Magic Kitten: A Shimmering Splash

  A Shimmering Splash

  SUE BENTLEY

  Illustrated by Angela Swan

  Grosset & Dunlap

  An Imprint of Penguin Group (USA) LLC

  GROSSET & DUNLAP

  Published by the Penguin Group

  Penguin Group (USA) LLC, 375 Hudson Street, New York, New York 10014, USA

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  Text copyright © 2007 by Sue Bentley. Illustrations copyright © 2007 by Angela Swan. Cover illustration copyright © 2007 by Andrew Farley. All rights reserved. First printed in Great Britain in 2007 by Penguin Books Ltd. First published in the United States in 2014 by Grosset & Dunlap, a division of Penguin Young Readers Group, 345 Hudson Street, New York, New York 10014. GROSSET & DUNLAP is a trademark of Penguin Group (USA) LLC. .

  Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data is available.

  ISBN 978-0-698-16437-6

  Version_1

  To Biff, the toothless tabby with issues.

  Contents

  *Prologue*

  Chapter * ONE *

  Chapter * TWO *

  Chapter * THREE *

  Chapter * FOUR *

  Chapter * FIVE *

  Chapter * SIX *

  Chapter * SEVEN *

  Chapter * EIGHT *

  Chapter * NINE *

  About the Author

  *Prologue*

  The young white lion dipped his head toward the pool and drank deeply. It felt good to taste the water of his home again. Perhaps this time it would be safe to stay.

  Suddenly, across the pool, a huge black adult lion emerged from some trees and leaped up onto the rocks.

  “Ebony!” Flame gasped, as he looked up at the terrifying sight of his uncle.

  He felt sparks crackling in his fur, and there was a bright white flash. Where the majestic young white lion had stood now crouched a tiny fluffy amber-and-white kitten with a big amber patch over one eye.

  Flame’s furry kitten tummy brushed the ground as he edged slowly backward into the shelter of some tall rushes. As he lay there trembling with fear, hoping desperately that he had hidden in time, the rushes parted and a large dark shape came toward him.

  Flame’s tiny heart missed a beat. This was it! Ebony had found him!

  “Prince Flame,” rumbled a deep gentle voice. “I am glad to see you, but it is not yet safe for you to return.”

  Flame blinked at the adult gray lion in relief. “Cirrus. It is good to see you again. Tell me, how is my uncle ruling the kingdom he stole from me?”

  Cirrus showed worn teeth as his lip curled with anger. “Ebony is strong and cruel and will never change. He is determined to find you and kill you so that he can rule forever.”

  “I am ready to face him now and take back my throne!” Flame mewed, his emerald eyes flashing with anger.

  Cirrus nodded approvingly and reached out an enormous gray paw to draw the tiny kitten closer. “Bravely said, but you must first grow strong and wise. Use this disguise and go back to hide in the other world, where you will be safe.”

  “Nowhere is safe from my uncle’s spies!” Flame answered.

  As if in reply, another terrifying roar rang out. “I sense my nephew! Where are you, Flame? Show yourself !” growled an icy voice.

  “Ebony knows you’re close. Go now, Flame,” Cirrus urged. “Save yourself!”

  The tiny amber-and-white kitten whined as he felt the power building inside him. His fluffy fur ignited with sparks, and there was another bright flash.

  Flame felt himself falling. Falling . . .

  Chapter

  * ONE *

  Lorna Edwards caught her breath with excitement as the car drove off the ferry. In front of her, there was a wild landscape of mountains, lakes, and vast open spaces. Fluffy white clouds floated in the clear blue sky.

  “Craggen is so gorgeous. I really love being back here!” she exclaimed.

  “Me too,” Flora Edwards said, turning her head to smile at her daughter. “I expect you’re dying to catch up with Ruth and Callum.”

  Lorna nodded. “I can’t wait.” It had been almost a year since she’d seen her cousins, who lived on the island off the north coast of Scotland. Now she was going to spend the whole summer vacation with them.

