“Yup.”
In a flash of blue light, Brynne transformed into a hawk. She cawed once, then bent her head and lifted off. Aru threw Vajra to the ground and it transformed into a wide hoverboard.
“All aboard!” shehollered.
Aiden helped Mini sit on the hoverboard. Aru risked a glance back and saw that the red cows were gaining ground. Now they were barely twenty yards away. Their golden hooves pounded onto the bridge. In her chariot, Ushas was still pretending to play the drums, this time to “Good Day Sunshine.” Aru suspected that, behind her sunglasses, her eyes were closed.
Mini clutched the sides ofthe board, but she looked pale and sickly just from the effort.
“I feel like I haven’t slept in years,” she said miserably. “And I might possibly have hypoglycemia, too. I’m still so tired….”
“Don’t worry. You just need some food in you,” said Aiden, patting her back. “We’ll get you fixed up at the DMV.”
“Ready?” asked Aru from the front. “Everyone hold on tight.”
The lightning bolt liftedand flew over the bridge, back the way they had come. Behind them, Ushas let out a loud “Hi-ya!” and the red cows galloped, pulling the chariot and the sun. Wind blew against Aru’s face. Tendrils of electricity laced over the tops of her shoes and around her ankles, holding her in place as they zoomed toward the Grove of Ratri.
“Woo-hoo!” she yelped.
Butthen she felt a heavy hand clap her shoulder.Aru nearly stumbled as she turned her head. Aiden had one arm around Mini; his other hand was on Aru.
“Take it easy!” he shouted. “She’s too weak!”
Sure enough, Mini looked airsick. She was listing to one side even though Aiden was holding her.
Aru had one of those moments when she saw something before it happened. One second, Mini was upright. The next second …
She flopped over.
Aiden losthold of her. He dove forward and Aru only just managed to grab Mini before she fell. Immediately, Vajra secured Mini with electrical strands around her ankles, but Aru’s lunge had been too sudden, and the hoverboard tipped …
… sending Aiden sprawling into the herd of fiery cows.
