Contents

  PROLOGUE

  CHAPTER ONE

  CHAPTER TWO

  CHAPTER THREE

  CHAPTER FOUR

  CHAPTER FIVE

  CHAPTER SIX

  CHAPTER SEVEN

  CHAPTER EIGHT

  CHAPTER NINE

  CHAPTER TEN

  Sue Bentley’s books for children often include animals or fairies. She lives in Northampton and enjoys reading, going to the cinema, 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 pots and pots 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.

  To Brian – the sky-blue twin

  PROLOGUE

  ‘Disguise yourself, Prince Flame! It isn’t safe for you to be back here. Your uncle is close by!’ Cirrus urged the young white lion who stood beside him in the cave behind the waterfall.

  Flame’s fur crackled with silver sparks. There was a dazzling white flash and there, in his place, now stood a tiny, fluffy, black and white kitten.

  Cirrus leaned down and brushed his old grey muzzle against the top of the kitten’s fluffy head. ‘You must go back to the other world, Prince Flame. But stay in this disguise. It will serve you well.’

  Suddenly a meancing growl split the air.

  Flame looked up at Cirrus, his emerald eyes flashing. ‘Uncle Ebony rules my kingdom. One day I will return and claim my throne!’ he mewed bravely.

  Cirrus’s worn teeth flashed in a brief smile. ‘Yes, you will, my prince. But only once your powers have become stronger. Go now! Hide!’

  Just as Flame scrambled behind a rock, an enormous adult lion burst through the curtain of water. His huge paws thudded on the wet rock.

  ‘Cirrus! Tell me where my nephew is hiding!’ Ebony demanded.

  Behind the rock, Flame’s tiny body trembled in fear.

  Cirrus growled. ‘Prince Flame is far away. You will never find him!’

  Ebony roared with rage. ‘My spies are looking for him. Flame cannot hide from me forever … ’

  Behind the rock, Flame felt the power building inside him. He let out a tiny miaow as silver sparks ignited in his black and white fur. The cave began to fade, and he felt himself falling. Falling …

  CHAPTER ONE

  ‘Bye! See you at the end of term!’ Abi West called to her parents from the upstairs window.

  As the car pulled away out of Brockinghurst School’s car park, Abi turned back to her new room. She felt excited but a bit nervous. It was going to seem strange to share with someone she didn’t know.

  ‘Might as well unpack,’ she decided, lifting her case on to one of the beds.

  There were two single beds with blue quilts and bedside cupboards. Blue checked curtains and a red rug made the room bright and cosy.

  From the window, she saw that more cars were pulling into the front drive. Girls in uniform were getting out and saying goodbye to their families.

  Abi had just finished piling away her clothes and books when the door crashed open with a bang.

  A pretty fair-haired girl marched into the room. She scowled at Abi. ‘Who are you?’

  ‘Hi,’ Abi said. ‘I’m Abi West.’

  ‘Well, you’re in my room,’ the girl said rudely.

  ‘I thought I could choose any room,’ Abi said. ‘I’ve just put all my stuff away.’

  The other girl put her hands on her hips. ‘And I’m supposed to care? You’ll just have to move it, won’t you?’

  Abi blinked at her, unsure what to do. The other girl looked about eleven, a year older than Abi.

  ‘I thought it was your voice I could hear, Keera Moore,’ said a calm voice from the doorway.

  Abi spun round. She saw a tall woman with a pleasant face. It was Mrs York, the head teacher. There was a small, slim girl with her.

  Keera changed completely. ‘Oh, hello, Mrs York,’ she said with a smile. ‘Abi here was just saying she didn’t mind moving to another room.’

  ‘No, I wasn’t!’ Abi said indignantly. ‘You told me this was your room. And that I had to move out!’

  Keera glared at her, blue eyes flashing. ‘You little sneak,’ she hissed.

  ‘That’s enough, Keera,’ the Head said. ‘You know very well that rooms are never reserved at Brockinghurst.’ She turned to Abi. ‘Abi West, I want you to meet Sasha Parekh. I thought it might be a good idea for you two to share this term. You’ll both have a lot in common. It’s the first time either of you has been away from home.’

  ‘Ah, diddums,’ Keera sneered under her breath.

