Lili the purple lizard stood at the edge of the clearing. Usually, the Moon Pearl hung above the still water, spreading a beautiful silver glow across the moss. Tonight, however, the stones looked dull and the water was dark. The forest felt lonely and unfinished, as if bedtime had forgotten to arrive.
Lili stepped carefully onto the cool ground. She looked up at the empty branch, then slowly circled the water. Nothing was broken, and there were no splashes in the pond. The pearl hadn't fallen; it had been carefully carried away.
Lowering her head, Lili noticed a faint trail of glowing silver dust across the stones. It led straight into the dark tree roots. She followed the sparkly trail, slipping between the roots and damp leaves. Whenever the path grew hard to see, she would spot a tiny glow caught in a drop of dew or shining on a fern.
The forest grew cooler and darker as she walked away from her cozy clearing. Thick moss covered the stones, and the tree branches cast deep shadows. Finally, Lili spotted a small, hidden hollow tucked under a twisted root. A gentle, round white light was glowing safely inside.
Lili stopped right in front of the hollow. The Shadow Lizard was inside. She was curled tightly around the stolen Moon Pearl. The silver light traced the edges of her dark scales. She didn't try to run away; she just held her paw over the pearl as if she were protecting it.
6 chapters
