[2] Tanya is a 13-year-old girl who has the ability to see and hear fairies and other creatures, but has often had to lie to hide this from others, as it has caused her family to send her to therapists and doctors.

In the local village of Tickey End, Tanya meets the reclusive "witch" Mad Morag, who gives her an old compass.

As she and Fabian team up to investigate Morwenna Bloom's disappearance and prove Amos' innocence, Tanya befriends a girl named Red (or Rowan), who saves changelings from dying in a hospital before their disguises wear off and they are killed for their appearance.

Tanya, Red, and Fabian head into the woods following Morwenna's hidden instructions in a poem, and it is revealed that she entered the fairy world following her disappearance and now wants to return to Earth.

As Red is bound by vines at midnight, Fabian heads to find Morwenna's lock of hair, which is preventing her from aging.