The Silent Thaw

Bristlefrost blinked in dismay. Did they really believe she’d betray them? “I won’t report you!” Panic sparked through her fur. “I came here to . . .” Her words trailed away as the cats hesitated, stopping and turning to look back at her, staring at her like prey watching a patrol. Why was she here? She hadn’t even been sure she should come. Was she really ready to turn on Bramblestar? Guilt tugged at her belly. He trusted her more than he trusted any other cat in ThunderClan. But something was very wrong with her leader. He’d tried to kill his own daughter. Rootpaw had been right. She’d heard it with her own ears. Bramblestar wasn’t himself. She lifted her muzzle. “I came here to join you.”

Stemleaf looked suspicious. “Join us?”

Around him, the other cats shifted uneasily. Spotfur narrowed her eyes. Sneezecloud and Dappletuft moved closer together, eyeing her distrustfully. Breezepelt flattened his ears.

“I’m worried about Bramblestar,” Bristlefrost blurted. She didn’t want to admit she’d been eavesdropping, but she wanted ThunderClan to go back to normal.

“How long have you been here?” Stemleaf’s hackles lifted.

“Not long,” she told him. “I just heard the last bit,” she told him. “I know Bramblestar’s not really Bramblestar.” She searched Stemleaf’s gaze. Would he believe her? “You want to get rid of him.”

Stemleaf frowned as though trying to decide if he could trust her.

Spotfur pushed past him, her ears twitching angrily. “How did you find out about this meeting?”

“I heard you talking about it with Stemleaf,” Bristlefrost told her.

“So you were spying again?” Spotfur’s mew was hard.

Again. The word stung. Did her Clanmates really think she was a spy? She’d only been trying to help Bramblestar make sure ThunderClan was following the warrior code. “Not spying,” Bristlefrost mewed. “I was coming back from the dirtplace and I heard you telling Twigbranch and Finleap about it. I didn’t mean to overhear.”

Twigbranch padded closer. “Why did you come?”

“I told you.” Bristlefrost swallowed. A small part of her had believed her Clanmates would be pleased to see her. She was disappointed to see that they weren’t. “I’m worried about Bramblestar. He’s been acting weird. But you say it’s not

Bramblestar. And that makes sense. Bramblestar was always kind. He always wanted the best for his Clan, but I think this Bramblestar wants to hurt ThunderClan.” She remembered the scent of fresh-kill at the abandoned Twoleg den. “He doesn’t care who suffers.”

The other cats were creeping closer, circling her. Their tails flicked uneasily, but there was interest in their gazes. She noticed Rootpaw and felt her chest loosen. He’d trust her, wouldn’t he? They were friends.

“We’re going to ask Shadowsight about his visions,” Rootpaw told her. “He might be able to give us a clue about who the impostor is.”

Bristlefrost thought it was a good plan, but she had a better one. “Then what?” She didn’t wait for an answer. “We have to expose Bramblestar. It’s the only way we’ll be safe. We need the support of more powerful cats.”

“More powerful?” Frecklewish swished her tail. “Shadowsight is a medicine cat. So am I. Leaders listen to us.”

“But Shadowsight is a ShadowClan cat, and you’re SkyClan. We need more support in ThunderClan.” Bristlefrost glanced around at the watching cats, relieved as their fur smoothed. They believed she was here to help. She went on. “There’s a cat in ThunderClan who already suspects Bramblestar’s not Bramblestar. If we can persuade her to join us, we might be able to get rid of the impostor without a fight.”

Spotfur pricked her ears. “Who are you talking about?”

Bristlefrost met her gaze. Squirrelflight. She hesitated, swallowing back the name. Would telling them undo the little trust she’d gained? They might not believe me. Squirrelflight was Bramblestar’s deputy. And his mate. She lifted her chin. She had to tell them. The ThunderClan deputy might be their strongest ally. “Squirrelflight.”

“Squirrelflight?” Stemleaf blinked in surprise. “She’s his mate. Why would she turn against him?”

Spotfur nodded. “What if she accuses us of treason?”

Rootpaw stiffened. “She’d never do that!”

Bristlefrost saw his pelt ruffle along his spine. She met his gaze hopefully as the other cats stared at him.

Stemleaf narrowed his eyes. “What makes you so sure?”

“I took her a message from the ghost,” Rootpaw mewed softly.

The cats’ gazes widened.

Tree stepped forward. “I asked him to,” he told them. “The ghost told me I needed to get a message to Squirrelflight, and it was easier for Rootpaw to sneak into the ThunderClan camp without causing suspicion.”

Bristlefrost frowned at Tree in confusion. “The ghost told you?” Hadn’t Rootpaw told her the ghost had spoken to him, not Tree?

“Yes,” Tree answered.

Rootpaw blinked at her imploringly. “Tree can see dead cats,” he mewed. “So the ghost talked to him.”