  “You won’t have to wait long. Marie and Hugh and the kids always come to meet us,” Lorna’s mom reminded her.

  Lorna leaned forward, pushing back a strand of her short red hair as she peered out at the single-lane road. Just inland, the meadows were dotted with huge gray stones and patches of yellow grass. Lorna suddenly caught sight of some familiar figures, standing next to a parked car. “There they are!” she cried, bouncing up and down in her seat with excitement.

  She could see Aunt Marie, Uncle Hugh, and Ruth, but Callum didn’t seem to be with them. The minute their car stopped, Lorna opened the door and flew across to her aunt, uncle, and cousin. Everyone began speaking at once, and there were hugs all around.

  “Lorna! You’ve grown tall since last we saw you,” Uncle Hugh boomed. He was tall, with broad shoulders and dark hair, and he towered over his tiny wife.

  “So you have,” Aunt Marie agreed in her soft voice, pushing back a strand of curly red hair. “I expect you’ll notice the difference in Ruth, too.”

  “Hi!” Lorna grinned at Ruth and gave her cousin a hug. At nine years old, Ruth was a year younger than Lorna. She had dark hair, like her dad, and her mom’s sunny smile.

  “Why do adults always talk about how much you’ve grown?” Ruth whispered, making a face.

  “I know,” Lorna said, giggling. “What do they expect us to do, shrink or something?” She glanced at the car, expecting the back door to open any minute. It was just like Callum to hide inside and then jump out! But the car was empty. “Okay, I give up! Where’s Callum hiding?” she said, grinning.

  Ruth’s face seemed to cloud over. “He didn’t come. He went to a friend’s house to do some homework. He said he’d see you at the farmhouse later.”

  “Oh,” Lorna said, trying hard not to feel disappointed that her favorite cousin had chosen to do something else instead of coming to meet her.

  “Shall we go?” Aunt Marie suggested. “I expect you’d like to relax over a cup of tea and a bite to eat after your long journey.”

  “Can I go in Aunt Marie’s car?” Lorna asked her parents.

  “Of course you can, dear. I expect you and Ruth have a lot of catching up to do,” her dad replied.

  “Here, let me give you both a hand!” Uncle Hugh said, with a gleam in his eye.

  “Uh-oh!” Remembering her uncle’s silly sense of humor, Lorna attempted to dart out of his reach, but she was too late. Hugh swept her up and tucked her under one arm and then did the same to Ruth. Marching over to the car, he piled them b
oth into the backseat, where they collapsed together, laughing breathlessly.

  Lorna’s parents laughed, too. Aunt Marie shook her head. “I don’t think Hugh will ever grow up!” she said with a fond sigh.

  Lorna linked arms with Ruth in the back, as they drove toward the farmhouse. It was good to be back on Craggen, but it did feel strange not having Callum there, too.

  “Thanks, Aunt Marie. That was yummy,” Lorna said as she finished the last mouthful of delicious homemade cake. She and Ruth were sitting on the battered sofa in the comfy farmhouse kitchen.

  Lorna’s parents and her aunt and uncle were seated at the table. “Why don’t you show Lorna my new workroom, Ruth?” Aunt Marie suggested, as she passed her husband a second huge slice of cake.

  “Do you want to see it?” Ruth asked, looking across at Lorna.

  “Okay,” Lorna said. It had to be better than listening to the grown-ups gossiping. She followed her cousin outside, and they went across the yard to some stone outbuildings.

  “This is it,” Ruth said.

  “It’s, um . . . very nice,” Lorna said, being polite. She peeped through the workroom window. She could see the big loom her aunt used to weave blankets and throws from their own sheep. Colorful balls of the wool, which she dyed herself, were heaped in baskets.

  Ruth elbowed her in the ribs. “Yeah, but weaving and stuff is totally boring. Why don’t you come and see Mom’s new sheep?”

