Shattered Sky

“If any cat is hoarding herbs for their own use,” Darktail continued smoothly, “then I need to know about it. After all, it’s not fair for one cat to keep all the herbs for themselves. They’re for every cat to share!” Darktail licked one paw and smoothed it over his ear. “I think sharing is very important, as I’m sure you know.”

His last words confused Violetpaw. She had seen plenty of evidence that Darktail only shared when it suited his own needs. But she was relieved that she had a good answer to give him.

“No cat stole the herbs or did anything wrong,” she assured him. “Alderheart and Mothwing just came to take Mothwing’s herbs, since she was the one who collected and stored them.”

“Oh, well, yes, of course—their herbs,” Darktail meowed calmly. “That makes a lot of sense. But I have just one more question…”

He paused, and Violetpaw felt her belly lurch with apprehension.

“Which cat exactly told Mothwing and Alderheart that it was okay to come onto our territory to get the herbs?” Darktail asked.

His voice was still friendly, but Violetpaw saw that his eyes were cold and hard. She realized that she was making—no, had already made a terrible mistake.

I should have said I didn’t know anything about the herbs, she thought, trying to fight down panic. Maybe Darktail is just pretending not to be angry.

“I—I’m not sure,” Violetpaw stammered. “I mean, no one cat said it was okay. We all just sort of… agreed.”

Darktail said nothing, just went on staring at her until Violetpaw felt she would never be able to escape from the terrible power of his gaze.

“Am I in trouble?” she asked, her voice no more than a husky whisper.

“Not at all,” Darktail assured her. “You and I have an understanding, don’t we, Violetpaw? We were both kits that no cat wanted.”

“But that’s not true!” Violetpaw began to protest. “The ShadowClan cats were very kind to me, and—”

She broke off, trying not to shudder, as Darktail moved closer to her, so close that she could feel his breath riffling her whiskers.

“I know that feeling well,” Darktail purred. “When one feels unwanted, one might do anything—anything at all—to hold on to the cats one cares about. Even lie to protect them. Isn’t that so, Violetpaw?”

Violetpaw swallowed hard; she couldn’t think of a single thing to say.

“I feel a special connection to you,” Darktail went on, “but that doesn’t mean that I couldn’t make your life very unpleasant if you go on lying to me.” When Violetpaw still didn’t speak, he added, “And it’s not just you that I could punish for your lie.”

Violetpaw felt an icy claw of fear stab her to the heart. Why couldn’t I have kept my big mouth shut? she asked herself despairingly. If I’d told him I didn’t know, he’d have believed me.

“Who exactly said this was okay?” Darktail persisted. “Was it Puddleshine? Or some other cat? Was it Needletail?”

Violetpaw took a step back, but Darktail still held her with his intense gaze, as if he could see right into her mind and watch her memory of the encounter when Alderheart and Mothwing arrived in the RiverClan camp.

“It was Needletail, wasn’t it?” Darktail meowed.

“I—I don’t know… ,” Violetpaw mumbled. “I didn’t really see…”

But it was far too late for that. Darktail bent his head closer still, until Violetpaw could smell his fishy breath.

“I only want to know the truth,” he continued. “I won’t punish Needletail—why should I? She has always been loyal to me. She was one of the first cats to join us.”

Violetpaw desperately wanted to believe him. And if I don’t tell him now, Puddleshine probably will. “Yes,” she whispered, still unsure that she was doing the right thing. “Needletail did say that they could take the herbs.”

“Thank you.” Darktail’s eyes flashed with anger. His gaze raked the camp until he spotted Needletail, who was just emerging from the bushes with a mouse in her jaws. “Needletail!” he called.

He began striding swiftly across the camp toward the silver-gray she-cat, who started at the sound of his voice and dropped the prey she was carrying.

Violetpaw scurried after him. A wave of panic surged through her as Darktail grabbed Needletail roughly by her scruff and flung her to the ground.

“What were you doing, giving away our herbs?” he yowled angrily. “Are you a spy? Are you loyal to the Kin or not? Are you like your friend, that useless mange-pelt Rain?”

Needletail cowered, terrified, under the barrage of questions. She was clearly struggling to stay calm, but Darktail’s furious onslaught had unnerved her.

“You said you wouldn’t punish her!” Violetpaw protested.