“Spread out!” Brambleclaw ordered.
Where? Hollypaw tried to make out the signal he must be making with his tail, but it was too dark. Then WindClan were on him, and he disappeared altogether in a mass of shadowy pelts. She stared in terror as two warriors—Weaselfur and Emberfoot—streaked from the gloom, heading straight for her. Their eyes gleamed with hunger for blood. Her paws felt frozen. Then she was tumbling to the ground while claws raked her side like fire in her flesh.
Remember your training!
Anger shot through her like lightning, and she leaped to her paws, claws unsheathed, and lashed out at her attackers.
She caught Weaselfur across the muzzle and felt his blood spatter her fur.
Mousewhisker appeared beside her, his injured eye half-closed, and lunged for Emberfoot, while Hollypaw swiped again at Weaselfur. She had to jump back as Brackenfur rolled past, grappling with Tornear. Weaselfur saw his chance and leaped for her, sending her staggering back with a heavy blow to her cheek. Her paws skidded on the stone path, and she fell. The WindClan warrior’s eyes flashed with triumph as he dropped on her, lips drawn back in a snarl. Blood roared in Hollypaw’s ears as she fought panic. She twisted just in time to avoid the warrior’s sharp teeth, and pushed out with her hind legs.
Yes! She’d caught him in the belly and sent him lurching backward. Leaping onto her paws, she ducked forward and sank her teeth into his hind leg.
“Well done.” Brackenfur was beside her. He reared up and slammed Weaselfur to the ground. Hollypaw lunged again, tasting blood as she sank her teeth into his other hind leg.
The WindClan warrior yowled in agony and streaked away into the shadows.
Hollypaw reared up to scan the battle.
Thornclaw was fighting off two WindClan cats. As he batted one away, the other dived in low, nipping at his legs.
Cloudtail’s white fur glowed in front of the Twoleg nest.
WindClan warriors surrounded him. His pelt is giving him away!
Beside her, Mousewhisker suddenly shrieked. Emberfoot had pinned him to the ground. Mousewhisker was flailing desperately, half-blinded by the scratch to his eye.
“I’ll help him,” Brackenfur hissed. “You help Cloudtail.”
Hollypaw pelted forward, but Brambleclaw was already beside the white warrior. The ThunderClan deputy dragged two WindClan cats from Cloudtail’s back and flung them away like dead leaves. His eyes sparked as he spotted Hollypaw.
“We’re outnumbered,” he hissed. “You’ll have to ask Blackstar for help!”
“Me?” Hollypaw gasped. How could she persuade the ShadowClan leader to fight on behalf of ThunderClan?
“Just do it!” Brambleclaw yowled. “Blackstar would rather have us on their borders than this fox-hearted bunch!”
The two WindClan warriors had scrambled to their paws and were diving back for revenge. Before Brambleclaw disappeared beneath a fury of bristling pelts, he glanced at her. “Go!”
She turned and f led. Fear pulsed in her blood. How would she make it through ShadowClan territory alone? My Clanmates need help. The thought gave her courage. And her black pelt would hide her.
She slid through the shadows along the Twoleg path, veering into the woods when she scented the ShadowClan border.
She had never been this way. How will I find their camp?
Sniffing, she scented her way along, feeling the forest floor change underfoot from broad, slippery leaves to prickly needles. The undergrowth grew sparse around her, the trunks thin and smooth as the territory passed from lush woodland to pine forest. Strong ShadowClan scents made the fur along her spine prickle. She must be crossing the border. Ducking low, she thanked StarClan for the darkness. She didn’t want to be caught by a suspicious patrol; she wanted to get right into the camp to speak directly to Blackstar. She weaved through the woods, staying close to the trees, praying that their shadows would be enough to hide her.
Where’s the camp? Her heart pounded harder. She tasted the air. ShadowClan scent flooded her mouth. Hope fluttered in her belly as she ducked to sniff at the forest floor. A trail!
Countless ShadowClan paws had passed here. It must lead to the camp!
She followed the scent trail on trembling paws and, glancing up, saw a shadow looming ahead. A swath of brambles blocked the path. Could this be the camp? She slowed, pricking her ears. She could hear muffled mewing. A kit cried and the bramble leaves rustled.
This must be the camp.
She padded closer, skirting the brambles, wondering how she could find the entrance.
“Who’s there?” A snarl startled her. She blinked into the gloom as pine needles shifted ahead of her. A cat blocked her path. It was Ivytail; Hollypaw recognized her white-and-tortoiseshell pelt from Gatherings.
Breathing hard, she tried to explain. “I’m Hollypaw of ThunderClan,” she mewed. “Brambleclaw sent me. I must talk with Blackstar.”
Ivytail approached cautiously, whiskers twitching as she sniffed at Hollypaw. She scanned the forest. “Where’s the rest of your patrol?”
“There’s only me.” Hollypaw spotted a gap in the wall of brambles. The entrance? Was Ivytail guarding it?
“No warriors would send an apprentice into enemy territory alone,” Ivytail growled.
Hollypaw dug her claws into the needle-strewn ground. “I must talk to Blackstar,” she repeated. My Clanmates are being torn to shreds.
“Are you planning to distract him while your Clanmates attack?” Ivytail sneered. “How stupid do you think we are?”
Hollypaw’s patience snapped. She shouldered past the ShadowClan warrior and darted for the gap in the brambles.
Ivytail raced after her as she tore through the tunnel and burst into the ShadowClan camp.
“What in the name of StarClan…?” A large tabby tom spun around to face Hollypaw as she skidded to a halt in the clearing.
“Where’s Blackstar?” she demanded.
The tom bristled, his eyes round with surprise.
“Hollypaw!” A familiar voice sounded beside her.
Hollypaw turned, relieved to see Tawnypelt. “You’ve got to help me!” Her mew was choked with desperation.
“Slow down,” Tawnypelt soothed.
“There’s no time to slow down,” Hollypaw panted. “WindClan are attacking, and Brambleclaw’s patrol is outnumbered.
He sent me to get help!”
Tawnypelt stiffened. “Come with me.” She led Hollypaw across the clearing and beckoned her to follow her through a gap in the brambles. Inside, Hollypaw blinked, trying to see in the gloom.
“Blackstar.” Tawnypelt addressed a shadow at the back of the den. “ThunderClan need our help.” She brushed Hollypaw’s flank with her tail and Hollypaw guessed she was inviting her to speak.
“Blackstar.” She dipped her head low. “I’m sorry for breaking into your camp, but it’s a matter of life and death. WindClan have invaded our territory. They’re all over our forest, and we’re outnumbered. You have to help us or they’ll drive us away.”
Blackstar stepped from the shadows, his eyes wide with worry. “Fetch Russetfur,” he whispered to Tawnypelt.
The ShadowClan she-cat slipped from the den, leaving Hollypaw alone with Blackstar.
“How many WindClan warriors?” he asked.
“It seems like all of them, except the elders and kits.”
“Where are they?”
“Brambleclaw’s fighting a patrol at the abandoned Twoleg nest.” Hollypaw tried to stop her voice from shaking. “Firestar followed some to the border, and Dustpelt went to follow another patrol by the lake.”