Prologue: The Secret

She was not mad. Then again, maybe she was. No, no, she more confused than she was mad. Never in all her thirty years of experience never had she experienced this. The prim, magenta haired librarian walked down the small street to a little yellow house. The lawn was well trimmed. Plants covered the porch. She followed the stone path to the small porch and up the concrete stairs to the door.

Well, I hope this goes well.

Her knuckles knocked quickly against the wood. It echoed through the interior of the house.

The door opened immediately.

At least they're prompt.

A woman wearing an apron stood before her. Her dark curly hair was pulled back into a neat bun. Her forehead glistened with sweat and her cheeks were a rosy color, obvious all due to cleaning. Her brown eyes grew wide with surprise.

"Yes?" The woman asked, wiping sudsy hands on her pale blue apron.

"I am here to discuss a situation regarding your daughter. Is your husband home?"

"Oh, um, no, he's at work, but I will be happy to talk to you."

"Good. May I come in?"

"Oh, please come in." The woman stepped aside and in Ms. Magenta went.

The living room was neat except for a few scraps of paper on the wooden floor. Bookcases lined the far wall with the television set in the middle. The opening to the wallon the left led to hallway.

"Sit down, please." The woman told her.

Ms. Magenta tried not to grimace as she sat on the peeling leather couch. She kept her back straight and neatly folded her hands over her lap. Seraphine's mother, Lizbeth, smiled as she slipped into the kitchen close by.

I hope that didn't happen again. The mother thought.

She poured water into two glasses and reentered the living room. She handed one to the librarian who looked confused at first. She had not asked for a drink, but she assumed the woman was just being hospitable.

She took the cup. "Thank you."

"You're welcome." Lizbeth sat down. "Now, what did you want to talk about?" she took a sip of her water then set it down on the coffee table.

"Your daughter…how do I say this? Seraphine has…Altered the books that I have lent her."

Oh no. Not again. Lizbeth thought.

"Oh. I am so sorry. I'll pay for all the damages."

"That is not what I meant. She has changed the stories all together. I have read all of those books. When she retells the stories to me, they are not the stories I remember."

Lizbeth bit her lip. There goes my secret. "It's been so long since you've read them, though, you can't remember everything." Her mouth curved into nervous smile.

Ms. Magenta put her sharp nose up into the air. "On the contrary, I have an excellent memory."

Oh my…

"Further, I have seen the alteration with my own eyes. When she handed me the book, and remained present, the book had her story in it. The whole thing was different. The letters, the words, the pages, the plot, all of it was different. However, when she walked away, the book returned to its original state."

Lizbeth closed her eyes and took in a deep breath. I didn't want to do this…but…

She opened her eyes and stared at Ms. Magenta. The librarian glared back.

Lizbeth cupped one hand and held it out to her. She smiled as turquoise colored fairy dust floated toward the woman. Then she spoke with a voice as sweet as honey. "My daughter cannot lie, and she would never harm a book. Your eyes are weary. Perhaps you should get some glasses."

For a moment, it did not seem to work. Ms. Magenta's steel-colored eyes were fixed. Her pupils were narrow. Then…the dust sprinkled onto her face. The lines softened. Her pupils relaxed. She suddenly looked thoughtful.

"I do believe you're right." Ms. Magenta said. "I do need glasses." She set her glass on the table, stood and headed to the door. Lizbeth went and opened it.

"Oh, and please tell Seraphine that I have a new book for her."

"I will. Thank you for coming."

And off Ms. Magenta went.

Lizbeth shut the door and let out a sigh. Her eyes drifted to a picture on the mantelpiece. A little girl with wavy hair and a cute smile gazed back at her. Her heart yearned in her chest.

Oh, Seraphine…if only you knew that…you're a fairy.