesoon,andtheprotectionsofyoursagewillfade.”

BrynneandAidenbowedagainbeforeheadingtothebridge.Arulingeredalittlelonger….Thedreamdoghadcockedhisheadtooneside,asifwonderingwhyshehadn’tinvitedhimtojoinher.

“Ihaveseenyournightmares,AruShah,”saidRatri.

Arustartled.“What?”

“Theygrowinmyland,afterall,”saidRatri,pointingatthedarkexpanseofher realm. “They are seededwithmomentsofdoubt,wateredwith thepainoftearsnot shed,andprunedby theghostsofpathsnot taken.But thatdoesnotmakethemtrue.”

Arufeltasifagreatweighthadbeenliftedfromherheart.Shedidn’tthinkshe’d ever feel okaywith everything that had happenedwith the Sleeper, but atleastherfearsweren’tnecessarilyrealities.

Ratristrokedthewhitedog’shead.“Ithinkhehastakenabitofashinetoyou.Perhapshewill help guard yourdreams fromnightmares,daughterof thegods.”

Foryears,Aru’smomhadtoldhershecouldgetadog“inherdreams.”Nowthatdidn’tseemlikesuchabadthing.

“Bye,buddy,”shesaid,thenshejoggedoffafterBrynneandAiden.

“Onemore thing, Pandavas!” calledRatri. “Beware the red cows, for oncetheycrosstheBridgeofDawnandDusk,youwillbestuckhereforever.”

TAndThenCametheFieryCows

hingsthatscaredAruShahincludedthefollowing:

1. PacketsofonlyyellowStarbursts.

2. Butterflies. (Mini told her they’ve got really weird curly tongues….Thatisnotright.)

3. Mannequins.(Becauseobviously.)

AtthetopofthelistofthingsthatdidnotscareAruwerecows.First,cowswere adorable.Second, cowswere about as terrifyingas a loafofbread.Third,anyanimalthatmakesicecreamwinsatbeingananimal.

ButthatwasbeforeArusawtheredcowsofUshas.

ThethreeofthemhadfinallymadeittotheBridgeofDawnandDusk.Fromadistance,ithadlookedlikeathinsilverbandbecauseofhowthelighthitit.Butnow that theywere close, they saw that thebridgewasmadeof enchanted skymarble: clouds reinforced with thunderstorms. Aru willed her stomach not tolurch.Shewonderedifshewouldevergetusedtothequeasyfeelingofwalkingthousands of feet above the earth onwhatwas really just a thin puff ofwatervapor.

FarbelowthemsprawledthetwinklingNightBazaar.Evenfromwheretheystood,ArucouldseethegreatbluelotuswhereUrvashitaughtthemdance.Shespotted the forest of chakora birds where Hanuman taught them strategy.HoveringabovetheforestfloatedtheglassbubbleinwhichBooheldhislectures.Itwasemptynow.We’regoingtofreeyou,promisedArusilently.Iswearit.

Across the center of the bridge fell a sparkling veil.And just on the otherside,afamiliarshadowcaughtAru’seye.

“MINI!”sheshoutedexcitedly.

Minididn’trespond.

Theyranfaster.Arubracedherselfastheyapproachedtheveil.She’dlearnedtobemorecautiousaboutseeminglyordinaryobjects.ShewashalfexpectingtheveiltogoSurprise!Iamactuallyabrickwall!Butluckily,itremainedquiet.Arupulleditbackgently.

“Woo-hoo!”yelledBrynne.

Miniwas suspended in the air, hovering at eye level.Aru felt like sunshinehadburstthroughher.Herbestfriendwassafe!Miniwascurledonherside,fastasleep.But thebest part?Mini—daughter of the godof death,who couldnotonlywield the fearsomeDeathDandabutalso talk tobones—wassuckingherthumb.

Aidenimmediatelysnappedapicture.

“Aiden!”yelledBrynne.“Howcouldyou?!”

“Yeah!”saidAru.“Whataboutus?”

“Mybad.”

Aru jumped in front of the camera andmade bunny earswith two fingersbehindMini’shead.BrynnecroucheddownandpretendedshewascarryingMini.Aidensnappedanotherpicture.

“She’stotallygoingtokillus,”saidAiden.

“Noselfieofallthree?”askedAru.

BrynnelaughedandAidenvisiblyrecoiled.

“Idon’tdoselfies.”

“Snob,”saidAru.

“Troll,”saidAiden.

Now that they had ducked under the veil, they couldmore clearly see thePalaceofDayon theother sideof thebridge.Ushas, thegoddessof thedawnandsistertoRatri,livedthere.ItwasUshas’sdutytodragthesunfromherrealmtotherestoftheworld,andherpalacewassobright,itwasdifficulttomakeoutdetails.HereandthereArucoulddiscern theshapesofgoldenspires.Andwasthatanenormousgatelifting?Whatwerethosemovingredthings?

Sharp light—thekindofmorningglare thathurts your eyes—pouredontothe bridge. But soon enough Aru could see dozens of red mounds as big ashouses, with wicked sharp horns of molten gold, start to lumber in theirdirection.

“IfMini wants to kill us,” said Brynne, “she’s going to have competitionfromthosecows.”

“Thosearenotcows!”squeakedAru.“They’reginormous!”

“Well,duh,theyhavetobethatbigiftheirwholejobistopullthesunintothesky,”saidBrynne.“It’snotevenoutyet….”

“Doyouthinkshekeepsthesuninagarage?”askedAidenthoughtfully.

“Okay,thecowsofUshasareofficiallycancelled,”saidAru.“Mini,WAKEUP!Wegottago!Iamnotbecomingbovineroadkill.”

BrynneyankedonMini’sarm,butthesleepinggirldidn’tbudge.

“It’slikeshe’sstuck,”saidBrynne.

“She’s inthelandofsleep—it’snotgoingtobeeasy towakeherup,”saidAiden.

“Shouldn’t Durvasa have told us what to do?What happened to the sageadvice?”

“Hey,hegotushere,didn’the?” saidAidenashewalkedall aroundMini,examining the situation. “Hmm. Idon’t thinkwe can justpull herdown fromthere,either.”

“Gotanywater?”askedAru.

“Nope,”saidBrynne.Sheliftedherwindmace.“Let’stryagentlebreeze.”

Brynneaimedthemaceandsaid,“Gali.”Itletoutasoundlikeablow-dryerbeingturnedonrightnexttosomeone’sear.EvenAidenjumped.

Mini’shairwentstreamingbehindher,butshesimplybattedatit,muttering,“No,Idon’twanttobeafairy….”Shesighed.“Don’tlikeheights.”

“Okay, new technique,” said Aru, bringing out Vajra. She gently touchedMini’shandwiththetipofthelightningbolt.

“I’mgonnatellheryoutriedtoelectrocuteher,”saidAiden.

“Shh!”

VajrapingedMini,whojustgiggledandresumedsuckingherthumb.

Thecowsbegantomoo.Inthepast,Aruhadconsideredthisarathergentleand soothing sound. But when the cows were T. rex–size, every moo becamesupersonic,evenwhentheywerestillfiftyfeetaway.Aruwobbledandnearlylostherbalanceonthebridge.Sheglancedoverhershoulder.Oneof thecowshad

beguntopawthegroundlikeitwasplanningtocharge.

Thentherecameanevenmoredisturbingsound:ahigh-pitchedgiggle.

“GOODMORNING,WORLD!”

TheherdpartedtoallowthegoddessUshasthrough.Asshepassedhercows,she stroked each one on the forehead. Ushas wore a golden robe and fuzzygolden slippers. Bright orange flames danced through her black hair, creatingdramatichighlights.ToAru,thered-skinnedgoddesslookedlikearichteenagegirlwithanepicsunburn.

Ushas snapped her fingers and two attendants rolled out a chariot of puregold.They began to harness the cows, adjusting each strap and checking eachhoof.

“Hey!” shoutedAiden, franticallywavinghis arms.“Giveus aminutehere,willyou?”

ButUshasdidn’thearhim.Loudmusicstartedblastingfromsomewhere intheclouds—aremixoftheBeatles’“HereComestheSun.”Ushasstartedsingingalong.Thecowsmooedlouder.Mini’sfoottappedtothebeat.

“Okay, okay. Focus, Shah!” said Aru, jumping up and down. “Mini canobviouslyhear.”

“Maybesheisn’twakingupbecauseshedoesn’tthinkallthisisreal,”offeredBrynne. “What ifwemade herwant towake up?We could shout her favoritethings.”

“Thatmightwork!”

“Does shehave a celebrity crush?” askedBrynne. “Look,Mini!DominiqueCrennisrightbehindyou!”

“Who—?”askedAru.

“She’sachef!”saidBrynne.

Minijustfrownedharder.

“Ican’tthinkofanyone!”saidAru.Thecowswerealllinedupnow,readytogo.Ushasclimbedintothecabofthechariot.

Aidentuggedonalockofhishair.“CouldwescareMiniawake?”

Nowtherewasathought….

Thebridgebeneaththemshudderedandquaked.Asphereofwhite-hotlightrolled through thegate, and flames appearedon the tipsof the cows’horns. It

wassohotthatAruhadtoturnherfaceaway.

“It’s the sun!” said Brynne, her eyes wide. “Mini, wake up. Monsters arecoming!”

Minijustsnortedandmurmured,“I’mthedaughterofthegodofdeath,andIwantcake.”

“Monstersdon’tscareMini,”saidAru.

“Thenwhatdoes?”demandedBrynne.

Aiden snapped his fingers.He walked up toMini and said, “Okay,Mini,you’restuckinapublicbathroom.”

Ministartedtowail.

“They’reoutofsoap!”

AruflashedAidenathumbs-upsign,thensaid,“Ohno,what’shappenedtoall the hand sanitizer in theworld? It’s been…destroyed! In a huge fire.Nomoreantibacterialanything.Ever.”

Minitossedandturned.Arucouldseehereyelidsfluttering.Itwasworking!

“Someonehas just sneezed into theirhand andnowyouhave to shake it,”saidBrynne.

“Nooooo!”moanedMini.

The bridge trembled even more furiously as the cows stamped their feetimpatiently. Ushas put on sunglasses and a huge pair of headphones, thenpretendedtoplaythedrumswithherreins.

It’s now or never, thought Aru. She cupped her hand aroundMini’s ear andwhisperedhersoulsister’smostdespisedphrase:

“Five-secondrule,”saidAru.

Mini jerked awake, shouting, “NO!” She immediately dropped to theground,whereshelandedonherbutt.

“Hooray!”saidAru.“You’reback!”

“W-what?”Miniaskedwithayawn.Andthenhereyes litup.“Youdidit!Yourescuedme!”

Shetriedtogettoherfeet,butsheslipped.Minirubbedhertemples.

“Ifeelso…drained.”Shegroaned.“Thenagawomen.TheytookmyenergywhileIwassleeping.”

“I’vegotyou,”saidBrynnegently.

ShepickedupMiniasifsheweighedaslittleasafeather.Minithankedherwithaweaksmile,butthenhereyeswidened.

“Um…guys?Didyouknowtherearecowschargingtowardus?”

“Unfortunately,yes,”saidAiden.

“Yeah,about that…”saidBrynne.“Wegottago.Like,yesterday.Durvasasaidwehadtobebackbeforedaybreak.”

Aru didn’t even bother looking over her shoulder. She already knew whatshe’dsee,becauseshecouldfeeltheoncomingheat.Beneathherfeet,theslenderbridgehadbeguntofade,meltingbeneaththesun’srays.

“I’llflyaheadtogetthedoortotheDMVopen,”saidBrynne,settingdownMiniandleaningheragainstAiden.“Aru,canyoutaketheseguys?”

“Yup.”

In a flash of blue light, Brynne transformed into a hawk. She cawed once,then bent her head and lifted off. Aru threw Vajra to the ground and ittransformedintoawidehoverboard.

“Allaboard!”shehollered.

AidenhelpedMinisitonthehoverboard.Aruriskedaglancebackandsawthattheredcowsweregainingground.Nowtheywerebarelytwentyyardsaway.Their golden hooves pounded onto the bridge. In her chariot,Ushas was stillpretendingtoplaythedrums,thistimeto“GoodDaySunshine.”Arususpectedthat,behindhersunglasses,hereyeswereclosed.

Miniclutchedthesidesoftheboard,butshelookedpaleandsicklyjustfromtheeffort.

“IfeellikeIhaven’tsleptinyears,”shesaidmiserably.“AndImightpossiblyhavehypoglycemia,too.I’mstillsotired….”

“Don’t worry. You just need some food in you,” said Aiden, patting herback.“We’llgetyoufixedupattheDMV.”

“Ready?”askedArufromthefront.“Everyoneholdontight.”

The lightning bolt lifted and flew over the bridge, back the way they hadcome. Behind them,Ushas let out a loud “Hi-ya!” and the red cows galloped,pulling the chariot and the sun. Wind blew against Aru’s face. Tendrils ofelectricitylacedoverthetopsofhershoesandaroundherankles,holdingherinplaceastheyzoomedtowardtheGroveofRatri.

“Woo-hoo!”sheyelped.

Butthenshefeltaheavyhandclaphershoulder.Arunearlystumbledassheturnedherhead.AidenhadonearmaroundMini;hisotherhandwasonAru.

“Takeiteasy!”heshouted.“She’stooweak!”

Sure enough,Mini looked airsick. Shewas listing to one side even thoughAidenwasholdingher.

Aruhadoneofthosemomentswhenshesawsomethingbeforeithappened.Onesecond,Miniwasupright.Thenextsecond…

Shefloppedover.

Aidenlostholdofher.HedoveforwardandAruonlyjustmanagedtograbMini before she fell. Immediately, Vajra secured Mini with electrical strandsaround her ankles, but Aru’s lunge had been too sudden, and the hoverboardtipped…

…sendingAidensprawlingintotheherdoffierycows.

ACowsAreOfficiallyCancelled

ruandMinibothscreamed.

“Idon’tseehimanywhere!”yelledMini.

AruhadbroughtVajraabovetheredcows.Buttheherdwasmovingsofast,itlookedlikenothingmorethanablurofcrimson.Ontopofthat,theheatofthe oncoming sun was becoming intolerable. The sage’s protection spell waswaning.

“Youdon’tthinkhe’s—”Ministarted.

“No!”Arusaidabruptly,cuttingheroff.

Maybeitwassilly,butAruthoughtshewould’vefeltifAidenhad…died.

Theycouldn’tlingerhere.Aheadofthem,thebridgewasbeginningtofade.Thecoldsilvermoonlightoftheduskendwasdissipatingasthesuncamecloser.Iftheydidn’tleavenow,they’dbestuckbetweendawnanddusk.

“Brynnecanfindhim,”saidAru,thinkingfast.“She’sgothawkvision.”

But Brynne had flown ahead—she didn’t even know that Aiden was introuble.Theyhadtoletherknowrightaway.

Aru forced all her concentration into propelling Vajra forward. ThehoverboardcareenedintotheGroveofRatriandskiddedtoastopinthedensethicketofnighttrees.AruandMinitumbledheadfirstintothegrass.

“Ha!”saidavoiceabovethem.“It’sofficial.I’mfasterthanalightningbolt.”

Brynne,stillinhawkform,stareddownatthemfromherbranch.

“Bam!”shesaid.“Addthattomytrophies.”

ElectricitytwitchedacrossVajra,asifthehoverboardwerehighlyaffrontedby such a statement. And then it stung Aru for goodmeasure, because it wasclearlyherfaultformakingitlookbad.

Therewasnotimetoargue.

“Aidenfellintothecowsbackthere!”Arusaid,gesturingoverhershoulder.

“Hewastryingtosaveme,”addedMini.“Youhavetogoafterhim!Butwedon’tknowwhereheis….”

Brynnejustpointedherwing.“YoumeanthatAiden?”

Aruwhippedaround.Asitturnedout,Aidenwasnotdead.Hewasfine.Infact,hewasmorethanfine.Hewasseatedonagiantredcowandwearingapairof sunglasses. Behind himwasUshas, her smile so dazzling that Aru couldn’teven look at her.Aidenwaved at them, thenheldup abright goldphone thatcouldonlybelongtothegoddessofdawn.

“Ishe…?”startedMini.

“Heis,”confirmedBrynne.

AidenI’m-an-ArtisteAcharyawastakingaselfie.

Acoupleofsecondslater,Aidenleapedofftheredcowandrolledintothegrove.Ushaspausedlongenoughtoscream:

“Iamsuchafanofyourmom!IusedtotrytopracticeherdanceswhenIwasworking,butthenIalmostincineratedtheworld.Whatever.”Thegoddesstossedherhairback.“Can’twaittopostourphoto!”

Andwiththat, shewavedgood-byeand letouta loud“Yee-haw!”Theredcowszoomedoverthem,draggingtheflamingsunintheirwake.

Aidenswaggeredover,grinning.

Arufrowned.“Whathappenedto‘Idon’ttakeselfiesbecauseI’manartist’orwhatever?”sheasked.

“I made an exception, considering I prettymuch delivered daylight to theworldtoday,”hesaidandtookabow.

Aruraisedaneyebrow.“Youfellonacow.”

“Irodeacow—”

“Butfirstyoufell. Isawithappenandwas justabouttoretrieveyouwhenUshassnatchedyouup,”saidBrynne.“Remember?Youwerecurledintoaball—”

Aiden stuck his fingers in his ears. “Can’t hear you! The sun’s rays haveburnedawayyournegativity!”

“Lethimhavethisone,”MiniwhisperedtoAruandBrynne.

Arumighthavegrumbledoutloud,butontheinside,shewasn’tgrumblingatall.Becauseeventhoughherhairwassingedfrombeingtooclose to theredcows of Ushas, and even though her brain was being tugged in a hundreddifferent directions, this was all she wanted. This bunch, together again. Miniforcing sunblock on everyone. Brynnewonderingwhen theywere going to eat.AidenherdingthemtotheexitandhelpingMini—whowasstillweak—walktothedoor.Sure,theywereanoddassortment,butwhoeverthoughtcookieswouldgo sowellwithmilk?Ormacaroniwith cheese? Some things just fit together.Thisgroupwasoneofthem.

Themoment they left theGrove ofRatri behind, reality droppedon theirheads again.Theyhad the thief’s song, and theyhadMiniback,but therewasstillsomuchtodoandbarelythreedaysleft….Already,thesunwasbeginningitstrekacrosstheworld.

SageDurvasawaswaitingfortheminthecosmicgallery,levitatingabovethegroundashescribbledintheair.

“Wedidit!”saidArutriumphantly,proppingupMiniasproof.

Miniweaklypressedherpalmstogetheringreeting.

Durvasadidn’tevenlooktheirway.“Whatdoyouwant?Congratulations?”

Aru’sshouldersdropped.“No.Butwecouldusemoreofyourhelp?”

“Ididn’thelp.Thatwouldbeagainsttherules.”

“Fine,howaboutmoreofyournot-help?”askedBrynne.“Andsomefood.”

“Oranap,”saidMinitiredly,butthenshebrightened.“Wait!IthinkI’vegotoneinmybackpack!Fromthewarehouse!”

Aru, who had been carryingMini’s backpack, dropped it and opened thezipper.Sureenough,asmallbarlabeledPOWERNAPshoneatthebottomofherbag.ItlookedlikeaHersheybar.AruunwrappeditandhandedittoMini,whochompeditdownintwobites.Instantly,thepallorofherskinimprovedandhereyesweremorealert.

“Muchbetter,”shesaid,pattingherstomach.

Brynne’sstomachgrumblednoticeablyandshestaredlonginglyatMini’sbag.

“So…”startedAiden,“aboutthatnot-help?”

But the sagedidn’t answer. Instead,he continued towriteoutpetty curses,pondering aloud. “This fiendish girl cut up someone’s dress….How to repay

her,Iwonder?”

Aruclearedherthroat,tryingtogetthesage’sattention,buthewasdeepinthought.TheonlywaytomakeDurvasapayheedwas, itseemed,totalkaboutwhathewantedtotalkabout.

“What if you cursed her to have really itchy tags that she can’t take offwithoutruiningherclothes?”

Durvasapausedforasecond,thennodded.“Amateurish…butserviceable.Andhowaboutapersonwhoputwormsinsomeoneelse’sspaghettiasaprank?”

Brynnelookedappalled.“Howwouldtheylikeitifalltheirfoodwasalwaystoohotortoocold?Ihatethat.”

Durvasagrinned.“Isuspecttheywouldnotlikeitatall….Andwhatcursewouldbe appropriate for apersonwho tied someone else’s shoes together andlaughedwhentheytripped?”

Aruhadnothing tosuggest,butMinidid.Hercheeks turnedred,andArususpectedthattheexactsamescenariohadhappenedtoheronce.

“Maybeoneshoeshouldalwaysfeelmoretiedthantheother?Theycanneverfixit.”

“Ah,howdelightfullyinconvenient!”saidDurvasa,clappingmerrily.

OnlythendidArunoticethatAidenwaslookingatallthreegirlsasifthey’dsproutedhorns.

“Youguysare…”

“Clever?”suggestedAru.

“Just?”askedMini.

“Powerful?”triedBrynne.

Aidencrossedhisarms.“Iwasgoingtosaydiabolical.”

“Meh,”saidAru.“Closeenough.”

“You were of no help to me,” said Durvasa, putting down his curse pen.“AndsonowIwillbeofnohelptoyou.Thoughitseemsthatyouareinneedofplentyofnot-help.Youclaimtohavethesongofthethief—”

“Ido!”Brynneblurtedout,pointingatthenecklace,butDurvasahelduphishand.

“Notnow,”hesaid.

“And I know the thief’s name! The naginis told me in exchange for myenergy.That’swhyIwassotired!”Minisaidrapidly.

Arueyedtheremainsofthepower-napchocolatebar.Musthavebeenprettypotent.

“It’s—”startedMini.

“Nothere,”Durvasasaidtightly.

ItseemedtoAruasifalltheairhadbeensuckedoutoftheroom.Durvasa—the all-powerful sagewho had caused the gods to lose their immortality—wasscaredofsomeoneoverhearing.Who?AspyworkingfortheSleeper?Arucursedherself—yetagain—forlettingherdadgetaway.

“Whatarewewaitingfor?”Brynnedemanded.

“Be patient,”Aiden told her through a clenched-teeth smile. “I’m sure thewisesageknowswhathe’sdoing.”

Durvasaledthempastthedisplaycaseofcursed-peoplestatuesanddownahallwaylinedwithwhatlookedlikeoffices.Durvasaopenedoneofthedoorsandgesturedtheminside.

Usually,wheneverAruenteredanoffice,itlookedacertainway.Alwaysthesamefadedcarpetthecolorofdeaddreams.Abrowndeskwithaframedpictureofafamilyonit.AposterofasunsetwithasloganlikeLive.Laugh.Love.And,ofcourse, a plant that she could never be surewas real or fake (Aru could neverresisttearingaleaftofindout;shealwaysfeltabitguiltyorstrangelyvictorious).

Thiswasnotthatkindofoffice.

Itwasachamberinspace,whichwasdisorientingatfirst.Therewerenouglycarpets or posters. Instead, there was a fathomless black atmosphere, studdedwithstars, above,below,andall aroundthem, sculpting the illusionofa room.Buttheydidn’tfallthroughit—theirfeetwalkedonaninvisiblefloor.Astrangeluminescencesurroundedthem.Theroomfeltatonceimpossiblyhugeandcozy.

“Welcometotheastralplane,”saidDurvasa,hisvoiceechoing.

Aru,whohadonlybeenonaplaneonce,wasconvincedthatthiswasnotaplane,butshechosenottopointthatouttoDurvasa.

“Youmean,wherepeoplegowhentheydie?”askedBrynne,hereyeswide.

“No,that’stheKingdomofDeath,”saidMini.“Wewenttherelasttime.”

Aru could tell that Durvasa was struggling to control his temper. After adeep,cleansingbreath,hecontinued.“AttheDMV,”hesaid,“theastralplaneis

asanctuary.Whatyoudiscoverhereisconsideredsacred.Itwillnotberevealedtoanyoneelse.”Thenhesteppedback.

MinigesturedforBrynnetogiveherthesoulsong.Gingerly,Brynnetooktheredorboffherneckandplaceditonthefloor.Beforeshestood,shedraggedherfingeracrossthestarsspecklingthefloor,liketheyweresugarcrystalsonaplate.

“Thename,child,”saidDurvasa.

In the astral plane, the song orb had taken on a strange pulsing glow,reminding Aru that this was actually a part of someone’s soul. Someone hadwanted the god of love’s arrow so dearly that they’d beenwilling to partwiththeirveryessence.WhenAruleanedclose,shethoughtsheheardtheorbmakeasound…likeasoftsigh.

Minikneltonthefloorandinaclear,loudvoicesaid,“ThenameofthethiefisSurpanakha.”

TSageDurvasaCurses

hemomentMini uttered the thief’s name, the soul song flared. Saying thename was supposed to unlock the thief’s location, but the image forming

withintheorbwasstilltoohazytomakeout.

“Itwilltakeawhile,”saidDurvasa.

Aru sat on the floor and sighed, resting her chin on her hand.Magic wassupposedtobefast!Actually, itwasa lot like theInternet—sometimesspeedy,othertimestakingforeverjusttobufferonemeaslycatvideo.

“Sur-pa-na-kha,”saidAiden,drawingouteverysyllable.

Soor-pah-nah-kuh.

Itwas reallyhard forAru to say thenamealoudwithoutbursting into the“Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious!” song, but she restrainedherself.Wherehadsheheardthatnamebefore?

“I know what you’re thinking,” said Mini, looking at Aru. “You’rewonderingwhereyou’veheardthatnamebefore.”

“Canyoureadminds,too?!”

“No,youwerehummingthatMaryPoppinssong,soIjustguessed.”

“Oh.”

“SurpanakhaisthesisterofthedemonkingRavana,remember?”askedMini.“Bootaughtus.”

AtthementionofBoo,Arufeltawaveofsadness.PoorBoo….Whereverhewas,shereallyhopedsomeonehadmanagedtosmugglehimsomeOreos.

“Yeah, I remember,” said Aru. “She’s the one who got her nose cut off,right?”

“Yup,”saidMini.

“Why?”askedBrynne,reflexivelyprotectingherownnosewithherhand.

“In the stories from the Ramayana,” saidMini, “Surpanakha attacked Sita,LordRama’swife.RamaandhisbrotherLaxmanafoughtheroff.Intheprocess,LaxmanahackedoffSurpanakha’snose.”

“Yeah,butwhythenose?”wonderedAiden.

“Washerssuperspecial?”askedAru.“Likeanelephanttrunkthatcouldpickupaswordandstabpeople?”

Theotherslaughedsoftly,butDurvasa’sdeepvoicecutthroughtheirsmiles.“Itwasanactofhumiliation.”

ThegreatsagehadchosennottositanywherenearSurpanakha’ssoulsong.Instead,hestoodofftotheside,asiftheobjectintimidatedhim.

“Accordingtothestories,”hewenton,“Surpanakhawassodazzledbythebeauty of Lord Rama and Lord Laxmana that she offered herself to them inmarriage.Theyrefusedher.Onemightsaytheywerenotaskindas theycouldhavebeen.”

“Yeah…butwasn’tshehideousanddemonic-looking…grayskin,redeyes,fangsthesizeofyourarm?”askedAru.

“Not everyone with rakshasa or asura blood looks demonic,” said Brynnegrumpily.“That’sastereotype.”

Aidennodded.“Plus, I justdon’t thinkpeopleshouldbemeantosomeonebecausetheydon’tlikethewaytheylook.”

Arufeltalittlechastened.“You’reright.I’msorry,”shemumbled.

“S’okay,” said Brynne, thumping her back. Except, because Brynne wasridiculouslystrong,Arualmostwentsprawling.

“Sowhathappenedtoherafterthat?”Miniasked.

“Sheranbacktoherbrother,theten-headeddemonking,”saidAiden.

Dimly, Aru recalled the images she had seen on Kamadeva’s floor. Therakshasi fleeing through the forest, then complaining to her brother about theinjustice that she had suffered…anddescribingRama’s beautifulwife. In thetales,herbrotherbecameobsessedwithSitaandkidnappedherfromRama.

Surpanakha’shumiliation…herpain…hadstartedagreatwar.

“That story is thousands of years old,” said Mini. “Why would she bestirringuptroublenow?”

Aiden turned his camera over in his hands. It was a habit of his, Aru hadnoticed. He always reached for Shadowfax when he was thinking throughsomething or trying to remember a fact. When he caught her looking, Aruquicklyfoundthespotofblacknothingnessbesidehimintenselyinteresting.

“Yeah,”echoedAiden.“WhystealKamadeva’sbowandarrow?”

Inthebackground,Durvasasaidnothing,buthispostureseemedrigid.

“Maybeshewantsvengeance?”suggestedAru.“Aiden,youweretheonewhonoticedthatthethiefwasonlychoosingmenashervictims.”

“It’sancienthistory!”saidBrynne.“EvenIdon’tstaymadthatlong.”

“Takshaka has stayed mad at Arjuna all these years, though,” said Aru,shiveringassherememberedtheintensehatredinhismilkycobraeyes.

