The Librarian's Daughter The Story of Sage Greene

By M.M. Gavillet

When Sage Greene turned the tender age of six, she found out who she was, at thirteen she learned what was expected of her, and at eighteen, she rebelled. Considered royalty among special organizations of librarians that contain the convicted supernatural in books designed as prisons, Sage has a legacy to uphold, take pride in, and pass down to another generation. Coming from a long line of word binders—librarians that imprison enchanted criminals into books by spells, Sage wants to escape into a book herself.
Finding a way to vent her promise of a secure, but monotonous future, Sage decides to secretly enroll in a martial arts class designed for guardians who protect libraries housing the prison-books secretly kept in normal libraries.
Sage’s desire for adventure comes unexpectedly at the annual Ball where high society librarians make their first debut. Along with all the gown-wearing girls, is something else being displayed. The Fan of Change-a fan crafted to change anyone’s appearance in the matter of a flick, and also, the newly acquired item to the guardians’ collection of magical implements.
And with such a prize, comes temptation of thieves.
When a heist unfolds to steal the Fan, Sage puts her two months’ worth of training to use only to be captured. A world she never knew opens when she’s rescued by a vigilante guardian. What she thought was always right in the way of guardians and librarians, swiftly turns sour. Sage is left with a decision that will not only affect her life, but librarians and guardians everywhere.

• Language: English
• Publisher: M.M. Gavillet
• Release date: May 5, 2014
• ISBN: 9781310289507

M.M. Gavillet

My name is M.M. Gavillet and I'm an independent author of young adult urban fantasy novels. I'm a lover of antiques because of the stories they could tell,avid collector of old gaudy jewelry and consumer of frozen yogurt. I'm a child at heart and still find enchantment even in the most mundane things. Writing is my outlet and sometimes I wish I could escape to the worlds I build. I can watch movies over and over just as much a reading a good novel over and over.

Book preview

The Librarian’s Daughter

The Story of Sage Greene

By

M.M. Gavillet

The Librarian’s Daughter

The Story of Sage Greene

Copyright © 2014 by M.M. Gavillet

Smashwords Edition

All rights reserved. Printed in the United States of America. No part of the book may be used or reproduced in any manner without the written permission from the author. This book is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and incidences are the product of the author’s imagination, any resemblance to real events, locations, persons living or dead, are purely a coincidence.

Front and back cover designed by M.M. Gavillet

ISBN-13: 9781310289507

Also by M.M. Gavillet

Blackbird Trilogy

The Librarian’s Daughter

The Story of Abi VanHaven

People of Fae

Book 1 in the Fae Trilogy

Jinxed

Book 1 in the Jinxed Trilogy

Watch for new releases, chapter excerpts, and giveaways

on her blog!

mmgavillet.blogspot.com

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

A big thanks to my family who still puts up with my writing obsession. And to my faithful village people—you know who you are! And as always-this book is dedicated to my dad who gave me a typewriter along with a dream.

Chapter One

I don’t like the color green, I said looking at the heavily beaded, heavily glitterized not to mention, way too poufy ball gown my mother insisted that I should wear.

You want to be spoken of as having good taste, and the color brings out your skin tone. My mother pulled and tugged at the dress as I stood on the dressing room’s podium looking at the hundred different views of the green blob of a dress.

She then had me lift my arms out as she pulled and tugged some more at the dress. I gazed at myself in the mirror. I looked like a Barbie Doll, complete with wavy blonde hair. I hated dolls altogether, and just to amuse myself, I widened my eyes, gave a blank expression and then smiled. I looked like a zombized Barbie, only I was missing open festering sores and smeared blood. My mother suddenly stopped the pulling and tucking catching me as I tried to perfect my zombie Barbie expression. I thought it might work for Halloween.

Sage Clarisse Greene, she said my full name with her black eyes reflecting back at me. I stopped making my animated face expression, and now she looked like the crazed zombie.

What? I gazed in the mirror at her.

Don’t look that way. She warned, shaking her head as her hair that was pulled up in a French twist loosened and slightly wiggled.

Look at me, she said and I disobeyed. I said look at me. She repeated tucking her finger under my chin and making my blue eyes meet her brown eyes. You are considered royalty among our kind. We are descendants of the first families and…

We have obligations to uphold… I said in unison and then turned to her. Tradition is important…I know, I’d heard it before, I said finishing the speech I’ve heard since I was little.

Then, as a young lady getting ready for her first introduction, you know how important this is. Every move you make will be judged and presentation is everything. You realize how serious this is? She stepped behind me lacing up the back of the dress. I couldn’t see her eyes, but I could feel them on me waiting for me to answer . I had a headache and didn’t want to fight.

