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going on?” she asked as her mom hung up the phone.
    â€œAdjoa left a note saying she couldn’t handle giving up Pixie, and some of her clothes are missing. Mrs. Hardiker was hoping she’d come over here. But it’s beginning to look like Adjoa has run away with Pixie.”
    â€œOh no!” Lily gasped.

Chapter NINE
    â€œIt’ll be dark soon. Adjoa must be so scared. We have to find her and tell her the news about Greengates!” Lily said to Storm as soon as they were alone in her bedroom.
    Storm nodded. “I will take us to Adjoa’s house and see if I can pick up a fresh trail.”
    Lily felt a familiar warm tingling down her back as gold sparks crackled in Storm’s sandy fur and a fountain of golden glitter streamed out of his tail. There was a bright flash and a whooshing sensation and suddenly Lily found herself standing with Storm outside Pixie’s field at the back of Adjoa’s house.
    Storm sniffed around, picking up Pixie’s scent. Moments later, he stiffened. Lily saw that his moist brown nose was glowing like a gold nugget. “This way!” he barked, setting off at a run.
    Lily followed Storm away from the field and through the streets. They hurried along the main road and then toward the edge of town. The street lights had already come on. Overhead the first stars had begun twinkling in the sky.
    Lily grew hot and sweaty as she and Storm followed Pixie’s trail, but she wasn’t tired. Gold sparks flashed past her as Storm’s magic made them travel in double-quick time. Gradually Lily realized where they were heading.
    â€œGreengates is just over there. Adjoa must have taken the bridle path. I bet she’s planning to hide in the woods overnight. She’ll probably take the short cut across the fields,” she told Storm.
    A few minutes later, Storm barked and wagged his tail. “Over there!”
    In the twilight, Lily could just make out the figure of a pony and rider against the shadowy bushes. The moon came out from behind a cloud and Lily could see more clearly. “It’s them!” she cried.
    Lily saw that Pixie was trotting toward the familiar field gate. “That ditch! Adjoa’s heading straight for it. Those prickly branches have been cleared away since I told Janie about it, but a pony could still break her leg if she stumbles into it. I bet she’s too upset to remember it’s there and Pixie won’t see it in the dark!”
    Storm’s midnight-blue eyes flashed. Another rainbow of sparks shot out ahead of him and he leaped forward into the stream of light. Lily felt herself shooting through the air beside him. She and Storm landed a few feet in front of Adjoa and Pixie.

    Lily walked forward, holding up her arms. “It’s me, Lily! Adjoa, stop!”
    Adjoa reined Pixie in. The pony’s ears swiveled and her head came up, but she halted calmly a few paces away from the ditch.
    â€œLily! What are you doing here? How did you find me?” Adjoa cried.
    â€œDon’t worry about that now,” Lily said. “That ditch I fell into the other day is right in front of you. Pixie could have stumbled into it. Come over here. I have to tell you something.”
    Adjoa urged Pixie over to one side, but she didn’t dismount. She looked shaken, but determined. “Thanks for reminding me about that ditch. But if you’re going to try and persuade me to go back home, don’t bother!” Adjoa said, looking down at Lily.
    â€œAdjoa, listen! I’ve got some great news,” Lily said quickly before her friend could decide to ride away. “I talked with Janie at Greengates. She’s willing to take Pixie into her stable on the condition that you let her be used for the riding school.”
    â€œReally?” Adjoa looked stunned, but her hands loosened on the reins. Her shoulders relaxed as she thought about it. “I wouldn’t mind little kids riding Pixie and