“Ihave had as many consorts”—it took Aru a second to remember thatconsortwas just a fancy word for spouse—“as there are days in a year. And as many children as there are flowers in the world!”
“That’s … a lot?” offered Aru.
“Can you lay eggs?” asked Mini. “I’m just thinking how, statistically, that would work. A wax scale insect can lay more than ten thousand eggs in one sitting!Ow!Aru, why are you elbowing me?”
Something about Uloopi’s face told Aru that the naga queen did not appreciate being asked if she could lay eggs.
Boo flew in front of their faces, flapping wildly. “YourMajesty, the girls mean no disrespect. They are very, very,veryyoung. Eons younger than you and—”
Uloopi raised her eyebrows.“Eons?”
Boo’s feathers poufed in embarrassment. “Which is not to say that you’re ancient, except you are, but not in a way that—”
“This wearies me,” said Uloopi, rising up on her coils. “I have issued my proclamation. You have ten days, Pandavas. Return what was stolento restore the Heartless to their former selves. Or be banished.”
Beside her, Takshaka made a slit in the cloud floor, creating an opening that was probably a portal back to the naga realm. Without another word or glance, Uloopi slipped through and disappeared. Takshaka, though, took his time. He swung his head in their direction. And even though Aru knew he couldn’t see her, shefeltthe weightof his attention. It made her shudder, and she instinctively called Vajra into her hand as a lightning bolt.
“Good luck,” he said.
It didn’t sound like he meant it.
And then both of them were gone, leaving Aru and Mini alone with a new quest … and a new sister.
Theother Council members bent their heads, whispering together.
Brynne tossed her wind mace over her shoulder. “Right,” she said,all businesslike. “I would behonoredto clear our names. You two stay here—”
“No way!” said Aru. “Me and Mini have done this before.” She summoned Vajra to her hand. “We’re the professionals.Youstay here.”
“‘Professionals’ is kind of a stretch,” Mini mumbled.
From her throne, Urvashi snapped her fingers and pointed at Brynne. “You are not going alone.”
“Why? Just because I wasn’t on somequest where these two got lucky?” demanded Brynne. “Icould’ve gotten it done faster.I’vebeen training in the Otherworld for years. Have you?”
Aru decided not to point out that she and Mini were in the middle of remedial classes.
“So what if you’ve had training?” shot back Aru. “As far as I remember,youweren’t with us.”
Brynne turned red. “I would have if …” She stopped herself, her handturning to a fist at her side. “Whatever.”
“Why don’t we start over,” said Mini, putting herself between Aru and Brynne. “Three heads are better than two! Unless it’s likecraniopagus parasiticus, which wouldn’t be good, but that only happens in four cases out of ten million—”
Boo interrupted by fluttering down and alighting on Aru’s shoulder. Aru reached up to pat his head, and the pigeon peckedher hand. “Not just the three of you,” he said.
Aru smacked her forehead. “Oh, duh! And you, too, of course. What would we do without you, Boo?”
“I am afraid my presence will not be allowed,” he said heavily. He looked back at the remaining Council of Guardians members. Urvashi had tears in her eyes. Hanuman looked stony. “It would seem that I am to be held in custody until such time as my allegianceagainst the Sleeper is proven.”
Aru’s ears burned. Fury shot through her veins.
“They can’t do that,” she said loudly. “You haven’t done anything wrong!”
Boo sadly ruffled his feathers.
“Do not worry,” he said. “I am permitted to send someone in my place. I have chosen the Council’s witness, someone who has proven himself committed to the truth. It is thanks to him that some Council membersdoubted that you stole the bow and arrow.”
“I mean, good job and all, witness dude, but we don’t want him,” said Aru. “We want you.”
