Fifteen minutes later, the Potatoes were unrecognizable. Nikita had made each of them a whole new outfit—stylish padded-shoulder blazers with shiny pants and a colorful bejeweled helmet to match. Aiden was in head-to-toe emerald green, Rudy in fierce scarlet, Brynne in soft turquoise, Mini in a smoky violet, and Aru in bright gold. Aru examined herself in the mirror. The helmet was lightweight and comfortable over her coiled braid. When Aru lifted the visor, she saw a pair of intense dark eyes staring back at her. She looked sharp. And she felt…powerful.
Maybe there was some truth in what Nikita had once told her:Dress like victory and the war is halfway won.
“I am NEVER taking this off,” declared Rudy.
“All right, you guys,” said Aiden, pacing the center of the room. His green helmet was tucked under his arm. “Instruments?”
“Check,” said Mini, patting her floating keyboard.
“Sound system?” asked Aiden.
“Got it,” said Rudy, waving around a gemstone.
Aiden turned to Brynne. “Sun Jewel?”
Brynne nodded, patting the front pocket of her blazer where the lantern was stowed in one of Nikita’s magical pockets.
Aiden took a deep breath. “Okay, so, as far as I can tell, our audition platform is about ten feet from the actual Final Stage. If we play well enough—”
“You mean when wekillit in front of the judges,” said Rudy.
“Sure,” said Aiden before continuing. “We might be able to go straight from the audition platform to the Final Stage, and from there we can access the next portal.”
“According to Jambavan, the door should open the moment it recognizes the Sun Jewel,” said Brynne. “I just need to get close enough to the portal, and then—boom!—we’re on the other side.”
“But even then we won’t beinthe labyrinth,” said Mini, speaking faster. “There’s one more entrance to get through. And now there’s only two days left before the labyrinth closes up for good and the Sleeper and Kara get the nectar of immortality and—”
“And we’ll deal with it one step at a time,” said Brynne gently.
Mini didn’t look reassured.
“The biggest thing is the song, Ammamma,” said Brynne, lifting her eyebrows at Aiden. “We’ve got the fancy instruments, but you’re the one who’s supposed to keep this illusion going with a truth.”
“I know,” said Aiden.
“If the illusion breaks, everyone will see what we’re doing, and they’ll probably kick us out.”
“I know,” repeated Aiden.
“Or throw us into some celestial void.”
“Bee,” said Aiden firmly, “I know.”
“But do you know what you’re going to sing about?” asked Brynne.
Aiden’s gaze was fixed on the floor. “Yeah. Yeah, I do.”
Aru, Rudy, Mini, and Brynne exchanged glances.
Aru cleared her throat. “So…are you gonna tell us?”
Aiden looked startled that she’d addressed him. He glanced at her, frowned, and then jammed his helmet over his head. “No.”
Aru rolled her eyes. So they were back tothatversion of Aiden. Great.
“Artists are extremely temperamental,” said Rudy sagely. “Trust me, I am one.”
Aiden checked his watch, straightened his shoulders, and then patted his backpack as if it was good luck. “It’s time.”
