At the same time, Brynne’s stomach let out a massive grumble. She clutched it, moaning, “God, I’m so hungry…. I didn’t have anything this morning except two Belgian waffles, four poachedeggs, granola, homemade yogurt, six peaches, and a piece of toast.”
Aru stared at her. “Yeah … whowouldn’tbe hungry?”
Aiden wordlessly handed Brynne a candy bar.
“You da best, Ammamma,” she said happily.
Mini shuddered. “My mom wouldkillme if I was eating candy first thing in the morning, wouldn’t yours?”
Atthe wordmom, Brynne’s face shuttered. Angrily, she shoved the candy bar intoher pants pocket. “Let’s go,” she said gruffly, charging down a path through the spring woods.
Guess you hit a sore spot, Aru thought to Mini.
The rest of them followed. At the end of the path, the trees opened into a new clearing with a large pond. Just beyond it, hovering in the air above the pond rushes, was a blue door. Two signs hung from the tree beneath it. One said:
ALL PERSONNEL MUSTSUBMIT
IDENTIFICATION PRIOR TO ENTRY
The second sign read:
VISITORS MAY GAIN ACCESS WITH GUEST PASS
“Personnel?” asked Mini. “I thought we’re seeing the god of love, not a CEO?”
Brynne parted the pond rushes with her mace. “I don’t see a guest pass anywhere.” She looked at the door. “We could always just smash it open….”
“Wait,” said Aru. “I think I see something.”
A glint of gold appearedon the shore of the pond. Aru stepped through the weeds and stopped short when she came across a large pile of sticks and dirt.
“A nest!” said Brynne, pushing past her.
In the middle of the nest was a golden key. Beside it napped a miniature white swan, no bigger than someone’s palm. It looked like it could fit inside a teacup.
“Aww!” said Mini. “So cute!”
“That key must be the guest pass,”said Aiden. He lifted his camera, snapped a picture, and then examined the digital file. “Hmm … The lighting is off….”
“Leave it, Aiden!” Brynne said. “Let’s grab it and go.” She started to reach for the key.
“Do you think we can pet the swan?” asked Mini. “Or maybe not? Can swans give you bird flu?”
“Wait, Brynne,” Aru said.
“What’s wrong, Shah? Frightened by a tiny bird?” Brynne eyed theswan. “You know, swan used to be a delicacy.”
“Gross! I don’t want to eat it! I want toavoidit. Have you ever seen a swan in action?” asked Aru. “They’re vicious.”
“Shah, that swan is the size of a toy,” said Brynne. “We’ll live.”
Brynne plucked the key from the nest. All four of them watched the swan. Nothing happened.
“See? Told ya!” Brynne started walking toward the hovering door.
Aruhesitated for a moment before following. Now she felt dumb. Maybe she had been overreacting….
They were halfway to the door when the warm spring air turned cold. Aru couldn’t see her shadow on the ground anymore.