  Abi smiled at Sasha, who was very pretty with dark eyes and olive skin. She wore her thick black hair in a long plait. On one cheek she had a red birthmark.

  ‘It’s really nice to meet you,’ Abi said. Sasha seemed a hundred times nicer that Keera already!

  ‘You too,’ Sasha said shyly.

  ‘I’ve got some animal posters to put on the wall. Would you like to help me?’ Abi asked.

  Sasha dark eyes lit up. ‘Definitely! I love animals.’

  ‘So do I. Especially big cats,’ Abi said, warming to Sasha.

  Keera pointed a finger at her open mouth and made pretend gagging sounds.

  Mrs York frowned at her. ‘This room seems to be taken, Keera. I suggest you try the one next door. It’s identical to this one.’

  ‘Oh, all right.’ Keera rolled her eyes as she stomped outside with her case. Mrs York turned back to Abi and Sasha. ‘I’ll leave you two to settle in. Come down to the hall when you hear the bell. You’ll meet your teachers and collect your lesson timetables.’

  ‘She’s nice, isn’t she?’ Abi said to Sasha after the Head had left.

  Sasha nodded.

  Suddenly a lot of banging came from the room next door. Then a voice complained, ‘This is a grotty room! And this school is a smelly dump! I hate being back here!’

  Sasha looked at Abi. ‘Keera!’ they chorused. The two of them fell about laughing.

  ‘Phew! There’s so much to remember,’ groaned Abi. She sat down beside Sasha at a table in the main hall.

  The room had wooden beams and walls of dark, carved wood. An enormous fireplace took up most of the end wall. The room was buzzing with girls and teachers, and everyone seemed to be talking at once.

  Sasha bit her nails nervously. ‘I can’t remember any of the teachers’ names or where the classrooms are.’

  ‘Nor me. But I expect we’ll soon get used to it,’ Abi said.

  ‘Well! If it isn’t the sneak,’ a voice behind her said.

  Abi didn’t need to turn round to know who it was. ‘Hello, Keera,’ she said.

  Keera came up and learned her elbows on the table. She was with two other girls. One had brown hair and freckles and the other was tall and slim with black curly hair.

  Abi remembered hearing their names called out earlier that day: Marsha Clarke and Tiwa Rhames.

  ‘Have you brought your teddies to help you sleep?’ Keera said in a mocking, baby voice.

  Tiwa sniggered. ‘After all, we wouldn’t want you to have nightmares about the ghost.’

  ‘What ghost?’ asked Abi. ‘You’re making it up. There’s no such thing.’

  Keera smirked. ‘Oh, no? Haven’t you heard about the Grey Lady of Brockinghurst? She haunts the school’s corridors, lying in wait for snotty little first years. I’d watch out if I were you!’ She turned to Marsha and Tiwa. ‘Come on, let’s go and see if the tuck shop’s open.’

  The girls nudged each other and laughed as they walked away.

  Sasha glanced nervously at Abi. ‘Do you think there really is a ghost?’ she asked. ‘Most old buildings are supposed to be haunted, aren’t they?’

  Abi smiled at her as she gathered up all the pages she’d been given. ‘Keera was just trying to scare us. Don’t look so worried.’ She turned to her school bag. ‘Oh, I’ve forgotten the folder for our next class. I think I’ll just dash upstairs and get it.’

  ‘OK. I’ll wait here,’ Sasha said, looking more relaxed now.

  Abi found the nearest doorway and went out of the hall. Hurrying past a row of classrooms, she found a narrow stairway leading upwards. Five minutes later, after countless twists and turns, Abi stopped on a gloomy landing.

  ‘Oh, great! I’m totally lost,’ she said aloud.

  Abi looked around. Narrow windows of thick glass were set into the walls. Dust swirled in the shafts of light that managed to get through. In front of her there was an ancient door, covered with cobwebs. She pushed at it with her fingertips. It slowly creaked open.

  She looked into the gloom, where dark shapes were visible. As her eyes adjusted to the dimness, she saw stacks of old furniture. It was just an old storeroom.

  Then suddenly Abi caught something out of the corner of her eye — something pale and glowing. She gasped. It must be the Grey Lady!

  Frozen to the spot, Abi gradually began to realize the glow wasn’t actually human-shaped at all. But what could it be?

