Shattered Sky

Violetpaw’s pelt itched uncomfortably, as if ants were crawling through it, as she listened to the two rogues discussing her Clanmates. Do they ever talk about me like that? she wondered.

While Darktail and Rain were conferring, Needletail crept out of the den, but Violetpaw lingered a little longer, easing herself back into the shadows. Though she didn’t like what she was overhearing, she was pleased to see how well the two cats were getting along.

It hasn’t been that long since Rain challenged Darktail for the leadership and Darktail half blinded him, she reflected. She felt warmed and comforted at the thought that the larger group of cats—the ones Darktail had started to call their Kin—was more important to them than their rivalry.

Darktail’s comments and replies to Rain grew shorter as the wounded leader grew tired, and eventually he settled down to sleep.

“I ought to go and check on some of the other injured cats,” Puddleshine meowed when he was settled, “but I don’t want to leave Darktail alone.” He was turning to Violetpaw, as if he was about to ask her to stay, and Violetpaw would have been happy to offer, but Rain forestalled them before either of them could speak.

“Don’t worry, Puddleshine. I’ll stay until you come back.”

“Thanks, Rain.” Puddleshine gathered a few herbs and went out.

Violetpaw followed him and wandered around the camp for a while, wondering if she ought to go back and finish off the elders’ ticks. But she knew she would only get another lecture about how worthless the young cats of today were, compared with Oakfur and Ratscar when they were young.

Finally she decided to find a good piece of prey and take it to Darktail for when he woke up. He’s pretty badly hurt, and he was really kind to me about how I fought in the battle. He ought to eat well so he can build up his strength while he’s recovering.

Violetpaw headed for the fresh-kill pile and took her time picking out a plump shrew. She spotted Puddleshine on the far side of the camp, making Scorchfur stretch out his leg to show how his injured shoulder was healing. Carrying the prey in her jaws, she headed back to the medicine-cat den.

But when she emerged from the bramble tunnel, she halted in shock, letting the shrew drop from her gaping jaws. Rain was lying on top of Darktail, his paws over the rogue leader’s nose and mouth. Darktail was struggling feebly and making a terrible choking noise.

Violetpaw stifled a gasp of horror, realizing that Rain was trying to cut off Darktail’s air and kill him. Rain hasn’t forgiven Darktail at all!

Frozen by the sight in front of her, all Violetpaw could do was watch as Darktail’s struggles grew slower. When the big tom was finally still, blood staining the fur around his nose and mouth, Rain rose to his paws, turned, and spotted Violetpaw. His green eyes narrowed, and he began to stride slowly toward her.

Violetpaw had never been so frightened in her life. Her heart thrummed in her chest and she could barely breathe. I wasn’t supposed to see that, she thought, terror turning her muscles to stone so that she couldn’t even flee. Now he will kill me, too!

Before Rain could reach her, he was attacked by a flash of white.

Darktail was not dead.

Violetpaw flattened herself to the ground as the rogue leader reared up over Rain. She didn’t want to watch, but she couldn’t tear her gaze away as Darktail hurled himself forward and drew his claws across Rain’s throat with a single powerful slash.

Rain staggered, his mouth opening and blood spilling over the fur on his chest. The stench of it filled the medicine-cat den. Then Rain’s legs gave way and he dropped at Darktail’s paws. Choking back a screech of terror, Violetpaw flinched away to avoid the sticky stream of blood that flowed from his throat.

Darktail looked down at the long-furred gray tom’s spasmodically jerking body, then raised his head to meet Violetpaw’s horrified gaze. His voice was rough and hoarse as he spoke.

“I always knew that Rain would betray me.”

Chapter 4

Alderheart passed his paws carefully down Twigpaw’s leg, feeling the muscles and bone beneath. The young she-cat didn’t react at all, just stared dully at nothing.

“How is she doing?” Leafpool asked, looking up from where she was helping Briarlight with her stretching exercises.

“Much better,” Alderheart replied. “Her leg was only badly wrenched, after all, not broken. Did I hurt you just then?” he asked Twigpaw, who just shook her head in answer.

“That’s great!” Briarlight meowed cheerfully. “But I’ll miss you, Twigpaw, when you go back to the apprentices’ den.”