Aru Shah and the City of Gold - Roshani Chokshi Page 0,100

a little closer to her belly, and the knot of guilt inside her loosened.

Aru never thought she’d think this way, but she’d had her fill of gold and jewels. She’d seen enough of both to last several lifetimes, and in the end, neither compared to the rare treasure in her hand. A golden army might be precious, but a second chance with someone she loved?

That was priceless.

After their meeting with Kubera, Rudy decided to return to his parents’ palace. First he gave the Potatoes multiple, though somewhat unwanted, assurances that he’d find a way to see them every week.

“I’m literally a hero,” said Rudy. “And I’m a prince. Who’s going to say no to me now?”

He winked. Aru noticed that this time he wasn’t looking at her…but at Mini. Who didn’t seem to notice. Or, if she did, she acted like it didn’t matter.

Mini, Brynne, and Aiden were able to get ahold of their families…but there was still no word from Krithika Shah.

“What if she hasn’t come back yet?” asked Aru.

Kara squeezed her hand. “She will.”

Together, the five of them returned through the newly reopened portals to Atlanta. On one side of the street stood the Museum of Ancient Indian Art and Culture. On the other side stood the elegant home that belonged to Aiden and his mom.

“Do you want me to come with you?” asked Aiden.

“That’s okay,” she said. “Your mom is probably waiting for you.”

Aiden nodded. He looked like he wanted to say something else, but he turned and left.

“Is he okay?” asked Kara.

Brynne shrugged. “Are any of us?”

Normally that sentence would’ve made Aru sad, but it didn’t really hit the same way when Brynne was in the form of a rather large blue chicken. Across her feathered back was a makeshift nest containing a bright-red egg swaddled in scraps of silk.

When Kubera had given them the egg, none of them had been exactly sure what to do with it.

The conversation had gone like this:

Mini (cradling the egg): Do we keep it in a warm place? Does it want blankets? Feathers?

Aru: Does this make us mother hens?

Aiden: I don’t think whatever’s inside that egg is a chicken.

Aru: Too bad we can’t be chickens…(turning to Brynne) Oh my god, wait—

Brynne: No.

Aru: You have to.

Brynne: No—

Kara (interrupting): Chickens are living descendants of dinosaurs, if that makes you feel any better?

Brynne: Cool! But no.

Aru: Do it.

Brynne: Shah, I swear—

Mini (holding up the Boo egg): Please? Do it for the children.

Brynne: I hate you guys.

Brynne had turned herself into a blue chicken the size of a rottweiler. It was a little…unsettling. But the larger forms she could now assume seemed to be a consequence of her expanded powers—powers that had kicked in at the start of the battle and hadn’t left any of them. So. That was cool. But terrifying. Even Aiden had refused to take a picture.

“Some horrors need not be documented,” he’d said solemnly.

Brynne had squawked at him.

Now Aru and her sisters (and chicken sister) crossed the steps of the museum. It was late June, and the air was stiflingly hot. Even the crickets in the myrtle trees had fallen asleep. Aru pushed open the double doors, her whole heart full of waiting. It was cool and dark inside. That was a good sign, thought Aru. Someone had to be home to control the thermostat.

“Mom?” Aru called.

Upstairs, Aru heard a faint rustling. Painful hope burst through her lungs. She charged up the stairs, taking the steps two or three at a time.

“MOM!” called Aru.

Aru was at the top of the landing when she saw it: a tiny bird trapped between the open screen and the glass in the hall window. When the bird saw Aru, it spooked and freed itself, disappearing in the branches of the linden tree outside.

“Mom…” said Aru quietly.

She should’ve known her mother wouldn’t be there. When Aru peered over the banister, she saw a fine layer of dust coating the floors and exhibits. She sighed and walked into the small apartment. Normally, she would smell ink and old papers, a whiff of chai from her mother’s mug, and beneath it all, the soft hint of her perfume. But the apartment was as bare and odorless as a stone. Aru stood in the middle of the living room for what felt like an eternity until she heard footsteps behind her. Her sisters stood in the doorway.

“We’ll find her, Shah,” said Brynne, who had transformed back into her regular form and was now holding the Boo egg in