  She crept closer into the storeroom. Something was lying across two whole chairs. Abi frowned — it looked like a sparkly furry blanket. As she took another step there came a low rumbling purr.

  Abi blinked in disbelief. The ‘blanket’ looked like a young white lion! He was fast asleep.

  She stared at the silver sparkles gleaming in the lion‘s fur. He looked fierce but beautiful. Abi’s heart beat fast. She didn�

�t know whether to stay or run away.

  ‘How did a lion get here?’ she whispered to herself.

  The white lion‘s eyes flew open. He lifted into a crouch. The hair along his back stood up in a spiked ridge.

  ‘Come no nearer! My teeth are sharp and my claws are strong!’ he growled.

  Abi almost jumped out of her skin in terror. ‘You can talk!’ she gasped.

  CHAPTER TWO

  For a moment the lion just stared at Abi with its piercing emerald eyes.

  Abi sensed that it was more frightened than angry. She crouched down to make herself seem smaller. ‘It’s OK. I won‘t hurt you,’ she said softly.

  The lion relaxed and pricked up its ears. ‘I do not mean to scare you. I thought you were an enemy,’ he said in a deep, velvety growl.

  ‘What … ? Who are you?’ Abi stammered.

  ‘Flame.’ The lion dipped his head in greeting. ‘Prince Flame. Heir to the Lion Throne,’ he told her solemnly.

  Abi dipped her head in return. It seemed the right thing to do. ‘Where are you from?’

  ‘Far away,’ Flame replied with a sad look in his eyes.

  Abi began to recover from her fear of Flame. She took a step forward and stretched her hand out. ‘I’m Abi. This is my first term at boarding school. Is it OK if I touch you … ?’

  ‘Wait! Stay back!’ Flame ordered.

  There was a silver flash.

  ‘Oh!’ Blinded, Abi put her hands over her eyes. When she looked again, she saw that the white lion had gone. In his place stood a fluffy, black and white kitten with emerald-green eyes.

  ‘Where‘s Flame?’ Abi gasped.

  ‘I am Flame,’ the kitten mewed in a tiny voice. ‘This is my disguise. I am in hiding. My Uncle Ebony is trying to find me. To kill me.’

  ‘But why would your uncle want to kill you?’ Abi asked.

  ‘To steal my throne. To keep it. Can you help me, Abi?’

  ‘Of course I will!’ She leaned forward and picked up the kitten. ‘You can live in my room. Just wait until Sasha sees you!’

  Flame wriggled. He reached up a tiny paw and touched her chin. ‘No! You can tell no one. It must be our secret,’ he urged.

  Abi frowned. She felt sure that Sasha could keep a secret.

  ‘You must promise,’ Flame insisted. He blinked up at her with wide, trusting eyes.

  Abi felt her heart turn over. She didn’t want to do anything that put him in danger.‘OK, I promise,’ she agreed.

  Then she had a sudden thought. Pupils weren’t allowed pets. How was she going to sneak Flame into her room?

  Abi tucked Flame beneath her sweater.‘Sorry. I have to do this,’ she said as the kitten looked up at her indignantly. ‘Don’t wriggle now, OK?’

  Luckily, most of the school were still in the hall. She managed to find her way back to her room without being seen.

  ‘Here we are,’ she whispered, putting Flame on her bed.

  Flame’s eyes scanned the room and then he gave a whiskery grin. ‘A safe place,’ he mewed, pointing a black and white paw at the wardrobe.

  ‘You want to go up there?’ It was a good idea, Abi thought. If he slept at the back against the wall, he’d be out of sight of anyone unless they stood on the bed. ‘OK. I’ll find something soft to make you a cosy nest.’

  As Abi began searching in a drawer, Flame’s ears pricked. He gave an urgent little miaow. ‘Abi! Someone is coming.’

  ‘Oh, no!’ Abi whipped round. She saw the door handle turning. There wasn’t enough time to hide Flame!

  Suddenly Abi felt a strange, tingly feeling down her spine. Silver sparkles leapt from Flame’s fur and his whiskers crackled. Little points of light popped in the air around him.

  Something very strange was happening.

  Keera stuck her head round the door. ‘I thought I heard voices in here.’ She looked straight at the bed where Flame sat!