  Lorna grinned. This was more like it! She loved animals, and her aunt and uncle kept all kinds of unusual sheep.

  Ruth stopped beside a pen and pointed at six small sheep with dainty black-and-white faces and crinkly wool.

  “Wow! They’re beautiful,” Lorna said. “What kind are they?”

  Before Ruth could answer, a moody voice cut in. “Who cares? They’re just stupid sheep!”

  “Callum!” Lorna felt a big grin stretching across her face as she turned around. “You’re back!”

  “Looks like it, doesn’t it?” Callum muttered. He had his hands thrust into his jeans pockets, and his dark hair flopped forward onto his forehead.

  Lorna’s smile wavered a little. “It’s really great to be here,” she said anyway, hoping to encourage Callum to be a little more friendly.

  “Whatever!” He shrugged. “I’m going inside. I’m hungry.”

  “Okay. See you . . . er . . . later,” Lorna stammered.

  Callum didn’t answer. Hunching his shoulders, he crossed the yard and disappeared into the farmhouse.

  Lorna stared after him, feeling puzzled and hurt. “What’s wrong with him?” she asked Ruth.

  “You know what boys are like,” Ruth said, rolling her eyes. “You can’t say anything to them without getting your head bitten off.”

  “Most boys. But Callum’s not usually like—” Lorna began.

  “Stop talking about him, okay?” Ruth broke in, and then she bit her lip. “Sorry. I . . . I didn’t mean to yell.”

  “That’s okay,” Lorna said quietly.

  “I think I’ll go up to my room. Mom made up the spare bed for you in there. Are you coming?” Ruth asked.

  “I’ll come in a minute,” Lorna said, still feeling a little confused. Both of her cousins were acting really weird. She waited until Ruth went inside and then sighed as she followed her.

  As she trudged past the outbuildings, a flash of bright light suddenly lit up the workshop windows. Lorna stopped, shocked. Strange, she thought. I’m sure the workshop was empty. She reached out to give the door a push. “Hello? Is someone there?”

  As the door swung open, revealing the darkened room, Lorna saw the outline of what looked to be a tiny toy kitten sitting on a basket of yarn. In the dimness, it glowed as if its fur and whiskers were dotted with a thousand tiny sparkling diamonds.

  The fluffy toy must be her aunt’s lucky charm. Lorna wondered how she had missed seeing it earlier. “Aren’t you gorgeous? You look as if you’re really alive,” she exclaimed.

  The kitten looked up at Lorna with bright green eyes that shone in the dark. “I am alive. Please, can you help me?” it mewed.

  Chapter

  * TWO *

  Lorna gasped with shock as she fumbled for the light switch. She could have sworn that the toy kitten had just spoken to her!

  In the dim light, Lorna could see that the kitten had fluffy amber-and-white fur, with an amber patch over one eye, a bright pink nose, and the biggest emerald eyes she had ever seen.

  It did look very realistic. She moved forward for a closer look. But just as she did, the kitten raised its tiny head.

  “I am Prince Flame, heir to the Lion Throne. Who are you?” it meowed inquisitively.

  “You really did just speak!” Lorna spluttered. “I’m . . . um, Lorna Edwards. I’m . . . staying here on Craggen Island with my cousins for summer vacation.” She was finding it difficult to take this in. Talking animals only existed in fairy tales—they didn’t just turn up in real life! Bending down, she tried to make herself seem smaller, so the amazing kitten wouldn’t run away.

  “Did you say you’re a prince?” she asked him.

  Flame nodded, his green eyes gleaming with anger. “But my uncle Ebony has stolen my throne and rules in my place. One day I will return to challenge him and regain my throne!”

  “You’re a little small for that. If I were you, I’d wait until I grew up,” Lorna advised gently.

  Flame didn’t reply, but instead Lorna saw silver sparks beginning to glitter in Flame’s fluffy fur. He sprang off the basket of yarn, and before Lorna could move, she was blinded by another bright silver flash that filled the room.

