Brynne aimed a cloud of steam at the being just as Mini threw off the invisibility sheet. Aru cast her lightning-bolt net. There was a sizzling crack and a howl of pain before a familiar voice shouted, “Again with the demented rope? Really, Shah?”
The Potatoes raced forward, and when the fog from Brynne’s attack cleared, Aru spied a garish tie-dyed denim jacket, blinding-white sneakers, and a familiar smirk. Pinned beneath Aru’s net, Prince Rudra of Naga-Loka managed a weak wave.
“Sup, fellow Potatoes?” said Rudy.
“Rudy,whatare you doing here?” asked Aiden.
He bent down to hoist the naga off the ground, but Rudy batted away his hand and leaped up, dusting the shoulders of his jacket and pretending like nothing had happened.
“That’s a nice way to greet your closest living relative,” said Rudy.
“You’re not my only cousin, Rudy,” pointed out Aiden.
“I’m the only one whomatters.”
Aiden groaned and pinched the bridge of his nose, which he did a lot whenever he was with Rudy.
“Who’s the cute unconscious girl?” asked Rudy, craning his head to look at Kara.
“She’s the Sleeper’s daughter,” said Brynne.
Other daughter, Aru wanted to say. But she didn’t.
“She single?” asked Rudy.
“Me?” asked Mini.
“Huh?” said Rudy, looking at Mini as if he’d just noticed her standing there. “I meant the unconscious chick.”
“That’syour first question about her?” demanded Aiden.
“I mean, I figured I’m missing some info, but you guys will just fill me in later.”
“Info, along with brain cells,” muttered Aiden.
“She’s not achick,” said Aru. “Achickis a flightless baby bird, and Kara’s got a sunlight trident….”
“And she’s smart and has a ridiculous vocabulary,” said Mini.
“And exceptional fighting skills,” added Brynne grudgingly.
Rudy frowned. “I wasn’t calling her a bird. I was calling her achick, like, ‘Cute or Handsome being of Indeterminate origin who might Consider Killing you.’ You know. A chick.”
The Potatoes stared at him.
“So, what’s this chick’s name?” asked Rudy.
“You keep using that word…” said Aru. “I do not think it means what you think it means.”
“Her name is Kara,” said Mini.
“Cool,” said Rudy. “So, do you want to keep talking in this tunnel, or do you want to come back to my palace?”
“I hate that you just said that sentence,” said Aiden.
Rudy ignored him.
“That could be…interesting,” said Mini.
