The Amulet Read Free

sense that she was in pain and
wanted very much to take that pain away from her. Even as the
thought entered her mind, the dog sat upright again and licked the
tears from her face. She responded by throwing her arms around him
and burying her face in his soft white fur. She wasn’t quite sure
how long she’d been hugging the dog until she heard a familiar
voice.
    “Faedra?”
    She reluctantly pulled away from the dog and
looked up into the worried eyes of her father.
    “Yes, Daddy?”
    Her father ran his hand through his hair and
looked at his daughter. He was overwhelmed by how she looked like a
miniature version of her mother. Every time he looked at her, he
could see Lillith. The same beautiful, bright blue eyes with dark
lashes that went on forever, and thick curly red hair that tumbled
half way down her back. He felt blessed to have the two most
beautiful women in his life. He missed Faedra’s mother with an ache
so fierce he thought his heart would shrivel up and die. But was
thankful he still had his beautiful daughter and vowed to do his
very best to keep her safe.
    “Where did he come from?” he asked, looking
at the great white dog standing next to his daughter in a way Henry
could swear was protective.
    “I don’t know, Daddy. He just turned up.
Isn’t he beautiful?”
    “Yes, he certainly is. He looks like a Great
White Pyrenees.”
    Henry checked his thoughts. Usually he would
have been very unnerved seeing a dog the same size as his daughter
in such a close proximity to her, but, like Faedra, all he felt was
a sense of comfort.
    “Can I keep him, Daddy?”
    Henry’s eyebrows shot up. He wasn’t expecting
that question.
    “Well…” he paused.
    “Please, Daddy.”
    Henry knew the moment he looked into his
daughter’s pleading eyes that he was defeated. He also knew the dog
could not replace her mother, but, if this dog could give her just
one ounce of comfort, then it would be a welcome addition to their
family. Right at that moment, gazing deep into his little girl’s
eyes that were so full of pain, he would have given her anything to
ease it.
    “Okay, you can keep him.”
    “Oh, thank you, Daddy! Do you hear that boy?
You can stay with me!”
    Henry watched the dog wag its tail as Faedra
threw her arms around him and, again, bury her face in his fur.
    “What are you going to call him?” Henry
asked.
    “Faen,” she declared without missing a beat.
The dog’s ear pricked up. He pulled away to look at her, and Faedra
thought she saw the dog smile, if it were possible for dogs to
smile. She didn’t know, but she didn’t linger on the thought, and
wrapped her arms around the giant dog’s neck once more.
    “That’s an unusual name.”
    “I know, but it suits him, doesn’t it?” she
said looking proud of herself.
    “Whatever you say, darling. But if you keep
him, then you are responsible for taking him for walks and cleaning
up after him.”
    “I will, Daddy. I promise.” She released Faen
from her grip. “Come on, Faen, I’ll show you my room. That’s where
you’re going to sleep from now on.”
    Henry watched as Faedra lowered herself off
the swing and wandered towards the house, followed closely by Faen
wagging his enormous shaggy tail. Henry scratched his head at the
sight.
     
    Present Day
    Faedra pulled down the indicator lever on the
steering wheel to signal she was turning left. The soft tick-tick
noise it made instilled a sense of relief in her as she turned onto
the driveway that led to the cottage. She was home, and tomorrow
was Saturday. She only made it half way down the driveway before
her shaggy white dog came bounding up towards the car to greet
her.
    She stopped her car and she smiled at him,
rolling her window down as he placed his giant front paws on the
car door and leaned his head in to plant a lolloping wet kiss on
her cheek. She laughed as she grabbed a thick handful of fur on
either side of his head and leaned her cheek against the side of
his face. This