n

n

nBelle had herself tried gardening by using her bare hands when she was young because she found it to be fun with the mud being pulled out and a new plant being planted in a place that would give new flowers. Her hands had never turned out to look like that nor did she ever see any of the servants whose nails had turned that bad.

n

"The racks here are quite taller than the other libraries I have come across,

" Belle said before saying,

"Thank you,

" when the woman handed her the book,

"Do you own this library?

" Belle tried to keep her curiosity out of her voice.

n

"Yes, it belongs to me,

" answered the woman,

"My husband's father built it during the rule of the second Lord of Bonelake. They wanted a replica.

"

n

"Replica?

" Belle questioned.

nThe librarian smiled, taking a moment before she replied,

"That I don't know,

" she could tell the woman was lying. Was it some sort of secret?

n

"I will go through other books in here,

" on Belle's word the woman gave her a nod and left her side or so did the woman make her think who looked at the girl from a distance.

nBut then Belle was no ordinary girl, as much as liberal she was when it came to speech and her thoughts that many thought to be a folly about her in the society, she was trained by Lucas who had taught her to pick up intricate details like what she noticed and felt.

nBelle could feel the gaze on her back and it was difficult to look around the books but that wasn't what she was worried about. When going through the studies of the white and the black witches, Belle remembered something about the nail identification had come up.

nIf she was right, this woman who was the librarian was a black witch posing to be a human. She wondered if she could get something more in here. White witches were often purer who lived in dark to hide while it was the black witches who were notorious and enjoyed living in the society to deceit and hoodwink people. Surely, this place didn't belong to her which meant she had killed the owner to replace the head.

nWhat was this black witch doing here?

nNot bothering about the witch who had been following and eyeing her, Belle went on to look at the books and picked up the first generation of Lord Bonelake. Once she was done putting rounds, Belle went back to the counter to check in with her name and then left the library with a smile.

n

"Did you find what you were looking for?

" asked the witch which was when Belle noticed what was written behind the woman, on the wall.

n'All that comes here will die.'

n

"I think so,

" she replied back, and without knowing what it was on the wall exactly she murmured,

"People might be worried if they saw something like that in here,

" when Belle's eyes met the witch's eyes, the woman's smile broadened.

n

"I will have it removed.

"

nBelle gave a nod and left the library unharmed. It was the first time she had encountered a black witch face to face and didn't know if she would be able to kill the black witch. She had never killed anyone until now and it was best for the officials to deal with it than dirty her own hand. This time instead of going home, Belle went to the magistrate's office and tapped on the bell that was placed on the desk as there was no one in the room. She kept ringing it until the magistrate finally showed up.

n

"How can I be of help to you, Miss?

" the man asked who appeared to be annoyed as she had been hitting the small bell over and over again to let people outside also know that he wasn't there.

n

"I have something to report.

"

n

"Yes?

"

n

"Do you work for the council?

" Belle tried to be sure.

nThe man nodded again.

nShe then said,

"A black witch was spotted in the local library.

"

n

"Yes, of course! Please give me her details,

" said the magistrate picking up the parchment book and wrote down the details,

"Thank you for letting us know. I will have the guards send to deal with the witch right away. I will need your name to let the higher-ups know where the information came from.

"

n

"It's Belle Adams,

" Belle said and then bowed to receive a bow back.

nWhen Belle had left the office of the magistrate, the man looked at the book where he had made an entry. Taking hold of the paper, he tore it from the parchment book. Crushing it in his hand to throw it in the bin.

nThe magistrate stepped out of his office and walked towards the library. Reaching the building, he stepped in to see the woman who was seated in her chair,

"You have been found out. You need to leave now.

"

n

"Was it the girl?

" the black witch asked her eyes that were human turned to snake-like slit eyes.

n

"I have been telling you to keep yourself hidden. Just because I am the magistrate doesn't mean things go unnoticed. You should be lucky she didn't go inform someone else and instead came to the office.

"

n

"Then all you have to do is make people believe that you killed a witch. I will bring a body of the white witch. There must be at least one hiding here. I am sure you can lie about it,

" she gave him a cunning smile.

nThe black witch got up from her chair and then turned around to tear down the sign that had been placed on the wall.

n

"Why are you tearing it down?

"

nSeeing the magistrate man frown, the witch chuckled,

"Mr. Frayer, the sign was placed in hope that we would find someone very special. We have been trying for weeks and to think it walked in here today. It is finally time,

" the sign was written in a language which not everyone could read.

nBelle who reached home with the books in her hands, she placed it on the table and removed her coat. When Lucas arrived at the room with refreshments for her in a tray, he asked,

n

"How was your trip to the library?

" he placed the tray on the table and started to make her tea for her.

n

"I brought some books. I met a black witch and then informed it to the town's magistrate,

" Belle informed him.

n

"How good of you,

" Lucas hummed and though he appeared calm he didn't like the fact that Belle had met a black witch,

"Hopefully the magistrate will do his job.

"

n

"Why won't he? Do you think he is corrupt?

"

n

"The whole world is corrupt, Miss Belle. This is a place where it is hard to trust and believe. Don't worry though. I will send in a letter to someone who will make sure that your report doesn't get lost.

"

n