Of course I do. I’d hate to do anything wrong. She pulled tight on the laces, slightly restricting my breathing.

Good, and there, she said smiling back at me. That will keep you straight. You can’t hunch over like a hunchback at the Ball. She smoothed the dress with her hand. They need to see the lady you are and you’re a beautiful girl, Sage. My mom smiled at me as I gazed in the mirror. This was fun for her, torture for me and I couldn’t wait until this whole Ball thing was over with.

Did you need to look at shoes, Ma’am? The sales woman asked wearing a pale blue suit dress. Her blonde hair was pulled up so neat, that it looked like each strand of hair was obediently in place.

Yes, I do believe we are ready to look at some shoes, my mom replied. Now to give you a couple inches of height, she said eagerly gazing at me.

She went out with the sales woman as I looked back at my reflection in the mirror and wondered if I puked the salad I ate earlier all over it, if it would match. To entertain myself, I swished back and forth watching the sequins sparkle in the light. Slightly mesmerized by it, I suddenly heard my phone buzz with a message.

I hopped down as the skirt mushroomed out expelling a puff of air making a few of my hair strands flutter and tickle my nose. I quickly grabbed my phone, and before I answered it, I made sure my mom wasn’t coming back with a pair of green shoes. I leaned in the doorway and could see her tapping her chin with her finger as she gazed at all the high heeled shoes. It looked like she’d be awhile.

I looked down at my phone to see I had a message from Lily, my best friend. She wanted to know if I started on my homework. I replied with an update of my current situation just as my mom came back with a pair of silver shoes dangling from her manicured fingers. Fortunate for me, I had flung the phone to my purse at the same time she entered the dressing room. I smiled and she gazed suspiciously at me.

What are you doing? She asked.

Just telling Lily that I’ll be a little longer—she’s having trouble with her History homework. I let my eyes shift to the pair of shoes in her hand trying to change the subject. Oh, those are nice, I said in a surprised voice. They were pretty, but the heels were pointy and looked like they would make a good weapon.

I almost picked the green ones, but thought the contrast in colors might be nicer. She handed them to me with a smile. Try them on and see if they fit.

I could see her eyes twinkle with delight at my reaction to them, but we weren’t seeing them the same way. Where she saw delicateness, sparkle and more height so I’d stand above or at least even with all the other girls, I saw the opposite. They would be an uncomfortable tripping hazard, but if anyone gave me any garbage, I’d be able to use the heels as a threatening weapon. I knew I wouldn’t go that far, but it was nice to know that I had the option of using the shoes as a weapon.

I slipped them on, and just I as expected, they pinched my toes, hurt the arch of my foot, and were overall uncomfortable.

I like them, I lied with a genuine smile that I had years of practice perfecting.

They fit alright? She questioned looking at them. Why don’t you walk in them?

I drew in a deep breath knowing the quicker I finish this, the quicker I get to leave.

I stepped slowly off the podium, bunched my dress up, and strutted around the dressing room with my mom holding her fingers to her mouth evaluating me.

They look like they fit you, but your walk is going to need some improving. The twinkle was gone from her eyes, and now I could see several weekends of walking in heels, gliding down our staircase in my green dress, and for a final exam, dancing in the whole ensemble.

It’s a good thing the Ball is six weeks away—gives us plenty of time. She motioned for me to take off the shoes. We’ll get to spend some time together…go to lunch and stuff like that. Her voice lowered as she stood behind me unlacing the constricting straight jacket.

Yeah, that would be great, I replied passively thinking more about doing my kind of shopping when I was released from this dress shop.

I let in a deep breath as the last of the laces were loosened.

You know Sage, my mother’s voice was soft as I turned to her holding up the strapless dress to my chest. You are just as beautiful on the inside as you are out. Always remember, the beauty on the inside will forever outshine the beauty on the outside that changes as quickly as the seasons. Her eyes studied mine. You must do what makes the inside beauty shine or it will whither and die.

I gazed into her brown eyes that I thought were always flat in color, but now, had suddenly changed. The depthless hue had fragmented into lighter browns and even flecks of gold shimmered through. We stood without words, just looking at each other for a few seconds. I felt I should say something to my mom’s sudden heartfelt words that left me truly speechless and started to when the sales clerk barged in.

Is everything to your satisfaction? She asked with a smile.