“What’dyou—”Aiden started,before catchinghimself. “Imean,whatdidArjunado?”

Arufiddledwithhersleeve.Shedidn’tliketheanswer,becauseitwascruel.Itflewinthefaceofeverythingshe’dbeentaughtaboutthegreathero.

“HeburneddownTakshaka’sforest,”shefinallyadmitted.“Lotsofcreaturesdied,includingTakshaka’swife.”

“That’sawful…”saidMini.“Why’dhedoit?”

Aru looked to Durvasa, but the sage had closed his eyes. Perhaps he wasmeditating.

“Idon’tknow,”saidAru.Shewishedsheweren’ttellingthetruth.

Aruglanceddownatthesongbetweenthem.Thesmokeinsidetheorbhadchangedtowhatnowresembledliquidsilver,butitwasstillswirlingaround.

“MaybeSurpanakhaisjustwaitingfortherighttimetostrike,”saidBrynne.“Itdefinitelyfitshername.”

“What’shernamemean?”

“Oh!Iknow!”saidMini,raisingherhand.

Arulaughed.“Thisisn’tschool.Youdon’tneedtoraiseyourhand.”

“Right,” said Mini, flushing. “Um, it’s Sanskrit. It translates to she whosefingernailsarelikeslicingblades.”

“Yikes.”Arushuddered.“Whogivesakidanamelikethat?”

A couple of years ago, there was a French girl in her class named

Hermengarde,buteveryonejustcalledherEhrmagawd!ButatleastHermengardehadbeenfunnyandnice.Byallaccounts,Surpanakhawasnot.

Bynow,thesoulsonghadfinisheditsactivationsequence.Theorbshiveredalittlebeforeitmeltedintoasilverpool.Ascenerippledacrossit,andthefourofthemleanedforwardtowatch.

Surpanakha was moving past what looked like a row of men. Aru saw avarietyofcrispsuitsandrumpledsweatshirts,bootsandbarefeet.Theviewwaslow,makingAruthinkSurpanakhamustbeshort—untilsherealizedtheywereseeingthingsnotthroughthedemoness’seyes,butfromtheperspectiveofwherehersoulhadlivedinherbody:heartlevel.ArukindofwishedSurpanakhawouldleanwayback.Lookingoutatchestlevelbasicallymeantjustseeingabunchofbuttons.

The image in themirrorwent still, as if Surpanakha had stoppedwalking.Shereacheduptowardoneofthemen—perhapstostrokehischeek,itwashardtotell.AruthoughtSurpanakha’sskinwouldbegrayandmottled,hernailslongandragged.Butherhandwasawarmbrown,withtrimmednailspaintedashadeofred.

“Soon,”saidSurpanakha.“Youarenearlyenoughinnumber….”

Aru didn’t know what surprised her more—the fact that the vision hadaudio, or that this was the voice of the hideous fanged demoness. Aru hadassumedthat someonenamedafter terriblenailswouldhavea screechingvoice,butSurpanakha’stonewassweetandmelodious.

Shemusthavebeentalking tosomeHeartless,Arurealized.Butwherewerethey?Thesoulsongwassupposedtorevealthethief’slocation,butshedidn’tseeanything recognizable. Peering between the row of men for any clues, Aruglimpsedashimmeringwhitelandscape.Snow?Italmostlookedlikemother-of-pearl.Wasit…moving?

“Princess!”calledavoicebehindSurpanakha.

Shewhirledaround,andtheviewshowedanagamanslitheringtowardher.Arurecognizedhimimmediately—Takshaka!Hewasinhishalf-snake/half-manform.

“What is it?” asked Surpanakha sharply. She didn’t sound so sweet andmelodiousnow.

“I merely came to celebrate with you,” said Takshaka smoothly. “We’vealmostgainedaccesstothelabyrinth.Oncewehavethat,theamritawillbeours,andwecanleavethismiserableplace.”

Withthat,thesoulsong’svisionendedandthemirrorrolledbackupintoapendant-sizeorb.

“Itisadangerousthingtocastoffapartofone’ssoul,”saidDurvasa.“She’sexchangeditforpower,andthereisanotherbargaininthemaking.”Warily,hepickeduptheorbandstoweditinasmallbagathisside.

“They’reafteramrita?”askedMini,shocked.

Honestly,Aruhadforgottenwhatamritawas.TheonlyAmritasheknewwasagirlinthegradebelowher,whostuckamarbleuphernoseonadareandhadto be taken to the emergency room. Aru was pretty sure she was not whatSurpanakhaandTakshakawereafter.

“Isn’tthat…adrinkofsomekind?”askedAiden.“Ican’tremember.”

“It’simpossible,”thesagemutteredtohimself.

“Whatis?”

“Theycan’tbeafteramrita.Itcannotbedone.”

“Butwhatisit?”pressedAru.

Durvasawavedhishand.Inthemiddleoftheastralplanefloor,anewimageappeared: a large golden cauldron tipped forward ever so slightly to reveal aglowingliquid.

“Thenectarofimmortality,”saidDurvasa.“Once,longago,someonecausedthegodstolosetheirimmortality—”

“Someone?Don’tyoumean…you?”askedAru.

Durvasaglaredather.“Letmetellthestory!Ahem.Anyway,thegodsneededamritatorestoretheirimmortality.TheywouldhavetochurntheOceanofMilkinordertofindit.Thegodsconvincedtheasurastohelpbypromisingthemasipoftheamrita.”

“Butthenthegodsrenegedontheirpromise,”saidBrynne.

“It had to be done,” saidDurvasa. “Asuras, though semi-divine and giftedwithmagic,werenevermeanttobeimmortal.”

“Well,nowonderthey’reafteritnow,”saidBrynne.“It’skindaunfair….”

AruunderstoodwhyBrynnefeltthatway.Afterall,shewasofasuradescent,butAruwassurprisedtofindthatshesidedwithher.Thegodshadn’tkepttheirpromise. The fact that a god could be a villain made Aru’s head spin. As aPandava, shewasexpectedtofightontheir side…buthowcouldshedothat

whenshewasn’tsureshecouldtrustthem?

“Justbecausesomethingisnotfairdoesnotmeanitiswithoutreasonorevencompassion,” said Durvasa serenely. He closed his eyes and pronounced:“Fairness is like amultifacetedgem. Its appearance can vary,dependingon theangleofthebeholder.”

He cracked one eye open. “WRITETHATDOWN!” he scolded. “ThatwasfreewisdomIjustdispensed!”

“Whoops! Sorry!” said Mini, grabbing her Post-it pad and pen from herbackpack.

“SageDurvasa, you said itwas impossible for someone to get the amrita,”saidAiden.“Why?”

“What an inane question,” huffed Durvasa. “The amrita is hidden deepbeneaththeOceanofMilk,insideagoldendomethatcanonlybeopenedwithamagicspell.Thedomecoversalabyrinththatisnotonlyimpossibletonavigatebutalsoisguardedbyfireserpentsthatwillincinerateanythingwithaheartbeat.It’sfoolproof.”

Minifrowned.“Butit’snot.”Shestartedjottingsomethingonhernotepad.

“Pish!”scoffedthesage.“YoumightaswellwaitforSurpanakhatofail,thenjustreturnthebowandarrowtoUloopi.Done.Questfinished.”Hewipedhishandstogether.“Nowit’stimeforyoualltogetoutofhere.Idetestthismuchsocialization.”

“Yousaidthefireserpentswill‘incinerateanythingwithaheartbeat,’”Minipressed.Sheheldupasketchthatlookedlike:➞♥.“ByusingKamadeva’sarrow,that’sexactlywhatyougetridof—aheartbeat.”

Aru caught on immediately. “The Heartless! They can get through thelabyrinthandgrabthenectarofimmortality.”

“She’sbuildinganarmy!”saidBrynne.

“Andshe’shidingthemintheOceanofMilk,”addedAiden.

Foramoment,Durvasasaidnothing.Andthenthesagedidwhathedidbest.

Hecursed.

OWe’llEvenThrowinStarvationforFree!nce SageDurvasa had finished cursing, he led themout of the office andlockedthedoorbehindhim.

“Happythoughts,happythoughts,”mutteredArutoherself.“Fire-breathingserpents?Cool,cool.That’sfine.Thisisfine.Everythingisfine—”

“Chill,Shah,”saidAiden.“Youreallyneedabetterpeptalk.”

“I amexcellentatpep talks.Witness,” saidDurvasa.Heclearedhis throat.“YouhaveapproximatelytwodaysleftbeforeQueenUloopiexilesyoufromtheOtherworld.Thatwhichyouseekwillbewellguarded,andthepathtotheshoreof the Ocean of Milk is already treacherous. Not to mention the fact thatSurpanakhaisanaccomplishedwarrior,andsoisTakshaka.Youareallwoefullyoutmatched.There.Howwasthat?”

Aiden lunged forward to catchMini before she fainted. Even Brynne, themostconfidentoutofallofthem,letoutawhimper.

Aru’sjawfellopen.“Thatwasyourpeptalk?”

“Yes.P.E.P.PreparingforEvilPeople.Surelythatiswhatyoumeant.”

“Itwasnot.”

“What’s thequickest route to theOceanofMilk?” askedBrynne. Shewasstandingupstraighternow,herjawclenchedindetermination.

Durvasa glanced down both sides of the hall, wary of being overheard. “Iwould not go to theMall ofMeditationGroves,” he said, fixing themwith astrictglare.“AndIcertainlywouldnotaskfortransporttotheGreatSwampofNewJersey….ThereisnoillegalportaltotheOceanofMilkthatisclosedtothepublic.”

“Illegal?” echoed Mini. “Breaking another Otherworld law? How many lawshavewebrokenbynow?”

“Lostcount,”Aidensaidwithashrug.

“Where’sthismall?”askedAru.

“Itisnotdownthehall…anditisnottoyourleft,”saidDurvasa.

Hecrossedhisarms,hisfaceimperiousandgrumpyoncemore.ItwasclearlyasignofThat’sit.Not-helpisover!Thefourofthembowedandpaidtheirrespects.Forthebriefestmoment,Durvasa’sfacesoftened.

“Now,seriously.Goaway.”

Theyhurrieddownthehall,whichwaslinedwithallsortsofplaqueslike:

BESTCURSE-DISPENSEROFTHEMONTH:SAGENARADA!

Or:

AWARDFORBESTENLIGHTENMENTMOMENT:SAGEBHRIGU!

“Do you think theOcean ofMilk is filledwith actualmilk?” askedMini,pushingherglassesfartheruponhernose.“BecauseI’mlactoseintolerant.”

Inthepast,ithadalwaysbeenAru’sjobtocalmdownMinianddistracthersomehow—usuallybyaskingaboutanobscuredisease.Butthistime,Aidenbeathertoit.

“It’s probablymagical andharmless,” he said. “Itmay even havemedicinalproperties.”

ThatpiquedMini’sinterest.“Really?”

“Maybe?”HelookedoverMini’sheadandmouthed,Ihavenoidea.

Arulaughed.

“We have to be ready to take on Surpanakha,” said Brynne solemnly.“Kamadeva said we have to plunge the stolen arrow through her heart. OnlywhenwedothatwilltheHeartlessbehumanagain.”

“Iwishwedidn’thavetostabanyone,”Minisaid.“That’ssoviolent.”

“We’reatwar!”saidBrynne,irritated.“Ofcourseit’sviolent!Besides,she’sathief!”

Aru knew that… and yet she couldn’t shake the sound of Surpanakha’svoice.Sweetandsorrowful.ItmadeAruwonderifmaybetheydidn’tknowthewholestory.

TheMall ofMeditation Groves sounded to Aru like it would be the chillestplaceever.Thesagesandrishisinhermother’sstorieshadalwaysacquiredtheir

powersthroughintensemeditation,andArufiguredthatcouldonlytakeplaceina beautiful natural spot where one could be alone and at peace, free fromdistractionsandstress.TheMallofMeditationGroveswasprobablylikeaspa.Afewleafygreentreessurroundingaluxuriantcircleofgrass.Flutemusicplayingsoftlyintheair.OrmaybeitwasliketheoutdoorsectionofHomeDepot,withalltheplantsandstuff.

But when they stepped through the door on the left, Aru saw she wascompletelywrong.

Stretchedoutbeforethemwasavastconventionhallwithrowsoffenced-inareasrepresentingdifferentkindsofmeditationenvironments.Eacharealookednobiggerthanamallkiosk,andyet,aswasalwaysthecasewithmagic,itseemedlikeasliceofsomethinginfinite.Aruscannedthedifferentdisplays.Therewasamarshypatchoflandwherealazyalligatorbaskedinanerrantsunbeam.BesideitwasaSaharanplain,whereacalmwindstirredthelongtawnygrass.Offtotheleftwasadarkjungledrapedinshinygreenvines.Andloomingbehinditwasanoutcroppingofrockcoveredwithfreshsnow.

Takenontheirown,thesettingswerebreathtaking.

Buttakeninwiththecrowdsofrishisandsageswhowereexaminingthem,andtheyakshasandyakshiniswhowere trying tooutselloneanother, themallwaschaos.ItremindedAruofadepartmentstoremakeupsection,wheretheclerkssprayperfumeonscrapsofpaperandshovetheminyourface.

A yakshini with living vines in her hair and lime-green wings on her backalightedbeforethem.“InterestedinspendingdaysofmeditationinthewildsofIndia?”sheasked.

“Uh,nothanks,”saidAiden.

But the nature spirit ignored his refusal. “If you select theNagaManipuriChinHills,weautomaticallyincludeonefreeguardleopard,accesstoanarrayofnearly three hundred species of medicinal plants, and complimentary bottledmorningdew!”

“I—”

“Ourhillsarelushandbeautiful!”continuedtheyakshini.“Freeofalmostalldemonic involvement! That said, ifyouarebeheadedorsuferfromsevereburnsasaresultofdemonincineration,thiscompanyisnotliable!”

Arunoticedthat theyakshini’ssmilenevermoved,evenwhenshetalked.Itlookedlikesomeonehadnailedittoherface.NowAru’sownfacehurt.FROWN,WOMAN!IKNOWYOUCANDOIT!

“Itoffersperfectphotoopportunities,too!”saidtheyakshini,notingAiden’scamera.

Thatgothisattention.“Really?”

“Okay,that’senough,”saidBrynne,shovingAidenbehindher.“Thanks,butnothanks.”

This time the yakshini’s smile twitched slightly. “Of course! Have awonderfulcentury.Youknowwheretofindusifyouchangeyourmind!”

At the far end of the floor, Aru could see less traditional meditationenvironmentsclusteredtogether.Theoptionsincludedskyscrapersandindustrialships,swamplands,andeven,thoughitgrossedtheheckoutofAru,theinsidesofinsecthives.

“IbettheswampDurvasamentionedisdownthere,”saidAiden.

“Howarewegoingtogetthroughallthis?”askedAru.

Therewerehundredsof rishis andyogiswalking through themall, and theyakshasandyakshinisdescendedonunattendedshopperslikesharks.

“I’llhandlethem,”saidBrynne.

Aru half hoped thatmeant Brynne was planning to release a huge gust ofwindtosweepeveryoneaway.Instead,BrynnemuscledAru,Mini,andAidenpastahalfdozenstalls,yellingandhagglingandscoffingthewholeway.

Whichistosay,Brynnewashavingthetimeofherlife.

“Thisplacemakesmefeelalive!”shesaidfiercely.

“It’s just like a shoppingmall,” saidMini, huddling closer toAru. “I hatemalls.Anyonecansneezeonyou.”

Aru agreed, though not because of the sneezing. Aru hated malls becausethere was always the chance she could run into someone she knew, and thenwhat?Shecouldneveraffordtobuyanything.Once,whenshe’dspottedabunchofherclassmatescomingherway,Aruhadgoneintoeverynearbyhigh-endstoreandaskedforanemptybag.Thatwayshewasabletoflashanoh-I’m-carrying-so-much-I-can’t-really-wave smilebeforehidingout intheparkinggarageandwaitingforhermom.

“Ican’ttakethisplace,”saidAiden,pullinghishoodoverhisface.

“Becauseofthegerms?”askedMini.

“No, it’s all the loud haggling. Just a bunch of people screaming at each

other,”hesaid,hunchinghisshoulders.“Itsoundsjustlikehome.”Themomenthesaidthat,hisfacepaledandhismouthsetinatightline.

Aru recognized that expression. Itwas the face someonemadewhen they’drevealedtoomuch.ArurememberedAiden’snightmaresfromtheGroveofRatri:hismother’sdespair,andAiden’sguilt.Therewasn’tanythingArucouldsaythatwouldmakehimfeelbetter,butthatdidn’tmeanitwasn’tworthtrying.

“Sometimesit’sgoodnottogetusedtosomething,”shesaid.“Whenyoudo,maybeitmeansyoudon’tcareenoughtonotice.”

“I agree with Aru,” said Mini. “It’s usually a good thing! Unless you’repracticingmithridatism.”

“What’sthat?”askedAiden.

Minibrightened.“It’snamedafterthisPersianemperorwhowassoscaredofgettingpoisonedthatheatesomeeverydaytomakehimselfimmune.”

“Anditworked?”askedAiden.

“Yep!” Mini said cheerfully. “He didn’t die by poison. He got stabbedinstead.”

“Hooray?”triedAru.

Aiden,ontheotherhand,lookedshocked.

Up ahead, Brynne continued to bulldoze her way through the kiosks ofmeditation groves. By now, yakshas and yakshinis were diving in oppositedirectionswhentheysawherapproaching.

“You’reterrifying!”calledAruhappily.

Brynnebowed.“Thankyou.”

ThekioskmarkedGREAT SWAMPOFNEW JERSEYwas curiously empty.Nobeamingyakshiniorcrowdofeagerasceticshere—justonesour-lookingyaksha.Hehadwhorledears,amopoficyhairthatseemedallthemorestarkagainsthisalmond skin, andhewore a fadedblueGiants sweatshirt.Hequickly shut theNewJerseyMonthlymagazinehewasreadingwhenhesawthemandflashedanoilysmile.

“Customers!”hesaid.

ButwithhisthickJerseyaccent,itsoundedlikecus-tah-maz.

“You looking foraportal to theMorrisCounty, Ipresume?Steprightup.We are still meeting the baseline requirements to qualify as an Otherworld

sanctuary,despiteincreasedratesofrakshasaattacks,”hesaid.

NosoonerhadhefinishedspeakingthantheNfelloffhissign.NowitreadGREATSWAMPOFEWJERSEY.Whatjoy.

“Ain’t it a place of beauty?” He swept his hand toward the portal andgrinned.

Thisportal lookednothing like thepristinepools they had seen elsewhere.Instead, its lip was ragged and brownish liquid sloshed out. A roach skitteredaroundtheedge,thenbackedawayasifsayingYouknowwhat?Nevermind.I’mgood.

“Increasedratesofrakshasaattacks?”askedBrynne.

“Ohyeah.A littledismembermenthereand there,” said theyaksha,wavinghishand.“Ithinkitaddsacertain,uh,charactertotheplace.Youknow?”

Miniwashorrified.

“Whaddayasay,how ’boutwestrikeadeal?”askedtheyaksha.Hegrinnedand then eyedAiden’s camera. “Yougiveme that chunkofmetal, and I’ll giveyoucomplimentary,VIP, executive, first-class transportation to theone…theonly…GREATSWAMP!”

Aidenclutchedhiscameratightly.

“Nodeal,”saidBrynne.“Infact,youshouldbegivinguspassageforfree.Doyouknowwhoweare?We’rePandavas.”

Arutensed.Itwasthesametacticshe’dusedattheCourtoftheSeasonsnottoolongago,butitdidn’tfeelrighthere.Maybepeopleshouldn’tknowwheretheywere going … because if Takshaka, Queen Uloopi’s right-hand man, couldbetrayher,whowastosaywhatsideanypersonwason?

“Heavens!”saidtheyaksha,fallingtohisknees.

Alittletoodramatic,thoughtAru.

Theyakshathankedthemprofusely,thenbowedandsteppedaside,allowingthemaccesstotheportal.

Brynnewastriumphant.“Nailedit!”shewhispered,beaming.

AidenbumpedherfistandMinibumpedherelbow,butAruhesitated.Theyakshahadreachedunderthedeskofhiskiosk.AruhadseenSherrilyn,theheadofsecurityatthemuseum,dothesamethinginemergencies.Hewaspressingasecretalarmbutton.

“Hey,waitasec—”startedAru,butBrynneyankedonherwrist.

Theyplungedthroughtheportal.Fortunately,itsmuddywaterslickedrightoffthemandtheystayeddry.AtleasttheydiduntilArulandedonherbuttonasoggypieceofground.Theywere surroundedby swampland: tallbrown reeds,bare gray trees, patches of ice, and an empty wooden boardwalk, all under aleadensky.IthardlylookedlikeasecretentrancetotheOceanofMilkwouldbeanywherearoundhere.

Brynnehelpedherup.“Youokay,Shah?You lookeda littlenervousabouttheyakshabackthere.”

“Yeah,”saidAruuncertainly.“Hejustseemedkindashady,isall.”

“I didn’t like him, either,” said Aiden, still protectively holding on to hiscamera.

“Well,duh,”saidBrynne.“HetriedtotakeShadowfax.Atleastit’ssafehere.Nowcomeon—IthinkIseetheentrancetotheOceanofMilkbetweenthosetrees.”Shepointedtoacopseupahead.

“Howdoyouknowthat?”askedMini.

Brynnetappedhernose.“’CauseI’mthedaughterofthegodofthewind.Ihaveaprettygoodinstinctforwhereweareinrelationtostuff.”

“Buthowarewesupposedtogetthere?”askedMini.“Thetrailiswayoverthere.”

Brynnetransformedintoahawkandsaid,“Icangiveyoualift.Aru,youtakeAiden.Notsosurehe’sgoingtotrustthathoverboardagain,though….”

“Iknowwhattodo,”saidAru.“Vajra,makeacar-seatthing—”

“Idon’twantacar-seat thing!I’llbefine,”saidAidendefensively.“Mydadalwayssaidtogetbackuponthehorseafterafall.”

“Sure,butwhataboutacow?”teasedAru.

Aidenglaredatherastheyclimbedontothehoverboard.

Brynne tookMini’s shoulders inher talons and they launched into the skywitha“Whooaaa!”(ThatwasMini.)

Soon they could seewhat looked like an archway straight ahead,beneath aclusteroftrees.Theentrance!Theydoveforit,butrightbeforetheygotthere,they heard branches snapping, and the very air seemed to change, becomingheavier.Thefourofthemlandedonapathwayinfrontofthearch,andBrynnemorphed back into a girl. Aru kicked the hoverboard up and caught it in herhandinPing-Pong-ballform.Together,theyformedatightcircle.

From the left, five figures in dark hoodies emerged frombehind trees thatweremuchtoothinforanyonetohidebehind.Wherehadtheycomefrom?

Oneofthestrangersbrokeoff—Aruassumedhewastheleader.Hishoodiewasdrawnlowoverhisface,andthereweretwoholescutoutatthetop.Sharphornsprotrudedfromthem,slickandblack.Sohewasanasura.

“HeadingtotheOceanofMilk?”hesaidwithagrunt.“Fuhgeddaboudit.”

TDidYourParentsReallyNameYouSparky?heasurasnappedhisfingers.

Now, standing right in frontof them,at the thresholdof theOceanofMilk,wasanother,tallerfigurewearingablacksweatshirt.Arucouldn’ttellifhewasanasuraornot.Heworeobnoxioussunglasseswithwhitestripesacrossthelenses, anda redT-shirtwith a ramon it that saidLIT.Aru rolledher eyes sohardshethoughtthey’dfalloutofherhead.

Someone in the asura’s posse laughed, and their leader growled at them.Then,toAruandherfriends,hesaidmenacingly,“MeetSparky.Noone gets pastSparky.”

“YourparentsnamedyouSparky?”Brynnesaid.

Sparkyliftedonecornerofhismouth.Heseemed…amused.Notangryliketheleader.

“Moveoutofourway,”saidBrynne.“Wehavebusinesstoattendto.”

“You’renotgoinganywhere,”saidtheleader.

Aru frowned.Wherewas this guy getting his lines from?Very slowly, shepulledVajrafromherpocket.Outthecornerofhereye,shesawtheothersdoingthe same—MiniholdingDeeDee in itsmirror compact form,Brynne tappingherchoker,Aidenrubbinghisthumbalonghisenchantedleatherbracelets.

Theleaderbracedhislegswiderapart,likehewassomekindofclubbouncer.“NooneisallowedintotheOceanofMilk,because—”

“YEAH!WE’VEGOTORDERSFROMLADYM!”shoutedamemberofthegroupbehindhim.

Aru’s ears pricked. Lady M? Was that the alias Surpanakha was workingunder?

“Dude, Iwasgettingtothat!” the leadersaid,hisvoiceno longersounding

deepandraspy,butyounger,andalittlewhiny.

Aru looked closer at the leader. At first glance, she’d thought he was wayolder than Aiden. But she saw now that his sweatshirt hung loosely, like he’dborroweditfromsomeonebiggerandtaller.Andhissneakerswereplatformedtogivehimacoupleextrainches.

“Look,” saidAru, stepping forward. “I don’t knowwhatLadyMhas toldyou,butwe’vebeensentbytheCouncilofGuardianstoretrievesomethingthatwas stolen.Youdon’twant to findyourselfon thewrongsideof thegods,doyou?”

Theleadergrinnedsmugly.“That’sexactlywhatshesaidyou’dsay.”

“Did she tell you that you’d be stopping the Pandavas?” asked Brynne,crossingherarms.

Oneofthehoodedfiguresinthebackgasped,andhisneighborelbowedhimsharplyintheribs.

“You’re Pandavas?” repeated the leader. “Oh snap!” But then he startedlaughing.“Dude,whocares?”heasked.“Lookatyou.You’reallfreakingpathetic.ShetolduswhyyougotkickedoutoftheOtherworld—”

Aidenspokeup.“Theyweren’tkickedout.You’vebeenliedto.”

“Awww,andyou’vegotalackey,”saidtheleader.“That’scute.”

Brynnegrowled,nearlylurchingforward,butAidencaughtherbythewrist.

“It’snotworthit,”hetoldher.

“Aiden’sright,”saidMini loudly.“Howcouldyoueventrustsomeone likeLadyM?She’samonster.”

“Yougot that allwrong,” the leader said.Hegestured to amemberof thepossebehindhim.“Yo,Hira.Show’emwhatshelookslike.”

Aguywaspushedforwardandhishoodyankedbacktorevealthathewasn’taguyatall,butayounggirlwithbrighthazeleyesandlightbrownskin.Therewassomethingshyandskittishabouther,asifherownshadowcouldtakeherbysurprise.

“Idon’twantto—”shestarted.

“DoitorI’llgetyouthrownout,Hira,”saidtheleader.“Thenwhatareyougoingtodo?Gobacktoyourfamily?Ohwait,youdon’thaveone.”

WhenAru sawHira’s lips trembling, shewanted to punch that dude. But

thenthegirltransformed.

The moment Hira took a deep breath, light rippled down her body. Sheturned into a beautiful adult woman with shining black hair, long red nailspolishedtoahighgloss,andgoldenskinthatpracticallyshimmered.

Aruwas stunned.ThatwasSurpanakha?Shedidn’t look at all likehow thepoemshaddescribedher.Wherewere the fangs?Thedragging limbs and grayskin?

Oneoftheboysletoutaloudwolfwhistle.

“Don’twhistleattheimageofmyfuturewifey!”snarledtheleader.

Miniwhispered,“IwonderifSurpanakhausedthelovearrowonthetwoofthem.”

That was a possibility. Surpanakha could have also bewitched this wholegroupofasurastoseeherasabeautifulwomanandnotahideousdemoness.

Hirachangedbackandrejoinedtheposse.

“Pleasedon’tmakemedothatagain,”Hiramumbled.

Oneofhercohortslaughed.

Another one said, “I dunnowhy you keep looking like thatwhen you canchangeintoahotgirlwheneveryouwantto.”

Aru glowered, but before she could act, Brynne pointed her windmace atthem. The two obnoxious asuras were blown into the reeds, landing with asatisfyingsplashandawailofoutrage.

“Enjoythemud,pigs,”saidBrynne.

Threeothers—includingtheleader—werehurledagainstthetreesbyanotherblastofBrynne’swindmace.

Hiraremainedstanding,thankstoaspherethathadshieldedher.Shestoodthereopenmouthedandincredulous.Mini,ontheotherhand,hadaslysmileonherface.

Toherright,Aruheardasoftchuckle,andsherealizedthatnotallthethugshad been defeated. Sparky had also notmoved from his place in front of thearchway.He looked… taller than before, she thought. Even from behind hisbizarresunglasses,Arucouldfeelhisintensegaze.

“Whoa!Noway!”

Aiden’sexclamationmadeAruturnawayfromSparkytheSilent.

“Isthat…?”askedAiden.“Wait,Ithinkitis!”

