Darkest Night

Fidgetpaw nodded. “One of the clear walls slides open sometimes, and she comes out onto the ledge.” Outside Frecklewish’s nest, a wide slab of stone jutted out, edged by a low wall. “But it’s too far to jump from the ledge to the tree.”

Violetpaw felt dizzy at the thought. The trees tapered at the top, and the gap between the ledge and the treetop was wider than any cat could jump. “If only she were being held in a nest near the bottom.” There, the longer branches reached close to the camp walls. “She could make the jump easily.”

Gravelpaw edged forward. “Nettlesplash managed to sneak through the hive entrance once.”

“It’s like a rabbit warren in there. So many smells and so many Twolegs coming and going.” Nettlesplash shuddered. “I didn’t find Frecklewish’s nest. I was lucky to find my way out.”

Violetpaw scanned the Twoleg hive, her gaze sweeping the smooth walls from the great slab of stone sticking outside Frecklewish’s nest to the ground. The trees weren’t the answer. There had to be another way down. To one side she saw other ledges, smaller than Frecklewish’s. They clung to the side of the huge nest, one under another, from the roof nearly to the ground. They were woven from what looked like thin, black branches. Her pelt prickled with excitement as she realized that each ledge was joined to the one below by a small stretch of steps. At the bottom, there was a long drop to the ground, but the lowest branches of a tree nearly touched the final ledge. If Frecklewish could reach those ledges, she’d be able to use them as an escape. Heart quickening, Violetpaw looked back at Frecklewish’s nest. The stone slab was several tail-lengths from the closest woven ledge. Violetpaw’s breath caught in her throat. Could Frecklewish make the jump? The drop to the ground would be deadly. But it might be Frecklewish’s only chance for escape.

She nudged Hawkwing’s shoulder with her nose. “I’m not sure,” she whispered. “But I think I have an idea.”

CHAPTER 13

The blustery wind threatened rain. Twigpaw glanced anxiously at the swishing branches above the camp.

Finpaw nudged her. “Don’t worry,” he mewed. “You’re safe with me. There’s no way StarClan would let another branch drop on me.”

They had the clearing to themselves. Leafstar was in her den. Tinycloud had taken her kits to the shelter of the nursery. Plumwillow, Harrybrook, and Sandynose were all hunting. Dewpaw was training with Macgyver in the forest, while Leafpool had taken Fallowfern to collect herbs.

Twigpaw had asked to stay in camp. “Finpaw needs company.”

Sandynose had looked unconvinced, but Finpaw had begged and Leafstar had agreed. “Apprentices learn more together than alone,” she had said. Sandynose had frowned but hadn’t argued with the SkyClan leader.

Now Finpaw batted a moss ball toward her.

Twigpaw caught it distractedly. “I hope Violetpaw and Hawkwing are staying dry and warm.” They’d been gone a quarter moon.

“They’ll be fine.” Finpaw hooked the moss ball from her.

She blinked at him. “What if they’re not?”

“What if they’re having a great time?” He flipped the ball into the air and swiped at it, missing. “Are you worried you’ll have nothing to worry about?”

“No.” She nudged him, pretending to be indignant. “Aren’t I allowed to worry about my kin?”

“Not when there’s nothing you can do to help them.”

Twigpaw reached out and knocked the moss ball away from him. “Don’t be such a smart-ears.” A new scent touched her nose. She recognized it at once. “ShadowClan!”

“Where?” As Finpaw looked around, the fern entrance quivered and Juniperclaw strode into camp.

Fallowfern hurried after him. “You can’t just walk into our camp!”

“Really?” Juniperclaw turned on her, pelt bristling. “But you can invade our territory?”

Fallowfern stared at him blankly.

Leafstar shot out of her den in the hollow cedar and slithered down the roots. She crossed the clearing and stood between Fallowfern and Juniperclaw. “She can’t hear you,” she told the ShadowClan warrior.

“Is that why she doesn’t know that you don’t just wander onto another Clan’s land and steal their herbs?”

Fallowfern tipped her head. “Did I do something wrong?”

“No.” Leafstar shooed her away gently with a nod of her head. “I’ll take care of it.”

Fallowfern moved away, her eyes glittering anxiously. “I’m sorry, Leafstar.”

Juniperclaw lashed his tail. “Aren’t you going to punish her?”

“Why?”

“She crossed our border!” Juniperclaw spluttered with outrage. “When I tell Rowanstar, he’ll be furious.”

“Then don’t tell him.” Leafstar sat down.

“Is this how SkyClan acts like our ally?” Juniperclaw growled. “We gave you some of our land, not all of it.”

“She probably didn’t smell your scent line,” Leafstar meowed.

“She’s deaf, not stupid!” Juniperclaw’s ears twitched angrily.

“ShadowClan hasn’t exactly been marking their borders regularly!” Leafstar snapped back.

Juniperclaw glared at her.

Leafstar took a breath. “I’m sorry it happened,” she apologized. “We’re still getting used to our new home.”