My mom drew in a deep breath regaining her formal composure. Yes, amazingly it is for a first time fitting. She turned to the sales clerk. The dress will need some alterations, and I would like to schedule one as soon as possible. Her professionally cool demeanor had returned as if she’d never said the whole inner beauty speech to me.

Sage, take the dress off and get dressed, she instructed before leaving the dressing room.

I would like to request Gardenia to do the alterations—fairies do the best work in the modification of formalwear. I could hear my mom’s voice drift with commands towards the front of the store.

I turned still holding my dress up and gazed into the mirror with a dumbfounded look. My mother just dropped a heart-to-heart talk on me like a bomb being dropped on an unsuspecting small country. Instead of a fireball explosion, I was blasted with heart-shaped confetti. And she did it in of all places, a dress shop.

Sage, I jumped as my mom poked her head in and looked at me from over her reading glasses. Don’t keep Lily waiting. It isn’t good to keep your friends waiting, even if they are a little questionable. Don’t go anywhere with her you might be seen by the Sisters—we don’t need any gossip started by them. She shook her head. I’m leaving, so be home by six.

No problem, I replied.

I quickly took off the dress, hung it up, and left with a nod and a thank you to the sales clerk who helped us. My mom always said to acknowledge everyone—no matter what their status because in their eyes, we are royalty. I didn’t feel like royalty, though I know it runs through the blood in my veins. At times I wish I could take it out and have a transfusion, so I could just be normal. But coming from the Weathmore lineage, there is no hiding, no normalcy, and certain things are expected of you. But why did my mom give me the ‘inner beauty speech’? What was that all about?

I walked down the sidewalk in my own world when I turned the corner and all I saw were bags and striped boxes. It was too late to avoid a collision, and all of the boxes tumbled around me as I frantically tried to catch them with no luck.

I’m sorr— I started to say when I realized I had just run into two of the dreaded Sisters. Oh, Lady Meena and Lady Olive, I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to run into you.

That’s alright dear, Meena said with a curling of her red lips and a glinting of her hazel eyes. No harm done.

No harm done? Olive questioned with her greying brown hair pulled in disarray from its molded updo hairstyle. "You weren’t the one holding all of your boxes."

Please, Sister, do not complain as such, it was an accident, Meena said with her eyes slipping over to her sister, and I mean it was her actual sister, though she looked old enough to be Meena’s mother.

Here, I can help. I picked up the boxes, offering a warm smile to Olive as she darted her eyes at me and responded with an exhausted groan. Please let me at least take them to your car. I truly wanted to be helpful, but at the same time, I didn’t want these two conspiring against me just for fun. It’s best to stay away from them, don’t make yourself a target, but if you can’t, at least be overly courteous and you won’t be the center of their gossip. I certainly didn’t need that added to any of my mother’s dilemmas.

Over here, Olive said with a quick smile that faded to a scowl, and internally, a sigh of relief for me.

I loaded all of their boxes and was about to say goodbye when Meena stepped in front of me.

You’re going to be introduced this year, aren’t you? I swallowed hard, but kept my smile as I nodded. Do you have your dress picked out yet?

Yes, just came from Everafter.

You are ahead of the other girls then, she said. Some of them take forever picking out a dress because it is so very important that you choose the right one. Meena was in charge of the Introduction Ball and sponsored all future fledging Sisters. Your mother was always organized, shame she didn’t make it to the Sisterhood, Meena said with a slight smile, her eyes turning into stormy shades of green.

I widened my smile and nodded my head. I knew where she was going with this, and being petty with hurtful jabs was a waste of my time, but I knew it would’ve stung my mom deeply. I had to put a good word in for her defense.

She’s very busy with her charity for helping newly released occupants find job placement and living arrangements. My mother really did do this and reorganized the program by herself.

Don’t newly released occupants of books have a program already designed for them? She crossed her arms and looked at me evidently wanting to fight over who was the better organizer of charities.

We should excuse ourselves Meena. We— Olive started to say when Meena raised her white-gloved hand at her while staring at me with her burrowing eyes.

Yes, there is, but it’s obsolete because it wasn’t working. I answered. My mother redesigned the program and did all the fundraising. And so far, it’s working. She just got an award for it, I said with a smile as I glanced at the time on my phone. Being courteous was beginning to make me sick. Well, I’m sorry for running into you, but I must excuse myself. It has been pleasant visiting with you.

Meena nodded. I can’t wait to see you and your dress at the Ball.