  Abi’s breath caught in her throat. Keera would tell the Head about Flame! Before she could say anything, Keera spoke up.

  ‘I thought so!’ Keera’s mouth twisted in a triumphant grin. ‘There’s no one else in here! You’re such a big baby, Abi West. Wait until I tell everyone that I caught you talking to your imaginary friend!’

  Abi looked back at the bed in confusion. Flame sat there large as life, but Keera couldn’t see him!

  She turned back to Keera. ‘Tell them what you like! See if I care,’ she said.

  Keera looked disappointed. She turned on her toes and slammed the bedroom door in a huff. Abi heard her walking down the corridor.

  Flame began calmly washing his face.

  ‘How come Keera didn’t see you?’ Abi asked him.

  Flame rubbed a paw across his whiskers. ‘Magic. I choose who sees me,’ he explained.

  ‘You mean you can make yourself invisible? That’s going to make things much easier. It’s always really busy in schools and as there’s no pets allowed, it’s probably best if you only show yourself to me. OK?’ Abi grinned at Flame as he nodded that he understood. ‘This is fantastic! It’s going to be so much fun, having you here!’

  Flame purred back, his eyes narrowing to pleased slits.

  CHAPTER THREE

  The next few days passed by quickly. Abi was kept busy with lessons, making new friends and finding her way around. She and Sasha got on really well. She wished Flame could show himself to Sasha too but, for Flame’s safety and the sake of the school rules, the fewer people who knew the better.

  Flame came everywhere with her. During lessons, he curled up on a nearby window sill or jumped on top of a bookcase. Abi loved having him around. He was her special invisible secret. It was only at night when she lay in bed that she felt homesick.

  Flame snuggled up next to her. Abi cuddled him and Flame closed his eyes and purred softly. ‘Are you homesick too?’ she whispered, stroking his soft fur.

  ‘Miss good friends.’ Flame nodded with a sigh.

  Abi kissed the top of his head sleepily. It was comforting to hug his warm little body. ‘We’ll just have to look after each other.’

  Abi woke one morning to find Sasha already up and dressed. ‘Hurrah! It’s Saturday! No lessons. A day to ourselves,’ Sasha said grinning. ‘What shall we do?’

  Abi’s hands flew to her face. ‘Cripes! I almost forgot. It’s netball practice! They’re choosing teams today.’ She jumped out of bed and began throwing her clothes on.

  Flame sat on the window sill. The morning sun made his black and white coat gleam softly.

  ‘Do you mind if I come?’ Sasha asked.

  ‘Course I don’t! But I didn’t think you liked netball,’ Abi said, stuffing her gym kit into her sports bag.

  Sasha grinned. ‘I don’t! I’m rubbish at sports. But I like watching. I can be your number-one fan, if you like!’ she joked.

  ‘As if!’ Abi laughed and gave her a friendly shove.

  Straight after breakfast, Abi and Sasha made their way to the school gym. Flame had decided to come too. He was curled up in Abi’s sports bag.

  Some other girls from Abi’s lessons were in the changing rooms. They called out a greeting to Abi. ‘Hi!’

  ‘Hi!’ Abi answered with a smile. She changed into her kit. ‘Will you be all right?’ she whispered to Flame.

  ‘I will be fine. Go and look around,’ he mewed softly.

  Abi ran on to the court where some girls were already practising their shooting skills. She saw Keera throw the ball straight into the net.

  ‘Good shot,’ shouted Marsha.

  Sasha, who was standing on the sidelines next to Keera’s other friend, Tiwa, gave Abi an enthusiastic wave.

  Keera looked smug. ‘In case you didn’t know, I’m the school’s star shooter,’ she told Abi.

  Miss Green, the sports teacher, blew her whistle. ‘Gather together, everyone. As you probably know, we play High Five netball. So let’s divide up into squads. I want to see some team play.’

  Abi put on a bib with the letters GS, for goal shooter. She really liked High Five. It meant she got a chance to play in all the different positions.

  Keera and her friends put on their bibs. Tiwa said something to Keera, who gave Abi a sly look.

  On the whistle, the centre passed the ball. Abi and her goal attack teammate worked to get the ball into the circle. Abi saw an opening. She spun round, aimed and scored.

 

1 2 3 4