Fairy in Danger Read Free Page A

door swung open.
    Twink stepped inside, ducking slightly. The ceiling was so low that she could hardly stand up straight! Her eyes widened as she took in the little room.
    There was a single round window, through which sunlight shone. A small, plain bed stood against one wall. In the centre of the narrow branch was a rickety-looking table and chair, and up on a shelf there were rows and rows of . . . things.
    Twink stared. What were they? Each item was smooth and white, about the size of her hand, but carved in the most amazing patterns! There was an owl, and a frog, and something that looked like a bat. Moving forward, Twink picked up the bat for a closer look.
    â€˜What are you doing?’ demanded an angry voice. ‘Put that down!’
    Stifling a shriek, Twink whirled round.
    The window was now open, and crouching on the sill, as if she had just landed, was a fairy. But she was like no fairy Twink had ever seen. She was tiny, with untidy jet-black hair and silvery-grey wings – and she looked absolutely furious.
    â€˜I’m – I’m sorry,’ stammered Twink. Hastily, she put the carving back on the shelf. ‘I just –’
    â€˜You just what ?’ Hopping into the room, the fairy banged the window shut behind her. She was wearing a grey and black dress, and stockings with black and white stripes. Though she looked about Twink’s age, she was at least a head shorter.
    â€˜I was just exploring,’ said Twink, trying not to stare. ‘You see, I saw this branch from outside the school, and –’
    â€˜And so you thought you’d come up here and snoop about!’ The black-haired fairy strode over to the shelf, taking the bat down and inspecting it carefully. She glared at Twink. ‘How dare you come in here and touch my private things?’
    Twink felt a flash of anger. ‘I said I was sorry! I didn’t know that someone lived here. Anyway, who are you? You’re not one of the students here.’
    â€˜No, I’m not one of the students – as if I would be!’ The fairy gave a disgusted shudder, and carefully put the bat back in place beside the other carvings.
    â€˜All right, but who are you?’ pressed Twink. ‘My name’s Twink,’ she added, to be polite.
    At first she thought the other fairy wasn’t going to answer, but then she shrugged sulkily. ‘I’m called Shadow,’ she said. ‘And as to what I’m doing here . . . well, why not? No one seemed to be using this branch. I haven’t done any harm.’
    Glancing around, Twink had to agree – the room was neat and tidy, and looked well cared for. ‘But what are you doing here?’ she pressed. ‘You’re about my age, aren’t you? Don’t you go to school?’
    â€˜Are you always this nosy?’ said Shadow, folding her arms across her chest. ‘No, I don’t go to school. I’m far too busy for that – we all are!’

    Twink blinked in confusion. Surely the little branch was too small for more than one fairy? ‘Who’s we?’ she asked.
    â€˜All of us,’ said Shadow. ‘I’m not the only one of my kind, you know – just the only one who lives here. ’
    â€˜You mean . . . you’re a different sort of fairy than I am?’ stammered Twink. Now that Shadow had said it, it seemed obvious. Twink had never seen a fairy so small before, or with such black hair and pale skin.
    Shadow heaved a sigh, rolling her eyes. ‘Yes, of course!’ She swept an arm at the shelf. ‘What do you think those are?’
    â€˜Carvings,’ said Twink, puzzled.
    â€˜Yes, but what are they made of?’ said Shadow impatiently. When Twink shook her head, she snatched up the owl. ‘Look! It’s hard, it’s white . . .’
    Twink gasped in sudden understanding. ‘It’s a tooth ,’ she breathed in amazement. She could see now that the other carvings