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and gave them both huge hugs and then did a little dance around the table. “I can’t wait to tell Adjoa!”
    Storm ran out from under the table and jumped up and down, barking excitedly. Lily grinned and just barely managed to stop herself from bending down and picking him up.
    Later that night, Lily closed her bedroom curtains, getting ready for bed.
    Outside in the street she saw a couple of people taking their dogs for a walk. She jumped into bed and snuggled up under the blankets with Storm.

    â€œThanks so much for everything, Storm. You kept your promise about helping me get a pony, even though things turned out differently than how I imagined! You’re the most awesome friend ever. We’re going to have an amazing summer with Pixie and Adjoa!”
    Storm tucked his head under her chin. “I am glad I was able to help.”
    Suddenly Lily heard howling and growling from outside in the street. She jumped back out of bed and peered through the bedroom curtains. The two dog walkers were struggling to control their dogs, which were pulling at their leashes and looking up at her bedroom. In the light of the street lamps, the dogs’ eyes looked pale and were glowing.
    â€œThat’s weird . . .” Lily said, turning to Storm.
    The tiny puppy was hiding in the bed. She could see him trembling with fright.
    Frowning, Lily glanced outside again and saw the dogs suddenly calm down. After a moment, their confused owners walked on until they were out of sight.
    Lily came back to Storm. As she went to pet him she realized that he was trembling all over. “What’s wrong? Are you sick?” she asked worriedly.
    Storm shook his head. His ears were laid back and his tail was tucked beneath him. “I sense that Shadow is close. I think he used his magic, so that the dogs outside would attack me.”

    Lily looked at her friend in dismay. “Is that what he’ll do if he finds you?”
    Storm nodded, his eyes as dull as blue stones. “All the dogs around here will be looking for me now. I will use my magic to mask my scent. It may give me a little more time.”
    Lily kissed the top of his sandy head, breathing in his sweet puppy smell, and lay awake, hoping that Storm would be safe. She didn’t think she could bear it if she never saw him again.

Chapter ELEVEN
    Lily woke up with a start the next morning. To her relief, Storm was curled up asleep next to her.
    He seemed more like his normal self, but his sparkling midnight-blue eyes were still concerned. “I will stay here and hide. I want to be sure that Shadow cannot sense where I am,” he barked.
    Lily felt reluctant to leave him, but she had promised to meet Adjoa at Greengates and help settle Pixie into her new home.
    â€œI’ll see you later,” she said, bending down to kiss the top of Storm’s warm silky head.
    Storm curled himself into a tight ball and didn’t answer.
    Â 
    â€œWhoa, there, girl!” Janie Green said gently.
    Lily and Adjoa stood watching as Janie backed Pixie out of the horse trailer, hitched to her Land Rover. “That’s it. Good. Come on.”
    Pixie slowly moved backward, step by step. Finally she stood in the stable yard, her legs trembling slightly and her chestnut coat twitching.
    â€œGood girl,” Adjoa said gently, going over to pet Pixie’s nose. “She’s feeling nervous. She’s been used to living in a field by herself.”
    â€œIt’s only natural for her to feel unsettled,” Janie said understandingly. “She’s used to you, so why don’t you and Lily lead her around for a little before you take her into the loose box? Call me if you have any problems. Okay?”

    â€œOkay. Thanks.” Adjoa looked over at Lily as Janie went to park her Land Rover. “Janie’s really nice, isn’t she?”
    Lily smiled and nodded. “There are lots of strange new smells here. Why don’t you walk