Aru Shah and the Tree of Wishes (Pandava Quartet #3) - Roshani Chokshi Page 0,97

said Aru.

“Your name is No?”

“No,” said Mini.

“Is that a yes?”

“GROOT,” said Aru, running with the first thing that popped into her head. “I am…Groot.”

“We’re all…Groot?” said Aiden.

The tree went silent, and Aru mentally kicked herself. GROOT? That was the name her brain supplied at the last second?

Bad brain, thought Aru.

Her brain instantly reacted by putting “Escape (The Pi?a Colada Song)” into her head.

“We gave you a name, now let us through,” said Aru.

“All right, all right. No need to pitch a fit. No one wants to come out here today anyhow. It’s Holi.” The tree sighed, bowing its top and shaking down leaves.

The silver gate swung open, and they filed in as quickly as they could. As the entrance shut behind them, Aru heard the tree muttering:

“Awful names…Imagine introducing yourself like that. ‘I am Groot,’” grumbled the tree. “Almost as inane as ‘I am the Sleeper.’”

“Did you hear that?” asked Aru. She snapped her fingers and Vajra lengthened into a full-size spear.

Brynne had already drawn her mace, and Mini’s Death Danda was at maximum length, too. Aiden’s scimitars peeked out from his sleeves, and even Rudy had his messenger bag full of enchanted jewels unzipped and ready.

“The Sleeper is here,” Aru said, keeping her voice hushed.

“Does that mean Sheela is here, too?” asked Nikita. Her fingers flew to the little green heart at her throat, probably hoping to feel her twin nearby, Aru guessed.

“Nikki, I’m sorry, but your tracker was turned off back at the House of the Moon?” said Mini gently. “For your safety.”

Nikita removed her hand, her expression hardening.

“If she’s here, we’ll find her,” said Brynne firmly.

They stood on a wide pebbled walkway lined with waterfalls that stretched high above them. Huge plumes of steam and fog rose in the air, hiding the tops, so it kind of felt like walking through the middle of a parted ocean. Beneath their feet the polished river stones stretched out a good three hundred feet before disappearing into mist. A small sign to the right read:

UP AHEAD: BOTANICAL PAVILION OF LOST CITIES

“Mini and I can take the lead,” said Brynne.

Mini nodded, unleashing a violet force field in front of the two of them.

“Aiden and Rudy, you guys take the middle,” said Brynne. “Aru, you and Nikita guard the rear.”

“Can I guard from there, too?” asked Rudy.

“No.”

While the others took off, Aru hung back. Nikita was lagging even farther behind. The girl’s hand was pressed to her chest, and there was a look on her face that Aru recognized instantly. Loneliness.

“Hey,” said Aru, nudging her a bit. “We’re going to find her, okay?”

Nikita looked up. She usually seemed much more composed than a typical ten-year-old. But in that second, her eyes welled with terror. It was the same expression she’d worn in the nightmare, when she’d stretched out her hand to the mother who was leaving her behind just to keep her safe.

Nikita took a deep breath before saying in a small voice, “I believe you. I’ll always believe you now.”

That made Aru stop short. What a strange burden, she thought, to be depended on like that. It made her feel like she was somehow ten times taller, and only for the purpose of protecting the twins who looked up to her. Nikita took her hand, and Aru felt a surge of warmth and fear. Was this what being an older sister was like? Wanting to yell at someone most of the time but still being willing to jump in front of a car for them?

If so, it was awful.

“You’re not alone,” said Aru, squeezing Nikita’s hand.

“I know,” said Nikita. But even as she said it, Aru noticed that her nature powers kept manifesting as a twist of vines wrapping around her dress like armor. “It’s just…new.”

“Better get used to it,” said Aru.

Nikita beamed. She dropped Aru’s hand and tugged at the faded T-shirt Aru wore, wrinkling her nose in disdain.

“You need some fashion tips.”

“It’s not that bad,” grumbled Aru.

Nikita fixed her with a pitying look.

Up ahead, Brynne called out, “Uh, guys? We might need some help here….”

Aru frowned as she and Nikita made their way to the others. What’s the big deal? she thought. Why couldn’t they just walk into this pavilion and—

Oh, wait. Never mind.

The Botanical Pavilion of Lost Cities wasn’t a gazebo in a courtyard—it was an entire island. The Pavilion floated in the air within a ring of silent waterfalls that each made Niagara Falls look like a water fountain. Huge plumes of steam cast fractured rainbows around