Thanks toBrynne’swindmace, all theasuras’hoodshadbeenblownback.Thiswholetime,Aruhadthoughttheywereintheir lateteensortwenties.Butno.Theywereseventhandeighthgraders.Oneofthemhadabadcaseofacne.Theotherworeblackeyelinerandashirtthatsaid4.0GPA.WITNESSME.Twoofthemwerewearingthingoldnecklacesthathadbeenloopedaroundtwicetolookmorelikeintimidatingchains.

Theleaderlurchedoutofthetrees,groaningandrubbinghisback.

Aidenstartedlaughing.“Dude.Navdeep,isthatyou?”

Arusquintedattheasuraleader.ShedefinitelyhadseenthatguyatAugustusDay.

Theleaderwentwide-eyed,thenshookhisheadfrantically.

“Um,wehavehomeroomtogetherinAtlanta?”triedAru.

“Nah,girl.Idon’tknowyou.Youdon’tknowme.Andyoudefdon’tknowhowIlive.”

“WewerelabpartnersinMr.Dietz’shonorsbioclass?”saidAiden.

“Bruh—”saidtheboyinguyliner.

Arudidn’tknowthat.Thenagain,shewasnotinMr.Dietz’shonorsscienceclass. She had, however, been a frequent guest of Mr. Dietz’s after-schooldetention.

The others had recovered by now and were advancing cautiously. ExceptHira.Shemusthaverunoffatthefirstchance.

“I’mgettingtiredofthis,”saidBrynne.“You’regoingtogetoutofourway.Now.”

Shebrandishedherwindmaceagain.Aru,holdingherlightningbolt,fellintoplacenexttoher.AidenandMiniflankedthemwithscimitarsandDeeDee.

Bothsidesrushedeachotheratthesametime.

Itwas,Aruthought, likeplayingdodgeball.Exceptinsteadofarubberball,everyonehad,youknow,harmlessstufflikeswordsanddangerousmagic!

Fightingwasn’t somethingAru enjoyed. But fighting alongside her friends?Thatfeltlikemusic.MinitwirledDeeDeeinfrontofher,thentossedthedandahighintotheairasshewhisperedasingleword:

“Adrishya.”

Vanish.

Minihadbeenpracticing invisibilitydefenses forawhilenow,but thiswasthe first time it worked. A veil fell over the four of them. Dee Dee hovered,utterlystill intheair, likethehandleofagiganticumbrella.Theasurasstartledbackward,shouting:“Where’dtheygo?!”

Arutappedintotheirmindlink:Youfinallygotit!

Miniresponded:Yup.CrackeditwhileIwassleeping.

Jeez,thoughtAru,maybeIshouldnapmore.

Nowinvisible,Brynnesummonedthewind,whichstirredthedirtandforcedthegoonsbackfarther.

“Aim!”shoutedone.

“ButIcan’tseethem!”

Oneoftheasurasutteredamagicalword,anda jetofwaterbrokethroughthedirt,splatteringagainstMini’sinvisibleshield.

“Foundyou,”saidNavdeepviciously.

Theyranforward,swordsout.

“Shah!”holleredAiden.HeheldouthisscimitarsandArutouchedeachofthemwithVajrasotheycrackledwithenergy.

“We’vegotdefenses,”saidMini.“I’mlettingdowntheshield.”

AruandBrynneinstantlystoodback-to-back.

“Doit,”saidBrynne.

Minireducedtheshield,keepingitwrappedonlyaroundherselfandAiden.They herded the attackers with invisible jabs, forcing them into a tight circle.Brynne blasted them with wind, and Aru added the finishing touch: a goldenelectricalnettocatchandpintheminplace.

“You’retrappednow,”Brynnegrowledatthem.“Ifyouwantustofreeyou,thenpromisetoleave.”

“Fine,fine!”saidNavdeep.“Justletusgo!”

Aruretractedthenet.Thefourboysscamperedawaydownanaturepath.

Miniwaiteduntiltheyhadbecomenothingmorethanspecksinthedistancebeforeyelling,“ITWASNOTNICETOMEETYOU!”

Brynne laughed. “That’swhat you shout at the backs of your enemies?Not

‘Don’tmesswithmysquad’?”

Aidenshuddered.“Canwenotsay‘squad’?”

“Why?Doesitannoyyou?Does‘hashtagsquadgoals’makeyoumad?”askedAru.

“Yes.”

“Thenwe’reasquad.”

“‘Squad’soundslikeitshouldbeavegetable,”saidMini.

Brynnerubbedherstomach.“Mmm…sautéedsquad.”

“Pleasestop,”saidAiden.

Thefourofthem,rememberingwhattheyhadcomefor,turnedbacktothearchway.Andstoppedshort.

Itwouldseemthatnotall theboyshadrun.Sparkyhadstayedbehind,hisarmsstillcrossed,hisfacestillinscrutablebehindhisweirdsunglasses.

“Didn’tyoujustseewhathappenedtoyourfriends?”askedBrynne.

Arurubbedhereyes,blinkedacoupletimes,andresumedstaringatSparky.Thatguyhadtobegettingtallerbythesecond.Aroundhishead,shecouldseeafaintshiningcorona,likehowsaintsinoldpaintingssometimeslookedliketheywerewearinggoldastronauthelmets.Butitwasn’tjustsaintswhoweredepictedlikethat….

Itwasgods,too.

“I’mwarningyou,”saidBrynne.“Thesearepowerfulweapons.”

Sparky clapped once. Aru felt a sharp tug in her chest, like someone hadgrabbed her heart and pulled. Mini made a pained sound, and even Brynnedoubledoverasifshe’dbeenkickedinthegut.Aidenyelled,“Hey!”

Furious,ArureachedforVajraand—

Herfingersclosedaroundair.

Vajra!

Herlightningboltwasgone!Howcouldherlightningboltnotbewithher?Itfelt like shehad losta limb.Butwhenshe lookedup, she saw it, shining in itsPing-Pong form, in Sparky’s hand. In his other handwasBrynne’swindmace,Mini’sDeeDee,andevenAiden’senchantedscimitars.

“That’snothowIliketofight,”saidSparky.

ItwasthefirsttimeAruhadheardhimtalk.Hisvoicewaswarmandcrackly,likeafire.

AruhadnoclueastohowSparkydidliketofight.Butitdidn’tmatter.Shehadnootherweaponsordefensiveitemsleft.Inherbackpackwasahalf-emptybottle of water, a package of Oreos that she’d shoved into its very depths soBrynne couldn’t sniff it out, and a useless vial from theWarehouse of QuestMaterials:asingle“brightidea.”

“Who…whoareyou?”askedAiden.

Sparkyshrugged.“Justsomeonewhodoesn’tlikefighting….YouwanttogointotheOceanofMilk,andIhavea theoryas towhy.Butyou’llhave toearnyourpassage.Ifyouwantmetomoveoutoftheway,beatmeinacontest.”

“Whatkindofcontest?”askedBrynnesuspiciously.

Sparkygrinned.“Aneatingcontest.”

“Eating?” Brynne echoed happily. “Sign me up! I’ve never lost an eatingcontest.”

EBrynneLosesanEatingContest

atingcontestswereforfairsorcarnivals.Theywerenotmeanttobepartofaquesttopreventademonessfromgainingimmortality,sothiswasjustrude.

There was nothing any of them could do about it, not that Brynne wascomplaining.Arukeptopeningandclosingherhands,willingVajrabacktoher,buther lightningboltwasnowtightlywedgedunderSparky’s foot, alongwiththescimitarsandmace.Atleasthewasn’ttossingVajraupintheairandcatchingit,ashewasdoingwithMini’sdandastick.

Mini sniffed. “Dee Dee doesn’t like being treated like that. It’s a verysensitiveinstrument!”

Sparky, who had his back to them as he muttered some enchantments,ignoredher.

BesideAru,Brynnestartedpacingbackandforthandmassagingherjaw.

“Pleasedon’t sayyou’vegot somekindofmagical jaw thatunhinges,” saidAru.“Ifthat’sthecase,I’mout.”

BrynnesaidsomethinglikeMahdjawdushnotunhish!

“InHungryBrynne,thatmeans‘Itdoesn’tunhinge,’”translatedAiden.Thenhewhispered,“Althoughitkindalookslikeit.”

“Almostready!”announcedSparky, turningtoface them.Hesteppedasideandswepthisarminavoilà!gesture.

RightinfrontoftheentrancetotheOceanofMilkstretchedalongpicnictablewithared-checkedtablecloth.Itsentiresurfacewascoveredwithbowlsandplatesofdifferentfoods.Theysteppedclosertoexamineitmoreclosely,andthearomasmadeAru’smouthwater.Therewassteaminglentilsoup,thickpiecesofnaanstuddedwithfennelseedsandgarlic,coconutandquincechutney,pickledmango, andhundredsof different kindsof vegetable stew.Aru sawoneof herfavorite snacks lying on the far side of the table: idli, savory disk-shaped rice

cakesthatshethoughtlookedlikeUFOs.

ButevenBrynnelookedalittlewaryofthemountainsoffood.Wherehaditallcomefrom?

Mini,who hadn’t had anything but a power-nap chocolate bar since beingcaptured,startedtoreachforapieceofnaan….

“Ah-ah-ah!” Sparky said, suddenly appearing beside her to slap her handaway. “Only for the contestant. Now, where did I put those utensils andnapkins?”Herushedovertoapicnicbasketthathadmagicallyappearedontheground.

Sparkymovedridiculouslyfast.Oneminutehewasstandinginoneplace,thenextminutehewassomewhereelse.Itwasassuddenasaflameeruptingat theendofamatchstick.

Arusniffedtheair.“Doyousmellthat?”

“Ididn’tdoit,”saidBrynne,turningred.

“Itsmellslikesomethingisburning,”saidMini.“ButIdon’tseeafire….Ohno.Whatifthereisafire?Doyouknowthatinmostfirespeoplegetasphyxiatedbysmoke,andthenthey—”

“Die?”askedAidenandAruatthesametime.

“Yes!”saidMini.

“So, are you forfeiting orwhat?” yelled Sparky from the other side of thepicnictable.Hewasseatedatthefarend,holdingaforkinonehandandaspoonin the other,with a napkin tied around his neck.Aruwonderedwhere he hadstashedtheirweapons.

“Noway,”saidBrynne.

She satdownopposite him.Onher leftwas thenaan and a coupleofwetpaper towels for her hands.On the other sidewas a tall glass ofwater. FromAru’s short-lived stint in cotillion etiquette classes, she knew thatwater alwayswentontherightandbreadontheleft,becauseifshepinchedherindexfingerandthumbtogetherwhileholdinguptherestofherfingers,itlookedlikeadonherrighthand(fordrink)andabonher lefthand(forbread). Itwas theonlythingshehadtakenawayfromclass.(Oh,andhalfofsomegirl’sbraid,butthatwascompletelybyaccident.Honest.)

“So, let’sbegin,” saidSparky.“I’ve alwayshadabig appetite.Sometimes itgetsmeintotrouble.”

Brynnecrackedherneckfromsidetoside.“Metoo.”

“Onetime,Iateonlygheenonstopfortwelveyears,”saidSparky.Heliftedabowltohismouthandstartedslurping.

Sparkyhadtobejokingabouttheghee.Aruthoughtgheewasdisgustingonitsown.Itwasjustclarifiedbutter!

Brynnemusthavethoughthewasjoking,too,becauseshesaid,“Onetime,Iateeverythinginabakery.Inoneday.”Thenshestarted inhalingfoodlikeshewasavacuumcleaner.

Whoa,Aidenwasnotkidding.Aru’sjawhurtjustwatchingBrynne.

“Toldya,”hesaid.

“Howcanshebreathe?”askedMini.

SparkyhadoneuponBrynne,though.Notonlydidhekeepupthepaceofhiseating,buthecouldtalkthroughit,too.

“Noonedevoursasmuchasme.Onetime,Iatefifteenhundreddosasinlessthanfiveminutes.”

Brynne ignoredhimandkeptgobbling thingsdown.Aru,Aiden, andMiniranback and forthdown thepicnic table, replacingher emptydisheswith fullones,tossingthedirtyplatesontheground,wipinghermouth(andoccasionallyhernoseiftherewassomethingreallyspicy),andholdingtheglassofwaterforher to sip. Sparky had to do everything by himself, but it didn’t seem to beslowinghimdownany.

Atonepoint,Brynneletoutaparticularlyepicburp.Aidenwassoimpressed,hehigh-fivedher.

Minishookherhead.“Thatcan’tbegoodforyouresophagus.”

ThenSparky followed suit.Onlywhen he burped,he letout abelchof…fire.Flamesscorchedthemiddleofthepicnictable.

Theyallfrozeforafewseconds,costingBrynnesomevaluabletime.

“Isthatnormalasurabehavior?”askedMininervously.

“Now,ontothedesserts!”announcedSparky.Thetablemagicallyfilledwithall-newdishes,andhesurveyedthemwithdelight,hiseyesgleamingashungrilyasever.

Aruwasn’tsure,butshethoughtsheheardBrynnegroansoftly.

“Ready to give up?” Sparky asked her. He dug his spoon into a bowl of

creamyrasmalai.ItwasoneofAru’sfavoritedesserts,niceandcoldandwiththeperfecttextureofaspongecake.Nommmm.

“No?”saidBrynne,butshewasstartingtosway.

“Are you sure about that?” asked Sparky, laughing. He drained the entirebowlofrasmalai,thenpoppedthemetaldishitselfintohismouthandcruncheddown.“Once,Ihadsuchabadstomachachethatnooneintheworldcouldcureit.Notevensages.Ihadtogostraighttothegods.”

Brynneforceddownamouthfulofcarrothalwa.

“Once, I—” she began to brag. Then she stopped, too full to speak. Sheshookherhead,thenmadeago-aheadgesturetoSparky.

Sparkylookedverysmugasheinhaledtherestofthedesserts,talkingallthewhile. “I had to eat ghee for years, all because some kingwanted to conduct agreatritual….Twelveyearsofclarifiedbutter!EvenPaulaDeenwouldhaverunintheoppositedirection.”

ArueyedSparky.Over the courseof the contest,hehadgrowneven taller.Hisskin,whichhadalwaysbeenabitruddy,nowremindedherofembers.Evenhis hair, once a rust color, like a bad dye job, had changed. Now it lookedmulticolored—blue at the roots, orange in themiddle, and yellow at the tips.Likeaflame.

“One time I ate a forest. Nothing can sate my hunger,” moaned Sparky.“Nothingatall!”

Bynow,hehadsnarfeddownallthedesserts.Insteadofgettingupfromthetable,hesetuponit.Thered-checkedclothdisappearedintohismouthandwhenheburped,cindersfellonthetabletop.

Brynnegroanedandrolledoverontohersideonthebench.“Ican’tbelieveI’msayingthis,but…I’mfull.”

Sparkydidn’t answer—he just stared into space, as if all concernabout thecompetitionhaddisappearedandhewasthinkingdeeplyaboutsomethingelse.

Behindhimstoodthearchway,nowclearofanyobstacle.Alltheyhadtodowasmakearunforit…butBrynnecouldn’tmove.Andtheydidn’thavetheirweapons, either. They couldn’t go in to the Ocean of Milk without theirarmaments.

“TheworldbecamebleakwhenIstartedlosingmyluster,”saidSparky.Hisvoice got louder as his body grew bigger.No longer able to fit on the picnicbench, he stoodup, as tall as the archway. “After all, I am the spark inside all

livingbeings.Imakethingsbright.Imakethingsburn.Itismynature.”

The sunglasses fell from Sparky’s eyes, which didn’t look human or evendemonic.Theyglowedliketwinfieryrubies.

“He’s…definitelynot…anasura…”saidAidenslowly.

“YATHINK?”demandedAru.

“But the problem is,” continued Sparky, “once I start, it’s very hard tostop….”

HisLITshirtrippedinhalfdownthemiddle,revealingabrightredsuitedgedinflames.Sparkywasn’tdoneeating.Hewasdevouringeverythingwithinreachbysetting italight.Soon, thewholepicnic tablewouldbe reduced toash.Thereedsaroundthemburstintoflame.

“We’regoingtobetrapped!”criedMini.

FrombehindArucameaweakchuckle.Brynne,whostillhadnotrecoveredfromthecompetition,clutchedherstomachandsaid,“Idon’tfeelsobadaboutlosingnow.”ShepointedatSparky.“AtleastIlosttoagod.”

Agod?

It clicked then.The fire.The insatiable appetite that coulddevour a forestwhole…

Sparky wasn’t some kid with ugly sunglasses and an appetite that coulddestroy a city. He was Agni, the god of fire. And he was on the verge ofconsumingthem.

A

AruShahIsonFire.No,butSeriously.Like,FireFire.ThisIsNotaDrill

gnihadgrowntothesizeofanelephant.

The picnic tablewas nothingmore than a smoldering pile of embers.Now the trees around them began to crackle. Smoke churned through the air.Aru,Mini, and Aiden dragged Brynne’s picnic-bench sickbed away fromAgnianddrewintoatightgroup,butwhatelsecouldtheydo?Theyhadnoweapons—nothingbut theirwitsand theirbackpacks.And theirbest fighterwasdownforthecount.

“Oh,thepain!”moanedAgni.“I’mstillsohungry!”

“Maybeyouhave indigestion?”suggestedMini.“I…Ihavesomething forthat?Forwhenfoodistoospicy?Maybethat’swhyyou’reburpingflames….”

“I love spice,” cut in Brynne. She was curled up in the fetal position andbreaking out into a cold sweat. “I could eat, like, a whole bottle of cayennepepper.Watchme.”

Andthenshepromptlythrewup.

Aidenwentovertoofferherasipofwaterfromhiscanteenandwipeoffherface.

Minitossedabottleofantacidpillsatthegodoffire.Agnicaughtitinonehand,whereitimmediatelymelted.

“Noooooooooo!”hecried.

Moretreesbegantocatchfire.Minicoveredhernoseandmouthwithawetnapkintoavoidbreathinginthesmoke.

“Helpme,Pandavas!”shoutedAgni,clutchinghisbelly.

“How’boutwefillsomeoftheseemptybowlswithswampwater?”suggested

Aiden.“Thenwecanthrowitonhim.”

“Itwon’tbeenough.Thewaterwilljustturntosteam,”saidMini,“andthenwe’llchokeanddie.”

“Whataboutwetrocks?”askedAru,lookingaround.“Ifwepiledthemup,wouldtheyputoutthefire?”

“Notriverrocks!”saidMini.“Thewatermoleculesinsidewillexpandastheyheatup,andthey’llexplode,andthenwe’lldie!”

“What’sanoptionwherewedon’tdie?”askedAiden.

Agnigroaned.“I’mstarving….”

Hewas a raging inferno now.His scarlet suit gleamed.His arms ended infireballs.

Aruneverthoughtshe’dsaythis,but:“ImissSparky.”

“Youhelpedcuremyappetiteoncebefore,”pleadedAgni,“intheKhandavaForest.Doitagain!”

Before… in the Khandava Forest? That was where Takshaka’s wife hadperishedintheflames.TheplacewhereArjunahadshotdownanylivingcreaturethathadtriedtoescapethefire.EverytimeAruthoughtaboutit,shefeltmoregrossed-outandguilty,eventhoughshewasn’ttheonewhohadfiredthearrows.Butshehadn’tknownbeforenowthatthefirewascausedbyAgni….

“Aru!”screamedMini.“Watchout!”

AhugeburningbranchoverheadwasabouttofallonAru’shead.

Aidenyankedherback.

TheflameshadgrownintoatoweringwallthatblockedtheentrancetotheOceanofMilkcompletely.Agniwasbacktheresomewhere,butArucouldn’tseehimbehindthefire.

“Wehavetomoveawayfromhere,”saidMini,astheflamesdancedtowardthem.“C’mon!”

Together,thethreeofthemliftedBrynne’sbenchandhauleditfartherdownthewalkway.

“Westillneedtogetthroughtheresomehow,”saidAiden, lookingbackatthearchway.“Ifonlywecouldbulldozeswampmudontothefire…”

“Butwedon’thavetheequipment,”saidMini.

Andthen,fromthebench,Brynnecroaked,“Wecanask?”

Aru andMini looked at each other. Evenwithout the Pandavamind link,theyknewwhatBrynnewastalkingabout.Askingtheirsoulfathersforhelp.

“Dowhatyouhavetodo,”saidAiden.“I’mgoingtotrytoleadAgniawayfromtheentrance.”

Heranbacktowardtheflames.

Arutookadeepbreath.“Okay,timetomakeafewcalls.”

Mini closedher eyes, claspingherhands together.Brynnewhispered to theair.Arulookedtothesky.

“Hi,Dad…” she said. “So… hope you’re well.Um, if you can seeme,you’llnoticetheflamesthatareabouttoconsume…us?Iknowyoudon’tliketointerfere,butwe’rereallydesperate.Couldwegetsomehelp?Please?”

She closed her eyes tight, trying to ignore the heat coming from the treesburning nearby. Then Aru felt the slightest tug on her backpack. She turnedaround, expecting to seeMini.ButMiniwas still standingnext toher, silentlypraying.Brynnewasstillonthebench.Aruclosedhereyesagainandoncemorefeltatugonherbackpack.

Shedroppeditontheground,thenrifledthroughit.

“Didyougetasign?”askedMiniexcitedly.

“Isyourbackpackenchanted?”askedBrynne,sittingup.

“Ijustfeltatug,butthere’sgottobesomemistake.There’snothinghere.”

The fire continued to move closer. Aiden raced back toward them. Thereweresootmarksonhisfaceandhewasoutofbreath.

“I”—hecoughed—“couldn’t…makehimmove….”

Mini ran over to Aiden. She searched her bag and found him a bottle ofwater.

Inapanic,Arudumpedoutthecontentsofherbackpack.

Nothing but socks, a package of Oreos—which prompted Brynne to say,“HEY!WhenIasked ifyouhadany snacks,yousaidno!”—andthe littlevialfromtheWarehouseofQuestMaterialslabeledBRIGHTIDEA.Theglowingbluejarwasnobiggerthanoneofhermom’sperfumebottles.

“Openit!”saidAiden.

Arutriedtopulloutthecorkinthetop,butitwouldn’tbudge.Everyoneelsealsogaveitago,withnosuccess.Iftheycouldn’topenit,howweretheygoingtogettotheideainside?

“We’redoomed,”saidMini,tuggingatherhair.

ButAruwasn’treadytogiveupyet.Whatiftheanswerwasthebottleitself?Apersoncoulduseupmaterialthings,liketreesandshrubs,foodandcloth…but it was harder to exhaust an idea. And the moment an idea was used, itchangedshape.

Anideawasimpossibletoburn.

“Ithink…IthinkI’vegotanidea,”saidAru.

Underanyothercircumstances,shewouldhavelaughedattheunintentionaljoke.ButAruwasoutof laughs.Shegripped thebottle tightly, then turned tofaceherfriends.ThismightbetheirlastchancetoreachtheOceanofMilk.

“I’m going to try to distract Agni with this,” she said. “When he turns, Iwantyoualltorunintotheportalwithout—”

“Noway,Shah,”saidAiden.

“We’renotgoinganywherewithoutyou,”addedMini.

Aruwouldhavearguedwiththem,butthenBrynnespokeup.

“I’mnotabandoningfamily.”

That joltedAru.Minihadbeenhersoulsisterforawhilenow,butBrynneandAidenhadonlyrecentlybeenshovedintoherlifewithoutherconsent.Sincethen, they’dmade funofone another and foughtwithone another andsharedcandyandbattlesandevenawfulroadtrips(withredcows).So,yeah,itwassafetosaytheywerefamily.

Shewasn’tgoingtoleavethem,either.

Aburninghandreachedoutthroughthewallofflames.

“IAMHANGRY!”Agnithundered.

Whenhisheademerged,Arucouldn’tmakeoutthepartsofhisfaceanymore—excepthehadswirlingredpitsforeyes.Itwasasifbeinghungryforsolonghadmadehimpureelement.

“I’vegotsomethingforyou!”sheshouted,holdingupthevial.

Theheadloomedforward.

“I’mgoingtoneedsomeheight,”Arutoldtheothers.

“Yougotit,”saidBrynne,rollingontoherhandsandknees.“Pileon!”

Althoughshewasapparentlytoostuffedwithfoodtochangeshape,Brynnewasstillsuperstrong.Aidenclimbedontoherback,thenMiniclimbedontohis.Aruclamberedupherfriends.Intheory,itshouldhavebeenlikegoingupstairs.Butitdidnotgoassmoothlyasplanned.

Atonepoint,Aidengrumbled,“Shah!Yourfootisonmyface!”

AndhedidnottakekindlytoAru’ssuggestion:“Thengetyourfaceoffmyfoot!”

TheyteeteredbackandforthasAgnirolledtheirway.Wavesoffireskirtedaround them, nearly blistering their skin and blackening the wooden planksbeneath their feet.Agniopenedhis jaws, getting ready to swallow themwhole.AllAru could seewere searing flames, the air in front of her heat-warped andfurious.

“Now,Shah!”screamedBrynne.

Arupitched the“bright idea” forward.Theblue lightof thebottle lookedlike an iceberg in a sea of flame.Agni lurched forward to grab it between hismoltenteeth.Themomenthebitdownonit,awaveofenergycoursedthroughthe national park, blowing them off the boardwalk and sending them into theshallow,reed-filledswamp.

ThecoldwaterstunnedAru.Quickly,theystoodupandwadedovertothepathway,shivering.Infrontofthem,Agniwasstruggling,contortinghimselfandchewingfuriously.

“WHY…”hegrumbled.

“CAN’T…”Hechoked.

“I…”Hegasped.

“EAT…”Hechewed.

“YOU?”heroared.

Agnispunaround,tryingtofindAruandtheothers.Theflamesonhisbodyflickeredandhissed.Slowly,heshrankfromthesizeofaragingforestfiretothatofabig,glowingman.Hisclothes smolderedandburned, smokeunraveling intheair abovehim.The fireshehad ignited rolledbackward, instantly restoringeverythingthathadoncebeenconsumed.No—notrestoring.Changing.Thetrees,oncereducedtocinders,grewtallagain,buttheirtrunksandbrancheswerenow

madeoutofgold.Thedirt,previouslydullandcoveredinbrambles,wasnowtherichbrownofhotcocoa,andstuddedwithsmalljewelsinsteadofrocks.Brightredflowerscarpetedtheareasthathadbeenfullofreeds.

“What-t-td-d-didyoud-d-dotothatv-v-vial?”AidenaskedAru,his teethchatteringinthecold.

Sheshrugged.“N-n-nothing.Ijusthadanideaandp-p-passeditontohim.”

“What idea?”Brynnedidn’tevenseemcold,maybebecauseshe’d justeatenmorethanherownweightinspicyIndiandishes.

“Iwonderedwhatwouldhappenifn-n-nothingaroundherewasedible,”saidAru.

“Lookatthet-t-treasure!”Minisaid,pointing.

Thepicnictablewasback,butnow,insteadofbeingpiledwithfood,itwaspiledwithjewelsofallkinds.

“Man,”grumbledBrynne.“Hecouldn’tevenleaveussomenaan?”

But thebiggestchangewas inAgnihimself.Nowthathis firehadreceded,he’dturnedintoSparky2.0.Hewastall,butnolongermonstrouslyso.Hisuglyshirthadbeenupgradedtoascarletsherwanijacketedgedinflamedesigns,andhischeapplasticsunglasseswerenowapairofRay-Bans.Ascarfofmoltenlavahungaroundhisneck,andhishair lookedlikebankedembers—whichwasdefinitelyan improvement over the weird dye job. At his side trotted a bright red ram,whichArurecognizedashisvahana,orcelestialmount.

Agni stretched his arms above his head, yawned, and patted his stomach.“Oof…ThatwasalotofcaloriesIjustate.Ifeelafoodcomacomingon.”

Hebelched, scorching apatchof grass next to thepath.The godwas stillchewingonthebrightidea,Arunoticed,likeitwasapieceofgum.

“Smartthinking,”hesaid,pointingathisidea-filledcheek.

“Can’ttakeallthecredit,”saidAru,glancingupatthesky.

She didn’t see any sign of Indra there. No thunderclaps or flashes oflightning. But she and her friends were no longer dripping wet, and the airseemedwarmer,asiftheworldwerepleased.

The four of them still huddled close. Agnimight have pulled back on histerriblesplendor,butitwashardtotrustsomeonewhohadtriedtoconsumeyouinflames.

Agni noticed and waved them closer. “Technically, we’re family!” he said

happily.

Thefourofthemweretoohorrifiedtomove.

“Oh, I can see you’re still not over the whole set-you-on-fire thing,” saidAgni.

DUH!Aruwantedtosay,butsheknewbetter.

“I’mnotevil.Destructive,sure.Butdestructionisn’tnecessarilyabadthing,”saidAgni, gesturing at the golden trees and jeweledpicnic table. “Atmymostelementalstage,I’maforceofchange,evenpurification.”

“Butwe’renotthebadguyshere,”saidAru.“Whywouldyouwanttostopus?”

“Iwasdoingmyduty,asweallmust,”Agnisaid.“Mydutyistoburn,andlongago, thegods taskedmeto fulfill it againstanyonewhotriedentering theOceanofMilk.”

