“The four of you can change his fate,” said Hanuman,placinga large hand on Aru’sshoulder. “Find the bow and arrow to reverse the state of the Heartless. Because you are suspects, there is little we can do to help. The law is the law.”
Aru felt like someone had kicked her in the stomach.
“Wait—” said Mini, rummaging through her backpack. “One for the road.” She held up a cookie.
“An Oreo!” said Boo, brightening. “Sweet girl. Thank you.”
Mini stuck it in his beak.
Urvashimurmured a few words, and Boo dissolved into the ether.
“Where did you send him?” Aru demanded.
“Don’t worry. He will be comfortable,” assured Hanuman.
Aru said nothing. Mini clutched her backpack tight to her chest. Beside them, Aiden fiddled with the strap of his camera. Aru rarely saw him without that camera in school. Even though Aiden was only one year above her, in eighth grade, apparentlyhis photographs were so good that the high school newspaper, theVorpal Blade, often used them. Aru scowled. If he was such an important witness, he should’ve taken better photos of the fight between Brynne and Fake Aru. Then Boo wouldn’t be locked up, and she and Mini wouldn’t be at risk of banishment from the Otherworld.
Hanuman let out a long exhale, his gaze falling on Brynne. The momenthe looked at her, Brynne went from smug to serious. She slipped her mace off her shoulder and held it respectfully by her side.
“Brynne.”
“Bhai,”said Brynne in a small voice.
Bhaimeantbrother.
“You have a great task ahead of you,” said Hanuman.
Brynnegripped her mace tighter. “I know.”
Mini nodded. “Weallknow.”
“Remember,” Hanuman said in a tone that Aru had come to recognize astrust-me-I’m-super-wise, “nobody wins when the family feuds.”
Aru frowned. “Did you just quote Jay-Z?”
Aiden started snickering, but he stopped short when Brynne glared at him.
Hanuman’s tail switched, and he scowled. “What?No. Okay, maybe. Listen, I don’t know where I hear everything. I’ve been around a while, kid. Now, my advice is to go home and pack what you need. Afterward, report immediatelyto Urvashi in the Warehouse of Quest Materials.”
Warehouse?Aru had never heard of a place like that….
Urvashi waved her hand, and a portal appeared in the sky. “Aiden, I’ve already spoken with your mother. She sent some belongings ahead to Brynne’s house. It’ll be easier for you to travel from there.”
“It’s technically a penthouse,” corrected Brynne.
Aru rolled her eyes.
“Thanks,Masi,”Aiden said to Urvashi.
Okay, now Aru hadmanyquestions. First, it didn’t seem like Aiden was shocked by the idea of going to Brynne’s penthouse (chill, Brynne), so he must go there a lot. Second, Urvashi was hisaunt? He’d called hermasi, which is a way of addressing your mom’s sister, but Aiden couldn’t possibly be her nephew. Urvashi and her three sisters were ultra-elite apsaras, and assuch weren’t allowed to marry mortals. But Boo had said Aiden was only semidivine.
“C’mon,” said Brynne excitedly. “If we pack fast enough,theremight be time for my uncles to feed us lasagna. I’m starving.” Without a single word to Aru or Mini, she disappeared through the portal.
Aiden hesitated. Then he said to Urvashi, “Did my mom say anything else? I don’t mind stopping by home first ifshe needs me….”
Urvashi’s face softened. “I wouldn’t do that, child. You know how hard things are for her right now. Just know she sends her love.”
“Fine,” said Aiden, but his jaw seemed tight. He barely looked at Aru and Mini. “See you soon.”
