Seren had never been in the non-fiction archives before. Nothing about non-fiction had ever caught their attention. In fact, they found it dry, difficult and boring. But the non-fiction section itself seemed just as magical as the fiction section just in a completely different way. Where the fiction section seemed to invite passersby in, beckoning to be explored. The non-fiction second seemed much more foreboding. Uninviting.

“Excuse me,” Seren stopped at the information desk at the top of the stairs. Where a librarian was working on repairing a damaged book.

“Yes?” The librarian looked up and smile. “Oh, Seren! I don’t often see you up here.”

“Evening Miss Alison.” Seren said. Knowing they were on good enough terms with the librarians they could drop the titles. “I’m looking for something a bit different today it seems.”

“Is that so?” Miss Alison closed the damaged book with a whisper thin bookmark. Removing her white cotton gloves after. “Hungering for knowledge?”

“Seems so.” Seren smiled. “I would like to know more about the fae and why gold is unpopular in the city.” Miss Alison fell right back into her chair.

“Wh- why ever would you want to read about that?” Miss Alison stammered nervously.

“Why wouldn’t I?” Seren asked. “It’s part of me, isn’t it?”

“I mean, you have it very good. Better than most fae-touched ever dream of getting. Why would you want to know about the fae?” Miss Alison said.

“I don’t see what my luck has to do with anything.” Seren shrugged stubbornly. “I want to know why the fae-touched are treated the way they are and what the fae did to cause their banishment. Why is that so hard?” Miss Alison tried to come up with a response but she clearly had none.

“The fae archives aren’t open to the public.” She said finally, then quickly held up her hands. “That isn’t me trying to mislead you. I’m being very honest, they just aren’t. I’d have to write to my administrator with a full application which I’m sure he would deny you simply because you’re fae-touched and looking into the fae.”

“Okay, and?” Seren asked, not deterred for a second.

“And I suppose I could go…” Miss Alison said slowly. “But wouldn’t you rather look at some of our popular fiction books?”

“Did you get new ones this week?” Seren asked, knowing the answer.

“No.”

“Then no.” Seren said, “I’ve read them already.”

“You are really invested in this.” Miss Alison said, Seren nodded. Leading to Miss Alison sighing in defeat.

“Very well. I cannot let you go into the archives but I can bring back some books on the topic.”

“Lovely. I want books on fae, their history and the history of why gold is banned in our city.” Seren said.

“Okay,” Mis Alison said, still unsure but left the information desk. Pulling a key out from her pocket and vanishing behind a hall that had a broad sign that said ‘staff only’. Seren waiting, more determined than ever to read whatever forbidden knowledge was waiting. Though they felt the unknown reaching out to them in an enticing way, the reality they knew was that the books (if any) would be overwhelmingly boring.

Miss Alison emerged after a long ten minutes with only two thick, dusty books.

“This is what I could find that matched your request.” She said and put down the two books titled; ‘A History of Fae’ and ‘The End of the Golden Age.’

“Perfect.” Seren pulled out their wallet and removed their library card. “I’ll take them both.”

“Oh. I thought-”

“I have to be home before dinner. I’m a fast reader but I don’t think I’m that fast.” Seren said, putting their card on top of the two books.

“Right. I… right.” Miss Alison said. She went around the desk and scanned Seren’s card.

The story has been taken without consent; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.

“Did you turn in your last book?” She asked hopefully.

“You know I did.” Seren frowned. Growing impatient. Miss Alison scanned the books slowly, as if hoping at any moment Seren would change their mind. They didn’t of course. They took their card and returned it to their wallet and slid their books into their bag.

“I’m sure I’ll be seeing you soon.” Seren waved.

“I hope so.” Miss Alison said. Seren ignored the uncertainty in Miss Alison’s voice and headed back home. This had taken way more time than they had wanted.

Seren hurried home with their books, finding their side bag was heavier than they were used to with the two history books in them.

They walked inside the house quickly and ran up to their room, helped by not needing to remove their shoes. Seren dropped their book bag onto their desk and took out their books. They had such boring and uninspired covers. Nothing but the titles. Seren picked up the book at the end of the golden age. Assuming that it had the information on the banning of gold.

