Now the Sleeper’s army was gathered on one side of the sea, like a hand fan slowly closing.
Step one complete, thought Aru.Make sure we’re not surrounded.
In the sky above, Urvashi began to beat a new rhythm, knitting up the ocean to shield them from rear attacks. Aru thrust Vajra upward, and lightning crackled around her, illuminating the chopping waves. At her gesture, the Nairrata army surged forward, grappling with the Sleeper’s troops.
Aru scanned the melee, steeling herself for the sight of the Sleeper’s silhouette weaving in and out of his army, or the unmistakable sound of Boo’s flapping wings. But neither materialized. That was for the best, thought Aru. Now she could take her next step without distraction.
Step two, surroundthem.
Aru heard the clip-clop of hooves as Brynne, in horse form, galloped up to Aiden and nudged him. He climbed astride her back and, with one backward glance at Aru, Brynne ran and leaped off the side of the platform, springing into the throng of soldiers. Aiden brandished his glowing scimitar and sword, beating back the soldiers. In all the spray around them, Aru almost didn’t see the yaksha shimmering beneath the water’s surface. Its long blue arm stretched out—
“AIDEN!” she yelled.
He lurched back, saw the enemy, and sliced down with his scimitar, neatly removing the soldier’s hand. The yaksha howled before disappearing under the water.
“They’re climbing up!” called Mini, pulling Aru’s attention away from Aiden and Brynne.
Aru saw that chunks of the Sleeper’s army had broken off and were clambering onto the golden platform. Two dozen troops charged across the space. Aru aimed her lightning bolt, but Kara darted in front of her.
“Let me, Aru,” said Kara. She leaned at an angle, curving her arm back before aiming the trident. In a flash, the bright weapon spun out in an arc, shattering the soldiers’ shields.
Mini’s eyes glowed purple, and shadows erupted from the end of her Death Danda. The shapes reared up like massive cobras, striking down the enemy.
Aru’s jaw dropped.
“Huh, shadow magic,” said Mini with surprise when a row of soldiers fell unconscious into the water.“Nice.”
“Not for those guys,” said Aru, as the next line of offense backed away from Mini in terror.
“Fun fact!” said Kara. “The word for ‘fear of shadows’ issciophobia!”
“Well—” started Aru.
“Pandavas, look out!” yelled Urvashi from far above.
Whereas a second ago Aru had been able to see the Nairrata army enclosing the Sleeper’s soldiers as Brynne, Aiden, and Hanuman herded the attackers into place, now her view was completely obscured by mist. She detected a faint hissing, and it made her blood run cold.
Something was coming for them…. But what?
Out of the mist flew a hundred arrows. Too late, Aru twirled Vajra, knocking away a few of the deadly projectiles, but one got through and grazed her arm. Pain flashed through her.
Purple light burst across Aru’s vision as Mini brought up a violet shield. One arrow got caught in it, sinking up to its fletching. Its razor-sharp tip wasinchesfrom Kara’s nose. She stumbled back, trembling.
The mist cleared just enough for Aru to see two dozen of the Sleeper’s archers crawling onto the golden platform, scowling in determination.
On the one hand, this was not good.
The Nairrata fighters were barely keeping up. If they couldn’t surround the foe and concentrate their attack, they’d lose this battle.
On the other hand, Aru felt Vajra lengthening and bristling with electricity. Once again a surge of power coursed through her, zipping up her spine, filling her blood with lightning. Mini caught the look in Aru’s eye, and lowered her shield.
The Sleeper’s soldiers roared, rushing at her.
“Big mistake,” Aru said. “Huge.”
She grinned—mostly because she’d always wanted to say that line—and then Aru Shah let loose her lightning bolt.
BOOM!
