Free Fablehaven: The Complete Series by Brandon Mull

Similar shrines abound on my property, and all can be dangerous.”
     
    “If the pond is dangerous, why does it have a boathouse?” Kendra asked.
     
    “A previous caretaker of this preserve had a fascination with naiads.”
     
    “The dandelion guy?” Seth asked.
     
    “A different guy,” Grandpa said. “It’s a long story. Ask Lena about it sometime; I believe she knows the tale.”
     
    Kendra shifted in the oversized chair. “Why do you live in such a scary place?”
     
    Grandpa folded his arms on the desk. “It’s only frightening if you go where you don’t belong. This entire sanctuary is consecrated ground, governed by laws that cannot be broken by the creatures who dwell here. Only on this hallowed soil could mortals interact with these beings with any measure of safety. As long as mortals remain within their boundaries, they are protected by the founding covenants of this preserve.”
     
    “Covenants?” Seth asked.
     
    “Agreements. Specifically, a treaty ratified by all the orders of whimsical life forms who dwell here that affords a measure of security for mortal caretakers. In a world where mortal man has become the dominant force, most creatures of enchantment have fled to refuges like this one.”
     
    “What are the covenants?” Kendra asked.
     
    “The specific details are complex, with many limitations and exceptions. Speaking broadly, they are based on the law of the harvest, the law of retribution. If you do not bother the creatures, they will not bother you. That is what affords you so much protection when you are unable to see them. You can’t interact with them, so they generally behave likewise.”
     
    “But now we can see them,” Seth said.
     
    “Which is why you must use caution. The fundamental premises of the law are mischief for mischief, magic for magic, violence for violence. They will not initiate trouble unless you break the rules. You have to open the door. If you harass them, you open the door for them to harass you. Hurt them, they can hurt you. Use magic on them, they will use magic on you.”
     
    “Use magic?” Seth said eagerly.
     
    “Mortals were never meant to use magic,” Grandpa said. “We are nonmagical beings. But I have learned a few practical principles that help me manage things. Nothing you would find very remarkable.”
     
    “Can you turn Kendra into a toad?”
     
    “No. But there are beings out there who could. And I would not be able to change her back. Which is why I need to finish this thought: Breaking the rules can include trespassing where you are not allowed. There are geographic boundaries set where certain creatures are allowed and certain creatures, including mortals, are not permitted. The boundaries function as a way to contain the darker creatures without causing an uproar. If you go where you do not belong, you could open the door to vicious retribution from powerful enemies.”
     
    “So only good creatures can enter the yard,” Kendra said.
     
    Grandpa became very serious. “None of these creatures are good. Not the way we think of good. None are safe. Much of morality is peculiar to mortality. The best creatures here are merely not evil.”
     
    “The fairies aren’t safe?” Seth asked.
     
    “They aren’t out to harm anyone, or I wouldn’t allow them in the yard. I suppose they are capable of good deeds, but they would not normally do them for what we would consider the right reasons. Take brownies, for instance. Brownies don’t fix things to help people. They fix things because they enjoy fixing things.”
     
    “Do the fairies talk?” Kendra asked.
     
    “Not much to humans. They have a language all their own, although they rarely speak to each other, except to trade insults. Most never condescend to use human speech. They consider everything beneath them. Fairies are vain, selfish creatures. You may have noticed I drained all the fountains and the birdbaths outside. When they are full, the fairies