Seren tossed it onto their bed and jumped after it. Bouncing on the plush mattress. It still amazed them how soft their bed was. Even after a year of sleeping in it. All the blankets were down filled comforters that were heavy and warm. Seren found they spent more time in the novelty of a real functional bed. A very nice one at that. Seren flipped the book open to the first page. It had yellowed pages that had weird age spots on them. A cloud of dust erupted like a smoke screen when Seren turned to the table of contents.

“Seren? You home?” Eric’s voice crackled through the intercom. Seren left their book and went to theirs on the wall by their door.

“I am,” Seren pressed the button to reply.

“Good, dinner’s ready.” The intercom crackled.

“Be right down.” Seren replied. Leaving their room and walking down to the dining room that was set for two. The dining room saw more use now that Seren was living in the manor. Eric had made it a point to try and eat dinner together ‘as a family’ every night. Another ritual Seren wasn’t used to but rather enjoyed.

“Perfect timing.” Eric said as the dinner was brought from the kitchen to the table by the staff. Eric took his seat at the head of the table and Seren theirs on his right.

“So what book did you pick up this time?” Eric asked. Standing up again to grab the carafe of ice water to fill both of their glasses.

“I picked up a couple of history books. Big ones.” Seren said as they filled their salad bowl.

“History? You’ve never shown an interest in that.” Eric said. Helping Seren slice the meatloaf and serve it.

“I don’t really care for it honestly.” Seren admitted. Pouring gravy on their mashed potatoes. “But I overheard this weird conversation on my way to the library.”

“Yeah? What about?” Eric asked, sitting down after putting green beans on his plate.

“They were having this really quiet discussion about a gold mine and-” Seren was interrupted by Eric dropping his fork with a clatter.

“You stay out of it!” Eric snapped.

“I wasn’t planning on going there.” Seren said slowly, stunned at the outburst. “I just wondered why it was treated with such secrecy. Why they got so offended at seeing me eavesdropping.”

“You mean aside from the normal reaction of being found eavesdropping?” Eric scoffed.

“Yeah other than that.” Seren shrugged. Eating slowly as they held the conversation. “Normally people just get annoyed and leave but these people specifically said they had to find a place where greedy fae wouldn’t overhear.”

“I hate to say it but that’s not unusual for you.” Eric said. “I wouldn’t bother spending any more energy on it.”

“See that's exactly why I want to.” Seren snapped forcefully. Surprising Eric. “the librarian was just as forceful about stopping me from learning about it too. Now I have to know!”

“Well if that’s all.” Eric said, “What do you want to know?”

“Really?” Seren asked, eyeing Eric distrustfully. “Any question? Honest answers?”

“As honest as I can.” Eric agreed. “I can’t say I know everything but I can tell you everything I know.”

“Okay. Why are fae hated?” Seren asked, abandoning eating entirely for the quest for knowledge.

“Fae thirst for gold. Why exactly I don’t know. But they persue gold, they depleted the city’s supply and when that was gone they began kidnapping children.” Eric explained, pausing to drink. “From what I understand, fae can only reproduce by taking other children and turning them into fae. A fae-touched is an in-between state.”

“oh.. I see.” Seren nodded. “But can’t they have fae-touched children by… y’know… marrying a normal person?”

“As far as I know, no.” Eric said. Seren thought this over. They had met the King who introduced them to his wife who was a pure fae. And their child who was fae-touched, like them. It made them think.

“Any other questions?” Eric asked. Continuing to eat dinner.

“Well. Let me think.” Seren said, sitting on their hands to think through what they learned. “Fae used to be a part of the city but they started kidnapping and changing children. They continued to deplete the gold reserves. Which must be what led to gold no longer being supported in the city. And the kidnapping probably made the fae banished.”

“That’s about the size of it.” Eric agreed. “And if a gold mine opens up then the fae will return. Perhaps things will be different this time. But what my personal worry is, that you are already fae-touched, if a fae likes you, and there’s no reason they wouldn’t, I could lose you entirely.”

“No you wouldn’t. Even full fae, I’d come back to you.” Seren said, returning to eating themselves.

“Fae had powers, you have abilities no one else does.” Eric said, “They make you forget.”

“I wouldn’t forget.” Seren insisted.

“If you say so.” Eric said.