We’ll Even Throw in Starvation for Free!
Once Sage Durvasa had finished cursing, he led them out of the office and locked the door behind him.
“Happy thoughts, happy thoughts,” muttered Aru to herself. “Fire-breathing serpents? Cool, cool. That’s fine. This is fine. Everything is fine—”
“Chill, Shah,” said Aiden. “You really need a better pep talk.”
“Iam excellent at pep talks. Witness,”said Durvasa. He cleared his throat. “You have approximately two days left before Queen Uloopi exiles you from the Otherworld. That which you seek will be well guarded, and the path to the shore of the Ocean of Milk is already treacherous. Not to mention the fact that Surpanakha is an accomplished warrior, and so is Takshaka. You are all woefully outmatched. There. How was that?”
Aiden lungedforward to catch Mini before she fainted. Even Brynne, the most confident out of all of them, let out a whimper.
Aru’s jaw fell open. “Thatwas your pep talk?”
“Yes.P. E. P.Preparing for Evil People. Surely that is what you meant.”
“It was not.”
“What’s the quickest route to the Ocean of Milk?” asked Brynne. She was standing up straighter now, her jaw clenched in determination.
Durvasaglanced down both sides of the hall, wary of being overheard. “I would not go to the Mall of Meditation Groves,” he said, fixing them with a strict glare. “And I certainly would not ask for transport to the Great Swamp of New Jersey…. There is no illegal portal to the Ocean of Milk that is closed to the public.”
“Illegal?”echoed Mini. “BreakinganotherOtherworld law? How many laws have we brokenby now?”
“Lost count,” Aiden said with a shrug.
“Where’s this mall?” asked Aru.
“It is not down the hall … and it is not to your left,” said Durvasa.
He crossed his arms, his face imperious and grumpy once more. It was clearly a sign ofThat’s it. Not-help is over!The four of them bowed and paid their respects. For the briefest moment, Durvasa’s face softened.
“Now, seriously. Go away.”
They hurried down the hall, which was lined with all sorts of plaques like:
BEST CURSE-DISPENSER OF THE MONTH:SAGE NARADA!
Or:
AWARD FOR BEST ENLIGHTENMENT MOMENT:SAGE BHRIGU!
“Do you think the Ocean of Milk is filled with actual milk?” asked Mini, pushing her glasses farther up on her nose. “Because I’m lactose intolerant.”
In the past, it had always been Aru’s job to calm down Mini anddistract her somehow—usually by asking about an obscure disease. But this time, Aiden beat her to it.
“It’s probably magical and harmless,” he said. “It may even have medicinal properties.”
That piqued Mini’s interest. “Really?”
“Maybe?” He looked over Mini’s head and mouthed,I have no idea.
Aru laughed.
“We have to be ready to take on Surpanakha,” said Brynne solemnly. “Kamadeva said wehave to plunge the stolen arrow through her heart. Only when we do that will the Heartless be human again.”
“I wish we didn’t have tostabanyone,” Mini said. “That’s so violent.”
“We’re at war!” said Brynne, irritated. “Of course it’s violent! Besides, she’s a thief!”
