And with that, he put the speakers down on the floor, pulled a phone out of his hoodie pocket, and punched in some numbers. The music grew louder and Takshakafell into a deep trance.
The boy held open the door for Brynne and Aru. “Ladies and unconscious dude.”
Aruand Brynne just stared at him.
“Whoareyou?” demanded Aru.
“You’re supposed to say thank you.”
“I’m not thanking anyone!” said Aru. “How am I supposed to know what’s behind that door? And you’re his grandson! Why should we trust you?”
Brynne stepped on her foot.“Thank you.”
“I cantell you what’snotbehind the door,” said the boy in sunglasses. “Definitely not an ancient serpent king that wants you dead. But lots of traffic. And maybe even some help.”
“You—”
“Saved your life, and I’m offering you a way out,” said the boy. But now he was standing with his back against the door. That didn’t seem like a way out. He crossed his arms. “Your move.”
Maybe some people wouldbe willing to help for no reason other than to be kind. People like Mini, for example. But this kid clearly wasn’t one of those…. There was something too sly about him. And even though she was an inch away from a total meltdown, Aru wasn’t so gone that she hadn’t noticed how Takshaka had spoken to his grandson. This boy was, to put it lightly, not a family favorite.
There was something else,too. She’d seen him before somewhere….
“You’re that boy from the Night Bazaar,” she said.
It was during their last quest. This boy had smiled at Mini, which had led her to walk straight into a telephone pole.
“Hard to forget a face like this,” he said, cupping his chin and grinning.
“Why are you helping us?” demanded Aru. “What do you want?”
“Aru!” said Brynne, sinking a little under Aiden’sweight. “Why are you arguing?”
“Because he wants something.” She knew it in her gut.
“You’re right,” said the boy. “I want your number.”
“Youwhat?”
First, Arunevergave out her number to boys (then again, it’s not like any boy had ever asked for it, but that was neither here nor there), and second, Mini had walked into a telephone pole after seeing him…. On principle, that just wasn’t right.
“Your. Number,” he repeated slowly. “Unless you want me to send you a message by carrier pigeon or something. C’mon, it’s important. Trust me.”
“Aru,”said Brynne. “Just do it, and let’s get out of here.”
It was now or never.
“Fine,” she said. She gave him her number.
“I’ll text you,” he said, finally stepping out of the way. “I’m going to need your help, Aru Shah.”
“How do you know my—?”
But he was already closing the door. The last thing Aru saw was a smug grin.
