Night Whispers

Tigerheart touched his nose to hers. “Thank you,” he murmured. Dovepaw felt a rush of affection for him. “I just hope we get some herbs soon,” Tigerheart went on. “Otherwise the Clan is going to starve to death while we’re scraping the forest floor for leaves.”

“Watch this.” Dovepaw scuttled backward to the top of the slope. She was going to distract Tigerheart even if it meant falling on her nose. She crouched, pushed up hard with her hind legs, and stretched her forepaws back over her head, trying to reach her tail. Arcing her belly toward the sky, she reached for the ground, praying that she’d manage to complete the backflip.

She landed on her chin with a thump that knocked the wind from her. Thrusting her claws through the snow into the frozen forest floor, she managed to stop herself from rolling down the slope.

Tigerheart was purring with amusement. “Smooth landing.”

“Keep watching.” She scrabbled to her paws and crouched down, ready to try again, but Tigerheart laid his tail over her shoulders.

“Wait a moment.”

“What?” She looked at him.

His front paw flicked up and a clump of snow hit her on the nose.

“Hey!” Dovepaw leaped to her feet, scooped up a pawful, and flung it at him. Tigerheart ducked as the snow sailed past his ear. Dovepaw lunged at him playfully and tumbled him into the snow.

“Whoa!” Tigerheart pretended to lose his balance and rolled over and over down the short, steep slope, holding Dovepaw in his strong grip. She squeaked as they rolled to a halt. Out of breath, they lay entangled in each other’s paws. Dovepaw felt a surge of happiness so strong that she broke into a purr.

Then she stiffened.

“What?” Tigerheart tensed beside her.

“Paw steps.” She had forgotten to listen out for danger. Now she could hear fur brushing bracken and pads scraping over the frost-crusted snow. “Someone’s coming.”

“Who?”

Dovepaw tasted the air. Her tail bushed out. “Ivypaw!”

Too late!

Her sister’s white face appeared at the top of the slope. “I knew it!” she hissed.

Dovepaw lifted her chin. “You knew ages ago!”

“But now I’ve seen it for myself.” Ivypaw’s eyes glittered.

Tigerheart straightened up beside Dovepaw. “You’re on ShadowClan territory,” he challenged.

“So’s she!” Ivypaw snorted. “At least I’m not betraying my Clan.”

Dovepaw flashed with rage. “You betray us every night in the Dark Forest!”

Did Tigerheart flinch? Dovepaw glanced at him. His gaze was fixed on Ivypaw.

Ivypaw lifted her tail. “Are you going to tell her, Tigerheart, or should I?”

Dovepaw leaned forward, her ears flat. “Don’t start that again!” There’s no way Tigerheart would train in the Dark Forest!

Ivypaw’s gaze was still locked with Tigerheart’s. Dovepaw felt a chill along her spine.

“You see?” Ivypaw snarled at Tigerheart. “My sister doesn’t believe me.” The tip of her tail began to twitch. “Perhaps she’ll believe you.”

No! Dovepaw began to back away. Please don’t let Tigerheart be part of the Dark Forest too.

Bracken rustled behind Ivypaw. Dovepaw gasped as Tigerheart shoved her underneath a pile of dead brambles. “Stay still,” he hissed.

Dovepaw flattened herself against the ground and held her breath. The air was thick with ShadowClan scents.

“What’s happening here?” She recognized Smokefoot’s deep growl.

Tigerheart’s paws scrabbled on the snow. “I found her near the border.”

Trembling, Dovepaw peered through the tendrils. She could just make out Smokefoot and Applefur at the top of the slope. The ShadowClan warriors were glowering at Ivypaw.

Tigerheart puffed his chest out beside the ThunderClan apprentice. “I was about to bring her back to camp so Blackstar could question her.”

“Really?” Applefur narrowed his eyes. “Why were you wandering about in the middle of the night?”

Smokefoot leaned closer. “You weren’t assigned to a moonhigh patrol.”

Tigerheart met Smokefoot’s gaze. “I couldn’t sleep.”

The ShadowClan warrior turned to Ivypaw. “What are you doing on ShadowClan land?”

Dovepaw’s heart quickened.

“I was looking for prey.”

Please believe her!

“It’s a strange time to be hunting,” Applefur challenged.

“Food is scarce,” Ivypaw answered. “I thought there might be some night prey.”

“On ShadowClan land?” Smokefoot challenged.

“I didn’t realize I’d crossed the border.”

“Can’t ThunderClan apprentices smell? Come on,” Smokefoot hissed. “Let’s take her back to the camp.”

Dovepaw fought panic as she listened to the ShadowClan cats lead her sister away. Tigerheart, protect her! she pleaded silently.

As soon as they were out of hearing distance, she crawled out from the brambles and dashed for the border. Ivypaw had been captured by ShadowClan! But I can’t tell anyone!