76
No one noticed the two children perched in the branches of the tall pine.
All eyes were on Toriana, dressed in a long, dark-silver gown with her bright green cloak flowing over her shoulders. The contrast in colours was stunning. She stood at the summit of the mountain, her left hand holding out her black amulet on its long gold chain. Her right hand held the torch high, as she pronounced the time-honoured words that would welcome the return of the sun as the world passed through the depths of winter towards the warmth and longer days of spring and summer.
Up in the pine tree, Sasha opened her eyes and stared down at the black amulet in her hand, allowing it time to gather its strength. It began to glow, dully at first, then brighter and brighter. The crowd below seemed to twinkle as
