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

nor family would know of their visit. All of them brought her gifts to pay for her answers. Her larder was well stocked now, and on the rare occasion she thought of something she needed, all she had to do was mention it to one visitor and another would bring it.
    After her first visitors, Serafina had decided on somerules. She would invite guests into her cottage if they were polite. Only one person was allowed to come in at a time. She would set aside the normal rules of hospitality and offer her guests a drink or something to eat only if she wanted to. Both she and the guest would sit down before she asked for their question. And finally, she would not discuss one guest with another.
    Even when Serafina didn’t have visitors, her days were full. She took the responsibility of caring for the cat and house seriously, feeding the cat before she ate her own meals, cleaning the woodstove, restocking the basket beside it with logs, sweeping and dusting the cottage, and oiling the gate when it squeaked. Part of her hoped that by doing her best to fulfill her duties as Baba Yaga, she might be able to go home sooner. Another part of her enjoyed the responsibility of having her own home and making her own decisions. She might have been lonely if it weren’t for the company of the cat and the skulls. Although the cat remained aloof at times, the skulls grew friendlier the longer she was there.
    One morning Serafina was collecting berries from a thicket near the cottage when she felt as if someone was watching her. She turned around but didn’t see anyone. Then suddenly there was a flash of brilliant blue, a whisper of pale pink, and a flicker of lilac. Serafina blinked,and when she opened her eyes, she was surrounded by a group of curious fairies. Not wanting to startle them, she held her breath as they drew close enough to touch. They hovered, just inches away, examining her as if she were a new species of flower. A hint of a breeze rustled the leaves, a tree branch creaked, and the fairies flew off in a whirl of color.
    â€œI wonder if I passed the inspection,” Serafina murmured as she returned to the berry patch.

    Later that same day she was setting a jug of cider on a shelf when she decided that it was time to take a look at a few items in the cupboard a little more closely. Although she’d already searched through the cupboard more than once, she hadn’t examined every single jar and bottle. There was one in particular that was worrying her. It was a black jar with a white skull painted on it. Lettering that was almost too small to read ran across the bottom. “What is this?” she asked, holding up the jar so Maks could see it. “Is it poison?”
    The cat stopped licking his side long enough to glance her way. “I haven’t seen that jar in years. That’s skull polish. It cleans the skulls and makes them show up better in the dark.”
    Serafina squinted at the lettering. “‘For best results, use once a month.’” She pried open the waxy lid and peered inside. “It’s almost full.”
    â€œThe skulls don’t like being polished. A couple of the Baba Yagas tried to use it, but never more than once.”
    Serafina shook her head. “Like it or not, if those skulls are supposed to get polished, I’m going to do it. These should work,” she said, taking some rags from the cupboard. “Do I have to leave the polish on for a minute or two, or should I wipe it off right away?”
    â€œI don’t know,” said Maks. “That’s never been an issue.”
    The cat followed Serafina out the door, lying down in a patch of sunlight to watch her. “Good luck!” he called as she approached Boris.
    â€œWhat does he mean by that?” the skull asked Serafina. “Are you going somewhere?”
    â€œJust to see you. I have a treat for you today. I’m going to polish you until you gleam.” Tucking the jar lid