“Hmpf,” said Saranyu. “It does not change the fact that I am the more beautiful one between us.”
“Lies!” spat Chhaya. She considered the Pandavas for a moment, and then a catlike grin slowly formed on her face. “Perhaps we might put it to the children to decide?”
“Very well,” said Saranyu, raising an eyebrow. “Should you find me the more beautiful one, I will restore your friend to good health.”
“Should you findmethe lovelier,Ishall send you to wherever you need to go next,” said Chhaya.
Easy pick, said Brynne through their mind link.Kubera said his eye was like a portal, so—
“You cannot leave the House of the Sun without our express permission,” Chhaya added.
Mini turned to Saranyu. “But…But I’m your granddaughter.You’dlet us go, right?”
Saranyu looked fondly at Mini and said, “No.”
“What? B-but we told you there’s a war coming! And the gods want us to fight—”
“Is that so?” asked Chhaya softly. “Do you really have the favor of the heavens? Or are you just an annoyance to them?”
Aru shifted on the spot. Ever since that disastrous publicity stunt with Opal and the rest of the Otherworld, Aru knew she hadn’t exactly earned the devas’ trust. Which was why the Pandavas were being forced to go through these trials for Kubera’s army instead of just being granted control of it.
But did that mean even the devas weren’t on their side?
Aru shuddered. She didn’t want to find out.
“The war is not on my land,” said Saranyu. “So it is not my problem. I would rather see the truth about the two of us made manifest by your decision. Make your choice. As for me, I claim my granddaughter’s vote by blood.”
At this, Chhaya smiled sharply, tendrils of smoke wrapping around her.
Aru didn’t really care for Saranyu. What kind of grandma didn’t want to help her grandkid? Besides, even if Saranyu could wake up Kara, that wouldn’t do much for them if they couldn’t leave the House of the Sun.
As if sensing what Aru was thinking, Chhaya slid her foot across the floor, creating an image of what the sun itself beheld…
The Sleeper’s troops were somehow walking in the air over the sea. Gleaming weapons hung from dark belts around their waists. They wore horned helmets, and they roared as one when the gleam of Lanka rose in the distance.
They were getting close.
“I say Chhaya,” said Aru quickly.
“Me too,” said Brynne.
Saranyu’s smile fell a little. She snapped her fingers, and the images on the ground disappeared. She beckoned with her fingers, and Kara floated a little higher, her hair still streaming around her. “And what if you discover that your friend will never wake without my help?”
Aru felt her throat tighten. What had she done? Had she sacrificed Kara?
“Then I’m with Mini,” said Rudy. Mini looked at him, surprised.
Saranyu’s smile flickered back to life before both goddesses turned to Aiden. “And what about you? You who are not a demigod, but whose veins nonetheless run with starlight. Do you find me the most beautiful one? I could restore your lovely little friend, and I could give you more power….”
Aiden turned red. “I—I’m not really…I’m—”
“The deciding vote,” said Chhaya. “I can sniff out your secrets, Aiden Acharya. You would not wish to throw your world into the hardship of war, would you? I can show you the things you wish to see…. Nowdecide.”
Aiden looked between the two goddesses, his hand resting on his camera.
Does Aiden even knowhowto pick a favorite?Mini asked through the mind link.He’s kinda…um…indecisive.
Nope, thought Brynne.We’re screwed.