“That’sjustgreat,”saidBrynne.“Sowe’restilltrappedhere?”

“Not at all,” said Agni, moving aside to clear a path to the archway. HenoddedtoAru.“Youfoundawaytoextinguishthefire,soyoumaypasswithmyblessings.”

“WPresentsfromUncleAgni

ell?”Agniasked.“Goon,then!Goforthandkillandwhathaveyou.”

Agnisnappedhisfingersandtheirweaponsappearedoutofthinairandzoomedbackintotheirhands.

“Vajra!”saidArujoyously.

Sheneverthoughtshe’dwanttohugalightningbolt,buttodaywasoneofthosedays.Herlightningboltthrummedinherhands,thendoveintoherpocketasifrelievedtobehome.MiniwasfussingoverDeeDee, inspecting it foranykind of fire damage,while Brynne’smace blew her hair around her face like ahappyblow-dryer.Aidenslidonhisscimitarcuffswithoutsayinganything,butArusawhimdouble-checkthatShadowfaxhadn’tgottensingedbyAgni’sflames.

“Let’sgo!”saidBrynne,pointinginthedirectionofthearchway.“Howmanydaysdowehaveleft,anyway?”

Aidencheckedhiswatch,hisfacepaling.“One.”

Onedayleft?Aruthoughtshe’dhurl.ThroughthearchwaylaytheentrancetotheOceanofMilk.Theyweresoclose;theyhadtheirweaponsback…theyevenhadtheblessingofthegodoffire…andtheywererunningoutoftime…butArucouldn’tmakeherselftakeastepforward.

SheknewwhoshewouldhavetofaceintheOceanofMilk.

ShewasreadyforSurpanakha.Buttherewassomeoneelse,too…Takshaka,thenagaking.

HehadlosthiswifeintheKhandavaForestfirebecauseofArjunaandalso,apparently, Agni. Arjuna hadn’t acted alone, of course. In the stories, the godKrishna always fought beside him. But Aru didn’t understandwhyTakshaka’sfriends and community had had to die in those flames.Why hadn’t the godssparedthemiftheyhadn’tdoneanythingwrong?Itwasunfair,andeventhoughshewasmadattheserpentking,shealsounderstoodwhyTakshakawouldwant

totakeeveryonedown.

“What’s up, kid?” asked Agni, raising a knowing eyebrow. “You lookconfused.You’ve only got one opportunity, so youmight aswell askme yourquestion.”

Arucheckedherfriends.Brynneseemedmildlyirritated,butshebowedherhead as if to say Go ahead, if you must. Beside her, Aiden and Mini noddedencouragingly.

Aru turned back toAgni, who showed no traces of his former raging self.Nowtheheatradiatingfromhimwasascomfortingasaroaringhearthinwinter.Hisexpressionwaswarmandlively,exudingacozinessthatdrawsfamiliesandfriendstogether,andhiseyesflickeredwiththekindoflightthatinspiresstories.

Aru took a deep breath before asking, “Why did Arjuna kill Takshaka’sfamily?”

Agnileanedagainstoneofthegoldentreesthatonlyminutesagohadbeenapileofash.

“That’snottherealquestionyou’reasking,kid,butIgetit.Here’sthetruth.Alongtimeago,Igotreallysick.WhenIgetsick,everythinggetssick.”

“Youdon’tsay,”Brynnesaiddrily.

Agniignoredher.“I’masacredpartofeveryprayer!Youknowatweddings,there’saholyfirethatthebrideandgroomwalkaround?That’sme!Soit’snotgoodwhen I’mnotwell.Andwhen nothing could cureme, Iwent straight toBrahma himself. He told me that I had to eat the Khandava Forest. Only bydoingsowouldtheuniversebeinbalanceagain.”

Theuniversebeingoutofbalancedefinitelydidn’tsoundgood….“Butwhatabout—?”startedAru.

“Letmetellyouanothertale.EverheardofJayaandVijaya?”

“No?”

“They’re,like,attendantstothegodVishnu,aren’tthey?”askedAiden.

“Howdoyouknowthat?”askedAru.

“Mymomusedtotellmetheirknock-knockjokes.They’rereallybad.Trustme.”

“Ah,yes,yourmother,”saidAgni,strokinghischin.“It’shardtoforgetthefamousapsaradancerMalini.TellherIfinallymasteredthesalsa.Shetaughtme,youknow.”

“Youcouldtellheryourself?”triedAidenhopefully.

“Against the rules,” said Agni, shaking his head. “Malini gave up herconnection to theOtherworldwhen shemarried amortalman.Theymade anexception for you, though.” Agni shrugged. “Hope it was worth it for her.Anyway—”

ArusnuckaglanceatAiden.Hewasstandingthere,stricken,andAruwasn’tsure what to do. Brynne reached out to hold his hand, andAru looked away,feelingasifshe’dbeencaughtspying.

“JayaandVijayaarethedoorkeeperstoVishnu,”Agnicontinued.“Onedayagroupof four sages showsup.Onlyproblem is, they look likekids. JayaandVijaya don’t know they’re sages, so they tell them to get going, because LordVishnuissleeping.Well,thekid-sagesdon’tlikethat,andtheycursethemtolivehumanlives—”

“Howcomelivinglikeusisalwaysthecurse?”askedAru.

“Yeah!What’ssobadaboutbeinghuman,minustheallergies,politics,death,illness,realityTVshows—”Ministopped.“Nevermind.”

“Ahem.Anyway,”Agniwenton,“JayaandVijayaarehorrifiedbytheirfate,naturally, soVishnuoffers them two choices. Either they take seven births onEarth as good, pious devotees ofVishnu, or they take four births onEarth asVishnu’sswornenemies.Whichdotheygowith?”

“Sevenbirths,”saidMini.“Who’dwanttobetheenemyofVishnu?”

“Iagree,”saidAiden.

“Fourbirths,”saidBrynne.“I’djustwanttogetitoverwith.”

Arupointedather.“Yup.Same.”

“Jaya andVijaya agreedwithyou,” saidAgni, nodding atBrynne. “OneofthemostfamouslivestheylivedwasasRavanaandhisdemonbrother.”

Aruknewthatname.“Ravana?Like,thedemonkingwhostoleRama’swife?”

“Theveryone.”

Ravanawasanenemyandavillain,but,asAru’smomhadalwaystoldher,sometimes villains candoheroic things andheroes candovillainous things, sowhatdiditmeantobeoneortheother?AndnowRavana’ssister,Surpanakha,hadstolenthebowandarrow.Aru’sheadwasbeginningtohurt.

“ButIdon’tunderstandhowthisstoryanswersmyfirstquestion,”saidAru.

“Oh, but it does,” saidAgni. “You thinkwhat happened in theKhandavaForestwasunfair,andmaybeitwas.Itgoestoshowthat,aswithJayaandVijaya,bad things happen to good people, and good things happen to bad people.Sometimeslifeisn’tfair—butthatdoesn’tmeanthingshappenwithoutareason.We just don’t always know what the reason is. The world is inscrutable. Itdoesn’t owe you answers. You should only concern yourself with doing yourduty.Understand?”

Aruwouldhavefounditmoreunderstandableifshehadcutopenanappleandfoundorangepulpinside.

“Notevenalittle.”

“Good!”saidAgni.“Ifyouunderstood,you’dbeomniscient, and trustme,that’sarealheadache.”

Aru stood there, her confusion wanting to give way to peace. Maybe, byretrieving Kamadeva’s bow and arrow, she was doing exactly what she wassupposed to be doing. She didn’t have the god Krishna by her side the wayArjunadid,butshehadherfamilyandherinstincts,andifattheendofthedayshecouldsayshewasdoingherbest,thathadtocountforsomething…right?

“I’mready,”saidAru,evenasdoubtcoiledlowinherstomach.

Agni smiled.“I’mglad tohear it.You’regoing toneed tobe ready for thefightthat’sahead,”saidthegodoffire.“Youknow,thelasttimeArjunaandIhungout,Ibestowedhimwithgifts.Fortradition’ssake,IthinkIshoulddothesamenow.”

Aru, Brynne, and Mini made identical sounds that meantOhmygodpresentsIhopeitsshiny.

Aidenrolledhiseyes.

AgnicuppedhispalmstogetherandheldthemouttoMini.Whenheopenedhishands,thereappearedabeautifulburningrosewithblackpetals.

“Tothedaughterofthegodofdeath,IgiveaNightFlame,”hesaid.“Youwillneverbelostinthedark.”

Mini paid her respects to Agni by touching his feet.When she took theNight Flame, it turned into a black hair barrette that she immediately used tokeepherbangsoutofherface.

“Muchbetter,”saidMini.“Thankyou.”

“To the daughter of the godof thewind, I grant yourmace the power offlame,”saidAgni,wavinghisredhandoverBrynne’sweapon.

Thebluemacenowhadaredstripe.Brynnegrinned,thenswungthemacetotryitout.Fireflashedintheair.

“Tothedaughterofthegodofthunder,Igrantyouthis….”

Arucouldbarelykeepittogether.Pleasebeaflamingsword!Notthatshewouldreallyknowwhattodowithone…Shewasa lotbetterwithspearsandotherthrownweaponswheneverHanuman led their battle training sessions, but still.Howcoolwouldthatbe?Also,toastingmarshmallowswouldbeacinch.

ButAgnididn’thandheraflamingsword,oraflaminganything.Instead,hegaveheragoldcointhatreadIO(F)U.

Um,RUDE?thoughtAru.Also,notverysubtle….

“IncendiaryOffersforFutureUse,”clarifiedAgni.

“Oh.”

“Ihaveanarsenalofweaponsthatyouwillhaveneedof,daughterofIndra,”saidAgni.Hisvoicesoundedratherdistant,asifhehadglimpsedsomethingofthefuture.“Whenthattimecomes,callonme.”

Aru pocketed the coin, feeling the slightest dig of disappointment. “Okay,well,thanks,”shesaid.

“I’mnotquitedone,”saidAgni,pointingatAiden.

Aiden’seyeswidened.“Me?I’mnotaPandava—”

“Yes,yes,weknow,”saidAgni.HepointedatAiden’scamera.“MayI?”

“ButShadow—Imean,mycamera—isreallyoldand—”

“Imerelywanttoenhanceit,”saidAgni.

Reluctantly, Aiden held out the camera. From Agni’s fingertips erupted aribbonoffirethatencircledthecameraandmadeitglow.WhenAgnihandeditback, itwas freeof the scuffmarksand fingerprints that ithadaccumulatedontheirtrip.

“I added a fire battery.Thepowerwill never runout, and the camerawillalwayshaveenoughmemory.”

Aiden’sfaceshone.“Wow…thankyou!”

“Be careful out there. The golden dome over the labyrinth is known todeactivateallcelestialweapons.”Agniinclinedhishead.“Seewell,Pandavas.”

Aidenautomaticallysaid,“I’mnota—”

Butthegodoffirehaddisappeared,leavingonlyaburningemberonthespotwherehe’doncestood.

AButRealTalk,WhereAretheCookies?

ruworriedthatpassingunder thearchwouldmeanfallingheadfirst intoahuge glass of milk and some giant confusing her with an Oreo. But the

portaldidn’tworkthatway.Themomentthefourofthemsteppedthrough,theyfound themselves standing on pale sand. Suspended above them, stretched outlikeacreamysky,wasarollingsea.TheOceanofMilk.

On theonehand, being so close to itwas overwhelming.All around themwere the scattered remainsof thehuge cosmic eventwhen theOceanhadbeenchurnedforthenectarofimmortality.Thestoriessaidthathundredsofprecioustreasureshadleapedoutofthewaveswhenthegodsandasuraschurnedthesea,andAru could see the proof. Jutting from the smoothwhite sandwere thick,sparkling branches the size of towering oaks. There was only one tree theycould’vebelongedto:Kalpavriksha,thewish-grantingtree.Arutouchedabranchcautiously, feeling the rough-cut crystals thatwere embedded in thewood.Shefeltamutedpulseofmagicunderherfingertipsanddrewbackherhand.

“Wow,” breathed Brynne, pointing at the massive structures haphazardlysurrounding them. It looked as if someonehad choppedup theGreatWall ofChinaandscattereditacrossthesand.“It’sVasuki’sskin!”

Gross,thoughtAru.

Vasukiwas the naga kingwho had allowed his body to be used as a ropewhentheoceanwaschurned—afterthat,helivedasanecklaceonthegodShiva.NowthatArulookedclosely,shecouldmakeoutthepatternofiridescentscales,brightaspeacockfeathers,onthepiecesofsnakeskin.

Everythingwasso…massive.

Itmadesense—thesewerethetreasuresofgods.SeeingAgnichangeinsizehad reminded her that whenever gods fit in her field of vision, theywere justhumoringher.

Aruhadneverfeltsmallerinherlife.

There was no sound except the gentle swish of the ocean above and theconstantclickofAiden’scamera.

Minisaid,“Ithoughtitwouldsmelldifferent.Likecerealorsomething.”

“Yeah, me too,” said Aiden.He sniffed the air. “Kinda smells like an icecreamtruckparkedoutsideofaHindutemple.”

Yup,thoughtAru,that.Thesmellofcoldandcreamandwaftingincense.

“AndIdidn’t think itwouldbequiteassee-through,”addedAru,glancingupatthemilk/ocean/sky.“Lookslikeskimmilkupthere.”

“AtleastIdon’thavetoworryaboutlactose,”Minisaidwithmuchrelief.

“Idon’tknowwhytherecan’tbeanOceanofCookiesifthere’sanOceanofMilk,”reasonedBrynne.“Ifeellikethatshouldbeillegal.”

“Truth,”saidAiden.

Ofallthekindsofoceanstheycouldbewalkingunder,Aruwasgladitwasan Ocean of Milk and not something weirder, like an Ocean of Kombucha,whichtastedlikestewedsocksandsoysauce.

Thebrokentreebranchesandhugepiecesoftreasurecastlongshadowsthatthrew them intodarkness.Mini’sNightFlamebarrettenow looked like a lilachaloaroundherhead.Offtotherightofthem,Arucouldjustmakeoutafaintgoldenglow.

“Look!”saidAru,pointingattheglimmer.“Doyouthinkthat’sthedomeofthelabyrinth?”

“Mustbe,”saidBrynne.“Butwedon’tknowwho’sguardingtheoutside….I’mgoingtoscopeitout.”

Inaflashofbluelight,Brynnechangedintoasapphire-coloredhuntingdog.Shesnuffledtheground.

“Followme!” she said, pointing her paw to the left. “I can smell strongermagicaboutfivekilometerssoutheast—”

Minigasped.“You’resocuteasadog!”

Aidensnappedaphoto.

Brynnegrowledatthemallbeforeboundingoffintotheshadows.

Miniputherarmacrosshernose.“IhopeI’mnotallergictoher.I’moutoftissues, and Idon’twant tohave a runnynosewhenwe fight!”She raced afterBrynne,callingoverhershoulder,“We’lltakethefront,youguyspatroltherear!”

“Gotit!”saidAru.

The whole place felt a lot quieter without Brynne and Mini, and Aru’sthoughtswanderedbacktowhatAgnihadsaid.Seewell.

He wasn’t the first person to say that to her. The first was Varuni, thegoddess of wine. Only she’d slurred through a sort of prophecy before she’dgiven that advice…. Aru pushed herself to remember, until the words floatedbacktoher:

Thegirlwitheyeslikeafishandaheartsnappedintwo

willbemetinbattlebyagirlnamedAru.

Buttakecarewhatyoudowithaheartsobroken,

forugliertruthswillsoonbespoken.

You,daughterofIndra,haveatonguelikeawhip,

butbewaryofthosetowhomyouservelip,

forthereisatalebeyondthatsoonyoushallsee…

Butallthatdependsonyoursurvivingthesea.

Whotheheckwasthegirlwitheyeslikeafish?

HeartsnappedintwocouldmeanUloopi,whoseheartjewelhadbeenstolenandhiddenbyTakshakaalltheseyears.OrmaybeitwasSurpanakha?

Andthatlastpart…survivingthesea.ThatgaveAruchills.

“Isanoceanthesamethingasasea?”sheaskedAiden.

Hedidn’tsayanything.

“Wait,wasthatareallydumbquestion?”askedAru.

“Huh,what?”

ArutookVajraoutofherpocketandheldituptoAiden’sface.Eventhoughthe ball’s glowwasweak compared toMini’sNight Flame, she could seehimclearly. And he was clearly upset. His mouth was pulled down, and he wasgrippinghiscamerasotightthathisknuckleshadturnedwhite.

Allthoughtsoftheoceandisappeared.“Youokay?”sheasked.

Heglancedawayfromherquickly,butnotbeforeshe’dscannedtherestofhisface.Hestillhadsootmarksonhischeeksandnosefromwhenhe’drunintothefiresofAgni,butotherwisehedidn’tappear…badlyoff.Thenagain,hewasthesonofafamouslybeautifulapsara.Anditshowed.Arufeltherfaceturning

redandquicklylookedelsewhere.

“Yeah,” he said finally. “Kinda wish I’d had Agni’s eternal memory stickbeforenow.Icould’veuseditathome.”

“Oh,forlike…takingpicturesofstuffaroundthehouse?”

“Yeah, and, um,my parents.We used to have a lot of family photos, butMomputthemaway.Idon’tknowwhere.”

Aru rememberedhowstrickenAidenhad lookedwhenAgnimentionedhismom. Because shemarried amortalman, she’d given up all connection to theOtherworld.

Hopeitwasworthitforher.

Aruunderstoodhowawful that felt.Like itwas somehow his fault thathisownmomwouldn’t get to be part of the world she grew up in…And Aruhadn’t forgotten the nightmares that plagued Aiden because of his parents’divorce.Hismomwonderingifhavinghimwaswhatcausedthebreakup…

“Aiden?”

Helookedupfromhiscamera.“Yeah?”

“Areyouokay?Like,reallyokay?It’sfineifyou’renot….”

Aiden tookadeepbreath.Thenhe saidquietly, “It’smymom….What ifsheregretsherlife?Shegaveupeverythingformydad.Andthenheleaveshertomarryagirlfriendhemetwhilehewasstillwithmymom.And—”

Hisvoicebroke,andittookhimamomenttospeakagain.“What’dshegetoutofit?”

Aruputherhandhisshoulder.“You.”

She thought of all the times she’d seenMrs.AcharyawithAiden. Shewasalwaysprotectiveofhim,alwaysbrushingthehairoutofhiseyes,andsmilingathimevenwhenhedidn’tseeit.Aruknewthatthenextthingshesaidwasnotalie.“Andshe’dsayyou’reworthit.”

Aidenreally lookedather then.Hiseyeswerewideanddark,butnotpureblack. There were flashes of blue iridescence in them, like in Urvashi’s eyes.Maybeitwasanapsaratrait.ItmadesensetoAru.Apsarasspentsomuchtimedancinginthenightskiesthatmaybetheireyeseventuallymirroredthem.

Aidentookadeepbreath,andArudrewbackherhand.

“Ilikeyou,Shah.”

Aru’seyebrowsshotup.Herheartbeatjitteredandshefeltanotunpleasantswooshlowinherstomach,likebutterfliestakingwing.

Aidenpanicked.“Butnotlike,uh—”

Aaaandallthebutterfliesdied.

“Likefriends,”finishedAru,hervoicesoundingatouchtoobright.

“Yeah,”hesaid,smiling.“Likefriends.”

Aruwouldnever say no to havingmore friends, even if she thought, for asecond…Well,itdidn’tmatter.

“Just so you know,” she said, “being friends with me means that onWednesdayswewearpink.”

Aidensighedandmutteredsomethingunderhisbreath.ItsoundedalotlikeIneedtogetmoreguyfriends.

Bynow,thelandscapehadshifted.Atunnelmadeofpale-greenseaglassroseoutofthesand.Beyonditappearedaflat, shimmeringwallofmagic. It lookedlikearecentadditiontotheOceanofMilk,somethingintendedtohideactivitiesfrom sight. Aru and Aiden saw someone racing toward them from inside thetunnel.Theyinstinctivelyheldouttheirweapons,butitwasjustMini.

“Guys!” saidMini, heaving. “Ohmygods,mydyspnea is outof control. IthinkI’mdying.”

“Dip-what?”askedAiden.

“Dyspnea,”correctedMini,adjustingherglasses.“It’swhenyouhave laboredbreathing.”

“Right.Obviously.”

“You guys don’t have it because you’ve been walking so slow,” grumbledMini.Shepointedtowardthetunnel.“C’mon.You’regoingtowanttoseethis.Luckily,Brynneturnedintoagnatrightbeforetheysawher.”

“Who’sthey?”askedAru.

Minijustshookherhead.“You’llsee.”Sheheldherfingeruptohermouthas they walked briskly into the tunnel. Inside, the Ocean of Milk and thetreasures pushing out of the seabed were still visible, but they looked hazierthroughtheseaglass.

Thefarther theywent, thedarker theglassbecame,until itwaspitch-blackandtheyhadtorelyonMini’sNightFlame.Thefloorchangedfromsoftwhite

sand to slippery gray rock. The passage veered to the right, and Brynne waswaiting for them at the turn, hermace up and powering a vortex of air. “Thewindiswhitenoise—itcoversothersounds,”sheexplainedloudly.Shepointeddowntotheright.“Thatwaywecantalktoeachotherwithoutthemhearingus.”

Mini turnedoffherNightFlameand,usingDeeDee, surroundedthemallwithaninvisibilityshield.“Orseeingus,”sheadded.“Butwestillhavetomovereallycarefully.”

“Iknow,Iknow,”saidAruimpatiently.“I’m,like,thedefinitionofstealth.”

She took a step down the passage, slipped on the slick rock, and skiddedforward, straight through the barrier Mini had put up. Aru went sprawling.Brynnemusthavedroppedhervortexdefensesinsurprise,becauseAruheardtheunmistakablesoundofAiden’scameraclicking.

Shedidn’tevenhavetimetoproperlynurseherbruisednoseorego,becauseMinidarted forwardandquicklycastanother shield tomake themall invisibleagain.Theendof theblackrockpassageopeneduptoavista thesizeof threefootball fields placed together. Gone were the bits of treasure and snake skin.Instead,loomingoutofthesandwasthelegendarygoldendome—thelabyrinththatprotectedtheamrita.Arufeltaquickthrill—they’dfoundit!NowtheyjusthadtofindSurpanakhaandjabherwithanarrow,andthey’dbeoutofhere!

Then her gaze fell from the top of the golden dome to its base. There,surroundingitlikeaterriblearmy,werethousandsofHeartlesslinedupinneatrows.

Technically, all that separated themfromthedomeandtheHeartlessarmywas a pair of glass double doors at the end of the tunnel. But there was oneproblem: in an alcove right next to those doorswere two naga guardswearinghelmets and carrying sharp tridents.Theirmuscular serpent tailswere painted,onewitharedstripe,theotherayellowone.

Thered-stripedguardslashedhistridenttowardAruandsneered,“Gotanylastwords?”

COhNo!OhNo!Oh,WaitaMinute….

uetheworld’sworstfiveseconds.

Arufroze.Minihadherhandsuptryingtokeeptheshieldstrong.Howcouldtheguardshaveseenthem?Weretheirhelmetsmagicorsomething?BrynneandAidenmovedtothefrontoftheshield,weaponsout…

…andtheguardloweredhistrident,turningtotheotherguardtosay,“See?Thatishowtosoundmenacing.”Hesteppedbackintothealcove.

Theyellow-stripednagaguard’sshouldersdrooped.“Imean,whenyoudoit,itseemssoeasy,butIjustcan’t.”

“Hey,” said the red-striped guard gently. “Remember what you saidyesterday?”

“Oh.Abouttheyellow?”

“Yes.”

The naga with the yellow stripe gestured to his tail. “I was nervous itwouldn’tgowithmycomplexion.”

“Exactly,andnowlook!Theyellowbringsoutthegoldenundertonesofyourskin!It’seffortlesslytrendy.”

Theothernagabeamed.“Really?”

“Really,”saidRedStripe.“Apopofcoloralwaysaddspizzazz.”

YellowStripeagreed,his tailwhippinghappilyacross thegray stone.Thenthey started discussing the new organic sea-farm-to-jellyfish-table restaurant inNaga-Loka.

AruturnedtoMini,expectinghersistertobejustasconfusedasshewas,butinstead,shewaslookingattheundersideofherwrist.

“DoyouthinkIcouldpulloffyellow?”Miniasked.

Brynne crouched between the twoof them andpointed to the glass doors.“They’resodistractedwecouldsliprightpastthem,”shesaid.

“Andyes,Mini,youcanpulloffyellow,”addedAiden.

Minididadelightedpreen.

“Areyouguysgoingtobeokay,though?”askedAru.“Mini,you’regoingtohavetokeepupyourshield,andBrynne,thatvortexyou’recastingmightmakethingstricky.”

Brynne squeezed her right shoulder, which was probably beginning to gettiredfromtheweightofthemace.“I’llbeokayforawhilelonger.”

“Metoo,”saidMini,eventhoughhersmilelookedalittleforced.“Let’sdothis.”

Aru focused on changing Vajra into a bright sword. It wasn’t a flamingsword, like she’dbeenhoping for fromAgni, but itwas still ridiculously cool.Besideher,Aidenbroughtouthisscimitars.

Thefourofthemtiptoeddownthepassage.Theclosertheygottothedoors,thelargerthenagaguardsappeared.Theirtorsoswerenearlysevenfeettall,waybigger thananormalnaga’s, and thatwasn’t evencounting the lengthsof theircoiledtails.

“Behonest,”saidYellowStripe.“Doesthishelmetmakemyheadlookfat?”

“Fat is not bad,” said Red Stripe, rolling his eyes. “Stop looking at thosemagazinecovers.They’retotallyenchanted.”

Brynnepausedtoraiseherleftfistinsolidarityandkeptmoving.

“Iknow,Iknow…butthecoversaresoshiny…”saidYellowStripe.

Bynow,Aruandtheotherswerelessthanfivefeetawayfromtheglassdoors.Therewasaclearpathbeforethem,andjustontheothersidewasthearmyofHeartless.Allthezombieswerestandingstill,facingthegoldendome.Thefactthattheywereoutsideinsteadofinsidethelabyrinthwasprobablyagoodsign—they were the only way Surpanakha could retrieve the nectar of immortality,becausetheycouldn’tbeincinerated.ButwherewasSurpanakha?

Mini’s shield trembled.Aru could tell that the effort of keeping it upwasbeginningtostrainher.EvenBrynne,thestrongestoutofallofthem,hadahardset tohermouth.AidenwipedBrynne’s foreheadwithhis sleeve, and she shothim a thankful smile. Aru offered her sleeve to Mini, only to see her careenbackward.“Thegerms,Aru!”shehissed.“Getthatplague-infestedpolyesterawayfromme!”

Aru shrugged and keptmoving.Aiden got to the doors first.Carefully, heturnedtheknob.

“Goahead,Aiden,”urgedBrynne.

Hetookadeepbreath,thensteppedacrossthethreshold.

“Aru,yougonext,”saidBrynne.

Just asAruprepared tomove,oneof thenagaguards started shifting fromsidetoside.Aruhadn’tbeenlisteningtotheirconversation,butshecaughtbitsandpiecesaboutanewclubopeningupinthenagarealm.

“Ireallycannotdancebhangra,”saidYellowStripe.“Whatisitagain?”

“Patthedog,screwinthelightbulb,andjustsortabobaround—”

“Likethis?”

Histailwhippedacrossthefloor,catchingAru,Brynne,andMini.Theyalltrippedandfell.Thewindmacefaltered.MiniscrambledtoholdontoDeeDee,buttheshieldshattered.Fromtheotherside,Aidentriedtojostlethedoorandgetbacktotheothers,buthecouldn’t.

“WHATTHE—?”screamedRedStripe.

Heandtheotherguardswungtheirtridents.

“Ew,ew,ew!”whinedYellowStripe.“Humangirls!”

“Rememberourtraining,”saidRedStripe.“Whenconfrontedwithunsavoryindividuals—”

“Who are you calling unsavory?” demanded Brynne, swinging her mace.“We’renotthebadguyshere—youare!”

“Bad?Us?”

“Lookatthissportyredstripe!”saidthefirstnaga,pointingathisluxurioustail.“Doesthatsayeviltoyou?”

MiniraisedDeeDee,asiftocreateanothershield,butshewastootiredtodoitagain.EvenBrynne’swindmacedidlittlemorethanblowhotairinoneofthenagas’faces.ItwasuptoAru.

She threwVajra like aFrisbee.Lightningand thunder crackled loudly,andthetwonagaguardsdrewback.Still,theygotstung.

“Owee!Ow!Ow!”theysaid.

Aru tried to get through the glass door, but the nagas recovered quickly.

Their two tridents clashed down, blocking the exit with an X. Vajraboomeranged back to Aru, who caught it one-handed, and the lightning boltshiftedintoasword.Shegrippeditshiltwithbothhandsandswungit,butthenagasmovedasideinsync.Eachoftheirtailslashedout,grabbedherwrists,andpulledthemapartuntilVajradroppedtotheground.ItturnedintoaPing-Pongball andbouncedback intoherpocket,but thenagasdidn’tnotice.Theyweretoobusyhigh-fivingeachother.

