Isabella knew something was coming the moment the Mountain Dew Spirit let out that long, ancient-sounding "hmm," even though it looked like a toddler wearing mist as clothing.
The tiny creature hovered there dramatically, wings fluttering slowly, arms folded like some wise old elder judging mortals from the heavens. Except it was only the size of Isabella's palm and kept darting glances toward the pouch of nuts in her hand like an addict sniffing sugar.
It wants the nuts so bad, Isabella thought dryly.
But the spirit suddenly straightened its tiny spine and said in the most solemn, regal tone it could muster:
"Do not try to bribe me. I am above bribery."
Isabella blinked.
Osiris snorted softly behind her.
The spirit's eyebrow twitched. "Bribery does not work on ancient guardians such as myself. I am immune to—"
It paused, eyes flicking again toward the nuts.
"—to temptation."
It gulped.
Isabella raised the pouch higher.
