Aru Shah and the Tree of Wishes (Pandava Quartet #3) - Roshani Chokshi Page 0,50

Instead they looked like faint shadows, discernible only by the thin outline of light around their edges. Like in an eclipse.

The faint illumination allowed Aru to see some detail in the stone columns that supported the ceiling. Like on the pillars outside, the black rock rippled slightly, as if it were breathing.

“Okay,” said Rudy in a low voice. “The moment I announce my intentions, the yalis will wake up…. They’re creepy as anything.” He shuddered a bit.

“Worse than a bisected dragon?” whispered Mini.

“Rahu and Ketu are bizarre, but they’re not creepy,” said Rudy.

Mini stared at him. “In what world is a bisected dragon not creepy?”

Rudy was on the verge of answering when Brynne interrupted.

“Just tell us what will happen next,” said Brynne.

“Right, so, after they greet us, the yalis will lead us to the vault, where Shah takes over.”

“I use the key,” said Aru, softly patting her backpack, secretly loath to wake the living thing.

“Wait a second,” said Rudy. He paused. Then shut his eyes tight and winced. “I…may have forgotten about something.”

“Seriously, Rudy?” growled Brynne, not bothering to whisper anymore. “Why are you even on this quest, anyway?”

He looked stung but quickly masked it with a hapless grin. “C’mon, you guys are Pandavas. Surely you can handle any—”

“Spill it, Rudy,” said Aiden, crossing his arms.

“Okay, one tiny hiccup. I forgot that the yalis can see inside the vaults.”

“So they’re going to know what we’re up to!” said Aru angrily.

“Not if we camouflage it,” said Aiden, touching his camera. “With Mini’s help, we can make a pretty convincing illusion in the doorway.”

“Yeah, but first Aru has to open it with the key,” said Rudy. “If they see that…” His face grew pale. “In fact, if they figure out that you’re demigods…” He groaned and slumped against a column.

“WHAT?” asked the others simultaneously.

“I didn’t think this through,” whined Rudy, his head in his hands. “We should just turn around and—”

“Maybe they don’t have to know we’re here at all,” said Mini quietly. “I could do that. I can—”

Rudy scoffed. “I don’t think one of your shields is going to help in this—”

“And I don’t think you should interrupt me,” said Mini, drawing herself up. “You’ve got no idea what I’m capable of.”

Aiden looked surprised, and Rudy actually flinched. Brynne, biting back a grin, caught Aru’s eye. This was probably a bad time to yell SHE IS THE DAUGHTER OF DEATH, LOOK UPON HER AND DESPAIR, but Aru really wanted to.

Mini pointed her Death Danda at Aru and whispered, “Adrishya.”

Cold violet light shot out from Dee Dee and crept over Aru’s skin, clothing, and backpack. Aru looked down at her disappearing feet, then legs, and finally, her hands. She did a little dance. It was a horrible dance. Luckily, no one saw it, because she…was…INVISIBLE!

“This is amazing!” said Aru. She spun in place. “How come you’ve never done this to yourself, Mini?”

“It feels…sneaky,” said Mini uncomfortably. “And what would I do with it, anyway?”

“You’d always have an advantage over your enemies,” said Brynne.

“You could capture some great candid shots,” mused Aiden.

“Or you could randomly move things around without anyone knowing,” said Aru. “You know that ficus plant Mom keeps in the museum lobby? You could tell someone it’s haunted and then carry it around so it’s following them.”

Everyone fell silent.

“Plant-stalking?” said Aiden. “That’s what you’d do with powers of invisibility?”

“Duh,” said Aru. “With great power comes great opportunity to annoy.”

“All right, all right. Fine, that’s a pretty cool trick, Mini,” allowed Rudy.

Mini rolled her eyes.

“Now do it to Brynne and yourself,” he said. “Aiden can be my servant.”

“I’ll serve you up to the yalis,” Aiden muttered through gritted teeth.

As the invisibility spell washed over Brynne, she said, “So Aru uses the key, Mini and Aiden create an illusion in the front of the vault, we get whatever is inside, and we leave immediately.”

Everyone nodded. Then Aru remembered she couldn’t be seen and said, “Yes.”

“The vault may have some booby traps in it, though,” said Rudy. “We won’t know until…” He hesitated, a look of pain crossing his face. “Until we see it.”

Before anyone could ask him about that, Rudy quickly swiveled around and announced to the darkness:

“I, Prince Rudra of Naga-Loka, am here to make a withdrawal.”

A handful of bright lights flickered against the walls and then went out. Vajra sparked nervously on Aru’s wrist, but remained invisible. Aru crossed her arms, trying to hug her lightning bolt reassuringly even as a chill crept up her spine.

“A withdrawal?” asked a voice in