Rudy looked highly affronted. “I don’t need musical talent. I already have plenty.”
“I’ve heard that one before,” said Tumburu, rolling his eyes.
Aiden’s eyebrows rose a little. “Well, actually…”
Rudy lowered his backpack and took out his various rocks—a chunk of quartz, a raw ruby, amethyst pebbles, and three sapphires. He closed his eyes, and the jewels levitated. “Here’s my music.”
One by one, they lit up at his touch. Rudy’s music—his true music—had always been different. It was less of a tune and more of a truth. It captured a beautiful feeling rather than a frenzied beat. The amethysts released a sound like rain hitting a window, and Aru thought of all the sleepy, happily boring times in the car when she’d watched raindrops race down the glass. Next came the sapphires, unleashing a sound like ocean waves crashing against the shore. Then the ruby, with the crackling of flames. Last, the quartz, which overlaid the other sounds with a Bollywood song Aru couldn’t remember the name of—a slow build, a lash of heat, the majesty of the sea, and the familiarity of an old melody. It was the sort of music that made Aru want to cry for no reason. Rudy let the rocks play for about fifteen seconds before cutting them off with a snap of his fingers.
“And that’s just a sample,” he said haughtily.
“That was amazing,” said Aiden.
Tumburu stared at Rudy. “YOU ARE MY STAR! You are the GENIUS behind the group!”
Rudy puffed up a little. “I know.”
Tumburu started pacing in a circle. “You know, we could make this act really big. We could sell out stadiums across the multiverse. Maybe I can talk to Ixtab—and yes, I am referring to the queen of Xib’alb’a—about a concert next time we meet up for happy hour….”
“Tumburu…” said Menaka quietly.
The gandharva sighed. “Once more, my dreams have to take a backseat.”
“To the apocalypse,” added Aiden.
Tumburu ignored this and turned his attention back to the group. “Well, who’s next, then?” He looked at Aiden. “There’s nothing to be improved upon with you, and you’ve got the look of a lead singer.”
The tops of Aiden’s cheeks turned red. “Okay.”
“Which leaves…you,” said Tumburu, rounding on Aru.
She perked up, rising on her tiptoes a bit. Everything was absolutely awful, but what if she could play the electric guitar? That would be amazing. She would be the stuff of legends! Maybe she should get highlights in her hair….
“Come forward, please,” said Tumburu.
Aru walked to the stage.
“How would you describe yourself?” asked Tumburu.
Aru considered this. And then, in a very measured voice, she said, “Kind.”
Brynne snorted. “You mean sneaky.”
“Uh, imaginative,” said Mini, a touch defensively. “Very imaginative.”
No one asked you to elaborate! Aru said through the mind link, but her sisters only laughed.
“Kinda weird,” said Rudy.
Aiden glanced at her. The corner of his mouth tipped up. “Chaotic.”
“Ignore them!” said Aru, trying to catch Tumburu’s eye, but the celestial musician wasn’t listening.
“Feral,” he said, stroking the end of his muzzle. “That odd, quirky factor—”
“Electric guitar!” said Aru. “Please!”
“Something almost comical to look at—”
“Wait, no,” said Aru.
But it was too late. An object sailed out of the ring of instruments. It was rather large and shaped like a crescent moon. With the light behind it, Aru couldn’t tell what it was at first. Another drum? she hoped. She could live with that. Aru reached out and caught it one-handed. That same pink light gloved both of her hands. It felt like someone had outlined her muscles in glitter. Movement jerked through her body and she found herself raising her arms, one hand striking the instrument. It made a loud jangle that was joyous and annoying at the same time.
It was—Aru realized with dawning horror—a tambourine.
“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, “I can play 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.”