“And what about Boo?” asked Mini. “Are you just going to keep him imprisoned?”
“No,” said Hanuman. “Boo will be freed.”
“Butnotus?” asked Brynne. “How does that make any sense?”
Uloopi held out her hand. “Our rules are in place for good reason. The accused will be heard in the Court of the Sky.”
Takshaka smiled smugly.
Aru snuck a glance at Aiden. He had always been more of an observer, but she was surprised he hadn’t said a word in their defense. He was supposed to be their witness, after all.
But, wait … Wherewas Shadowfax?
She scanned the space around them, but there was no sign of Aiden’s camera. What had he done with it? Aiden caught her looking and winked.
“Come, Pandavas,” said Urvashi, gesturing to the portal. “State your case before us.”
Hira tried to come with them, but Hanuman gently toldherno. “Only the accused or apsaras can go to the Court of the Sky,” he said, opening a differentportal for her and Aiden to use. “You two wait in the Night Bazaar, and we’ll send word to your families—”
“Just my mom,” said Aiden. “My dad won’t notice.”
“Very well.”
And with that, Aiden and Hira disappeared through the portal.
“Come on, Shah,” said Brynne, jerking her chin at the other portal. “Let’s go prove them wrong.”
The Court of the Sky felt like an actual courtroom. The duskypurple clouds looked solemn and serious. A half ring of golden thrones surrounded the square of flat clouds where Aru, Brynne, and Mini stood in their cloud slippers, their hands clasped respectfully behind their backs. Far below them, the Night Bazaar twinkled, and Aru felt her heart lurch a little … wondering if this might be the last time she ever saw it.
In a blink, many members of the Councilof Guardians—those tasked with overseeing heroes’ quests and keeping the world in balance—appeared in their thrones. But not Boo.
“Begin your account,” said Queen Uloopi.
Beside her, Aru noticed, Takshaka squirmed a little.
The Pandavas related all that had happened since they left the Night Bazaar. They told them about the terrible swan that Kamadeva kept as a guard pet. They described themonstrous blue crab that couldn’t sing. But when they got to the part where they’d fought Takshaka, the serpent king interrupted.
“Youlie!” he declared, laughing. “I understand these children are known for ly—”
“I never lie!” said Mini. “I actually don’t think I can…. It makes me nauseated, and then my skin gets all hot—”
“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. The Council will be unable to reverse your sssentence.”
Brynne looked angry enough to tear a hole in the cloud carpet beneath them.
Easy, Brynne, thought Aru to her sisters.We’ve got a secret weapon.
They revealed everything except the fact that Uloopi’s heart jewel lay at the bottom of Aru’s backpack.Aru planned on returning it to the queen, but she couldn’t justtossit at her like,HERE YA GO! HAVE A NICE LIFE!She couldn’t wait much longer, though, since she was secretly hoping that once Uloopi saw the jewel that Takshaka had kept from her, the queen would know they were telling the truth about him. Letting the naga goon and onabout how innocent he was would only make him look worse inthe end. Aru grinned.
“They must cast the final votesss,” said Takshaka.
Now can we show them the heart jewel?thought Brynne impatiently.
Aru reached around for her backpack and Hanuman launched out of his seat, ready to argue, when the sight of a portal opening overhead made everyone look up at the same time. Out of a thin beam of light, a boy stumbled into the middle of the court. He hadbeen reunited with his camera, Aru was glad to see.
“Aiden!” said Urvashi, shocked. “You’re not supposed to be here!”
“How did he get in?” demanded Uloopi.
