Shattered Sky

Darktail looked surprised and a little offended. “Have you forgotten that you swore an oath of kinship to the cats here?” he asked.

“We did,” Loki replied, looking puzzled, “but how can we be part of your Kin when we’re not actually kin to you?”

That’s a good question, Violetpaw thought.

Darktail’s voice was cold and calm as he replied. “The blood that bonds cats as kin is nothing compared to the blood a cat is prepared to spill to protect those around them. That means so much more, don’t you think?”

For a couple of heartbeats the kittypets were silent, and Zelda exchanged an uncertain glance with Violetpaw.

The blood a cat is prepared to spill? Is Darktail planning another battle?

Then Loki shrugged. “I guess so,” he mewed.

“I just need you to stay for a few more days,” Darktail continued smoothly. “Tomorrow you’ll start learning how to fight, in case those fiendish Clan cats attack again.”

At the idea of fighting, the kittypets looked even more uncertain. “Is that likely to happen?” Zelda asked.

“Anything can happen,” Darktail responded.

“Well,” Max meowed after another moment’s hesitation, “I guess if it’s just for another day or two, we’ll stay. I remember once I got lost, and it took two days for me to find my way back to my housefolk. I’m pretty sure they won’t panic—as long as I’m not away from the den for too long.”

Loki and Zelda both nodded. “Okay,” Loki agreed.

Violetpaw felt a twinge of anxiety in her belly. She remembered the night she had spent with the rogues when she was in ShadowClan, and how that had led to the rogues moving into ShadowClan territory.

What is Darktail planning now? she wondered.

Raven and Sleekwhisker padded up to escort Max and Loki to dens for the night, leaving Zelda with Violetpaw.

“Come on,” Violetpaw mewed to her new friend. “I’ll show you where to sleep.”

“Good night,” Darktail purred, dipping his head and watching them as they went.

Violetpaw took Zelda with her to the apprentices’ den. Or what was the apprentices’ den, back when we had apprentices and mentors. These days, most Kin cats sleep where they like.

Together the two she-cats settled into Violetpaw’s nest of moss and bracken. Zelda was soon asleep, curled up with her tail over her nose and letting out little snores. But Violetpaw stayed awake as twilight deepened into night. It felt good to have Zelda cuddled up next to her, reminding Violetpaw of the time when she’d had her sister, Twigpaw, with her in the ShadowClan camp.

But as she gazed up at the stars between the branches that overhung the den, Violetpaw’s anxiety still gripped her like a badger’s claw.

Why does Darktail want these kittypets? Why does he need more cats willing to spill blood for him?

Chapter 7

The early morning sunlight slanted through the trees, shedding blotches of golden light on the forest floor. Alderheart enjoyed the warmth on his fur as he scoured the ground outside the camp, sniffing at each clump of new growth. Now that his Clanmates’ injuries from the battle were beginning to heal, the medicine-cat den was much quieter; Alderheart had taken the chance to restock the herb stores.

He spotted a tuft of comfrey, nipped off a few stems with his teeth, and headed back through the thorn tunnel into the camp. As he passed the apprentices’ den, he hesitated for a moment, then padded over and stuck his head through the barrier of ferns that screened the entrance.

It took a moment for his eyes to adjust from the strong sunlight outside, but then he could make out the mound of Twigpaw’s back where she lay curled deep in her mossy nest.

She was so disappointed yesterday, when Bramblestar decided not to send out a patrol to look for SkyClan, he remembered. She has always wanted to have kin in the Clan. I was disappointed myself, but I can understand. There is a lot going on with the Clans right now. He let out a long sigh. Perhaps we can go look for SkyClan when we’ve dealt with the rogues.

“Do you really think that the cat you saw in your vision could be my kin?” she had asked Alderheart then.

Alderheart could see the desperation in her eyes. “Yes, I do,” he assured her. “And even though Bramblestar can’t send out a patrol just yet, we are not going to ignore SkyClan.”