“You remembered our choreography!” Red Stripe said to his comradeexcitedly.

Aru thought it couldn’t possibly getworse, but the universe felt otherwise.Becausewhoshouldcomestrollingintothepassagerightthenbut…

Surpanakhaherself,glossyblackhair,goldenskin,andall.

Thedemonessheldoutherhand,herlongrednailsflashinginthedimlight.“Releaseher,” sheordered thenagas. “Iwilldealwith themmyself.After that,leave your station at once and investigate the outside of the sea-glass tunnel. IbelieveI’mbeingfollowed.”

“Ofcourse,Admiral,”saidthenagasimmediately.

They dropped their tails, but before Aru could pull out Vajra, a pair ofmagical handcuffs clapped onto her wrists. Vajra remained in her pocket andtriedtocomfortAruwithaburstofwarmth.

BrynneandMinihadalsobeencuffed,andtheyworematchingexpressionsoffuryasSurpanakhawalkedtowardthem.Shepushedopenthedoor,shovingthethreeofthemthroughit.

Aidenwaswaitingforthemontheotherside,breathlessandred-facedfromtryingtogetbacktothem.Outofthecornerofhereye,ArusawthenagaguardsslitheringawaydownthepassagewhereSurpanakhahadappeared.

“Gether,Aiden!”calledAru.

ButAidendidn’tmove.

“Whoa!”saidMini.

Aru turned just in time toseeSurpanakha transforming.Where thedemonprincesshadoncestoodwasHira,therakshasigirlfromthenaturepreserve.Shetuckedherhairbehindherearandwavedatthemshyly.

“I…Ithoughtyoucouldusesomehelp.”

HHello,NewFriend!

ira looked like shewas drowning in her sweatshirt and jeans.Theymusthave been borrowed. Aru rememberedwhatNavdeep had said to her…

thatshehadnofamilytogohometo.

“I’m sorry I followed you,” Hira said. The magical hand-cuffs she hadconjured disappeared from theirwrists. “I justwanted to get away from thoseguysforawhile….IthoughtmaybeIcouldbehelpful…andthenyou’dletmestay?”

Brynnetookasteptowardher,hermaceouttotheside.Foramoment,Aruthought she was going to blast the rakshasi back to the Great Swamp. Butinstead,sheswitchedhermacetoherlefthandandheldoutherrightone.

“Thanks, Hira,” she said. “You don’t have to worry about those pigsanymore.You’resafewithus.”

Hira’ssmiletotallytransformedherface.

“Although, statistically, it’s probably not true that you’re safe with us,” saidMini.“Wegetattackedallthetime.Butyoucantotallyhangwithus!”

Hira’ssmilefalteredonlyalittle.“Okay?”

Wow,thoughtAru,heroldfriendsmusthavereallysucked.

“Waitasecond,”saidAiden.HelookedatHiraclosely.Arusawthatoneofhis hands was on his scimitar bracelet. “Thanks for everything you did backthere,butwhywereyouevenwiththoseguysinthefirstplace?Whyshouldwetrustyou?”

Vajrabuzzedsharplyinherpocket,andAruimaginedthelightningboltwasgrumbling,WhyisAidensuchamommabear?

“Ididn’treallyhaveachoice,”saidHira.“I’mpartoftheOtherworldFosterCareSystem.”

Aru didn’t even know that theOtherworld had such a thing, but it madesense.

WhenHiraspoke,Brynne’sfacepaled,andAruwonderedifshewasthinkingofherownmother,whohadgivenherup.Aruknew thatnotallparents stickaround—notallcan,forwhateverreason.Itisn’tthekid’sfault,andsometimesitisn’teventheparent’s,either.Asherownmomalwayssaid,therearetwosidesofeverytale,andnodecisionlikethatcouldevercomeeasy….

Still,thatdidn’ttakeawaythepainofbeingleftbehind.

“Navdeepismyfosterbrother—hisfamilytookmein.He’snotthatbad,”saidHira,lookingatherfeet.“Hejustactslikethatwheneverhe’swithagroupof his friends. Sometimes he’s really nice—he letsme have the bigger piece ofdessertandstuff.”

Aiden’s suspicions seemed to have melted away, because he uncrossed hisarms.

“Stickwith us, andwe’llmake sure you’re always treated right. I’ll tellmyuncles,andwe’llsetsomethingupforyou,”Brynnesaidloftily.

“How—?”

“Myunclesknoweveryone,”saidBrynne.

Aru,havingspentenoughtimearoundeliteprep-schoolkids,knewthatwascodeforI’mridiculouslyrich.Which,ofcourse,Brynnewas.

“Ever heard of the architect Mayasura?” asked Brynne. “That’s my great-great-great—like, a lot of greats—grandfather onmymother’s side.My uncleinherited his talent and runs a firm in New York City. He’s got tons ofconnectionsinthehumanandOtherworld.”

Mayasura…Arurememberedthatname!HewasthearchitectwhohadbuiltthePalaceofIllusionsforthePandavas.AruandMinihadbrieflyvisited itontheir lastquest,andthey’dbecomefriends.Aruhopedthepalacewasn’t lonely.Sheoftenthoughtofvisitingit,butthingsgotintheway,likethefactthatitwaslocatedintherealmofthedead.

Out the corner of her eye, Aru sawMini touch her heart as if she wererememberingandthinkingofthepalace,too.

Hirasmiled,thenlookedoverattheutterlystillandsilenthordeofHeartlessfannedoutaroundthegoldendome.Theyhadn’tmoved.

“It’slikethey’reasleep,”whisperedHira.

Aidentappedhiscamera.“Izoomedinontheirfacesearlier….Theireyesaretotallyblank—nopupils,even.”

“They’reunderSurpanakha’scontrol,”saidBrynne.

“Wehavetofindherandfinishthisthing,”saidAiden.“Weonlyhaveafewhoursleft.”HeturnedtoHira.“Doyouknowwheresheis?”

Hirablanched.“WhatdoyouwantwithLadyM?It’sbesttostayfarawayfrom—”

“Wedon’thavethatoption,”Brynnecutin.“She’sourkeytogettingthe…”Shestoppedherself, thinkingbetterofrevealingeverythingabouttheirmission.“Togettingsomethingimportantbacktowhereitbelongs.”

“Whataboutyou?”AruaskedHira.“Didsheputaspellonyouandtheguystomakeyouworkforher?”

Hirashookherhead.“She…she’sjustconvincing.”

Brynnegrunted.“Andevil.Lookatallthosepoormen!”

Mininoddedinagreement.

“Ourbestbet is tosearchtheperimeterof thedomeforher,”saidBrynne.“Mini, can you shield us again? I’ll create another soundproofing vortex. TheHeartlessprobablywon’tattackwithoutSurpanakha’scommand.But justtobeonthesafeside,Iwouldn’tgettooclosetothem.”

“Whatifweenduphavingtofight?”askedMini.SheheldDeeDeeclose.“Our weapons won’t be effective in hurting them, because the Heartless havetechnically been changed by the act of a god, and godly weapons don’t workagainsteachother.”

“Thenwe’lljusthavetouseourweaponsdefensively—tostall,”saidAiden.“UntilwecanturnthearrowagainstSurpanakha.”

Arugrimaced.Kamadevahadsaidthatoncetheyhadthearrow,theyhadtoplunge it through the heart of the thief. Only then would the Heartless berestoredtotheirhumanselves,andthearrowcleansedofitsdarkpower.

Aruswallowednervously.SolittletimelefttofixtheHeartless,tofreeBoofromimprisonment,andtocleartheirnames.Shesteeledherself,thennodded.

“Let’sdothis.”

Theytookouttheirweapons.WithVajrainherhand,Arufeltabitbetter,butshestilldidn’thaveaclearsenseofwhatlayahead.Itwasn’tlikewhenshe’dfoughttheSleeper…knowingexactlywherehe’dshowupandwhathewanted.

“Youwithus,Hira?”askedBrynne.

Therakshasispreadherhands.“Idon’thaveanyweapons.”

“Youhaveintelabouttheenemy,”saidBrynne,“andthat’sjustasgood.”

“Yeah,”saidAru.“What’sSurpanakhalike?”

Hiradidn’thesitate.“She’sbeautiful.”

The five of them snuck among the army of Heartless, which was downrightterrifying. Brynne took the lead, guiding them through the thicket of men,making surenoone touched anyof themby accident.Hira stuck close toher.Miniflankedthemontheright,hershieldcastlikeasortofmirrorcamouflage.WhenMinihadusedit inthepast,because itrequired lessmagicalenergy, theonlythingArucoulddetectwasaslightwarptotheair,asiftheimagehadbeenstretchedoveraconvexsurface.Aidenwasontheleftflank,hisscimitarsflashing,whileAruhadcontroloftherear.

Vajrabuzzedwithanxiousenergy.

“Chill,”whisperedAru.“You’refreakingmeout!”

Thelightningboltsentapinchofelectricity,asifsayingTHAT’SBECAUSEIAMFREAKEDOUT!

Theymadeitsafelytotheedgeofthelargegoldendome.Somewhereinside,protectedbyeveryenchantmentthegodscouldthinkof,wasamrita.Thenectarof immortality. Aru raised a hand to touch the metal side, then hesitated. Itseemedtopulsewithwarning.

“NosignofSurpanakhaonthisside,”saidBrynne.“She’smustbetryingtogetinfromtheotherside.”

“Whatarewegoingtodowhenwefindher,though?”Aruasked.“Whatifshedoesn’thavethebowandarrowonher?”

“Shewill,”saidBrynne.“Shecan’tcontroltheHeartlesswithoutthem.”

“Shedoesn’tlikefighting,”saidHiraquietly.“Shetoldusherself.”

“Bam!”saidBrynne.“Weshowherourweapons,thenshe’llstanddown.”

Aru wasn’t too convinced, and when she looked at Aiden andMini, theydidn’tseemtooconfident,either.

Everythingwassilent….

“Mini, switch places with Aru,” said Brynne. “Dee Dee can give us morecoverfromtherear.”

“Ithinkwe’refine,Brynne,”saidAru.“There’snoonebehindus,andifMinimoves,there’sahigherchancethatsomeonewillspotus.Isaywestayput.”

“Isayweswitch!”saidBrynne.

“Aru,Brynne,let’snotfight,”saidAiden.“Weneedtostayfocused.”

“Okay,fine,”saidBrynne,stoppingandholdingoutafist.“Howaboutwerock,paper,scissorsit?”

Aru crossed her arms. “I am not riskingmy life on a game of rock, paper,scissors.”

“Ooh,Ilovethatgame!”saidMini.

Something happened at that moment. Aru could sense it even before sherealizedwhat itwas.Inherexcitement,Minihadmovedtoofast,andDeeDeemusthavetouchedthemetalwallofthedome.

Theirmagic shorted out. It was just as Agni had said: the dome renderedcelestial weapons powerless. Instantly, Aiden’s scimitars stopped glowing, andVajratransformedintoalifelessballinAru’shand.Shestasheditinherpocket.

Worstofall,DeeDee’sshieldmelted,leavingthemcompletelyexposed.

“Whatwas—?”startedAru,butbeforeshecouldfinish,Aidenclappedhishandoverhermouthandpulledherbackward.

JustasAruwasreadytobitehim,AidenliftedhishandandsilentlypointedattheHeartless.

Before,theeyesoftheHeartlesshadbeenblank,theirbodiesstillasstatues.Now,theirpupils—afurious,inhumanred—fixatedonAruandtheothers.Thearmytookastepforwardinperfectunison.

“Iwaswonderingwhenyou’d showup,”all theHeartlesssaidatthesametimeindifferentvoices.

ThehairsonAru’sarmsprickled….

Thecrowdofzombiespartedas twofigureswalked—well,oneslithered—towardthem:

Takshaka,thenagawhohadbetrayedQueenUloopi.

AndSurpanakha,therakshasiprincess.Strappedacrossherbackwasaheavybow, and dangling loosely from her hand was a long golden arrow. It was sobrightthatitlookedlikeashardofsunlight.

“I’vebeenwaitingalongtimetomeetyou,”shesaid.

“Meetyou,meetyou,meetyou…”theHeartlessechoed.

ATheTaleoftheDemonPrincess

rakshasaorasuradidn’t startoff evil,unless theycultivated theirdarkarts…then theybecamedemonic.But that innerdarknessdidn’talways show

up on their faces. Aru had to remind herself of that fact, because Surpanakhawasn’tanythinglikewhatsheexpected.

Shehadgleaminggolden-brownskin,andherhairwasamassofdarkringletsstuddedwithsmalljewels.Hereyeswerealmond-shapedandtaperedtoapoint.Shewasn’t dressed in skulls or blood-spattered clothes likeAru had imagined,butinapairofdarkjeansandalong-sleevedgoldensilkblouse.Shedidn’tlooklike a demoness at all, except that her bottom canines were a tad longer andsharperthanmostpeople’s,andheririseswerered.Butnotscaryred.Morelikewarmed-upcherriesdrizzledinchocolate.Hernailsweredefinitelylong,butinafashionable way—not like “sharp bladed fans” or whatever it was her namemeant.Asforhernose,itwasthere,anditlookednormal.Theonlysignofherlong-agoscufflewithLaxmanawasafaintscaracrosshercheek.

“Sorry about that,” said Surpanakha, gently. She twisted the arrow in herhands,andthearmyofHeartlesswentslackbehindher,nolongerrepeatingherwords.

Thearrowworkedabit likea remotecontrol,Arunoted,whichhad tobesomewhatfrustrating.Imagineeverytimeyoufloppedonthecouch,notrealizingtheremoteisundertheseatcushion,theTVcreepilyturnedon.Except inthiscase,hundredsofkidnappedpeoplestartedshoutingthelatestinfomercial.

“I thought having them echo me would make for a dramatic effect,”Surpanakhasaid,“butthatwasabitfrightening.”

“Sur—”startedBrynne.

“Oh, please don’t call me that,” said the demon princess with a sheepishsmile.“That’snotevenmyrealname.Ifyouwanttocallmesomething,callmeLadyM.”

M?Whatwasherrealname?

Aruhadbeenexpectinglotsofthings,butnotthis.Shewanted—no,needed—tofight.Theywererunningoutof timetokeeptheir spots in theOtherworld,and LadyM—or Surpanakha, or whatever her name was—had started all thetrouble. But she wasn’t threatening them. She was just smiling and beingagreeable,anditmadeAruwanttoscream.

Takshakaslitheredforward,butLadyMheldupahand.“Leaveus,please?Ineed some time alone with the girls.” At Aiden’s snort of protest, she added,“Andourhandsomegentleman.”

Takshaka lingered,hismilkyeyes lookingsomewhereaboveAru’shead.Heflickedouthistongue,tastingtheair.“Iwouldnottrussstthem.Theyareonthesideofthedevas.Theyhavenoreasontojoinourcause.”

“Cause?”echoedAiden.

Aruandtheothersstartled.Aidenwasn’tusuallytheonewhospokeupfirst.Butwhen it came toTakshaka, anger vibratedoffhim.He grippedhis cameratightly,andafaintredglowlittheairaroundit.

“What cause? You swore to protect Queen Uloopi, and instead you wentbehindherbackandbetrayedher,”saidAiden.“Didn’tyou?”

“Iamnotashamedtoadmitit,”saidTakshaka,whippinghistail.“Ihadmyreasons.IthoughtUloopiwaswise,butherjudgmentbecamecompromisedonceshefellinlovewithArjuna.Itwaspathetic.”

“You hid her heart jewel,” said Aiden. “You took her eternal youth. Youmadeherweakonpurpose.”

“Shecouldn’tbetrusted,”saidTakshaka.

“Thatwasn’tyourchoicetomake,”saidAidendarkly.

Forthefirsttime,Takshakalookedancientasgriefpulleddownhisface.“Ihadtodoit,forthegreatergood.Uloopiwouldnotlisssten.”

AidendroppedhishandfromShadowfaxbutdidn’trespond.

“Whatyoudidwasanobleact,”LadyMsaidtoTakshakawithasadsmile.“Letmetalktothem,myfriend.Allowmetoshowthemthetruth,andperhapsIcanchangetheirminds,justasIchangedyoursallthoseyearsago.”

Takshakanodded,thenslitheredawaybetweenarowofHeartless.

LadyMwalkedovertothemetaldomeandpatteditsside.Touchingithadnoeffectonher.“Doyouknowwhat’sinhere?”

“Thenectarofimmortality,”saidMiniimmediately.“Andyouwantitto—to…”

Cometothinkofit,theydidn’tactuallyknowwhatshewantedwithit.She’dexisted for this long, so it’s not like she needed immortality. She was alreadystunning,soshedidn’tneeditforeternalyouth.Andshehadenoughpowerasitwas.

“Answermethis,”saidLadyM.“Whatissomethingthatneverdiesbutlivesathousandlivesatonce?”

Nowshewasaskingthemriddles?They lookedateachother foramoment,beforehesitantlyanswering.

“Gods?”askedMini.

“Demons?”askedBrynne.

Hirashookherhead,butdidn’tanswer.Aidenstayedsilent,watchingallofthem.

Arulovedriddles,andsowhensheheardLadyM’swords,adifferentanswercametohermind:

“Stories?”

Itwastheonlyanswerthatmadesensetoher.True,godsanddemonswereimmortal, but they didn’t live a thousand lives at once. Only stories fit thatdescription.Aru’smomhad taughther thatmany tales fromaround theworldwere similar. That didn’t make them unoriginal or bad, but rather proof thatpeoplecaredaboutandwerefrightenedofthesamethingsnomatterwheretheylived.Eachcultureputtheirownspinonthesameuniversalstory,keepingitaliveinmanydifferentversions.

LadyM’seyessnappedtoAru’s.“That’sright,”shesaidsoftly,strokingthemetaldome like itwasa largecat.“Stories.Legends.Myths.Once a story stopsbeing told, it dies. Unless people find pieces of it later, polish them up, andbreathenewlifeintothem…Ineedthenectarofimmortalitynotformybody,butformystory.”

LadyMstretchedoutherhandsandAruwatchedasherpreviouslysmooth,golden-brown skin turned rough and gray. Her once polished red nails grewsharper,deadlier.Evenherbottomcanineteethhadgrownandwerenowjuttingagainsthertoplip.Andhernose…itwasfadingaway.

“It’shappeningmoreandmore,”LadyMwenton,hervoicebreaking.“Iambeginningto losemytrueself. In theend,allweare is theversionofourselves

thatotherschoosetoremember.”

WarinessprickledthroughAru….

“Youmusthavefoundmysoulsonginthetreasury,”saidLadyM.“I’msureyouknowbynowthatifyouwishtoreversewhatI’vedone,you’llhavetoplungethisarrowthroughmyheart.Butdidtheytellyouwhatwouldhappentome?Tothesongleftinmysoul?”

Attheirsilence,sheanswered:

“Youwould kill the truth ofmy story.My soul would become a song ofdeath.”

Brynnewasgettingimpatientandflustered.“We’renotheretotalk,”shesaidgruffly.“We’reheretogetbackwhatwaswrongfullystolen.Handoverthebowandarrow.”

LadyMlookedatthemwithtearsinhereyes.“Pandavas…Iacceptthatyouwishtofightme.Iunderstandandwouldevenforgiveyouifitcametothat.Butbeforewedrawourweapons,mayItellyoumytale?”

Brynnelookedunsure,butMini’sfacewascalm—shewasprobablyrelievednot to be fighting. Aru didn’t know how to read Hira yet. Aiden lookedsuspicious,hisdarkeyespinnedtoLadyM.

Aruhadneverconsideredherself theLet’s go attack things! type,but shedidn’twanttohearLadyM’ssobstory.ShewasalreadytornaboutfightingTakshakabecauseshewassorryforhissuffering,andnow this?Arudidn’twant toseeallthosegrayspacesbetweengoodandbad—shejustwantedthingstobeeasy.

ButthenLadyMasked,“Pandavas,willyouseemytruth?”

See well. Those words, uttered by Varuni, Sage Durvasa, Ratri, and Agni,echoedback toher.Aru’s jaw clenched, but shenodded. She owed it to all ofthem,and,asmallpartofhersaid,sheowedittoherself.

LadyMcastoutherhandsandanillusionflewforthfromherfingertips….

“WhenIwasborn,myparentsnamedmeMeenakshi…thegirlwithfish-shapedeyes.”

So she’s the girl with eyes like a fish! Aru thought. All this time she’d picturedsomeonewithaflatheadandabigroundeyeoneitherside….

Meenakshi’s storyrippledout likeascrollofsilveragainst themetaldome,and in it, Aru saw the image of a happy little rakshasi playing with her bigbrothers.

“Igrewupandgotmarried,andIwascontent.”

The image spedup to showanadultLadyMwith flowers inherhair,herhands painted for her wedding day. The scene changed again to display hersittingonagoldenthrone,dispensingordersandproclamations.

“Butmy husbandwas a greedy rakshasa, and somy brother, Ravana, slewhim.Iwasdevastatedandsearchedtheworldforacureformysorrow.”

The picture expanded to reveal the god kingRama, hiswife, Sita, and hisbrother,Laxmana,movingthroughtheforest.ButunlikethevisionAruhadseenin Kamadeva’s floor, this one showed Lady M’s perspective as she walkedthroughthewoods,herheadbowed,herhandtoherheartasifitweresobrokenshewastryingtokeepitfromfallingoutofher.ThesightmadeAruflinch.

Sheknewwhathappenednext.LadyMfellinlovewithRama,whorejectedher;thenshewenttoLaxmana,whorejectedher;andthensheattackedSitaandhadhernosecutoff.

AndArusawthatthestorywastrue…butitwasnotthewholetruth.

“Iwastooforthcoming,perhaps,inmyaffection,”saidLadyM.“Ihadneverlearned tobeshyaboutasking forwhat Iwanted,andI sawnoreasontostartthen.”

Inthevision,AruheardLadyMsaythatifRamawouldtakeherforhiswife,shecouldkeephimsafefromherbrother.ButRamadidnotwantanotherwife,and though he was kind in his rejection … his brother was not. Laxmanaridiculedherforeventhinkingthatoneofthemwouldeverwantherasabride.LadyM’sfacewentfromstrickenandfullofgrieftofulloffury.

“IregretthatIattackedSita,”saidLadyM,“butmypridewaswoundedandmyfurydemandedrelease.”

Arudidn’t think itwas right that she lashedoutatRama’swife,because itwasn’t Sita’s fault. But Aru understood Lady M’s hurt feelings. She’d beenhumiliated.

ThewholescenarioremindedAruofagirlinherclasswho’dgottenbullied.Someone had pretended to be the girl’s secret admirer online, then took ascreenshotof all theirdirectmessages and sent them in an emailblast to everystudent at Augustus Day. Aru remembered seeing the girl in the hallwayafterwardandnoticinghowsmallsheseemed…howalone.Itwassobadthatthegirl’sparentspulledheroutofschool.Aweeklater, thebullywasexpelled,butnooneforgotwhathadhappened.

“Despitetheoutcome,Idonotregretmyboldness,”saidLadyM.

Inthevisionshekneltaloneintheforest,stanchingtheflowofbloodfromherface.

“ButIammorethanmymomentofanger.”

TheLadyMinthescenelookedup,andArusawhereyeslitbyvengeance.Forthefirsttime,sheseemeddemonic.

“Inthetales,Iamnothingbutamonstrousfootnoteinanepicaboutgodsandmen,”shesaidastheimagesfaded.“Butinreality,Iwassomuchmore.Mybrotherwasneverpunishedforkillingmyhusband,yetIamblamedforstartingawar. When I dared to express my feelings to two gods, I suffered not onlydishonorbutalsodisfigurement.ForevermoreIwouldlivewiththatmistake—itwasasplainasthenoseremovedfrommyface.ButIalsohadtriumphsandjoys.Iwasadaughter,andIwasasister,andIwasawife,andIwasaprincess…andIdeservetoberememberedforallthosethings,too.Doyoudenymethat?”

ALadyMMakesaRequest

ruwishedVajrawouldsnakethroughherfingersandsendheralittleshock,somethingthatwouldclearhermindandhelphersortoutherfeelings.But

herlightningbolthadremainedadeadweightinherpocketeversinceMinihadtouchedthemetaldomecoveringthenectarofimmortality.Aruwasonherown.

Her friends’ reactions to LadyM’s tale were mixed.Mini appeared to befrustrated,likeshecouldn’tdecidewhetherLadyMwastellingthetruthorlying.Brynne looked angry (which, Aru knew by now, was her usual expression).Aiden’sfacewasstrangelyblank,asifheweretryingtohidehisthoughts.

As forHira, shewas entranced.Shekeptnodding, encouragingLadyMtocontinuewiththestory.

“Nowdoyouunderstandwhy Ineed theamrita?” saidLadyM,herhandsjoiningtogether.“Thestoriesaboutmedonotresemblemytruth.Asaresult,myouterappearancenolongerreflectsmyinnersoul.”

Sheheldupgnarledhands,whichnowhadclawsattheend.Herfish-shapedeyeshadasallowlooktothem,andherskinwaspaunchy.

“Ifmytruetaleisnevertoldagain,Iwillsufferafateworsethandeath.Iwillhave to liveoutmydaysasnothingmore than theworst thatothersbelieveofme.”

“But… I still don’t understand how the nectar will help you,” said Aru.“Couldn’tyoujustwritedownyourstory?”

A flicker of impatience crossed LadyM’s face before she collected herselfagain. “This isbigger than justme, child.You think this army is theonlyonepreparingtostormtheworld?Therearemanyofuswhofeelwedonotdeservethetreatmentwereceivedfromthegods.”HereyespenetratedAru.“Yourfatherbeingoneofthem.”

Shedidn’tmeanIndra….ShemeanttheSleeper.

“We find ourselves on the same side,” said LadyM. She gestured at thegoldendome.“Thiswasallhis idea.Hiswayofallowingustotakebackwhatwasstolenfromus.”ShegaveAruadolefullook.“Hemissesyou,youknow.”

Aru’sjawclenchedandshegrippedVajratighterinherpocket.“Yeah,well,considering he tried to kill me, I doubt that’s true.He’s really not that great.Trustme.”

“HereactedinfuryasIoncedid,”saidLadyM.“Youmustn’t—”

“YouattackedSitaeventhoughshedidnothingtoyou!”Arublurted.“AndyouletyourbrotherRavanaabducther!Justbecauseyoufeelbadaboutitnowdoesn’tmeanyou’renotguilty.”

“Iapologizedtoherlater,whenshewasexiledtoanashram,”saidLadyM.“Webothfounditinourheartstoletgoofouranger,andeventuallywebecamefriends.”

ThatknockedthebreathoutofAru’slungs.

“You…youweref-friends?”sputteredBrynne,hereyesnarrowing.

“Rama abandoned Sita,” said LadyM, unable to hide a little vicious glee.“Afterhefoughttostealherbackfrommybrother,thegodkingbanishedher.Hispeoplethoughtshewasimpuredespiteherfaithfulness.Ramabelievedher,buthedidn’tdefendher,andhesentherawaywhenshewaspregnantwithhischildren.Sheevenwalkedacrossopenflamestoproveherfidelity,butitwasn’tenough.”

That…sucked.

Didanygirlinthesestoriesenjoyahappyendingwhereshedidn’ta)gethernose chopped off, b) get turned into a rock, or c) get barbecued? It was badenoughthatSitahadmarriedagodkingonlytohavehimsay,JK!We’regoingtoliveinexileandwanderthroughforestsforabillionyears!

Nothankyou.

“I leave you to confer among yourselves for five minutes, Pandavas,” saidLadyM.“Afterthat,youmustchooseyourside.Helpusbecomeaspowerfulasthegods,or…well,I’mafraidyou’llfindIalsofighthardforwhatIbelievein.”

She turnedaway then, gliding toward the rowofHeartless.As shewalked,Arusawthatshewaschangingevenmore.Heroncelovelyhairhadnowbecomewildandbrittle.Twoknobsprotrudedfromherforehead…thebeginningsofhorns.Andherskinhadturnedashen.

Onceagain,shewasturningintothestorypeopletoldabouther.

“Isanyone’sweaponworkingyet?”askedMini.SheshookDeeDee,buttheDeathDandacurrentlyhadallthepersonalityofapencil.

“Nope,”saidBrynne.

“Meeither,”saidAru.

“WhatarewegoingtodoaboutLadyM?”askedAiden.

Hira,whohadbeensilentuntilthen,pulledherraggedsweatshirtaroundherbody.“Ifeelreallybadforher.”

Onceshesaidthat,someofthetensionfledoutofAru’sbones.She’dbeenworriedthatshewastheonlyonewhofeltanypityforLadyM.

“Hira,”saidAru,“couldyoustandoverthereandkeepwatch?LetusknowwhenyouseeLadyMcomingback.”

Aru didn’t want Hira to overhear their conversation. She was a little toosympathetictotherakshasi.

