Um, RUDE?thought Aru.Also, not very subtle….
“Incendiary Offers for Future Use,” clarified Agni.
“Oh.”
“I have an arsenal of weapons that you will have need of, daughter of Indra,” said Agni. His voice sounded rather distant, as if he had glimpsed something of the future. “Whenthat time comes, call on me.”
Aru pocketed the coin, feeling the slightest dig of disappointment. “Okay, well, thanks,” she said.
“I’m not quite done,” said Agni, pointing at Aiden.
Aiden’s eyes widened. “Me?I’m not a Pandava—”
“Yes, yes, we know,” said Agni. He pointed at Aiden’s camera. “May I?”
“But Shadow—I mean, my camera—is really old and—”
“I merely want to enhance it,” said Agni.
Reluctantly, Aiden held out the camera. From Agni’s fingertips erupted a ribbon of fire that encircled the camera and made it glow. When Agni handed it back, it was free of the scuffmarks and fingerprints that it had accumulated on their trip.
“I added a fire battery. The power will never run out, and the camera will always have enough memory.”
Aiden’s face shone. “Wow … thank you!”
“Be carefulout there. The golden dome over the labyrinth is known to deactivate all celestial weapons.” Agni inclined his head. “See well, Pandavas.”
Aiden automatically said, “I’m not a—”
But the god of fire had disappeared, leaving only a burning ember on the spot where he’d once stood.
