Free A Question of Magic by E. D. Baker Page B

if the oldwoman had visited the cottage. Serafina’s Baba Yaga voice might then tell him precisely what the witch had warned her not to say. Even though she feared the curse, Serafina couldn’t let the witch do what she had planned. People’s lives depended on the sheriff knowing where the witch had gone.
    The sheriff took a sip of his cider, watching her over the rim of the cup. When he set it down, he nodded and said, “We were about to capture a nasty witch when she suddenly disappeared.” His eyes narrowed as he looked at Serafina. “I’ve heard that you can answer one question with the truth. I know what my question should be. Where did the witch go?”
    Serafina sighed with relief. She wouldn’t have to tell him that the witch had been there or repeat the question that she had asked, either of which would have withered Serafina’s tongue. “The witch has only recently arrived in a small village called Pimki, in the kingdom of Norovise,” she said in her Baba Yaga voice. “Most of the young people have moved away, leaving only the infirm and elderly. No one who currently resides in Pimki can stand against the witch. She will be complacent now and not expecting a young sheriff to lead a score of armed men to capture and gag her before she can cast a spell that would allow her to escape.”
    The sheriff listened intently while she was talking. When she was done, he drained the cup of cider and set it on the table. “I must be off,” he said, picking up his cap. “It seems I’ll be traveling with some friends.”
    â€œI wish you luck,” Serafina said, following him to the door.
    â€œAnd I thank you for your help,” he said, bowing to her as if she were a grand lady at court.
    Serafina smiled as the sheriff walked away. The people of Pimki would soon be safe, and she might be able to get a good night’s sleep now that she knew she was keeping her tongue.

Chapter 9
    Two weeks later, a messenger arrived at the cottage, bringing a note and a small leather pouch for Serafina. He had already ridden off by the time Serafina opened the note and read:
    BABA YAGA,
    AFTER I MET YOU, I LEARNED THAT I SHOULD HAVE GIVEN YOU A GIFT WHEN I ASKED YOU MY QUESTION. HERE IS THE GIFT, ALONG WITH MY THANKS. WE CAUGHT THE WITCH!
    TOMAN DAMEK, SHERIFF OF VIOSKA
    Serafina untied the string holding the pouch shut and shook a lovely gold brooch into her hand. Sheadmired it for a moment before tucking the brooch back in the pouch. It was probably very expensive, but the only piece of jewelry that really mattered was the heart that Alek had given to her. The brooch was just payment for information.
    Placing her hand on her chest, Serafina felt the gold heart she wore hidden under the neck of her gown. It meant more to her than just a piece of jewelry; it was a sign of how much Alek loved her. Remembering the look on his face when he gave her the token, she felt a pang of longing and tears sprang to her eyes. If only she could see him again!
    Serafina was still standing in the doorway, her gaze fixed on the swaying barley growing in the field across the road, when Maks sauntered out of the cottage and rubbed against her legs. When she didn’t respond, he peered up at her and asked, “What’s wrong with you?”
    â€œI’m never going to get free of being Baba Yaga, am I?” she asked. “The rest of my life is going to be just like this. I’ll spend my days waiting for strangers to show up, knowing that it’s probably the only time I’ll ever see them. I’ll never again have people I can love or who will love me. And just look at me. I don’t even need a mirror to know that I’m getting old. My hands look like mygrandmother’s, and I’m getting pains in places that never hurt before. This can’t last very long, now, can it? If I have to answer questions and age each time I do, my life is going to be