“You’re joking,” said Aru.
Across the room, Brynne and Mini had fallen against each other laughing. Rudy winced and Aiden shook his head sadly.
But there was no time to linger on the fact that, for the rest of her mortal existence, Aru Shah would forever be known as someone who played the tambourine. Menaka cleared her throat. “Your audition draws near,” she said.
Aiden checked his watch. “One hour left.”
Tumburu sniffed. “Go make me proud. Remember, if they ask who your manager is, it’s Tumburu, lord of the gandharvas, et cetera, et cetera.”
“There is one more thing you must do,” Menaka said to Aiden. “You cannot simply show up on a stage without a plan. You must unify the audience, Aiden. Sing a truth to sell an illusion. The sincerity of your message will see you through.”
“Sing a truth?” he repeated hesitantly.
Menaka nodded. “Something you have told no one. Perhaps something that frightens you to your core. In such honesty there is powerful magic.”
“Okay,” said Aiden, a determined look crossing his face. “I will.”
“Go, go, go!” said Tumburu, pointing to the screens.
The television camera was focused on the latest contestants who had disappointed the judges. This time, it was a group of break-dancing cave yakshas. They seemed angry, but Aru couldn’t really tell for sure because of their sunglasses.
Tumburu pinched the air in front of him, and a small gateway opened up about ten feet away from where the Potatoes stood.
“This will take you back from whence you came,” said Menaka, turning to leave.
“Wait,” said Aiden.
He lifted Shadowfax and frowned as he adjusted some settings before reaching into its enchanted screen. A moment later, he pulled out a photograph. Aru caught a glimpse of it as he handed it to Menaka. It was an image of Aiden and his mom.
“If you…If you want it,” he said awkwardly.
Menaka touched the photo reverently, tears shining in her eyes. “I haven’t looked upon her face in almost…”
“Sixteen years?” guessed Aiden.
Menaka nodded.
“Well,” said Aiden. “You know where we are if you want to find us. But if you don’t”—he paused, taking a deep breath—“I won’t hold it against you. Anymore.”
Menaka bowed her head. “Thank you.”
Brynne gently put her hand on Aiden’s shoulder. “Ready?”
“Yeah,” he said.
Rudy walked to the portal first.
“Should you ever want an internship, find me,” Tumburu said to him.
Rudy grinned and disappeared. Next went Brynne with her tabla under her arm, muttering, “Icanplay the harp.” Mini followed with her electric keyboard, and then Aiden.
Aru, still distracted by her newfound talent for tambourine, was about to join them when Menaka drifted forward and touched her shoulder.
“A moment of your time, daughter of the gods,” she said.
Aru looked up at her, confused.
Menaka’s dark eyes met hers. Her mouth was pinched with anxiety. “You knew who I was,” she said. “That is a rare thing for me.”
