‘Oh no you don’t,’ Mina said, and pulled it out of his reach. For a moment he danced around her, trying again and again to grab the pouch. Mina turned and ducked, clutching the beaded fabric. ‘You’re not having it.’
Everything was spinning from the crazy dance he had just drawn her into, so when he pushed his head close to hers and a mad grin split his face, she lost her balance and fell to the ground. The children howled with enjoyment. A hand reached down and helped her up—when she stood she saw it was Sofia. The man with the ribboned hair was gone, leading the children on and away.
There was a loud bang, and all sound faded from the air, leaving only music. Someone played a wooden flute, a lilting melody enchanting the air. Mina was facing down the mountain, so when a person spoke she
