Rudy lowered his backpack and took out his various rocks—a chunk of quartz, a raw ruby, amethyst pebbles, and three sapphires. He closed his eyes, and the jewels levitated. “Here’smymusic.”
One by one, they lit up at his touch. Rudy’s music—histruemusic—had always been different. It was less of a tune and more of a truth. It captured a beautiful feeling rather than a frenzied beat. The amethysts released a sound like rain hitting a window, and Aru thought of all the sleepy, happily boring times in the car when she’d watched raindrops race down the glass. Next came the sapphires, unleashing a sound like ocean waves crashing against the shore. Then the ruby, with the crackling of flames. Last, the quartz, which overlaid the other sounds with a Bollywood song Aru couldn’t remember the name of—a slow build, a lash of heat, the majesty of the sea, and the familiarity of an old melody. It was the sort of music that made Aru want to cry for no reason. Rudy let the rocks play for about fifteen seconds before cutting them off with a snap of his fingers.
“And that’s just a sample,” he said haughtily.
“That was amazing,” said Aiden.
Tumburu stared at Rudy. “YOU ARE MY STAR! You are the GENIUS behind the group!”
Rudy puffed up a little. “I know.”
Tumburu started pacing in a circle. “You know, we could make this act reallybig. We could sell out stadiums across the multiverse. Maybe I can talk to Ixtab—and yes, I am referring tothequeen of Xib’alb’a—about a concert next time we meet up for happy hour….”
“Tumburu…” said Menaka quietly.
The gandharva sighed. “Once more, my dreams have to take a backseat.”
“To the apocalypse,” added Aiden.
Tumburu ignored this and turned his attention back to the group. “Well, who’s next, then?” He looked at Aiden. “There’s nothing to be improved upon with you, and you’ve got the look of a lead singer.”
The tops of Aiden’s cheeks turned red. “Okay.”
“Which leaves…you,” said Tumburu, rounding on Aru.
She perked up, rising on her tiptoes a bit. Everything was absolutely awful, butwhat if she could play the electric guitar? That would be amazing. She would be the stuff of legends! Maybe she should get highlights in her hair….
“Come forward, please,” said Tumburu.
Aru walked to the stage.
“How would you describe yourself?” asked Tumburu.
Aru considered this. And then, in a very measured voice, she said, “Kind.”
Brynne snorted. “You mean sneaky.”
“Uh, imaginative,” said Mini, a touch defensively. “Veryimaginative.”
No one asked you to elaborate!Aru said through the mind link, but her sisters only laughed.
“Kinda weird,” said Rudy.
Aiden glanced at her. The corner of his mouth tipped up. “Chaotic.”
“Ignore them!” said Aru, trying to catch Tumburu’s eye, but the celestial musician wasn’t listening.
“Feral,” he said, stroking the end of his muzzle. “That odd, quirky factor—”
“Electric guitar!” said Aru.“Please!”
“Something almost comical to look at—”
“Wait, no,” said Aru.
But it was too late. An object sailed out of the ring of instruments. It was rather large and shaped like a crescent moon. With the light behind it, Aru couldn’t tell what it was at first.Another drum?she hoped. She could live with that. Aru reached out and caught it one-handed. That same pink light gloved both of her hands. It felt like someone had outlined her muscles in glitter. Movement jerked through her body and she found herself raising her arms, one hand striking the instrument. It made a loud jangle that was joyous and annoying at the same time.
It was—Aru realized with dawning horror—atambourine.
