Erin Hunter - Path of Stars

“Do you think he’ll change his mind?” Clear Sky lifted his chin hopefully.

“Thunder will listen to reason,” Gray Wing reassured him. Especially if I’m the one who reasons with him. But what would they do at the meeting?

Clear Sky’s eyes brimmed with gratitude. “Thank you.”

“Come on,” Tall Shadow urged as she slid out of camp.

As Clear Sky disappeared after her through the gap in the gorse, Gray Wing had an idea. That’s it!

Wind Runner frowned at him. “Do you really think it’s a good idea to meet with these rogues and promise them a share of our prey?”

Gray Wing’s whiskers twitched. “We only promised to meet the rogues. We never promised our prey.”

Wind Runner’s eyes widened. “But what will they do when we refuse—”

Gray Wing interrupted her. “They won’t be able to do anything,” he told her. “I have a plan.”

Clear Sky’s pelt rippled along his spine. Above him, the half-moon shone in a crow-black sky. The last leaves of leaf-fall fluttered around him as a bone-deep chill gripped the forest. He pricked his ears, listening for the reassuring patter of prey or the call of an owl. But the forest had been silent since he’d left camp. It was as though everything was waiting for the outcome of tonight’s meeting.

Who would come?

Clear Sky quickened his pace as he neared the rim of the four trees hollow.

Tall Shadow had promised she’d be there; Wind Runner, too. He knew River Ripple would be true to his word. The leader of the river cats was probably already waiting for him beneath the great oaks. But what about Thunder? Had Gray Wing managed to persuade him?

Fear sparked through Clear Sky’s blood. The long quarter moon of sleepless nights had exhausted him. Fear was his only energy now. And hope. He longed to see Star Flower’s face. He hurried faster as he imagined her waiting beside Slash in the four trees hollow. Would she be okay? Had the rogues treated her well? He tried not to think what she might have suffered at their paws.

What if she wasn’t there? What if Slash didn’t show up? It might be a trick. He tried to silence the echoing doubt that had nagged him day and night. What if calling the leaders to a meeting was part of a scheme to leave the camps vulnerable?

Clear Sky narrowed his eyes. He’d made sure his campmates were prepared, assigning each cat to a position and warning them to be on their guard. Nettle and Thorn were stationed at the camp entrance. Birch and Alder stalked the woods for signs of intruders. Sparrow Fur and Blossom watched from the oak bough that overhung the clearing, while Acorn Fur and Quick Water hid in the shadows below. If any rogue tried to invade, they would meet fierce resistance. He hoped the other leaders had taken similar precautions.

“Clear Sky?”

As he neared the top of the four trees hollow, a call echoed through the trees. He stopped, his heart quickening.

The voice sounded again. “Is that you?”

He recognized Tall Shadow’s mew. Tasting for her scent, he hurried forward, his apprehension easing as her familiar smell bathed his tongue.

She slid out of the darkness, hardly more than a shadow herself. “River Ripple’s waiting at the other side of the hollow.” She led him from the cover of the forest and stopped at the top of the slope.

Clear Sky padded after her and followed her gaze toward the shape at the hollow’s rim on the far side. It was River Ripple, a pale silhouette against the undergrowth.

Tall Shadow plunged over the edge of the slope and threaded her way through the bracken. Clear Sky followed, nosing through the fronds as he tracked her zigzagging route to the bottom.

Grass swished on the far side as River Ripple hurried to meet them, his long silver fur rippling in the moonlight.

Clear Sky broke from the bracken and padded into the clearing. Cold washed over his face. Chilly air had pooled at the bottom of the hollow, and he moved through it like a fish through icy water. Heat pulsed beneath his pelt as he struggled against fear. He scanned the clearing quickly, his heart beating so hard that he could hear his blood pulsing in his ears. At one end, the great rock rose in the moonlight like a massive curled claw. Beyond it he saw, with a surge of gratitude, Wind Runner’s wiry frame. She was heading toward him.

He strained to see past her through the darkness. Had Gray Wing persuaded Thunder to come too?

Bracken rustled on the forest slope behind him. Clear Sky jerked his head around and recognized his son’s broad shoulders as Thunder pushed his way into the clearing. His orange pelt glowed blue in the moonlight.

“Thunder!” Joy flooded Clear Sky’s belly. He ignored the prick of resentment he felt at the fact that Gray Wing had persuaded his son to help him when he had failed. But how could he begrudge

Gray Wing his influence? He had been more of a father to Thunder than Clear Sky ever had.

Tall Shadow and River Ripple stopped beside Clear Sky and waited for Thunder to join them.

“I can smell rogue scent,” Thunder growled.

“Is it fresh?” Wind Runner asked.

A voice rang from the great rock. “Of course it’s fresh.” There was amusement in the mew.

Clear Sky spun and stared up at the rock. His breath caught in his throat. He’d waited a quarter moon for this moment. Dread spiked his pelt. He could smell rogue stench, and the scent of the other leaders, but something was missing.

Slash stood on top. Six rogues flanked him. They watched, as unmoving as stone in the moonlight, their dull pelts clinging to their lean bodies. The gleam in their eyes betrayed menace behind their stillness.

“I hoped you would come.” Slash padded to the edge of the rock and looked down, scorn flashing in his gaze.

Clear Sky curled his lip as anger swept his fear away. “You gave us no choice.”

Slash snorted. “I gave you no choice, Clear Sky.” His gaze flicked to the other leaders. “ They have no reason to be here. What do they care if you never see Star Flower or your kits again?”

Clear Sky’s heart lurched. “Then why did you insist I bring them with me?”

Amusement flickered through Slash’s whiskers. “I just wanted to see if you could persuade them.”

Wind Runner flicked her tail angrily. “What if he hadn’t?”

“I’d have dealt with Star Flower and found another way to make you share your prey,” Slash told her.

Dealt with Star Flower? Clear Sky’s tail twitched with fear. What did he mean? He suddenly felt as helpless as a kit. Where was she? He opened his mouth, reaching for her scent and realizing with a jolt which scent had been missing. Hers!

Thunder bristled. “How dare you threaten us!”

Slash flicked his tail, his gaze flashing toward the other rogues. They moved forward, hissing, and stood at the edge of the rock. “Do you really want to argue with me, Thunder?” Slash asked.

Thunder flattened his ears. “What makes you so sure we’ll agree to share our prey?”

Slash’s gaze flicked over the leaders. “The same thing that made you come tonight. You don’t want to see Clear Sky lose his mate and his kits.”

Clear Sky darted forward, snarling up at the great rock. “Where is Star Flower?” Panic quickened his thoughts. Terror hollowed his belly. “Is she okay?”

Slash paused, his gaze burning into Clear Sky’s.

Rage seized Clear Sky. The rogue was playing with him like prey, prolonging his suffering for his own warped enjoyment. “Where is she?” he repeated.