ArupulledBrynne,Mini,andAidenintoahuddle.“Wecan’tletLadyM—oranyoneelse—getthenectar,”shesaid.

LadyMwasworkingwiththeSleeper,andAruknewalltoowellthekindofbeings the Sleeper kept in his company. Demons dripping in shadows. Foul-smellingasuraswithbloodontheirhands.Thosewho’dlostoutonthenectarofimmortalitythefirsttimeitwaspulledfromtheOceanofMilk,andcouldn’tletgoofthegrudge.

AllofthismadeAru’sheadhurt.

Brynnenodded.“Sowefight.”

“Wefight,”echoedMini.

“Yeah,”saidAiden,resigned.

Arucouldn’ttakeitanymore.Sheblurtedoutthedoubtinsideher:

“Thisistherightthingtodo,isn’tit?”sheasked.Then,inaquietervoice:“Ifeelbadforher.Butthen…lookatwhatshedid.”

The four of them surveyed the vast armyofHeartless. People stolen fromtheirlives,theirfreewillyankedfromthem.

“Answeringawrongwithawrongdoesn’tmakeitright,”saidAiden.

“Ifwedon’tfighther,all thosepeopleandwe aregoing topay for it,” saidBrynne.“Wehavetofight.”

Shesaidthislastpartmoretoherselfthantoanyoneelse.

Aruagreed,andyet…whatLadyMhadsaidmadeherthinkoftheSleeper.Ifeveryonehadgottenherstorywrong,whatabout…his?Arushookherhead.Itfeltdangeroustoevenhavethatthought.

“Istheresomethingelse,Aru?”askedMiniquietly.

Arurealizedthethreeofthemhadbeenwatchingher.

“No,”Arulied.“Nothingatall.”

Ifshesaiditenoughtimes,maybeitwouldbecometrue.

Aiden looked over his shoulder towardLadyM. “The secondwe give herthatanswer,she’sgoingtowanttotakeourheadsoff.”

“Iknow,”saidAru.

“And none of our weapons are working,” saidMini, fear edging into hervoice.

“Yet,”saidBrynne.“It’slikeourweaponscalledatemporarytruce.”

“Plus,allthenagasandHeartlessareonherside.”

AthoughtsnuckintoAru’sbrain.

Thenagasattheentrancetotheramphadn’tbeenabletotellthedifferencebetweenHiraandLadyM.Ifthenagascouldn’tdistinguishbetweenthem,thenmaybeTakshakawouldn’tbeableto,either.

“Uh-oh,”saidAiden.“Shah’smakingthatface.”

“What?Whatface?”askedAru.

“That’s,like,yoursignatureI’ve-got-a-planface,”saidBrynneexcitedly.

Arulikedthesoundofthat.Shehadasignatureface?Excellent.

“Does itmakemeseemreallysuave, likeGeorgeClooney inOcean’s11?Ortough,likeMarlonBrandoinTheGodfather?”

“More like a toad that’s thinking about a fly it wants to eat,” saidMinithoughtfully.

“Wow.Awesome.”

“Sowhat’veyougot,Shah?”askedBrynne.“Telluswhattodo.”

In that second,Aru realized theyweren’t just looking at her… theywerelooking to her. Like they trusted her. Pride flared throughAru. Sowhat if she

couldn’t shoot an arrow througha fish eyeorwhatever itwas thatArjunahaddone? She had her imagination and three sets of eyes that trusted her, and,honestly,itwasenough.

Aru checked tomake sureLadyMwas still far away.Thedemonprincesswas pacing back and forth slowly, almost sorrowfully, in front of her rows ofHeartlesstroops.

“We’vegotsomethingtheothersidedoesn’thave,”saidAru.

Theotherslookedatherblankly.

“Well,it’sdefinitelynotweapons,brainpower,orlooks,”saidMini.

“Speakforyourself,”saidBrynne.

“So,whatisit?”

“It’s awho,” said Aru. Her gaze slid to the rakshasi girl a few feet away.“Hira.”

Arumotionedtohertojointhem.

“IthoughtyouwantedmetowatchoutforLadyM,”Hirasaid.

“Changeofplans,”saidByrnne.“Tellher,Shah.”

“You’regoingtobeoursecretweapon,”saidAru.

Therakshasipaled.“Me?”

“Yup,”saidAru.“You’regoingto—”

Butshecouldn’tsharethestrategyjustthen,becauseLadyMwasonherwaybackover.

“Aiden,Hira,”Aru said hurriedly, “I’ll explain later. Justmake sure you’rebesideoneofusatalltimes.”

Hiranodded,unsure.

LadyMwalkedover.Shelookeddemonicnow,herpupilsslittedlikeacat’s,andshewas turning thegoldenarrowslowly inherhand, like abaton…orasword.“Iassumeyouhavemadeupyourminds,Pandavas,” shesaid,hervoicerasping.

“We have,” said Aru. “We are here to retrieve the bow and arrow ofKamadeva.Turnthemovertous,orwe’llhavetotakethembyforce.”

Lady M’s bottom jaw jutted out, showing her now-much-larger lowercanines. “Very well. All things happen for a reason, and I shall respect the

outcome, regardless ofwhowins. Shall we begin?”A ripple of energy coursedthroughthearmybehindLadyM.

Arudidn’tknowwhatwasgoingtotranspirenext.Wouldsomeprettynagagirl slither forward holding checkered flags and count them down to battle?Would therebe jousting?WouldAruhave to channelRockyBalboa and startboxingwithLadyM?

Butitwasn’tanyofthosethings.

Asone,Aruandherfriendssaidyes. Itwas totally synchronizedandtotallyeerie.Atonce,VajracametolifeinAru’spocket,electricitybuzzingthroughthePing-Pongball.Shepulleditoutanditgrewintoaglowingbolt.Shewaswillingtobeteveryoneelse’sweaponsreactivatedimmediately,too.

Buteventhatwasn’tthereasontheystartedfighting.

LadyMraised thebowandarrow,aimed it atAru, and let loose.A lotofthings happened simultaneously, but to Aru, it seemed like time slowed to acrawl.ShewasgraduallybringingupVajra, sluggishlysteppingaside.MiniandBrynne got into formation—itmust have been superfast, but at thatmoment,theycould’vebeenswimmingthroughthickhoney.Brynneswunghermace.Miniaimedhershield.Hiradartedbackandforthuselessly.

ButAiden…

Aidendove in frontofher.And itwasonlya split second later,whenArusawtheterriblesmileonLadyM’sface,thatsherealizedAidenhaddoneexactlyasthedemonesswanted.

Thearrowhithimwithfullforce.Aidencrumpledtotheground.

“No!”screamedBrynne.

Shedroppedhermaceandrantohim.

LadyMpickedupthebowagain,andpluckedthestring.BeforeArurealizedwhatwashappening,thearrowflewbackintothedemoness’swaitinghand.

TerribleguiltpresseddownonAru’slungs.Shehad letall thishappen.Andnow…

“Takecareofthem,”sheheardLadyMcommandhertroops.

TheHeartlessturnedasonetowardAru,Mini,Hira,andBrynne.

Then,miraculously,Aidenpushedhimselfofftheground,knockingBrynneontoherbutt.

“Hey!”shesaid.

Aru startedbreathing again. There was a secondwhenAru thought AidenwouldbrushhimselfoffandwhirlhisscimitarsagainstLadyM.

Instead,hesnarledatAru,hishandsraisedthreateningly.

AidenhadgoneHeartless.

AWho’stheHeartlessOneNow?

ruwantedtogiveuprightthen,butsheknewshecouldn’t.

TakshakaslitheredthroughtheranksoftheHeartlesstostandbyLadyM’sside.Shetiltedherhead,andthearmyofzombiesbegantomove.

Theymarchedtowardthegirls,stoppingonlywhentheywereabouttwentyfeet away to flank them in a semicircle, trapping themagainst themetaldome.AruandMiniandBrynnefacedthem,hidingHirabehindtheirbacks.

TheonlywaytowinwouldbetowrestcontroloftheHeartlessfromLadyM.Thearrowwasinherrighthand,glintingbrighternowthatitwasbeingused.LadyM’sappearancehadcontinuedtobecomemoremonstrous,as if shewereturningjustasHeartlessasthemenshe’dabductedanddraggedtotheflooroftheOceanofMilk.

Aiden now stood with the rest of the zombies, staring straight throughBrynne,wholookedlikeshewasgoingtocry.

“Ididn’tprotecthim,”shesaid,hervoicebreaking.

“Thenwe’ll just have to save him tomake up for it,” saidAru. “Do yourthing,Mini.”

MiniaimedDeeDeeatthefirstlineofHeartless,whichincludedAiden.Aburst of violet light blasted them, and they fell to either side. Almostimmediately,theystartedtogetbackup,unharmed.

ArutossedVajraatAidenwhilehewasdown,andthelightningboltcoveredhim in itsnet form.He fought it, growling.Thenetwouldn’t last forever,butArudidn’tneedforever.

“Hira?”sheasked,turning.

Therakshasiraisedatimidhand.Shehadbeencrouchingontheground,herarmswrapped around her knees. “I don’t knowwhat youwant fromme,” she

said.“Ican’tdoanythingright.Ican’thelp!”

Arugrabbedherbytheshoulders.“That’snottrue.You’rethekeytoallthis.Here’swhatweneed….”

Takshakagloatedloudly.“Toldyoutheywouldnevercomearound.”

“So be it,” said Lady M. “I tried to convince them. My conscience isappeased.”

TheywerenowstandingwithinthehalfcircleofHeartless, talkinginfrontofthegirlsasthoughtheyweren’teventhere.

Brynne’s chestwasheaving, her eyes red. She turned toAru, her face grim.Thensheshouted,“LadyM!”

Thedemonprincesswhirled around. “I am sorry about your friend, but ithad tobedone,” she said.“Weneedasmanysoldiersaspossible todefendusagainstthegods.Butfirst,wehavetotakecareofyou,Pandavas.”

Hervoicehadchanged.Nowitwasscreechy,ahorriblesoundthatmadeAruwanttoclapherhandsoverherears.LadyMshoulderedthebowandraisedthearrow,preparingtosettheHeartlessonthemonceandforall.

Brynnecharged,pointingherwindmace.NotoncedidshetakehereyesoffAiden.She’dpoweredwindchannelsbefore,butnothinglikethis, likeatornadofullofrage.LadyMbracedherself,yetshewasn’tthetarget….

Takshakawent sprawling.His tailwhipped forward,knockingLadyMoffherfeet.Thearrowflewoutofherhands,as ifdesperatelyhappytobefreeofher.TheHeartlessinstantlyfrozeinplace.

“Now!”criedAru.

MiniturnedhershieldintoamirrordomeandtosseditontopofLadyM,coveringhercompletely.

AsAruhadhoped,Takshakadoveforthearrow.Hecaughtitbeforeithittheground.Hedidn’tbotherpickingupthebow.

“Afoolishmove,Pandavasss,”hehissed.“ButwhatdidIexpect?”

Justkeeptalking,thoughtAru.ShecalledVajrabackintoherhands.

ApartofherstillfeltbadforTakshaka,butitwaseclipsedbyagreaterfury.He’dtriedtokilltheminthetreasury.Andhe’dtrickedUloopi.AsforLadyM,her thirst for vengeance had caused her to enslave hundreds of people …includingAiden.TheterriblethingsthathadhappenedtoTakshakaandUloopiweren’tright,butneitherweretheiractions.

ThroughthePandavamindlink,ArusentamessagetoBrynne:Go.

Takshaka raised the arrow and the Heartless stormed forward. It wasabsolutelyterrifying…andabsolutelywhatAruhadexpected.Thezombiearmysurgedlikeatidalwave,swallowingLadyM.Brynnesentafire-lacedwindstormtheirway,carefultoavoidAiden.

Heartless-Aiden, now free from the net, kept lunging at Aru, his scimitarswhirlingmenacingly.

“Sorude!”saidAru,blockinghimwithVajra.“We’resupposedtobeonthesameside.”

Heartless-Aidenmadeaweirdgrunt,whichArutooktomeanMybad.Can’treallyhelpit.

Arusteadiedherself,preparingforhisnextblow.Whenitcame,Arufelltotheground,justlikeHanumanhadtaughtherincombatpractice.Aidenroared,readyhimselftoplungehisbladesstraightthroughher.Atthe lastsecond,Arurolledoutoftheway.Aidensnarled.Hetriedtoliftthescimitarstostrikeagain,buttheywerestuckinthedampsand.

“Iwantyoutoknowwe’restillfriends,”shetoldhim.

Then she whacked him on the head with the lightning bolt and Aidenslumpedover,unconscious.

Takshakawasstrugglingtocontrolthearrow.Brynnehadpickedupthebowandwasholdingitbehindherback.

“Meenakshi!”heyelled.“Whereareyou?”

TheHeartlessweregoinghaywire.Hundredsswarmedinalldirections.AruextendedVajra in front of her and sent out pulses of lightning to confuse thezombies.Minicastaninvisibilityshieldoverthem,andafierytornado—courtesyofBrynne—flashedinawidecirclearoundMini,Hira,Aiden,andAru.AnyonewhogottooclosereceivedtheheelendofthemagicsneakersBrynnehadchosenattheWarehouseofQuestMaterials.

“Now?”sheaskedAru.

Aru nodded, breathless. In a rush, the fiery tornado collapsed. Lady MstormedoutfrombehindBrynne,herfaceamaskoffuryassheshovedpasttheconfusedHeartless.

“Thereyouare!”saidTakshaka,relieved.Hebowedhisheadalittleandheldoutthearrow.“Please,takeit.”

Shegrabbed it fromhimandnocked it onherbow. “It’s about time!” shesnapped.

“Makethemobey!”Takshakapleaded.

LadyMheldthearrowupintheair,andtheHeartlessfrozeinplace.Thenshe pointed it in front of her, in the direction away from the dome over thelabyrinth.Asone,theHeartlessturnedandbeganmarching.

“What’sgoingon?”Takshakaasked,panicking.Thescalesonhistailflashedavividred.

LadyM’s eyes widened as she shook the arrow, which sent the Heartlessscatteringinalldirections.“Idon’tknow!Th-theymusthavetamperedwithit!”

“Duck!”shoutedMini.

Aru and Brynne crouched down asMini’s mirror dome spun back to herhand,nowflatasadiscus.

Anewshriekjoinedthedin.“Impostor!Thief!”

AnotherLadyM—this one trulymonstrous, bent-over and bloodied,withhuge tusks protruding from her bottom lip—pushed her way through thedriftingzombies.

Takshaka, thoroughly confused, looked back and forth between the twodemonesses.“H-how?”hestammered.

“You fool!” rasped LadyM. “They had a shape-shifting rakshasi workingwiththem!”

Hira had started transforming back to her real self: a frightened rakshasiclutchingthebowandarrow.

Aruhadtoactquickly.Thiswasthefinalpart….

Thelaststep.

Thecrueleststep.

AruglancedatAidenstillunconsciouslyslumpednexttohisstuckscimitar.He—andalltheothers—wouldstaythatwayifshedidn’tfinishthis.

LadyMnow looked exactly like themonster from the stories.Aruwishedthatthesightofherthiswaymadethingseasier,butitdidn’t.

Mini reachedoutandgrabbedAru’shand,as if sheknewexactlywhatAruwasthinking.BrynneknockedTakshakabackwithablastfromherwindmace.Hira threw the arrow to Aru, who caught it one-handed. At her feet, Vajra

transformed into a hoverboard, and Aru zoomed fast, holding out the arrow.LadyM’seyeswidened.Atthelastsecond,Aruturnedherfaceaway….

Butherarmkeptmoving.

SheplungedthearrowintoLadyM’schest.

LadyMletoutaterriblescream.Awaveofenergyroiledtheseascape.Abovethem,shockrippledtheOceanofMilk.

Arudidn’tneedtoseethatthearrowhadhititsmark,becausesheheardit.Mysoulwillbecomeasongofdeath,LadyMhadsaid.Aruwouldneverforgetthesound.The song of death was like ice creeping across a windowpane, and a warningshout unleashed a second too late, and water closing over your head, and thesilentchimeofamomentthathasbeenforgottenforever.Itwasimpossibleandpainfuland,ultimately,inevitable.

WhenArufinallyopenedhereyesagain,LadyMwascrumpledattheirfeet,thearrowstickingoutofherchest.Dimly,ArufeltBrynne’sandMini’shandsonhershoulder.ShemusthavefallenoffVajra,butshedidn’trememberthat.

Allaroundthem,theHeartlessstoppedandclutchedtheirchests.Thentheylookedaroundatoneanother,wide-eyed.

“Whatwasinmyburrito?”askedoneguy,turninginacircle.

“WhereamI?”askedanother.

Aru heard the sound of approaching hoofbeats.The celestialmounts!TheCouncilofGuardiansmusthavesensedthatthebowandarrowwererecovered.Whichmeantthathelpwasontheway.

Takshakahissed,thenopenedaportalinthemiddleofthesand.Hemadetodepart,butnotbeforeviciouslysaying,“Thischangesnothing,Pandavas.Bymycount,youtooktoolong.YoumayhavechangedtheseHeartlessbacktomortalmen,butyou’llstillbeexiled.”

Hedisappeared,leavingArufeelingasifshe’dswallowedapoundofrocks.

Sheheardagroanbehindher.Aidenwassittingupandrubbinghishead.Aruand Mini raced over to him. He stared up in wonder at Mini, but his eyesnarrowedwhenhesawAru.

“Didyouhitmewithalightningbolt?”heasked.

“Yup.”

“DidIdeserveit?”

“Imean,youweretryingtoattackme.”

“You’dgoneHeartless,”addedMini.

“In that case, I guess we can still be friends.” He palmed his chest as ifmakingsureeverythingwasstillintact.Thenheheldouthishands,andAruandMinihauledhimupright.“Where’s—?”hestartedtosay,butthenhiseyeswentstraighttoBrynne.

She was kneeling beside the fallen LadyM.Hira stood behind her, handsshoveddeepinherpockets.LadyMwasglowing.Hermonstrousappearancehadbeenreplacedbyherformerbeautifulself.Herbreathingwasshallow,andfromthewoundwherethearrowhadpiercedher,abrightlightshone.

“Youareworthyadversaries,”shesaidwhentheyhadallgatheredaround.

Arukneltbesideher.Shewasn’tsurewhattosay…ordo.She’dtakentheadviceofthegods—toseewell.Butithadn’tmadeherfeelwell.

“Iwillfadefromhere,andmytalewillbewhatitwillbe,”LadyMsaidwithasigh.“Willyourememberallofit,atleast?”

Aidennodded,his jaw tight.Brynne andMini andHiradid the same.Aruhesitated…notbecauseshewouldn’tremember,butbecausenooneshouldfadefromtheworldlikethis.ShereachedoutandheldLadyM’shandinhers.

And when she did, a name sprang to her lips. “We’ll remember …Meenakshi.”

LadyM smiledwide, and she disappeared, leaving behind nothing but thegoldenarrow.

TShadowfaxSavestheDay

here’s a reasonmoviesdon’t always showwhathappens immediatelyafter abattleends.

Becauseit’sreallyboring.

The cured Heartless collected themselves, shouting things like “DOESANYONEKNOWWHEREMYOTHERSHOEWENT?”astheylineduptobewhiskedbackhomebythecelestialmounts.Eversinceoneofthemenhadmentionedaburrito,allArucouldthinkofandallBrynnecouldtalkaboutwasfood.

Minihadfishedouthandsanitizerfromthedepthsofherbackpackandwasdolingitouttothemen.“Justbecauseyouwereundeaddoesn’tmeanyoushouldbeunclean,”shesaid.

Aidenhelduphiscamera,andallfourgirlsshriekedathim.

Aru:“No!Lookatmyhair!”

Brynne:“DonotdocumentmyhungerorIwilleatyou.”

Mini:“I’llgetaheadachefromtheflash!”

Hira:“IfanyonefindsoutIwashere,I’llbeinbigtrouble….”

Aidenrolledhiseyes.“I’mnottakingapictureofanyofyou.”

Brynneputherhandsonherhips.“Wait,whynot?”

“Rude,”saidAru.

“Thenwhydoyouevenhaveitout?”askedMini.

“Justincase,”saidAidencryptically.Helookedaroundtheocean.“Ibetthattwo-facedserpentkingwillcomebackanysecondnow.”

Rightonschedule,aportalopenedinthemiddleofthesand,andupthroughitslitheredTakshaka,dressedinthefullregaliaofthenagacourtandactingasif

hehadn’tbeenattheOceanofMilkmereminutesago.BehindhimcameUloopi.And thatwasn’t all.Urvashi dancedout of theportal, her silkswavingbehindher,andHanumanjumpedintoview.TodayhewaswearingafadedNirvanaT-shirtunderavelvettuxedojacket.

“Thebowandarrow!”saidUloopi,glidingforward.

Brynne held the weapon out to her. SinceMeenakshi’s disappearance, thearrowhadchanged.Thecelestialweapon’sformerlusterhadbeenreplacedwithadullsheen.

Urvashisurveyedthetorn-upseabedandthegreatgoldentankprotectingthenectarofimmortality.“Butwhereisthethief?”shedemanded.

“YoushouldaskTakshaka,”saidArucoldly.

Uloopi’scobrahoodflaredbehindher.“Whatareyoupresumingtotellme,girl?”

“Takshakawasjusthere!”saidBrynne.

“AndheandLadyM—buteveryonecalledherSurpanakha—weretryingtogettheamrita,becausetheythoughtthey’dbeendissedbythegods,”saidMini,crossingherarms.“WhichIthinkiskindatrue,butthatdoesn’tmeanthey—”

“Enoughofthistripe!”interruptedTakshaka.

“Iwouldliketohearthemout,”saidHanuman.HeeyedTakshaka,hisfurbristling slightly. “It is when we stop listening that we commit the greatestwrongs.”

Theserpentking’staillashedangrily.

“The Pandavas are acquitted of the charges against them,” pronouncedUrvashi.

Aru’sheartsoared,butthenitcrashedwiththenextwords:

“That,” snappedUloopi, “requires a unanimous vote.Don’t forget that theyhadtendaystocompletetheirtask.Theyfailedtomeetthedeadline.”

“ButwesavedtheHeartless!”saidAru.“Andwewereneverguiltyinthefirstplace—wewereforcedtodoallthisbecauseyoudidn’tbelieveus.”

“And what about Boo?” asked Mini. “Are you just going to keep himimprisoned?”

“No,”saidHanuman.“Boowillbefreed.”

“Butnotus?”askedBrynne.“Howdoesthatmakeanysense?”

Uloopi held out her hand. “Our rules are in place for good reason. TheaccusedwillbeheardintheCourtoftheSky.”

Takshakasmiledsmugly.

ArusnuckaglanceatAiden.Hehadalwaysbeenmoreofanobserver,butshewassurprisedhehadn’tsaidawordintheirdefense.Hewassupposedtobetheirwitness,afterall.

But,wait…WherewasShadowfax?

Shescannedthespacearoundthem,buttherewasnosignofAiden’scamera.Whathadhedonewithit?Aidencaughtherlookingandwinked.

“Come, Pandavas,” said Urvashi, gesturing to the portal. “State your casebeforeus.”

Hiratriedtocomewiththem,butHanumangentlytoldherno.“Only theaccusedorapsarascangototheCourtoftheSky,”hesaid,openingadifferentportal forher andAiden touse.“You twowait in theNightBazaar, andwe’llsendwordtoyourfamilies—”

“Justmymom,”saidAiden.“Mydadwon’tnotice.”

“Verywell.”

Andwiththat,AidenandHiradisappearedthroughtheportal.

“Comeon,Shah,”saidBrynne,jerkingherchinattheotherportal.“Let’sgoprovethemwrong.”

TheCourt of the Sky felt like an actual courtroom.The dusky purple cloudslookedsolemnandserious.Ahalfringofgoldenthronessurroundedthesquareof flat cloudswhereAru,Brynne, andMini stood in their cloud slippers, theirhandsclaspedrespectfullybehindtheirbacks.Farbelowthem,theNightBazaartwinkled,andArufeltherheartlurchalittle…wonderingifthismightbethelasttimesheeversawit.

Inablink,manymembersof theCouncilofGuardians—those taskedwithoverseeing heroes’ quests and keeping theworld in balance—appeared in theirthrones.ButnotBoo.

“Beginyouraccount,”saidQueenUloopi.

Besideher,Arunoticed,Takshakasquirmedalittle.

ThePandavasrelatedallthathadhappenedsincetheylefttheNightBazaar.TheytoldthemabouttheterribleswanthatKamadevakeptasaguardpet.Theydescribedthemonstrousbluecrab thatcouldn’t sing.Butwhentheygot to the

partwherethey’dfoughtTakshaka,theserpentkinginterrupted.

“Youlie!”hedeclared,laughing.“Iunderstandthesechildrenareknownforly—”

“I never lie!” said Mini. “I actually don’t think I can…. It makes menauseated,andthenmyskingetsallhot—”

“Take back your foolish tale, and we might consider our options,” saidTakshaka smoothly. “But persist in this fantasy, and you will force our hand,Pandavas.TheCouncilwillbeunabletoreverseyoursssentence.”

Brynnelookedangryenoughtotearaholeinthecloudcarpetbeneaththem.

Easy,Brynne,thoughtArutohersisters.We’vegotasecretweapon.

TheyrevealedeverythingexceptthefactthatUloopi’sheart jewel layatthebottom of Aru’s backpack. Aru planned on returning it to the queen, but shecouldn’tjust toss itatherlike,HEREYAGO!HAVEANICELIFE!Shecouldn’twaitmuchlonger,though,sinceshewassecretlyhopingthatonceUloopisawthejewelthatTakshakahadkeptfromher,thequeenwouldknowtheyweretellingthe truth abouthim.Letting thenagago onand on about how innocent hewaswouldonlymakehimlookworseintheend.Arugrinned.

“Theymustcastthefinalvotesss,”saidTakshaka.

Nowcanweshowthemtheheartjewel?thoughtBrynneimpatiently.

ArureachedaroundforherbackpackandHanumanlaunchedoutofhisseat,readytoargue,whenthesightofaportalopeningoverheadmadeeveryonelookupatthesametime.Outofathinbeamoflight,aboystumbledintothemiddleofthecourt.Hehadbeenreunitedwithhiscamera,Aruwasgladtosee.

“Aiden!”saidUrvashi,shocked.“You’renotsupposedtobehere!”

“Howdidhegetin?”demandedUloopi.

“Apsara blood,” said Aiden, looking at Urvashi. “There’s something youneedtosee,Masi.Please.Andyou,too,QueenUloopi.”

“Getthisboyoutofhere!”snarledTakshaka.

Urvashidrewherselfup,herfaceimperiousandfullofdeadlybeauty.

“Youdonottalktomynephewlikethat,”shesaidcoldly.“Sharewhatyoumust,Aiden.Butdon’tthinkyou’regettingoutoftrouble.”

AidenlookedoveratAru,Mini,andBrynne.AweaksmileflickeredonhisfacebeforehehandedhiscameratoUloopi.Themomentshetouchedit,images

andsoundsburstforth,andahologramappearedinthemiddleoftheCouncilofGuardians.ItshowedTakshakaintheOceanofMilk,scowlingatthePandavas.Theperspectivewaslow,asifsomeonewaslookingupathim.

“Shadowfax!”whisperedBrynneexcitedly.

“Whatcause?YousworetoprotectQueenUloopi,andinsteadyouwentbehindherbackandbetrayedher,”saidhologram-Aiden.“Didn’tyou?”

“Iamnotashamedtoadmitit,”saidTakshaka.“Ihadmyreasons.IthoughtUloopiwaswise,butherjudgmentbecamecompromisedonceshefellinlovewithArjuna.Itwaspathetic.”

“Youhidherheartjewel,”saidAiden.“Youtookhereternalyouth.Youmadeherweakonpurpose.”

“Shecouldn’tbetrusted,”saidTakshaka.

“Thatwasn’tyourchoicetomake,”saidAidendarkly.

Aruwantedtohigh-fivethewholesky.ShehadtohandittoAiden—hewasassneakyasshewas,waitingforthemomentwhenTakshakawassurroundedbytheGuardiansinaplacewherehecouldn’tdestroytheevidence.

“Isthistrue?”askedUloopiquietly.Sheseemedevenmoremenacingatthisvolume.

Takshaka paled. He started to stammer, but then Aru reached into herbackpackanddrewouttheheartjewel.ShewalkeduptoUloopi.

OnlythendidArurealizeshedidn’tknowverymuchaboutthenagaqueen.Sheknewthatshe’dlovedArjunaand…thatwasit.JustlikehowAruhadonlyknownthatSurpanakha—Meenakshi—wasscornedandhadhernosecutoff.Itwasn’t a complete picture. It would be like if someone only recorded themomentswhenAruwasfastasleepandthencalleditadocumentaryofherwholelife.

“Thisbelongstoyou,”saidAru,layingthejewelatherfeet.“And…IreallyhopethatyouletusstayintheOtherworld.Ifyoudo,maybesometimeyoucantelluswhathappenedtoyouafterthegreatwar.Becausewe’dliketoknow.”

