Wendy Leighton-Porter

A shaft of moonlight shone through the small window, illuminating the spot where Max stood. He glanced up at the silvery beam that turned his coat to white, feeling his skin tingle and his fur crackle with electricity.
‘On this night of Samhain, by the light of the moon,
Depart ye now but come back soon.’

‘Tamburlaine, my friend, it breaketh my heart to be parted from thee and it pains me greatly to think I will never see thy dear face again.’ Straightening up, with tears in his eyes, he took a folded piece of parchment from his drawstring purse and tucked it carefully under Max’s collar.

‘Welcome to the Guardians of Time Training Camp, 009 Lives!’ The robed figure threw back his head and laughed. ‘I might have known you’d be the first to question why you’ve been brought here. You’ve already been on too many missions to meekly accept your presence here without a word. You are here undercover, and this is all very hush, hush. Do you understand?’
Bewildered, Max shook his head uncertainly. ‘Does that mean we’re not allowed to speak?’
‘It means that everything that takes place here is top secret, 009 Lives.’