Seaside Mystery by Sue Bentley Page B

alone!” she cried.
    She went toward the kitten and bent down, so that it wouldn’t get scared away.
    “I wonder what your name is,” she murmured, reaching out to stroke its trembling little body.
    The kitten blinked up at her slowly,and some of the fear seemed to fade from its eyes. Despite its tiny size, it didn’t seem to be afraid of her.

    “I am Prince Flame. What is your name?” it purred.
    Maisie jerked her hand back. “Oh! You really
can
speak!” she gasped. “I’m…I’m Maisie Simpson. I just moved into a house near the beach with my parents.” Her curiosity began to overcome her shock. “Did you say
Prince
Flame?”
    Flame nodded and lifted his tiny head proudly. “I am heir to the Lion Throne. My uncle Ebony has stolen it and rules in my place. He is fierce and cruel and sends his spies to find me and kill me.”
    Maisie shook her head, trying to take it all in. Could everything this tiny cute kitten said be true?

    Flame seemed to know what she was thinking. He moved sideways across the rocks away from her.
    “Stay back,” he ordered.
    There was a blinding silver flash and for a moment Maisie couldn’t see anything. But when her sight had cleared, the kitten had disappeared and in its place a majestic, young white lion stood proudly on the rocks.
    Maisie gasped, scrambling backward on her hands and knees. “Flame?”
    “Yes. It is me, Maisie. Do not be afraid,” Flame said in a deep velvety roar.
    Before she could say anything, there was another bright flash and instantly Flame was a fluffy, long-haired kitten once more.
    “I guess it’s all true,” Maisie murmured.
    “I need to hide now. Can you help me?” Flame mewed.
    Maisie crouched back down again and looked into Flame’s big emerald eyes. He was so tiny and helpless-looking. She felt a burst of protectiveness toward him.
    “Of course I will. I’ll take care of you. You can live with me and my parents,” Maisie said, scooping him into her arms.
    Flame rubbed his little head against her arm. “Thank you, Maisie.”
    “I’m going to love having you living with me. Just wait until I tell Mom and Dad about you!”
    “No! You must tell no one my secret!” Flame reached up and touched her chin with one tiny, brown tabby paw. “Please promise, Maisie.”
    Maisie looked down into his serious little face. With his long, soft fur, striking tabby markings, and bright green eyes, he was the cutest kitten she had ever seen. She couldn’t let him down. “All right. I promise. I’ll just say you’re a stray,” she agreed.
    Flame swished his bushy tail and began purring loudly. “That is good. Thank you, Maisie.”

    “Of course you can keep him!” Mrs. Simpson said with a smile, when Maisie finished explaining where she had found the tiny kitten. She was in the kitchen making ham sandwiches. “He’s absolutely gorgeous!”
    Maisie smiled. She knew her mom and dad would be fine about Flame staying.
    Mr. Simpson patted Flame. “What doyou know…a stray kitten turning up like that, just as we’re moving in. He must be a good-luck token. Maybe you should call him Lucky.”
    “But he told me his name—” Maisie broke off. She was going to have to be a lot more careful about keeping Flame’s secret. “I um…mean, I’ve already decided to call him Flame,” she said hurriedly.
    “Well, I think that suits him,” her mom said. “I bet Flame’s hungry. Kittens need to eat lots of small meals, you know. Why don’t you see what you can find for him to eat?”
    Maisie cut up a small slice of ham and poured some milk for Flame to drink. It wasn’t much of a meal, but later she’d go to the store to get some cat food.
    Flame chomped the ham and then lapped up the milk, purring loudly.
    After lunch, Maisie took Flame upstairs. She laid an old sweater on her comforter and then lifted Flame onto it. He kneaded it into a soft nest with his front paws, and then curled up for a nap.
    As Maisie stretched out on the bed beside the