Uloopi staredat theheart jewel.Shepicked itup inherwitheredhands.Abrightlightwashedoverher,andUloopiwastransformed….Herwrinkledskinglowed,andthegrayinherhairshonelikesilver.Hereyessparkled.Uloopitookadeepbreath,andtheairshimmeredaroundher.WhenUloopiclosedhereyes,Arucouldstillseethemmovingbackandforthbeneathhereyelids,asifshewerecatchinguponallthethingsshehadn’tproperlyseen.Whensheopenedhereyesagain,hermouthcurleddowninshame.

“Thankyou,Pandavas,”Uloopisaid.Shepressedthejeweltoherheart,thentouched her forehead.When she removed her hand, the emerald was securelycenteredthere.“Ioweyoumydeepestapologies.”

ThensheturnedtoTakshaka.“Asforyou, snake,youhavedishonoredyourhouseandyourname.”Hervoicetrembledwithfuryandpain.“Youbrokethevowsoffriendshipandloyaltysworntome.AndthisIwillneverforgive.”Sheshookherhead.“Howcouldyou?”

Atthesnapofherfingers,aretinueofnagaguardsappearedanddraggedtheserpentkingawayevenashehissedandthrashedagainsttheirhold.

For the first time indays,Aru felt like she couldbreathe easy.Aiden tookbackhiscameraandwalkedovertothem.Brynnewasbeaming.Minihadtearsinhereyes.Aruwantedtoshoutwithjoy,butthenhergazefellonanemptygoldenthrone,theonemarkedSUBALA.Minicaughtherlooking,andshewasabout tosaysomethingwhenhereyesflewtotheskybeyondtheGuardians.Awidegrinspreadacrossherface.Aruturnedjustintimetoseeablurofgrayfeathersdivingtowardthem.

“Boo!”shescreamed.

He landed on her hair and immediately pecked her. “You look pale! YouhavetotakevitaminD!PandavasalwaystakevitaminD.Andwhatisthisscratchonyourarm?Whoscratchedyou?Andwhattookyousolong?”

Arujustlaughed.BoohuffedandflutteredovertoMini.Hehuddledunderherear,asif itwereanumbrellaandhewastryingtostayoutoftherain.“Doyou know how worried I was? Do you have any idea what that does to myplumage?”

Heraisedawing,which,toAru,lookedexactlythesame.Notthatshesaidanythingtohim.

“Stressshortensone’slifespan,”hesaid.

Brynnefrowned.“Butaren’tyouimmortal?”

Boojerkeduphishead,justnowbotheringtonoticeAidenandBrynne.

“Ugh,”hegroaned,floppingintoMini’shands.“Moreofyou?Ican’t.I justcan’t.”

“I’mnot?”saidAiden,raisinghishand.

Boogavehimabeadylook,thenplacedhiswingoverhiseyes.

“Wemissedyou,too,”saidMini,smiling.

BWell,ThisIsAwkward

oosatonastackofbookspiledontopofAru’shead.

“Balaaaaance!” he shrieked. “APandava alwayshas immaculate form.APandavashouldbesoprecisethathe—”

“Orshe,”addedAru.

“Orthey!”chimedinBrynnefromadistance.

“Whateverpronounyousochoose!”snappedBoo.Eventhoughshecouldn’tseehim,Arucouldimaginehimrufflinghisfeathers.

Aru and her soul sisters were standing on a floor of gold, surrounded bydifferent weapons, various illusion dummies, and posters of demons tapedawkwardlytothetransparentwallsofBoo’sfloating-bubbleclassroom.

Awarmandfuzzylearningenvironmentitwasnot.

“APandavamustbesopreciseandsoskilledthattheycanseparateashadowfromitshost!Theycangrabthewind!Theyareasswiftas—”

“Ariver!”shoutedAru.

Minihollered,“Withalltheforceofagreattyphoon!”

“Withallthestrengthofaragingfiiiiiire—”sangBrynne.

“STOPSINGINGMULAN!”shoutedBoo.

Aru laughed sohard that the books fell fromher head and toppled to theground.

Boosquawkedandpeckedherear.“Concentrate!”

“Iam,”saidAru.

Butthatwasabitofalie.Twoweekshadpassedsincethey’dbeenclearedofstealingthebowandarrowofKamadeva,andyettheyhadn’tbeenabletoreturn

theweapontothegodofloveuntiltoday.Itwasgoingtohappeninexactlyonehour.Whichmeant thateverythingstill felt strangelyup in theair, evenas lifecalmeddown.

WhenBoohadbeenreleasedfromhisholdingcell,he’dbeensoshockedandskittishthatthethreeofthemhadallchippedinpartoftheirweeklyallowanceto get him a family-size box of Oreos from Costco. But after that, he’d onlygottenmorevigilantabouttrainingthethreeofthem.Aidenjoinedinsometimes,but he and Hira took most of their magical classes with the kids who hadOtherworldlyancestry.Mini’sfamilyhadaskedtofosterHira,andnowshelivedintheirsparebedroom.Eventhoughit’donlybeenafewdays,Aruthoughtshenoticed a huge difference in Hira already. She smiled a lot more… and shefinallyhadclothesthatfit.

“What happened under the Ocean ofMilk was only the beginning,” saidBoo.Hestartedmarchingbackandforth.Hedidthatalotwhenhegotnervous.“There’sgoingtobeanuprising!Awar!YouhavetobereadytofacetheSleeperagain.Don’tforgetthatmisguidedintentionsareoftenthemostdangerous.”

Hequieteddownwhenhesaidthat.Aweekago,afterthegirlshadtoldhimaboutSurpanakha,he’dconfidedthathe,too,hadoncegonedownadarkpath.

“Waybackwhen,everythingIdidwastoavengewhatIthoughtwasaninsulttomysister,”he’dsaid.“Iwaswrong.”

Minihadcomfortedhim.“It’sokay,Boo.”

Boosniffed.“IthoughtthatbyonlyteachingyouthegoodstoriesaboutthePandavas,you’dfeelmoreinspired.”

Arushookherhead.“Wedeservetoknowthebadstufftoo,Boo.”

“It’snotbalancedotherwise,”pointedoutBrynne.

Boohadagreed.Fromthenon,whenhetoldthemhisdailystories,hedidn’tshyawayfromtheuglyparts…butthatalsomadehimthatmuchmoreanxiouswhenitcametotalksaboutthegreatwarahead.

“Ifyou’renotready,you’lldie!”hesaid,squawkingatthem.“AndIwillkillyouifyoudie!Howdareyou!”

“Cheerup,Boo,”saidAru.“We’reworkingonourownmoves!”

Brynnefrowned.“Weare?”

“Yeah!We can improvise.Check it out.”Aru pointed atMini and yelled,“Shield!”

Minilookedconfusedbutdutifullycreatedashield.

“Allright,Brynne,blastmeforward!”

“Uh…okay…”

BrynnehitAru with a wind gust just as she ran towardMini’s shield andjumpedon it. In her head,Aruhad envisioned this epic leapwhere she soaredthrough the air on the shield and pinned someone with her lightning bolt. Inreality,shejustslidforwardandcrashedintothebackwallwithaloudthud.MinidroppedhershieldandBrynnerantoher.

“Whattheheckwasthat?”demandedBoo.

Arugroaned.“Idon’tknow….ItworkedinWonderWoman.”

“AreyouWonderWoman?”

“I…amfacedowninapileofshame.”

NottoofarfromwhereAruwassprawledout,Aidenappearedfromaportal.She rolled onto her back only to hear the familiar click ofAiden’s camera. Sheblinkedopenhereyesandtherehewas,wavingdownather.

“Whyareyouherenow?” shedemanded.“You’renot supposed tobehereforanotherhour.”

Aidenshrugged.“Gotbored.Decidedtorecordabehind-the-sceneslookattheintenselivesofPandavas.”

“And?”

“AndImayhavetochangethetitleofthedocumentary.”

“Goaway.”

“Notachance,Shah,”saidAidenwithawidegrin,andthenhehelpedherup.

Anhourlater,Aru,Mini,Brynne,andAidenstoodinfrontoftheentrancetotheSoulExchange.Aidenwascarryingthebowandarrow.Theywereencasedinanenchantedboxcarvedoutoficetopreventtheweaponfromfeelingthepulseofhumanhands.Apparently, thebowandarrowcouldn’thelpbutwant to shooteverytimetheysensedaheartbeat.

Fortunately, themonstrous guard swanwasnowhere tobe seen.When thedoorswungopen,theyenterednotapristineofficebuildinglikelasttime,butabeautifulpalace.Thefloorsweremadeofinterlockinggoldentileswithrubiesatthecenter.Abovethem,theceilingwastheactualnightsky,andKamadevadidn’t

needachandelier,becauseconstellations twisted in theair, casting silvery light.All along the walls were images of famous couples throughout history andlegends:TristanandIsolde;HéloïseandAbelard;NalaandDamayanti;andeventhefivePandavasandtheirwife, thebeautifulandwisePrincessDraupadi.Aruscanned the statue of Arjuna. She didn’t look anything like him. She had nomuscles. And no mustache (thankfully). But Draupadi looked familiar.Somethingabouthereyes…

“So,yousurvived!”saidKamadeva,appearingbeforethem.Heclapped,andAru looked away from the statues. “Oh.Excellent. I love itwhen stories don’tendindismemberment!”

Mini’seyeswidened.“Metoo?”

Aidenofferedtheboxnervously,shiftingbackandforthonhisfeet….Afterall,Kamadevahadpromisedhimanarrowof love.AndAruknewexactlywhatAidenwasgoingtouseitfor.BrynnehadtoldherthatAiden’sdadwasstoppingbytomorrowtopickupthe lastofhis stuff.Hisparentswouldbeseeingeachotherforthefirsttimeinmonths….

“He’sgoingtoParentTrapthem?”Aruhadasked.

“That’stheplan,”Brynnesaid.“But,ifyouaskme,Idon’tthinkit’sagoodone.”

WhenKamadevareachedforthebowandarrow,theicecaseturnedtovapor.Hebeamedashecaughttheweaponsandliftedthemupintotheair.

“Hello,oldfriends,”hesaid,beforeswingingthebowoverhisshoulder.Heslid the arrow into a quiver hanging on his other shoulder. “You did well bydefeatingSurpanakha—”

“That’snothername,”saidMiniquietly.

Kamadevastartled.“Pardon?”

Mini turned bright red, and Aru jumped in. “She didn’t like to be calledSurpanakha.ShepreferredMeenakshi.OrLadyM.”

Kamadevalookedatthemthoughtfully.“Andthisisthenameyouwishmetouse?”

Allfourofthemnodded.

“ThenIwill,”hesaid.

“We’dalsoliketotellyouhersideofthestorysometime,”Arupressed.

“Whenyou’renottoobusy,”addedMini.

“Allrightthen,Pandavas.Soyoushall.”

Somewhere,Aruthoughtsheheardthefaintestsighonthewind…abreathheldtoolongandsuddenlyexhaled.

“Andasarewardforbringingbackmybowandarrow,Ialsohaveaboonforeachofyou.”

Aru’searsperkedup.Woo-hoo!Boon!Shejusthopedthiswasn’tgoingtobelikeAgni’sboon,which,nooffense,wasbasically justadivine IOU.Whatwas shegoingtodowiththat?

“Forthedaughterofthegodofdeath,”saidKamadeva,handingherasmallgoldenbox,“Igrantyouasingleminuteoftime,whichcaneraseafullminuteofwordsyoudidn’tmeantosay.Veryhandyforfirst-timecrushes.”

Miniblushed.“Thankyou.”

KamadevaheldoutaslimredbooktoBrynne.“Forthedaughterofthegodofthewind,Ipresentyouwithmyfavoriterecipebook!Soulfoodisdelicious,ofcourse,butheart-food?!Ah.Itbringsyoukindnessfordays.”

Brynnegrinnedandtookiteagerly.“Yay!Cookbook!”

“Forthedaughterofthegodofthunder,Igiveyouthis”—Kamadevahandedhera silver lipstick tube—“acelestial spotlightmadeof crushed stars andagedmoonbeams.Use itwhen you feel like theworld should see you in adifferentlight.”

Smolderpower!thoughtAruasshethankedthegodoflove.

“Andforyou,AidenAcharya,”saidKamadeva,holdingoutasinglegoldenarrownobiggerthanAru’spalm,“anenchantedarrowfrommyowncollection,todowith as youwish.Butknow that youcannot change someone’s free will.Andthereisnomagicalcureforgrief.Allthisarrowcandoisopenthepathwayforlove.Itdoesn’tmakesomeonesmitten,andthelovedoesn’tnecessarilyhavetoberomantic.Itsimplymakesthemawareoflovewhereperhapstheymightnothavebeenbeforehand.”

Kamadeva’swordswerecryptic,butAidensmiledanyway.Hetookthearrowcarefullyandstuffeditinhispocket.

“Don’tputitthere!”saidAru.

“Yeah,”saidBrynne.“Whatifyoufallandlandonyourbutt?”

“Andthenthefirstthingyouseeisthefloor.Oralamp,”saidMini.“Thenyou’dbeinlovewithalamp.Er,superawareofalamp.”

“Fine! Fine!” said Aiden, sliding the arrow over his left ear like a pencil.“Better?”

“Sure,”saidBrynne.

Kamadevaopenedthedoorforthem.“Iwishyouwell,Pandavas.”

Aidensighed.“Honestly,I’mreallynotaPandava.”

“Maybenotbyblood.Butcertainlybymarriage,”saidKamadeva.“Afterall,inanotherlife,youwereQueenDraupadi,thewifeofthefivePandavabrothers.”

Therearecertainhorrificmomentsinlifewhentheonlywaytofixanawkwardsituationistobeawkward.

Kamadevahadvanished,alongwithhisextravagantpalace,leavingthefourofthemstaringatoneanotherinthemiddleoftheforest.

“So…”saidAru.“ShouldwecallyouWifey?”

Aiden—wholookedasifhe’dbeenhitbyatrain—managedaweaklaugh.

“Goaway,Shah,”hesaid.

“You’re my friend, but the thought of being married to you makes menauseated,”saidMini.“Nooffense.”

“Nonetaken.”

Brynneshuddered.“You’remybest friend,butIwouldnever likeyou.One,because you’re basicallymy brother.Two, I prefer boyswho can beatme in awrestlingcontest.”Shethoughtaboutthisandadded,“Orgirls.”

“You’vebeatenmeathousandtimesatwrestling,”saidAiden.

“Exactly,”saidBrynne.

Aidenrubbedhistemples.“Okay,Igetit.Youknow,youguyscouldjustsay,Cool story, let’s never discuss it again. Besides, it’s not like you’re anything likeyourPandavasouls.Imean,lookatAru.”

“HEY!”

“Justsaying,”saidAiden.“I’dneverlikeyouthatway.We’reonlyfriends.”

Hewaslookingatherwhenhesaidthat,andherfaceturnedhot.Hedidn’thave tomake it so obvious he’d never like her that way. Aru told herself shedidn’tcare.Atall.Shetoldherselfitdidn’thurtherfeelings.

Maybeifshesaiditenoughtimesitwouldbetrue.

Arufakedagrinandsaid,“Cool.So,allinfavorofAiden’snewnamebeing

Wifey,keepinginmindthatit’sonlyaname,andhe’shisownperson,blah,blah,blah….”

MiniandBrynneraisedtheirhand.SodidAru.

Aiden looked horrified. “Wait a second!Don’t I even get to vote? I don’twanttobecalledWifey!”

“Rulesarerules,Wifey,”saidMini,laughing.

Andthatwasthat.

AYouShallNotPass!

rustrokedherbeard.Itwas,shethought,anexcellentbeard.Niceandsoftandgray,andperfectforpluckingatpensively.

“Fly,youfools!”shesaid,scowlingatherreflectioninthewindow.

“Aru, themovie hasn’t even started yet!” groanedMini. “You can’t quoteGandalfuntilhalfwaythrough!”

“It’smybirthday,I’lldowhatIwant!”shesaidwithacackle.

Aru’s birthdaywasFebruary15.Otherwise known as the daywhen all theunsoldValentine’sDaycandywentonsaleandtheworldsmelledlikesugaranddespair.Butthisyearshewasdeterminedtomakeitaperfectday.She’dinvitedherfriendsovertothemuseumtobinge-watchtheLordoftheRingsmovies.Incostume.Minihaddressedupasahobbitbecauseshelikedthattheirhouseshadcurved walls. “Living in the forest as an elf is way too much pressure toappreciate the outdoors,” Mini had said. Hira, on the other hand, had noproblemwiththeelflifestyle.Shehaddressedupasone,andeverynowandthenwould dramatically shape-shift into Arwen, the elf princess, which made Aruridiculously jealous. Brynne had dressed up as an orc. As a present, she wasbakinglembasbreadanddecoratingabirthdaycakewithLegolas’sface.

Aru’s mother had refused to dress up. But she had let them use the bigpanoramaroominthemuseum,whichwaslikeanactualmovietheater.Andasapresent,she’dbookedtwoticketstoParis,whereshewasgoingtogivealectureonbronzepiecesofLordShiva.

It was, Aru thought, the best birthday she’d ever had, and it had barelystarted.

“Aru,I’llbeupstairsreading,”saidhermom,pausingtokissheronthehead.“WhenIcomedownstairs,IdonotwanttoseeyourGandalfbeardonthestoneelephant.”

Well,therewentthatidea.

“Anddonotcroak‘myprecious’inmyearattwoa.m.,likelasttime.”

Thiswasturningintotheworstbirthday.

“Iloveyou.Havefun.”

Allright,fine,itwasn’tthatbad.

Aruwavedgood-byetohermom.Outsidethemuseumwindows,a layeroffrostclungtothetrees.Boohaddecidedtotaketheeveningoff.Buthedidn’tflyawaybeforeleavinginstructions:

“Because it’s your birthday, I will refrain from lecturing you about thedangersofsugar,andalso,Imovedtheweekendtrainingsessionfromeightthirtya.m. to eight forty-five a.m., so that youmay sleep in,”Boohad said. “Happybirthday.”

“What?That’sonlyfifteenmoreminutes!”

“Fifteenmoreminutesinwhichtheenemymayadvance!”

Theenemy,inthiscase,couldbetheSleeper,whostillhadn’tbeenfound,orTakshaka, who hadmanaged to escape his jailers and disappear. Though Arudidn’tliketothinkaboutit,sheknewthatsomewhereinthedark,amassivearmywasbeingcobbledtogether.Theymaynothavesucceededingettingthenectarofimmortality this time,butboth theSleeperandTakshakawereclever….Soon,they’dfindanotherway.

Already, Aru had begun to hear rumors whipping through the Council ofGuardians…. Something about Kalpavriksha, the wish-granting tree. After all,theamritawasn’ttheonlythingthathadsprungoutoftheOceanofMilkwhenthedevasandasuraschurneditswaters.Thereweretreasuresstilllefttouncover…treasures thatmightmake all thedifferencewhen thenext greatwar finallycame.

For now, though, Aruwas going to savor tonight.Who knewwhen she’dhaveanotherchancetorelaxandhavefunlikethis?

“Doyouthinkhisdadistherealready?”askedMini,nexttoher,alsolookingoutthewindow.

“Idon’tknow.ButIhopeAidenisokay.”

Wifey hadn’t come toAru’s party because his dadwas comingover today,andheplannedtousehislovearrowtogetthembacktogether.Noneofthegirlsthoughtthiswasagoodidea,buttheboywasstubborn.

“Mini!” hollered Brynne from the tiny kitchen. “I need help! Legolas ismelting!”

“Ohno,”saidMini.

“Icanhelp—”startedAru,butHirablockedofftheentrance.

“You’renotallowed!”

“Hira,thatwasaperfectopportunitytosay‘Youshallnotpass!’”

“Oops.”

“Fine,fine,”saidAru.“I’llstayouthere.HollerwhenIcancomebackintomyparty.”

“Willdo!”saidMini,andshejoggedoffafterHiraandBrynne.

Notknowingwhatelsetodo,Arulookedoutthewindowagain.

AndsawAiden…

Hewaspacinghisfrontlawn,Shadowfaxaroundhisneck.Kamadeva’sarrowpokedoutofhishoodiepocket.Hehadthehoodpulledupoverhishead,butstill, itobviouslywasn’t enough tokeephimwarmoutside in thisweather.Hehadn’taskedanyofhisfriendstobetherewithhimwhenhisdadcameover.Butjustbecausesomeonedoesn’taskforhelpdoesn’tmeantheydon’tneedit.

Arustrokedherfakebeardthoughtfully…andslippedoutthefrontdoor.

Acrossthestreet,Aiden’sheadsnappedupthesecondthemuseumentranceclosedbehindher.

“Whyareyoudressedlikeanoldman?”

“Oldwizard,”shecorrected.“It’sformyparty.”

“Oh.”Aiden shoved his hands in his hoodie pocket, then glanced over hisshouldertothewindowsofhishouse.Aruwasn’tsure,butshethoughtshecouldmakeouttheshadowofMrs.Acharyainside.

“You should go back and have fun,” he said. “You don’t have to be outhere.”

“Well,Legolasismelting,soIcan’tgoinyet.”

Aidenacceptedthiswithoutcomment,whichwasproofoftheirfriendship.

“He’scomingsoon,”saidAiden,hiswordsrushingout.“AndIdon’tknowwhattodo.Ijustwanthertobehappy.”

Mrs.Acharyawasnowatthewindow.Shedidn’tevenseemtoregisterthat

Aru was outside with Aiden. Her face looked gaunt and sad, but also …determined. The way someone looks when they’re going into battle and theydon’thaveanyregrets.

“Doyouthinkshe’dbehappyifshewasbackwithyourdad?”

Aidentuggedonhisblackhair,twistinghiscurlsintobizarre-lookinghorns.

“Idunno.Ithoughtso,butnowIjustdon’tknow.Ijust…Youdon’tknowwhatshewaslikebeforeallthis.”

Thatmuchwastrue,butArucouldtakeaguess.Sincetheirquest,she’dseenoldphotosofMrs.Acharya,theformerapsaracelebrity.Itwasn’tsomuchthatthat shewas supremelyattractive,but that shewas happy.Confident.As thoughshe likedherselfmore than anyone else and thatwas all thatmattered. In thatway,sheremindedAruofBrynne.

ThesedaysMrs.Acharyalookeddifferent…morecaved-in.

“And then I keep thinking about what Kamadeva said,” Aiden went on.“Thatit’snotreallyanarrowoflove,butawareness,andIdon’tevenknowwhatthatmeans!”

Hetuggedharderathishair.Aruswattedathishand.“Stopthatoryou’regonnagobald!”

Aidenglaredather.Theheadlightsofanapproachingcarflasheddownthestreet.

“He’salmosthere,”saidAiden.Hegrabbedherhand.“C’mon!”

Aidendraggedher along as they crossed the lawn and slipped through thefrontdoor.

“Whatarewedoing?”hissedAru.

“Justholdon,Shah.Twoseconds.Please.”

Itwasthepleasethatgother,whethershelikeditornot.

“Aiden?”hismomcalled.“Isthatyou?”

Heheldhisfingertohislips.Togethertheycrawledpastthefrontdoor,thentookaleftintotheden,wheretheyhidbehindthesofa.Inthefronthall,Arusawalongmirroronthewall.Framedphotographs(all takenbyAiden) linedbothsidesofit.ThefoyeroftheAcharyahomesplitoffintotworooms.Theoneonthe rightwas thediningarea,whereMrs.Acharyawas staringout thewindow,herarmswrappedaroundherslenderbody.

Aidenpulledasmallglassbubble-likecharmfromhisjeanspocketandblewit into the air. Instantly, it expanded into a giant translucent sphere thatsurroundedthem.

“Silencecharm,”explainedAiden.“Nowshecan’thearus.”

Arupokedatthebubble.“Where’dyougetthis?”

“Night Bazaar. This yaksha merchant gave it to me after I took someheadshotsforhim.HesaidhewantstobeaTollywoodstar.”

“Huh. Cool. So … why the bubble? I mean, I’m totally here for moralsupportandallthat,but…whatarewesupposedtodofrominsideabubble?”

Aidenwasquiet fora longmoment,andthenhesaid,“Youknowthebestthingabouttakingphotos?”

Arushookherhead.

“IcanshowpeoplewhatIsee,”saidAideninalowvoice.“IcanshowthemhowIseethem.IwishIcouldshowmymom.Maybethenshe’dseethatIthinkshe’s…perfect.”

Aru plucked at her beard. Across the hall,Mrs. Acharya went to the longmirror.Herhairwasinalowponytail,whichmadehereyeslooktoobigforherface. She smoothed her cheeks in an upwardmotion, the wayAru’smom didwhenevershehadahardday.

“Sothenwhydon’tyoudothat?”askedAru.

Aiden’s eyeswidened.His gazewent tohismom, looking at herself in themirror. Outside, a car door slammed shut. Aiden pulled the arrow from hispocket.Andthen,asifitwerejustasimpledart,hethrewitathismom,whereithitheronthesideofherleg.Aruheldherbreath,thinkingMrs.Acharyamightscreamorsomething,butshedidn’t.Shejustshookherself,glancingoncemoreinthemirror.Thistime,shedidn’tlookawayasfast,andshedidn’tfrown.Shereachedoutandtouchedherreflection.Thenshelookedbeyondit,tothephotosAidenhadtakenovertheyears.Pridebloomedacrossherface.Andthen,slowly,shesmiled.

Itmightnothaveseemedlikeabigdealtoanyoneelse,butitmadeArufeelinsanely happy. Kamadeva had said there was no magical cure for grief. Thearrow only opened a pathway for love, but that didn’t mean it had to beromantic.Sometimesthebestkindoflovewasjustlovingyourself.

“Aiden!”calledhismom,alighternotetohervoice.“Whereareyou?Comeon,Ace-Cakes.”

Ace-Cakes?mouthedAru.

“Don’teventhinkaboutrepeatingthat,”saidAiden,scowling.

When his mom went to answer the front door to meet his dad, AidengesturedforArutofollowhim.Shecreptafterhimtothebackdoor,andtheysnuckout.Aidenwalkedheracrossthestreetandstoppedonthesidewalk.

Less than tenminutes had passed sinceAru left her party, but it felt a lotlongerthanthat.

“Igottago,”saidAru,tuggingherbeard.

“Happybirthday,Shah,”saidAiden.“Andum,thanks.Alot.Imeanit.”

“Youcanjoininwhenever?Ifyouwant?”

Aidenbrightenedforamoment,butthenshookhishead.“Ishouldstaywithmymom.Butthanksagain.Ididn’tknowwhattodobackthere.”

“Decisionsarehard,”saidAru,thinkingofeverybattlethey’dgonethroughinthepastfewweeks.“Butthebiggestoneisdecidingwhattodowiththetimethatisgiventous.”

Aidenfrowned.“Didyoujustmakethatup?”

“Nah.StoleitfromGandalf.”

TThereandBackAgain,anAruTale

he night of her thirteenth birthday, Aru Shah fell asleep in a beard and awizardrobe,andhonestly,shehadneverbeenmorecomfortable.Brynnehad

fallen asleep next to a plate of cookies.Mini andHirawere curled up on thecouch.

Ithadbeenaverygoodbirthday.

It might have even been the best birthday Aru could remember … if itweren’tforthatstrangetextmessageshe’dreceivedaroundmidnight.Shehadn’trecognizedthenumber,andithadcomeinwhentheywererightinthemiddleofwatchingherfavoritebattlescene,soshehadn’tsaidanythingtoanyone.

Themessagewasshort.Justtwoemojis—asnakeandthesmileyfacewearingsunglasses—andonesentence:

I’mgoingtocallinthatfavorsoon,AruShah.

Whatwasthatabout?

Thesnakeandthesunglassesshouldhavetippedheroffimmediately,butitwasn’t until right before she fell asleep that she remembered the boywho hadsavedthemfromTakshaka.Partofherhadwantedtoshakeeveryoneawake,but…itcouldwaituntilmorning.Withpancakes.Andturkeybacon.Mmmm.

Inherdreams,Aruwaswalking throughahuge forest.Ather side, ahuge,fluffywhitedog that lookeda lot like thedreamdog from theGroveofRatribounded along, occasionally snuffling her hand andwoofing happily. Aru wasstillinawizardrobe,butshedidn’thaveabeardanymore.

Itwasatotallyperfectdreamuntiltwoloudvoicesdisturbedit:

“That’sher?”saidone.

Aruwhirled aroundandcame face-to-facewith apairof girls.Twins.Theywere short and looked younger than her, with deep brown skin. One wore afashionable hair wrap. The other wore her hair in a series of intricate braids.

Theireyeswereabluesopaletheylookedlikechipsofice.

“Whatareyoudoinginmydream?”demandedAru.

“What are you doing in our dream?” said one of the twins. “We got herefirst!”

“Didnot!”

“Didtoo!”

“R-2!”

“D—”startedoneofthegirlsbeforeshescowled.“Nofair.”

Arugrinned.Therewassomethingstrangelyfamiliaraboutthetwins,butshedidn’tknowwhy.

Oneofthegirlstouchedherfingerstohertemple,squeezinghereyesshut.

