Эрин Хантер - Fading Echoes

Foul breath stirred the fur on Jayfeather’s spine. “You’re wrong.”

The two cats spun around.

Tigerstar sat in the middle of the trail, staring at them, his eyes lazy with contempt. “There’s no code to say what can and can’t happen here.” His gaze flicked to Hawkfrost. “It’s your world that’s restricted by petty rules and expectations.”

Anger surged through Jayfeather. “A true warrior’s heart needs no rules! It can do no evil!” he blurted.

Amusement lit Tigerstar’s amber gaze. He turned to Spottedleaf. “Don’t you just love his innocence?”

Spottedleaf straightened. “It’s goodness, not innocence.”

“Do good cats creep around and spy on others?”

A low growl rumbled in her throat. “They do when there is no other way to find out what’s going on.”

Tigerstar’s eyes rounded. “You could have just come to me and asked whatever you wanted to know.”

“Very well.” Jayfeather sat up, forcing his trembling shoulders to relax. “Why are you training cats from the Clans?”

Tigerstar gazed around the forest. “I see no Clan cats here.” Then he fixed Jayfeather with a look so cold, Jayfeather had to sink his claws into the ground to stop his legs from shaking. “The only Clan cats here are you two. And you’re trespassing.” His foul breath washed over Jayfeather’s muzzle as he leaned closer. “Which makes you the only cats here breaking rules.” He blinked. “Didn’t Brokenstar order you to leave?”

How does he know that?

“Why bother training these cats in killing blows?” Spotted leaf glared at Tigerstar.

The warrior flicked his tail. “Why not?”

“You’re already dead!”

Tigerstar shrugged. “That’s no reason to lose our fighting skills.”

Jayfeather let out a low hiss. “What do you need fighting skills for here?” he challenged.

“Once a warrior, always a warrior,” Tigerstar purred.

Spottedleaf took a step forward. “You gave up the honor of being a warrior in the heartbeat you decided to kill Bluestar!” she snapped. “You can’t steal warriors from the Clans and turn them against their own Clanmates!”

“Really?” Tigerstar lifted a paw and unsheathed his claws. “Says who?”

Jayfeather thrust his muzzle into Tigerstar’s face. “ We do!”

Tigerstar batted him away.

Jayfeather huffed as he hit the floor, wincing at the pain burning his ear. He scrambled to his paws and faced Tigerstar again. There was no way Jayfeather was going to let this dead warrior think he was scared to fight him.

“Don’t bother,” growled the dark warrior. “It’s a fight you can’t win.” He turned away. “Now get out of here before I pass you over to my friends for practice.”

“Come on,” Spottedleaf whispered. “There’s nothing more we can do here.”

Jayfeather hurried after Spottedleaf, gagging as Snowtuft’s agonized yowl rang through the trees behind them.

Lionblaze couldn’t sleep. Had Jayfeather discovered something at the Moonpool? Was he walking in another cat’s dreams right now? They had to find out who their enemies were before it was too late.

Lionblaze sat up and gazed past the bough that arched over his nest. The half-moon trembled through the rustling leaves, and Silverpelt glittered beyond. Bathed in crystal light, his Clanmates huddled in nests around him. Were any of them being trained by Tigerstar in their dreams?

Brackenfur? The golden warrior twitched his flank. No way. What weakness could Tigerstar exploit in him?

Squirrelflight? However much Lionblaze resented her for the lies she had told, for letting him, Brambleclaw, and every cat in every Clan believe that she was his mother, he couldn’t believe she would ever be persuaded to betray her Clanmates.

Dustpelt? The dusky tom often argued with Firestar, but Lionblaze suspected the two warriors relished their disagreements, sparking off each other and never holding grudges.

Whitewing? Never. Just…never.

His gaze rested on Thornclaw. Maybe. He had been good friends with Ashfur. Perhaps he should ask Jayfeather to visit Thornclaw’s dreams.

Leafpool? No cat from the Dark Forest would be mouse-brained enough to think she’d turn against her Clanmates.

What about Cinderheart?

The gray she-cat lifted her head. “Lionblaze?”

Lionblaze blinked. What was he thinking? How could he doubt his Clanmates? “I can’t sleep,” he whispered.

Cinderheart yawned. “Let’s go for a walk.” She hopped from her nest, landing delicately between the pools of bracken, and weaved her way into what was left of the clearing.

Lionblaze followed, glad of her company. If anyone could chase away his dark thoughts, it was Cinderheart.

Her gray pelt shone under the stars, her eyes almost black in the half-light. “Look out!” she hissed over her shoulder as Lionblaze’s tail brushed over Graystripe’s nose. “He might dream it’s a mouse and bite off the tip.”

Lionblaze stifled a snort of amusement. Graystripe probably could eat in his sleep.

“Come on.” Cinderheart bounded to the thorn barrier. Newly shored up with fresh branches, it shielded the opening to the hollow as well as ever. She squeezed through the gap and Lionblaze headed after her.

Outside, a cold breeze stirred the empty trees.

“Forest or shore?” Cinderheart offered.

“Forest.” Lionblaze didn’t feel like wandering along the exposed lakeside. The pathways of the forest were easier to move along unnoticed. And if they reached the ShadowClan border, he could check for Tigerheart’s scent. He padded along the gully, wading through dead leaves. Cinderheart scampered past, kicking them up so that they showered his pelt. She raced ahead before he could retaliate and waited, puffing, for him to catch up, her soft form silhouetted in the moonlight.

“Have you noticed that Ivypaw and Dovepaw are avoiding each other?”

Her question took him by surprise.

“No.”

“You should watch them,” Cinderheart suggested. “They hardly ever share a mouse anymore.”

“Littermates argue.” Lionblaze shrugged. He and Hollyleaf had always bickered, especially when she was at her bossiest. Grief pricked him and he pushed away the thought.

“Not Dovepaw and Ivypaw,” Cinderheart persisted. “They’ve always been so close.” Her blue eyes grew wistful. “But I guess I used to quarrel with Honeyfern and Molepaw when they were alive.”

Cinderheart looked so sad that Lionblaze wanted to remind her she still had kin in the Clan. “You haven’t fallen out with Poppyfrost in moons.”

“She’s too busy with Cherrykit and Molekit to argue.” Cinderheart brightened. “They’re a pawful, aren’t they?”

“Only when they’re awake,” Lionblaze purred. They hadn’t come out here to grieve for lost littermates. He wanted to forget his worries for a while. He padded up a slope and headed around a swath of brambles tumbling between the oaks.

Cinderheart padded at his side, her pelt occasionally brushing his as she squeezed past snagging branches. “But I do wish Ivypaw weren’t so competitive with Dovepaw.” She sighed.

“That’s natural with apprentices.”

“It’s only since Dovepaw was chosen to go on the quest,” Cinderheart commented. “I think that’s what started it.” She turned her gaze on Lionblaze. “Why did Firestar choose her? She’s only an apprentice. I heard some cats saying she had a dream from StarClan. Is that true?”