Free A Question of Magic by E. D. Baker

loudly.
    The fairy shot into the air. His wings were just a blur when he flew away.
    â€œDid you see him?” Serafina asked, sitting up and turning to face her friend.
    â€œWho, the man in the boat or the one in the water?” Dielle asked, giggling. “Please, don’t get me started again!”
    â€œNever mind,” Serafina said as she got to her feet. Somehow she couldn’t bring herself to tell Dielle that she had just missed seeing a fairy.
    They headed back to Serafina’s cottage. When they reached the gate, Dielle handed her mug to Serafina saying, “I should go now. Mother will be wondering what happened to me. I’ll come see you again when I can. I don’t suppose you know where you’ll be in a few weeks?”
    â€œI don’t know where I’ll be from one day to the next,” said Serafina, “but come visit anytime!”
    â€œI will,” said Dielle. “I promise!”

    The next three days were hectic, with more people coming to see Serafina than ever before. She was thinking about going for a short walk one day, just to get a break, when she heard Boris arguing with someone at the gate.
    â€œNo, I’m not going to let you in without announcing you. She’s in charge here, not you! Baba Yaga! There’s someone here to—Ow! Stop hitting me, old woman!”
    Serafina peeked out the window to see an old womanrap the skull with her cane. The gate swung wide, even though Boris was gnashing his teeth at their visitor. Serafina opened the door just as the woman stomped into the yard.
    â€œIf it isn’t the new little Baba Yaga!” the stranger said, sneering. “I never thought I’d have a question for you, but then we live in unpredictable times, more’s the pity. Invite me inside, girl. There are too many prying eyes out here!”
    â€œPlease come in,” Serafina said, stepping aside to let the woman past.
    Leaning on her cane, the old woman hobbled across the threshold and paused to examine the room. Her nearly black eyes glittered when she took a seat at the table without being asked. Bits of dried grass and twigs stuck out of her filthy long gray hair, whose tangles had knots as big as her fist. One of the knots moved, and bright, beady eyes peered out at Serafina. When the old woman rested her arm on the table, tiny spiders leaked from her sleeve and skittered away. Serafina tried not to wrinkle her nose at the smell that enveloped the woman. It was a heavy smell, like dead mice rotting in the walls of an old house; Serafina wondered if she’d ever be able to get rid of the odor.
    The woman’s eyes darted here and there as if shewas appraising everything. Even when sitting, she was in constant motion, her fingers thrumming the table. She was just turning toward Serafina when Maks growled at something outside the door.
    The old woman had a string tied to her finger, and she’d begun to reel it in with her other hand. The string ran across the floor and out the door. As it shortened, it dragged something kitten-sized with matted fur and tiny red eyes over the threshold and across the cottage floor. Maks spit and snarled, swiping at its back without actually touching it. The little animal turned to snap at the cat, revealing sharp, pointed teeth almost too big for its mouth. Serafina could hear Mak’s low growl as he trailed the creature across the room.
    Suddenly the little animal jumped, landing on the old woman’s lap. Reaching into her pocket, the woman pulled out something long and skinny. The creature began to gnaw on it, growling and making slobbery sounds as it chewed. Serafina took a step back when she realized that it was eating an old, dried finger.
    â€œWhat did you want to ask me?” Serafina asked the woman.
    â€œAren’t you one for getting right to the point!” said the woman. “No social niceties here! Fine, be that way. I came to ask you a question and ask I