“Whatisit?”askedhertwin.“Isitanothervision?”

“Whoa.Vision?”askedAru.“Canyouseethefuture?CanIseeit,too?”

Theothertwinopenedhereyes,thenraisedherhandandpointedtoAru.

“That’sher,”saidthegirl.“Nextyear,she’sgoingtosaveus.”

“Saveyou?”askedAru,lookingaround.“Fromwhat?”

Thetwinsansweredinunison.“You’llfindoutsoonenough,AruShah.”

IGlossary

seeyou’rebackformore.Ahwell,can’tsayIdidn’twarnyou.Onceagain,I’dlike to preface this glossary by saying that this is by nomeans exhaustive or

attentivetothenuancesofmythology.IndiaisGINORMOUS,andthesemythsandlegendsvaryfromstatetostate.WhatyoureadhereismerelyasliceofwhatI understand from the stories I was told and the research I conducted. Thewonderful thing aboutmythology is that its arms arewide enough to embracemany traditions from many regions. My hope is that this glossary gives youcontext forAru’sworld, and perhaps nudges you to do some research of yourown.

Adrishya(UH-drish-yah)Hindiforinvisibleordisappear.

Agni(UHG-nee)TheHindugodoffire.He’salsotheguardianofthesoutheastdirection.FireisdeeplyimportanttomanyHindurituals,andtherearealotof funmyths aboutAgni’s direction and role. For example, one sage cursedAgnitobecomethedevourerofallthingsonearth(Nooneevertoldmewhythesagewasmad….DidAgniburnaholeinhisfavoritesweatshirt?Overcookthepopcorn?),butthenBrahma,thecreatorgod,fixeditsothatAgnibecamethepurifierofallhetouched.Thatsaid,Agnidefinitelyhadanappetite.Once,he’d eaten somuch clarifiedbutter (oftenused in religious rituals) from thepriests that nothingwould fix his terrible stomachache except, well, an entireforest.ThathappenedtobetheKhandavaForest.Smallproblem,though.Indra,thegodof thunder,protected that forest,because itwaswhere the familyofhisfriendTakshakalived.

Amaravati (uh-MAR-uh-vah-tee) So, I have suffered the great misfortune ofneverhavingvisitedthislegendarycity,butIhearit’s,like,amazing.Ithastobe,considering it’s where Lord Indra lives. It’s draped in gold palaces and hascelestialgardensfullofathousandwondersthatevenincludeawish-grantingtree.Iwonderwhattheflowerssmell likethere.I imaginelikebirthdaycake,becauseit’sbasicallyheaven.

Ammamma (UH-muh-mah)Grandmother inTelugu, one of themany languagesspokeninIndia,mostcommonlyinthesouthernarea.

Amrita (am-REE-tuh) The immortal drink of the gods. According to thelegends,SageDurvasaoncecursedthegodstolosetheirimmortality.Togetitback, they had to churn the celestial Ocean of Milk. But in order toaccomplishthisfeat,theyhadtoseekassistancefromtheasuras,anothersemi-divineraceofbeingswhowereconstantlyatwarwiththedevas.Inreturnfortheir help, the asuras demanded that the devas share a taste of the amrita.Which,youknow,fair.Buttogods,fair is justanotherword.Sotheytrickedthe asuras.The supreme godVishnu, also known as the preserver, took theformofMohini,abeautifulenchantress.Theasurasanddevaslinedupintworows.WhileMohinipouredtheamrita,theasurasweresomesmerizedbyherbeautytheydidn’trealizeshewasgivingalltheimmortalitynectartothegodsand not them. Rude! By the way, I have no idea what amrita tastes like.Probablybirthdaycake.

Apsara (AHP-sah-rah)Apsarasarebeautiful,heavenlydancerswhoentertain intheCourtof theHeavens.They’reoften thewivesofheavenlymusicians. InHindumyths,apsarasareusuallysentonerrandsbyLordIndratobreakthemeditationof sageswho are getting a little toopowerful. It’s pretty hard tokeepmeditatingwhenacelestialnymphstartsdancinginfrontofyou.Andifyouscornheraffection(asArjunadidintheMahabharata),shemightjustcurseyou.Justsayin’.

Asura (AH-soo-rah) A sometimes good, sometimes bad race of semidivinebeings.They’remostpopularlyknownfromthe storyabout thechurningoftheOceanofMilk.

Bhai(BHAI)“Brother”inHindi.

Bhangra (BAHN-grah) One of several popular Punjabi-style dances. Thetechniqueisquitesimple:“patthedog”and“screwinalightbulb”AT.THE.SAME.TIME.Thisiscritical.Andthenyoumusthopbackandforth.ManyIndian men think they’re very good at this. They are usually not. Like myfather.

Bollywood (BALL-ee-wood) India’s versionofHollywood.Theyproduce tonsof movies a year. You can always recognize a Bollywood movie, becausesomebody gets fake-slapped at least once, and every time amusical numberstarts, the setting changes drastically. (How did they start off dancing in thestreets of India and endup inSwitzerlandby the endof the song?)OneofBollywood’smostenduringcelebritiesisShahRukhKhan.(Yourstrulydidnot

havethemostgiantcrushonhimandkeephispicture inher locker….Youhavenoproof,goaway.)

Chaat(CHAHT)Nottobemistakenforaquickphonecall,chaatisayummysavorysnackfoundalloverIndia.Mygrandmothermakesitwithfriedpiecesof gram flour smothered in spiced potatoes, chopped onions, pomegranateseeds,yogurtsauce,andOHMYGODI’MHUNGRY!

Chakora (CHUH-kor-uh)Amythicalbird that is said to liveoffmoonbeams.Imagineareallyprettychickenthatshunscornkernelsinfavorofmoondust,which,tobehonest,soundswayyummieranyway.

Dada-ji(DAH-dah-jee)GrandfatherinHindi.

Danda(DAHN-duh)AgiantpunishingrodthatisoftenconsideredthesymboloftheDharmaRaja,thegodofthedead.

Devas(DEH-vahz)TheSanskrittermfortheraceofgods.

DharmaRaja (DAR-mahRAH-jah)The Lord ofDeath and Justice, and thefatheroftheoldestPandavabrother,Yudhistira.Hismountisawaterbuffalo.

Dosa (DOE-sah)A savory crepe-like dish that is a large part of South Indiancuisine.Mybestfriend’smomusedtomakethemforuseverydayafterschoolwithfishtikkamasala.They’redelicious.

Draupadi(DROH-puh-dee)PrincessDraupadiwasthewifeofthefivePandavabrothers.Yup,youreadthatright—allfive.See,onceuponatime,herhandwasofferedinmarriagetowhoevercoulddothisgreatarcheryfeat,etc….andArjunawonbecauseArjuna.Whenhecamehome,he jokinglytoldhismom(whohadherbacktohimandwaspraying),“Iwonsomething!”Towhichhismother said, “Share equally with your brothers.” The rest must’ve been anawkwardconvo.Anyway.Draupadiwasfamouslyoutspokenandindependent,and she condemned those who wronged her family. In some places she isrevered as a goddess in her own right.When the Pandavas eventuallymadetheir journey to heaven, Draupadi was the first to fall down and die inresponse(PS:ShelovedArjunamorethanherotherhusbands).Mythologyisharsh.

Drona(DRONE-ah)ThefamouswarriorteacherofthePandavas.HepromisedtomakeArjunathebestarcherintheworldandthereforeshunnedEkalavya,thesonofatribalchieftain,whohadthesameambition.

Durvasa(dur-VAH-suh)Anancientandpowerfulsagesoinfamousforhisshorttemperthathisnameliterallytranslatestoonewhoisdifficulttolivewith.Legendhas it that the reasonhe iscommandingandgrumpy isbecausehewasborn

outofShiva’sanger.Gofigure.ItwasDurvasawhoendedupcursingthegodstolosetheirimmortality,allbecauseofaflowerwreath.Yup.Once,Durvasawaswanderingtheworldina(shocker)ridiculouslygoodmood.Hecameacrossabeautifulnymph,sawherflowergarland,andwaslike,“OMGthat’sadorable.Gimme.”Thenymph,probablyawareofwhathappenedwhenDurvasadidn’tget his way, respectfully gave him her crown. While wearing the flowergarland,DurvasaranintoIndra.Hetossedthegarlandtothegod,whocaughtitandplaceditontheheadofhiscloud-spinningelephant.Theelephantwaslike,“Ugh!Myallergies!”and threw thewreathon theground.Durvasawaslike, “How dare you!” and placed a curse on Indra that, just like the flowergarland,heandtherestofthedevaswouldbecastdownfromtheirpositions.And that, children, is why you should always ask an elephant permissionbeforeyouputanyflowersonitshead.

Ekalavya(eh-KUH-lav-yah)AskilledwarriorwhotrainedhimselfintheartofarcheryafterhewasrejectedbythelegendaryteacherDronaonaccountofhislowerstatus.Drona’sfavoritestudentjustsohappenedtobeArjuna.Oneday,ArjunasawEkalavyaperformanincrediblefeatofarcheryandgotdistressedthat someonewas actuallybetter thanhim (cuehair flip).ThismadeDronanervous,becausehehadpromisedArjunathathewouldbethebestarcherwhoever lived. Drona demanded to know who Ekalavya’s teacher (guru) was.Ekalavyasaid,“You.”Asitturnedout,thearcherhadmadeasymbolicstatueof Drona and meditated on it to guide him in his self-teaching. WhenEkalavya offered Drona guru daksina, an act of respect to teachers, Dronarespondedwith“Givemeyourrightthumb.”Atthispointofthestory,Ijustgetangry.WhyshouldEkalavyabepunishedforachievingsomethingonhisownmerits?GRUMP.Butrespect,especiallytoone’selders,iscriticalinmanyHindulegends.AndsoEkalavyacutoffhis thumbandwasno longerbetterthanArjuna.

Gali(GAH-lee)AirorwindinTelugu.

Gandharva(gun-DAR-ruh-vuh)Asemidivineraceofheavenlybeingsknownfortheircosmicmusicalskills.

Ghee(GHEE)Clarifiedbutter,oftenusedinHindurituals.

Gulab jamun (GOO-lab jah-MOON) A delicious dessert made with milk,drippinginwarmsyrup.Mostcommonlyfoundinmybelly.

Gurudaksina(GOO-rooDUCK-shee-nah)Anofferingtoone’sspiritualguideorteacher.

Halwa(HUHL-wah)Acatchalltermfordesserts.Itliterallymeanssweet.

Hanuman (HUH-noo-mahn) One of the main figures in the Indian epic theRamayana,whowasknownforhisdevotiontothegodkingRamaandRama’swife,Sita.HanumanisthesonofVayu,thegodofthewind,andAnjana,anapsara.Hehad lotsofmischievousexploitsasakid, includingmistakingthesun for a mango and trying to eat it. There are still temples and shrinesdedicatedtoHanuman,andhe’softenworshippedbywrestlersbecauseofhisincrediblestrength.He’sthehalfbrotherofBhima,thesecond-oldestPandavabrother.

Idli(IHD-lee)AtypeofsavoryricecakepopularinSouthIndia.

Indra(IN-druh)Thekingofheaven,andthegodofthunderandlightning.Heisthe father of Arjuna, the third-oldest Pandava brother.Hismain weapon isVajra,alightningbolt.Hehastwovahanas:Airavata,thewhiteelephantwhospins clouds, andUchchaihshravas, the seven-headedwhite horse. I’ve got aprettygoodguesswhathisfavoritecoloris….

Jaani(JAH-nee)Atermofendearmentthatmeanslifeorsweetheart.

JayaandVijaya(JAY-uhandvee-JAY-uh)ThetwogatekeepersoftheabodeofVishnu.Thinkdivineclubbouncers.Onetime,theyrefusedtoletagroupofpowerful sages in to seeVishnu because they thought the sages looked likekids.Whoknowswhattheysaid?Probably“Ha!ImmaneedtoseesomeID,infants.” And then they laughed. I bet they stopped laughing pretty quickwhen the sages cursed them to lose theirdivinity andbebornasmortalsonearth. (Sometimes I’m offended that this is the worst curse possible. “OHGOD, NOT A MERE MORTAL, A SLAVE TO INTERNETSUBSCRIPTIONSERVICESANDSUBJECTTOTAXES!ALAS!”)ThegodVishnugavethemachoice.JayaandVijayacouldeithertakesevenbirthsonEarth aspiousdevoteesofVishnu,or they could take threebirths ashissworn enemies. They chose the shorter option. One of their reincarnationsturned out to be as themost popular villain of them all: Ravana—the ten-headeddemonkingwhokidnappedVishnu’swife—andhis brother.Makesyouwonderabouttherealnatureofvillains,huh?

Kalpavriksha (kuhl-PUHV-rik-shaw)Adivinewish-fulfilling tree. It is said tohave roots of gold and silver, with boughs encased in costly jewels, and toreside in the paradise gardens of the god Indra. Sounds like a pretty usefulthingtosteal.Orprotect.Justsaying.

Kamadeva (KAH-mah-deh-vuh) Hindu god of human love or desire, oftenportrayed alongwith hiswife,Rati.One time, the gods neededKamadeva’shelptogetShivaandParvatibacktogetherafterParvatihadbeenrebornon

earth.TheproblemwasthatShiva,devastatedoverherloss,hadbeenindeepmeditation and pretty much refused to open his eyes to anything. EnterKamadeva, armed to the teeth with the stuff of crushes: funny memes,spaghettinoodles for that iconicLady and theTrampmoment, sameHogwartshouses,etc.,etc.ButShivawashavingnoneofit.Furiousatbeingmanipulated,heopenedhisthirdeyeonpoorKamadeva,incineratinghimonthespot.Butdon’t worry, Shiva and Parvati got back together! And Kamadeva waseventually fine, but perhaps a little less eager to jump into the games ofcelestialmatchmakingafterthat.

Kauravas (KORE-aw-vuhz)The famous cousins of the Pandava brothers and,later,theirswornenemies.

Khandava Forest (KUHN-duh-vuh) An ancient forest, once home to manycreatures(bothgoodandbad),includingTakshaka,anagaking.OntheadviceofLordKrishna, thePandavasburned the entire forest forAgni, thegodoffire,toconsume.OneoftheinhabitantstheysparedwasMayasura,thegreatdemonkingarchitect,whobuiltthemthebeautifulPalaceofIllusionsontopoftheashes.

Krishna (KRISH-nah) AmajorHindu deity. He is worshipped as the eighthreincarnationofthegodVishnuandalsoasasurpremerulerinhisownright.He is the god of compassion, tenderness, and love, and is popular for hischarminglymischievouspersonality.

Lassi(LUH-see)Lassiisablendofyogurt,water,spices,andsometimesfruit.Inmy opinion, nothing beats a tall glass ofmango lassi on the hottest day ofsummer.

Laxmana (LUCK-shman-ah)TheyoungerbrotherofRamaandhisaide intheHindu epic the Ramayana. Sometimes he’s considered a quarter of LordVishnu. Other times, he’s considered the reincarnation of Shesha, thethousand-headedserpentandkingofallnagas,devoteeofVishnu.

Mahabharata (MAH-hah-BAR-ah-tah) One of two Sanskrit epic poems ofancient India (the other being the Ramayana). It is an important source ofinformationaboutthedevelopmentofHinduismbetween400BCEand200CEandtellsthestoryofthestrugglebetweentwogroupsofcousins,theKauravasandthePandavas.

MahabharataWarThewarfoughtbetweenthePandavasandtheKauravasoverthethroneofHastinapura.Lotsofancientkingdomsweretornapartastheypickedwhichsidetosupport.

Makara (MAH-kar-ah) A mythical creature that’s usually depicted as half

crocodile and half fish. Makara statues are often seen at temple entrances,becausemakarasaretheguardiansofthresholds.Ganga,therivergoddess,usesamakaraashervahana.

Masi(MAH-see)AuntinGujarati,specificallyawayofaddressingone’smaternalrelation.

Mayasura (MAI-ah-SOO-rah) The demon king and architect who built thePandavas’PalaceofIllusions.

Meenakshi(mee-NAHK-shee)AnothernameforthegoddessParvati,butitalsomeans the one with fish-shaped eyes. I assume it must be a very attractive fish,becauseimagineiftheyweretalkingaboutoneofthosedeep-seaanglerswiththelightattachedtoitsforehead.Nope.

Naan (NAHN) A leavened oven-baked flatbread. Sometimes people say naanbread,whichisasredundantassaying“ATMmachine.”

Naga(nagas,pl.)(NAG-uh)Anaga(male)ornagini(female)isoneofagroupof serpentinebeingswhoaremagical and,dependingon the region in India,considereddivine.Among themost famousnagas isVasuki,oneof thekingserpentswhowasusedasaropewhenthegodsandasuraschurnedtheOceanofMilktogettheelixiroflife.AnotherisUloopi,anaginiprincesswhofellinlovewithArjuna,marriedhim,andusedamagicalgemtosavehislife.

Pachadi(puh-CHAH-dee)AtraditionalSouthIndianraita,orcondiment,servedasasidedish.Broadlytranslated,itreferstofoodthathasbeenpounded.

Pandava brothers (Arjuna, Yudhistira, Bhima, Nakula, and Sahadeva) (PAN-dah-vah,ar-JOO-nah,yoo-diss-TEE-ruh,BEE-muh,nuh-KOO-luh,saw-hah-DAY-vuh)Demigodwarrior princes, and the heroes of the epicMahabharatapoem.Arjuna,Yudhistira,andBhimawereborntoQueenKunti,thefirstwifeofKingPandu.NakulaandSahadevawereborntoQueenMadri,thesecondwifeofKingPandu.

Parvati (par-VAH-tee)TheHindu goddess of fertility, love, and devotion, aswell as divine strength and power. Known bymany other names, she is thegentle and nurturing aspect of the Hindu goddess Shakti and one of thecentraldeitiesof thegoddess-orientedShakta sect.Her consort isShiva, thegodofcosmicdestruction.

Pranama(PRAH-nuh-mah)Abowtotouchthefeetofarespectedperson,e.g.,ateacher, grandparent, or other elder. It makes family reunions particularlytreacherous,becauseyourbackendsuphurtingfromhavingtobenddownsooften.

Rakshasa (RUCK-shaw-sah) A rakshasa (male) or rakshasi (female) is amythologicalbeing,likeademigod.Sometimesgoodandsometimesbad,theyarepowerfulsorcerers,andcanchangeshapetotakeonanyform.

Rama(RAH-mah)TheherooftheepicpoemtheRamayana.HewastheseventhincarnationofthegodVishnu.

Ramayana(RAH-mah-YAWN-uh)OneoftwogreatSanskritepicpoems(theotherbeingtheMahabharata),itdescribeshowthegodkingRama,aidedbyhisbrotherandthemonkey-faceddemigodHanuman,rescuehiswife,Sita,fromtheten-headeddemonking,Ravana.

Rambha (RAHM-bah) One of the most beautiful apsaras, often sent onassignment byLord Indra to break themeditation of various sages and alsotestthemagainsttemptation.Thisisallwellandgood,exceptforthatonetimewhenRambha(doingherjob,mindyou)disturbedasagewhothencursedhertobecomearockfortenthousandyears.TEN.THOUSAND.YEARS.

Rati (RAH-tee)TheHindu goddess of love and carnal desire and other stuffthatAruistooyoungtoknowabout,somovealong.

Ratri(RAH-tree)Thegoddessofthenight.Hersister,Ushas,isthegoddessofthedawn.

Ravana(RAH-vah-nah)AcharacterintheHinduepictheRamayana,whereheisdepictedastheten-headeddemonkingwhostoleRama’swife,Sita.RavanaisdescribedashavingoncebeenafollowerofShiva.Hewasalsoagreatscholar,acapableruler,amasteroftheveena(amusicalinstrument),andsomeonewhowished to overpower the gods. He’s one of my favorite antagonists, to behonest,becauseitjustgoestoshowthatthelinebetweenheroismandvillainycanbeabitmurky.

Rishi(REE-shee)Agreatsage,usuallysomeonewhohasmeditatedintenselyandattainedsupremetruthandknowledge.

Salwar kameez (SAL-vahr kah-MEEZ) A traditional Indian outfit, basicallytranslatingtopantsandshirt.(Alittledisappointing,Iknow.)Asalwarkameezcanbefancyorbasic,dependingontheoccasion.Inmychildhoodexperience,thefancierthegarment,theitchieritistowear.

Samosa (SAM-oh-sah) A fried or baked pastry with a savory filling, such asspiced potatoes, onions, peas, or lentils. It’s like a Hot Pocket, but 1000xbetter.

Sanskrit (SAHN-skrit) An ancient language of India.ManyHindu scripturesandepicpoemsarewritteninSanskrit.

Shakhuni(SHAW-koo-nee)OneoftheantagonistsoftheMahabharata.Shakhuniwas thekingofSubala, and thebrotherof the blindqueenGandhari.He isbestknownfororchestratingtheinfamousgameofdicebetweenthePandavasandtheKauravasthatledtothePandavas’twelve-yearexileand,ultimately,theepicwar.

Shakuntula(shah-KOON-tuh-luh)AfamouslybeautifulwomanandoneofthemanyvictimsofSageDurvasa’sinfamouscurses.Once,Shakuntulafellinlovewith,andsecretlymarried,aneighboringking.Hewentbackhometotellhisparentsthegoodnews,andpromisedtocomebackforher.Shakuntula,piningandlovesick,spentalotofthattimesighingandlisteningtoEdSheeran,etc.,etc.,whichmeansthatshewastoodistractedtonoticeSageDurvasawhenhevisitedtheashramwhereshelived.Angryaboutgoingunnoticed,SageDurvasaplaced her under a curse that the person she was thinking of wouldimmediatelyforgether.Yikes.Shakuntulawasheartbroken,butSageDurvasasoftenedthecurseabit,sayingthatifsheshowedherkingtheringhe’dgivenher, he would remember her. So Shakuntula set out to do that, but as shecrossedariver,herringfellinthewaterandwasswallowedbyafish.Loandbehold, the king was all “new number who dis” when Shakuntula showedup….Itcould’vebeendownrighttragic,butthenafishermancaughtthefish,sliceditopen,foundthering,andshowedittotheking.Maybethefishermanguywasexpectingagreatreward,butthekingjustjumpedupandyelled,“OHCRAP! I TOTALLY FORGOT I HAD A WIFE!” and ran off to goapologize to Shakuntula and ride off into the sunset with her, etc., etc. Iwonderifthefishermanevergotathank-yougift.Idoubtit.

Sherwani(share-VAH-nee)Aknee-lengthcoatwornbymeninSouthAsia.

Shiva (SHEE-vuh)One of the threemain gods in theHindu pantheon, oftenassociatedwithdestruction.HeisalsoknownastheLordofCosmicDance.HisconsortisParvati.

Sita(SEE-tuh)TheconsortofthegodRama,andareincarnationofthegoddessof wealth and fortune, Lakshmi.Her abduction by the demon kingRavanaandsubsequentrescuearethecentralincidentsintheRamayana.

Surpanakha(SOOR-pah-nah-kuh)ThesisterofRavana,thedemonkingintheRamayana.SurpanakhawasoncetakenwiththebeautyofthegodkingRamaand and his younger brother, Laxmana. Rama explained that he had a wifealreadyandwasn’t interested inanother,soSurpanakhaaskedLaxmana,whoalsorejectedher,butnotnearlyaskindly.Thingswentdownhill fromthere,withSurpanakhanotonlygettinghumiliated,butalsogettinghernosecutoffaftertryingtoattackSita,thegodking’swife.Notagreatday,allinall.After

thathappened,sherantoherbrotherandsoughtvengeance,butonceRavanaheardhowbeautifulSitawas,hehadotherplans.

Takshaka(TAHK-shah-kah)AnagakingandformerfriendofIndrawhooncelivedintheKhandavaForestbeforeArjunahelpedburnitdown,killingmostofTakshaka’sfamily.HehasswornvengeanceonallthePandavaseversince.Wonderwhy…

Uloopi(OOH-loo-pee)AnaginiprincesswhowasthesecondofArjuna’sfourwives.Apractitionerofmagic,UloopiwasresponsibleforsavingArjuna’slifeonthebattlefieldafterhewaskilledbyhisownson(thoughhedidn’tknowitatthetime).

Urvashi(OOR-vah-shee)Afamousapsara,consideredthemostbeautifulofalltheapsaras.Hernameliterallymeansshewhocancontroltheheartsofothers.Girlalsohada temper. In theMahabharata,whenArjunawas chilling in heavenwithhisdad, Indra,Urvashimade itknown that she thought thePandavawasprettycute. But Arjuna wasn’t having it. Instead, he respectfully called herMother,becauseUrvashihadoncebeenthewifeofKingPururavas,anancestorofthePandavas. Scorned, Urvashi cursed him to lose his manhood for a year.(Rude!)Inthatyear,Arjunaposedasaeunuch,tookthenameBrihannala,andtaughtsonganddancetotheprincessofthekingdomofVirata.

Ushas(OOH-shahs)AVedic(ancientHindu)goddessofthedawn,whopulledthesunintotheskywiththehelpofherbrightredcows.Theymusthavebeenverystrongcows.HersisterisRatri,goddessofthenight.

Varuna(VAH-roo-nuh)Thegodoftheoceanandseas.

Varuni (VAH-roo-nee)Thegoddessof transcendentwisdomandwine.She istheconsortofLordVaruna.

Vasuki(VAH-soo-key)AnagakingwhoplayedamajorroleinthechurningoftheOcean ofMilkwhen the gods and asuras needed help.He basically gotwrappedaroundamountainandwasusedasachurningrope.It’sagoodthinghewasn’tticklish.AftertheOceanwaschurned,LordShivablessedhimandheisoftendepictedcoiledaroundthegod’sneck.

Vayu (VAH-yoo)The god of thewind and the father of Bhima, the second-oldest Pandava brother. Vayu is also the father of Hanuman, the monkey-faceddemigod.Hismountisagazelle.

Vishnu (VISH-noo)Thesecondgod in theHindutriumvirate(alsoknownastheTrimurti).Thesethreegodsareresponsibleforthecreation,upkeep,anddestructionoftheworld.TheothertwogodsareBrahmaandShiva.Brahmais

thecreatoroftheuniverseandShivaisthedestroyer.Vishnuisworshippedasthe preserver. He has taken many forms on earth in various avatars, mostnotablyasKrishna,Mohini,andRama.

Yaksha(YAK-sha)Ayaksha(male)oryakshini(female)isasupernaturalbeingfromHindu,Buddhist,andJainmythology.YakshasareattendeesofKubera,theHindugodofwealth,who rules in themythicalHimalayankingdomofAlaka.

If you made it to the end of this glossary, you deserve a wish from a wish-grantingtree!Oratleastabigoleglassofmangolassi.Yum.

PraiseforAruShahandtheEndofTime

AninstantNewYorkTimesbestseller

AKirkusReviews’BestBookof2018

ASchoolLibraryJournalBestBookof2018

★ “This series kickoff, which is also the first book from the Rick RiordanPresents imprint, expertly channels the humor and action that have madeRiordan’sownworksosuccessful.”

—PublishersWeekly(starredreview)

★ “In her middle grade debut, Chokshi spins a fantastical narrative thatseamlessly intertwines Hindu mythology and folklore, feminism, and wittydialogueforanuproariousnovelforyoungreaders.”

—KirkusReviews(starredreview)

★“AnenthrallingstarttoaseriesthatRiordanfansandanyoneinthemoodforahigh-octaneadventurewilllove.”

—SchoolLibraryJournal(starredreview)

“This roller coaster throughHindu culture never feels forced or pedantic, butinsteadlikeanewkindofmyth—whereaherotakesahammertotheworldtoshinealightthroughitscracks.”

—TheNewYorkTimes

“Chokshiisatalentedwriterwhobreathesfreshairintohermythologicalworld.”

—Booklist

“[An]engrossingadventuretale.”

—TeenVogue

“An imaginative novel that puts girl power and diverse protagonists front andcenter.”

—EntertainmentWeekly

“Anew star is born.Aru Shah and the End ofTime ismind-bending and brilliant.Original and spellbinding, the story sparkles with wit and magic. Fantasy hasneverbeensofun.”

—EoinColfer,NewYorkTimesbest-sellingauthoroftheblockbusterArtemisFowlseries

ROSHANI CHOKSHI is the author of the New YorkTimes best-selling novel The Star-Touched Queen and itscompanion,ACrownofWishes.HernewestYAnovel,TheGildedWolves,wasaninstantNewYorkTimesbestseller.Shestudiedfairytalesincollege,andshehasapetluckdragonthatlookssuspiciouslylikeaGreatPyreneesdog.AruShahandtheEndofTime,hermiddle-gradedebut,wasinspiredbythestorieshergrandmothertoldher,aswellasRoshani’sall-consumingloveforSailorMoon.ShelivesinGeorgiaand says y’all, but she doesn’t really have a Southernaccent,alas.Formoreinformation,visither

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FirstpublishedintheUSbyDisneyHyperion,2019

FirstpublishedintheUKbyScholasticLtd,2019

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