Chapter 1

DRAGON GIRLS Book 8 Phoebe the Moonlight Dragon by Maddy Mara

1 The full moon was rising as Phoebe got ready for bed. Tonight it looked closer than usual. The moonlight shone through her window, bathing her room in a beautiful silvery glow that felt magical. Phoebe wasn't a big fan of the dark. In fact, she hated it! But when the moon was big and round like this, it was like having a night-light on. It kept her company and made her feel safe. Phoebe put her jeans and T-shirt in the laundry basket and slipped into her pajamas. They were

her favorite ones, with a swirling galaxy design. Often when she wore them, Phoebe would have dreams about being in a rocket ship, shooting through space. In these dreams, Phoebe was always with her best friends, Rosie and Stella. The three girls did everything together, including Sleepover Club most Friday nights. The original idea had been that they'd take turns sleeping at one another's houses, but Phoebe often

asked Rosie and Stella to sleep at hers. Sometimes she got homesick, especially in the middle of the night when everything was dark and quiet. She felt more relaxed when Sleepover Club was at her home. Then she could make sure that her bedroom door was open just the right amount so that the light from the hallway filtered in. And secretly, she liked knowing her parents were only a couple of rooms away. At the most recent sleepover, something very strange had happened. Phoebe, Rosie, and Stella had been transported to a magical forest. And in that forest, they had become Dragon Girls! Not just any dragons, either. They were Night Dragons. Their adventure had been like the best dream ever, except it had actually happened. Phoebe loved feeling so powerful. She often felt nervous in her normal life, but nothing was scary when you were as strong as a dragon. And the flying! It had been a little difficult at first, but the more she practiced, the better she became. Phoebe often dreamed about flying, so actually

doing it was incredible. Especially with her friends by her side. Phoebe pulled on her robe and went to stand by her window. She opened it so the night air flowed in. It had been a warm day, and the evening had yet to cool down completely. Phoebe leaned against her windowsill, looking out over the neighbors' yards. The Tree Queen, the ruler of the Magic Forest, had told Phoebe and her friends that they would be needed again soon. Phoebe had been worried when she first heard that they were going on a quest. She did not think of herself as brave. But when the Tree Queen explained that the evil Fire Queen was trying to banish nighttime from the Magic Forest, she knew they had to help. Even though Phoebe didn't like the dark, there were still lots of things she loved about nighttime. Sleepover Club, for instance! Gazing up at the moon each night was wonderful, too, seeing it wax and wane. She also loved snuggling up in her comfy bed and feeling like she was floating on a cloud as she fell asleep. And the way that her

dreams took her to all kinds of wild places? That was worth fighting for! As Phoebe looked up at the moon, she noticed that the moonlight was different somehow. Rather than its usual pale, silvery color, it was almost aqua. There was something else strange going on. Phoebe could hear distant singing. Magic Forest, Magic Forest, come explore… Phoebe felt a tingle of excitement. She had heard that song when she traveled into the Magic Forest last time! That had been on Friday, a Sleepover Club night. But tonight was Tuesday. Was she about to return to the forest anyway? And would Rosie and Stella be there, too? Phoebe was dying to go back to the Magic Forest, but she knew she wouldn't enjoy it so much if she was alone. Magic Forest, Magic Forest, come explore… The song was louder now. The aqua light from the moon seemed to be shining directly on