Seaside Mystery (9 page)

Flame’s enemies had found him!

“Save yourself, Flame!” she cried.

There was a bright flash. Where the tiny kitten had been now stood a magnificent young white lion and an older gray lion stood next to him.

“Prince Flame! We must leave now!” the gray lion growled urgently.

Flame turned to Maisie and his emerald eyes crinkled in a smile of farewell. “Be well, be strong, Maisie,” he
said in a deep velvety growl as a rush of sparks swirled around him. And then he and the old lion were gone.

A harsh growl rang out as the dark shapes burst through the gate and then they, too, disappeared.

“Good-bye, Flame. I’ll never forget you,” Maisie said, her eyes filling with
tears. She was glad that Flame was safe. One day he would be king in his own world.

“Maisie! Oh, there you are. Jane and Nina are here! And Joel and Louise just arrived!” called Mr. Simpson from the back door.

Maisie wiped her eyes. She knew she was going to miss Flame a lot, but her spirits rose at the thought of seeing her old friends again. She had so much to talk to them about. As she turned and went into the house, she found herself smiling.

Sue Bentley’s books for children often include animals or fairies. She lives in Northampton, England, and enjoys reading, going to the movies, and sitting watching the frogs and newts in her garden pond. If she hadn’t been a writer, she would probably have been a skydiver or brain surgeon. The main reason she writes is that she can drink cups and cups of tea while she’s typing. She has met and owned many cats, and each one has brought a special sort of magic to her life.