Takshaka moved so fast that Aru almost didn’t see him coming.Almost. His jaws missed her face by an inch. As she pivoted out of the way, Vajra jumped into her hand, fully expanded. Aru threw the lightning bolt like a spear. Takshaka neatly dodged it. Vajra spun backto her, and this time Aru concentrated with all her effort, focusing on the serpent’s writhing tail, wanting to pin him in place like a butterfly in a display. Vajra shot forward like an arrow. But Takshaka was faster. His powerful tail whipped out and knocked the lightning bolt aside like it was a toy.
Aru looked to her friends for help. Brynne was snorting and stomping her feet like an angrybull, but Aiden was holding her back.Why?
“Hoverboard!” Aru shouted.
Vajra flattened, but Aru jumped on a second too late. Takshaka’s tail lashed through the air and caught her in the stomach. She crashed into the wall and slid down, shaking her head.
Takshaka started laughing. “It’s too easssy.”
Arufelt woozy, but she forced herself to stand. On the opposite wall Aiden was leaning casuallyand—Aru wanted to scream at him—checking his phone.
Brynne’s voice tapped into her thoughts:
We know something Takshaka doesn’t like.
Us?thought Aru.
Close your eyes. It’s going to get windy in here.
“Reveal yourssself, Pandava,” said Takshaka. “I shall make this quick.”
Aru was so tired of that line! Why were monsters always offering to make death go quickly? Why not offernodeath atall?
As Takshaka edged closer, Aru shut her eyes and flattened herself against the wall. Wind blew against her face. She could hear the treasures rattling off their shelves and crashing to the ground with loud, indignant howls.
“You will pay for thisss,” said Takshaka.
A snippet of Aru’s dream floated back to her. Mini standing in Home Depot, shaking Aru by the shoulders and … imitating a cow?No. Aru did that.Mooooooo-zique.
Music.
Music!
Just then, Takshaka hissed. Even with her eyes closed, Aru could sense him rearing up. Dirt and grit whipped her skin.I’m totally going to die here, thought Aru.
Then a new sound joined in … a sound that suddenly explained why Aiden had been on his phone. Aru cracked open one eye. Aiden stood in the center of the room, holding his phone overhis head like a gigantic beacon. Rising above the din, like one of those ancient warriors blowing a horn …
Dehhhhh-spaaaaa-cito!
Quiero respirar tu cuello despacito!
Takshaka roared, “NOOOOOOOO!” He writhed. “NOT THAT SONG! I’msickof it! MAKE IT STOP! MAKE IT STOP!”
Aiden kept blasting the music. Now he was salsaing. Apsara kids always have an artistic talent. Dancing was not Aiden’s.
Brynne pointed her mace at Aiden’s phone and picked it up in a swirl of dust. Takshaka snapped, lunging for it, but every time he got close, the wind danced farther away. Takshaka quivered, now moving across the floor and shelves, oblivious to the screaming treasure.
Brynne sent Aru an urgent message:Any sign of the thief’s soul song?
I’m on it!Aru sent back.
Nothing on the bottom shelf. Nothingon the next row up, either. But when Aru scanned higher, a flash of red caught her eye. She zeroed in on a scarlet orb the size of a large pendant. It was huddled against the wall as if it were frightened. 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 a representation of the thief’s soul … andnow that made sense. The soul song seemed to Aru like a piece of someone, a piece that had been abandoned.
I found it!Aru told Brynne through the mind link.
All Aru had to do was turn Vajra into a hoverboard, zoom over Takshaka’s weaving head, and grab the song from the shelf.
Vajra had just flattened when Aru heard it….
