“Clearly you don’t care what other people think about you! I wish I had that confidence!”
Aru frowned. “And what’s that supposed to mean?”
“You haven’t peaked yet!” said the fountain. “So there’s still time!”
“Time forwhat?” asked Aru.
The water seemed to be churning a lot faster, as if getting more nervous.
“Aren’t you supposed to be the Fountain of Compliments?” demanded Aru.
“I’m trying!” said the fountain.
“Wow,”said Aru.
“Aru, did you break the fountain?” asked Brynne, roaring with laughter.
In the distance, Aiden was laughing, too. This wasnotthe way she’d imagined making him smile.
“Maybe there were just too many people!” said Mini, moving in front of Aru.
“Has anyone ever told you your smile is somewhat above average?” returned the fountain.
“Thanks,” said Mini flatly.
“Okay, that’s it,” said Aru. “I hope people throw dirty pennies in you!”
The fountain splashed Aru, and she spluttered as the water hit her face.
At that moment, the silvery doors swung open. The cloud attendant had returned. Beyond her, the pattern of glass walls and reflective pools continued.
“Lady Menaka will admit three people only,” said the attendant.
“I’ll stay here,” said Mini. “I might mess something up again, like when I touched the door.”
Mini, that wasn’t your fault, said Aru.
Anyone would’ve made the same mistake, said Brynne.
Butyou guysdidn’t, said Mini.I’m staying behind. Please don’t ask me again.
Mini drew up a wall in her mind. When Aru tried to say something else to her, she got an instant headache. Ouch.
“Me too!” said Rudy, beaming at Mini. “I’ll stay!”
From the cloud bank, a low marble table appeared. It held platters of cut-up mangoes and guavas and slices of banana dipped in chocolate. There were pitchers of sparkling fruit juice, too. A pair of plushy robes and slippers peeled off the cloud bank, along with two reclining chairs.
“Oooh…hello, spa day,” said Rudy, rubbing his hands together.
“Kindly follow me,” said the attendant to Aru, Brynne, and Aiden.
As they followed her down the cloudy pathway, Brynne kept trying to catch Aiden’s eye, but his gaze was fixed ahead.
Do you know anything about Aiden’s grandmother? Aru asked Brynne through the mind link.
Superpowerful, super-old apsara, said Brynne.And really strict. But that’s about it.
Old and powerful and mean. Great, thought Aru. None of these family reunions ever seemed to go well. And yet the name Menaka tickled something in the back of Aru’s head. She felt as if she’d heard it before, but she couldn’t remember when.
