Page 20 of Switched

“Of course,” Brooke Lynn says warmly. “Kayla would love it.” She eyes my now-empty hands.

“So what book can I help you find?”

Everyone looks at me. Now is not the time to say I need a book on You-Know-Who.

“I’m not sure,” I lie. “I am working on my family tree project, so I have to poke around.”

Brooke Lynn nods. “First floor only. Upper floors have to be approved by teachers or the librarian.” She smiles at Beauty. “Let me know if you need help.” I hear a bell tinkling somewhere in the library, and she flutters off to help someone else.

“Are you working on your family tree project?” AG asks. “Mother and I have been working on mine, but I am happy to help you with yours. Did you bring what you have so far?” She spies the bag on my back.

The thought of anyone seeing my empty tree is more than I can bear. I place my hand on my bag protectively. “I still have a lot of work to do.” Beauty is still looking at me. “But I’ll show you when I’m done.”

“Okay.” AG sounds shy again. “I should probably meet Father at the game anyway.” She kisses her mother on the cheek, and her mother hugs her. I feel a pang of longing at the simple gesture, one I could have had this weekend if the Beast hadn’t decided otherwise. “See you later, Gilly!” She bounds off, a spring in her step that I envy.

“She’s really nice,” I say, and I mean it.

“She’s had a rough time making friends in the past.” Beauty’s pale brow suddenly furrows. “She can be a bit shy, but when you get to know her, she has a great sense of humor, just like her father.” I must make a face because Beauty laughs.

“I guess you haven’t seen his humorous side yet,” she says. “Sebastian can be a bit stubborn, but once he sees in you what AG does, I think you’ll find he can be an excellent teacher. He’s quite smart.” She looked around the large library. “I wouldn’t be surprised if he’s read biographies on every hero and villain there is in here.”

Villain. Stiltskin. “Have you read all their biographies too?” I ask now that we’re alone.

“Not as many as Sebastian.” Beauty’s eyes are big and curious. “All these books came from our private library, so I’m always finding something new to read, whether it’s a textbook or a fairy tale. Villain stories don’t interest me as much.”

This is my in. I have to play my cards carefully though. “Really? I thought all princesses like to know the villains they’re up against.”

“Well, I wasn’t a princess until I married Sebastian,” Beauty says thoughtfully. “So I’m a bit different.”

Gingerbread. I knew that. Let me try again. “I think I’d like reading about villains.” Beauty looks at me. “Since I’ve had to fight a few here already, it helps to know what makes them tick, you know?”

Beauty frowns. “I’ve learned to not always trust what you read about villains. Now heroes, on the other hand, I have a lot of material on.” Beauty hurries ahead, jumping on a moving ladder and plucking a gold, yellow, and red book off the top shelf. “How about a book about Aladdin? Or Hua Mulan?”

I put my hand on a rotating bannister as Brooke Lynn passes me with a new stack of books. On an upper floor I see her sister, Emma Rose, and their mother working at a library station. I’m not going to get past them on my own, not with Beauty keeping watch. Should I just be honest? Can I trust her? Here goes nothing. “I bet those are great, but the person that would make the most sense for me to read about would be Rumpelstiltskin.”

Brooke Lynn drops the stack of books she’s carrying. Beauty’s smile wavers.

“I have good reason to include information on him on my family tree,” I blurt out. “My sister left FTRS a few months ago to join his Stiltskin Squad, and I can’t understand why. Why would anyone want to trust a goblin or troll like him? If I could just read more about him and see what his allure is, maybe I could figure it out.” I don’t mean to sound so desperate, but I am.

Beauty smiles sadly. “I am sorry to hear about your sister, but unfortunately, you can’t take villain books out without teacher permission. Have you asked Headmistress Flora if you can read a book on Rumpelstiltskin?” Brooke Lynn gives another audible gasp. “Sorry! Maybe we should call him something else.”

“Tricky, family-stealing troll?” I suggest, and Beauty smirks. “I just want to know where he comes from, how long he’s been in the kingdom, what he could be planning that my sister will be a part of.”

“Don’t worry! The royal court is on top of all that,” Beauty says. “That was part of the appeal for us coming here. Sebastian has long hoped to track the angry, family-stealing troll too.”

“Really?” I say, surprised.

Beauty sits down, a stack of books in her lap. “Not many people know Rumpelstiltskin was the one who cursed the prince when he was young. He was a different man back then. Selfish. Arrogant. Only concerned for himself and his own needs. Stiltskin used that to his advantage, and long story short, Sebastian was cursed to live his life as a beast.”

“I didn’t know that.” What else do I not know about the prince? “So you see why I want to read about Stiltskin. It’s just a book I’m after.”

“Nothing is ever just a book,” Beauty says lightly. “Books transport us to other places. They make us believe anything is possible. Villain origin stories can sometimes make us believe the darkest things are also possible. While nothing is out of the question, Flora asked that only the highest level of students—those who can’t be swayed by anything a villain tells them—be allowed access to those books.” She gives me a sympathetic smile. “I’m sorry, but I don’t believe your name is on that list.”

“How do I get it on that list?” I try again.

“Gillian,” Beauty says patiently. “I don’t mean to overstep, but I know about your sister and how hard the royal court is trying to find Rumpelstiltskin and his squad. Finding someone takes time, I’m afraid, especially if that someone does not want to be found.”

“Do you mean my sister or him?” I ask quietly.