  “Oh!” Lorna rubbed her eyes. When she looked again, she saw that the tiny kitten had disappeared, and in its place stood a magnificent young pure-white lion.

  Lorna caught her breath, eyeing the huge paws and sharp teeth. “Flame?”

  “Do not be afraid. I will not harm you,” the lion told her in a deep velvety roar. There was a final dazzling flash of light, and Flame magically reappeared before her as a tiny amber-and-white kitten, with an amber patch over one eye.

  “Wow! That’s an amazing disguise. No one would guess that you’re a lion prince!” Lorna exclaimed.

  “I must hide from my uncle’s spies now. Can you help me, Lorna?” the tiny kitten mewed, trembling from head to toe.

  “Of course I will!” Lorna said, picking him up. Flame was impressive as his real lion self, but in his helpless kitten disguise, he was just adorable. “Come on. Let’s go into the farmhouse. You’re going to love meeting all the family.”

  “No!” Flame twisted around and gazed up at her. “You can tell no one that I am a prince. It must be our secret!”

  Lorna felt a little disappointed that she couldn’t even tell Ruth about Flame, but she sighed as she thought sadly that both her cousins didn’t seem that delighted to see her, anyway. Lorna felt determined to do whatever Flame wanted to keep him safe. “Okay. Don’t worry, I won’t give anything away. I’ll just say you’re a stray or something.”

  Flame relaxed and blinked up at her with narrowed, trusting eyes. “Thank you, Lorna.”

  “That’s all right. Let’s go and find you something to eat. I bet you’re hungry,” she said.

  Flame purred eagerly.

  As Lorna crossed the yard, she smiled. Her vacation had just taken an amazingly unexpected turn!

  “What a cute little kitten—and I really like his name,” Aunt Marie said when Lorna had finished introducing Flame. “He must have smelled the farm cats and come looking for food. We’ve had a few other strays turn up out of the blue.”

  “Yes, that’s what must have happened,” Lorna said, glad that she didn’t have to go into more detail about finding Flame. “I promised him . . . um, I mean, I promised myself . . . ,” she corrected quickly, “that I’d look
after him. Is it okay if I keep him?” she asked in her best pleading voice.

  “Now, Lorna . . . ,” her mom said warningly.

  Uncle Hugh laughed. “It’s fine with us, isn’t it, Marie?” he said, turning toward his wife. “One more cat won’t make much difference, and I don’t expect this little fellow will eat much!”

  “Only if you’re sure . . . ,” Lorna’s mom said, looking at Marie.

  Aunt Marie smiled in agreement. “There’s cat food in the barn and some old blankets you can use for Flame’s bed.”

  “Thanks!” Lorna beamed at her aunt and uncle. “I’ll feed Flame and then make him a bed in Ruth’s room. Come on, Flame!” she called, going outside quickly before anyone could object. There was no way she was going to let her tiny new friend sleep in a drafty old barn!

  Lorna slept well and woke to find bright sunlight pushing through a pair of unfamiliar blue curtains. It was a moment before she remembered that she was in the spare bed in Ruth’s bedroom with Flame’s tiny warm body curled up beside her.

  “Hello, you,” she whispered, stroking his soft ears. “Did you sleep well?”

  “Yes, thank you. I feel safe here with you,” Flame purred softly.

  Ruth’s bed was empty, and Lorna assumed that her cousin had already gone downstairs. She jumped out of bed. “Let’s go and get some breakfast,” she said to Flame.

  Halfway down the stairs, with Flame at her heels, Lorna heard raised voices. She paused and Flame stopped beside her.

  “Aw, do I have to come, too, Dad?” Callum was complaining. “It’s so boring. Anyway, I made plans to meet my friends.”

  “I’m afraid you’ll have to meet them later,” Hugh replied firmly. “You knew I’d need your help. Besides, I thought you’d want to spend some time with Lorna. You’ve hardly said two words to her since she arrived.”