I smiled, gazing over my shoulder as I walked away. I didn’t relax until I was out of her sight. I didn’t like them and hoped they overlooked me joining the Sisterhood. It was a stupid organization that pretended they cared about occupants of books and the whole enchanted community. I think it was a front so they could all conspire, bicker, plot, and put way too much drama into everyone’s lives. Unfortunately, it has been around since the beginning of the librarianship and I don’t think it will be dissolved anytime soon.

I told my mom I was meeting Lily at the park before going to the library and would be close to it, but a million miles away from the innocent swings, trails, and other things a park has to offer. Near the park was the small business district of Greenwick. It was an older part of the city of forty thousand people, and was on the historic register with the humans as well as the hidden and quiet community of librarians. That means, it has certain privileges to sell things as it once did a hundred years ago when the laws were a little less strict. Though it is regulated, it also does business as it once did. That means if you know the right person, the right word, you can get whatever you want—legal or illegal on the black market.

I saw Lily sitting in the swing that is way too low for her long legs. She popped up when she saw me. Even her wavy red hair bounced happily with her movements.

Bout time, she said looking at me with her bright blue eyes. I was just about to leave and tell you to meet me at my house—I was getting cold."

Lily had on a pair of leggings and a gauzy skirt that floated delicately in the spring air. Her sweater was the only thing that looked warm.

Sorry, had to try on shoes, too, and then I ran into Meena and Olive and had to talk to them using my conversation training on them. I smiled at Lily as we walked across the park.

I told you that class would come in handy. She lifted her already arched eyebrows. And you thought it would be a waste of time.

I would rather have taken weapon and tool preservation to fill my requirement. I truly did want to take the class that my mom deemed useless to my future and a waste of time. It taught about the history and care of the implements used by wizards, sorceresses and other magical beings, something that was way more interesting than how to talk pleasantly to people you don’t like.

Yeah, I know you did. But then you’d be left speechless using a lot of ums and uhs. Lily grinned at me. Then where would you be? You know like it said in our book, ‘words can be used as weapons…use them with care and respect,’ she said in a deep voice.

I shook my head. Come on or The Far Isle Trader will be closing and my mom thinks I’ll be at the library latter fulfilling my community duty. I walked backwards facing Lily and then turned running ahead of her.

Wait! Lily cried as I darted through the park and past the playground equipment towards a skinny trail that was a shortcut to the historic area of Greenwick.

Come on Sage, slow down! Lily cried. Her voice shook going down the wood steps that led to a dirt trail.

I stopped, even though I wanted to keep running. The store would be closing and I still had to make a quick appearance at the library.

You know I am wearing flats, not sneakers. And my dress got caught on a twig. She tenderly held the section of her dress that had a tiny snag in it. Can you at least slow down so I don’t rip all of my clothes?

Yes, but we’ll have to hurry, I sad as Lily tugged at the threads trying to pull them back into place. I took a deep breath. Sorry for running. It’s just that I want to get to the store before it closes, and if it makes yon feel any better, I’ll buy you another skirt for your birthday. She lifted her eyes to me and smiled.

Fine, you owe me a skirt, and if you’re going down that trail, she pointed to the slightly muddy path in front of us, you are going to owe me a pair of shoes.

I rolled my eyes. Really, I replied pulling from my large bag a pair of sneakers. Put these on.

I see you’ve come prepared for dragging your friend down a lovely nature trail, she said with a smirk and a fluttering of her eyebrows.

Isn’t your heritage supposed to be close to nature? I asked shoving the shoes towards her.

Yeah, only the crazy few who are hardcore about it. Lily set her shoulders, peered down at me and pressed her fanned out fingers to her chest. I, on the other hand, have evolved from the forests to live in a clean, paved, organized world of malls, coffee houses, and most importantly, night clubs where I can use my charm to make guys buy my drinks, she said putting the ragged shoes on with repugnance.

And cops to charge you with underage drinking, I added.

Lily crossed her arms. Good thing I still had some charm left.

You were lucky to get out of that. I headed for the trail. Come on Cinderella.

This is more like reverse Cinderella. Uhg, how long have you had these shoes—they stink! Lily yelled running up behind me.

I didn’t answer as the trail took a steep incline and swooped to a sharp curve. Fallen moss encrusted and half decaying limbs filled the mellow smelling forest that had newly erupted with life. Redbud trees flowered with their purple blooms, and tiny violets blossomed in several clumps. I breathed in the wonderful air warmed by the afternoon sun.

It stinks down here. Lily walked beside me. I think even more than your shoes.

I didn’t reply as the trail led to the top of a hill that opened to an old cemetery long forgotten. I stopped suddenly and pushed Lily back down the hill covering her protesting voice with