“Help him find his faith again,” Runningnose repeated. The old tom was fading, growing transparent like the forest around him.

“Help me!” Littlecloud begged. But the forest had disappeared.

Jaypaw blinked open his eyes and found himself in darkness beside the Moonpool. He got to his paws, frustrated. What did it matter to him if Blackstar was turning into a birdbrain? Surely it was better if ShadowClan were led by a senile old fool?

Leafpool was stirring beside him. “Did you dream of anything?” she whispered.

“No,” Jaypaw replied, still feeling out of sorts. “Nothing that matters.”

CHAPTER 10

A fox screeched from deep in the forest. Hollypaw stirred in her nest as its bark echoed around the walls of the camp and crept into her dreams. “Not in the tunnels,” she murmured.

“What?” Lionpaw rolled over beside her, but Hollypaw didn’t answer. She had fallen back into sleep, slipping into the dream again.

A tunnel stretched away in front of her, disappearing into shadow. The dark river frothed and swirled at her tail. Heavy paws padded down the tunnel toward her, claws scraping against the rock floor. The stench of fox filled her nose. Her pelt pricked in terror as she saw a shape forming from the shadows, eyes glowing in the dark. Fox! She backed away, feeling the river tugging at her hind paws. The shape kept coming, eyes unblinking, until it emerged into the half-light.

It was Lionpaw.

She leaped up with a start as a paw touched her shoulder.

“Hollypaw?” Brackenfur was standing beside her nest. The den was in darkness, weak moonlight washing through the branches of the yew. “Are you okay?”

She was trembling, her pelt hot with panic. “It was just a dream.” Relief washed over her like a cool wind.

“Can’t you dream more quietly?” Lionpaw grumbled beside her. “I was out on the midnight patrol while you were snoring.” He rolled over and tucked his muzzle under his paw.

“It’s your turn now, Hollypaw,” Brackenfur meowed softly.

Foxpaw and Icepaw were fast asleep in their nests.

“Is it dawn?” Hollypaw asked, trying to rub the sleep from her eyes.

“Not for a while yet,” Brackenfur whispered. “We’re doing the predawn patrol.”

The extra patrols had drained the Clan and left its warriors and apprentices tired, but Firestar’s plan seemed to be working. There had been no sign of intruders or prey-stealing in days. Hollypaw stretched and followed her mentor out of the den. Her paws felt numb with sleep, and even the early-morning chill couldn’t chase away her weariness.

A sharp white moon lit the camp. Thornclaw sat in the clearing, holding his tail down with a paw while he washed the tip.

Sorreltail paced around him. “It’s too cold to sit still,” she complained.

“There’ll be more warm nights before greenleaf is gone,” Brackenfur promised, padding up to the tortoiseshell and brushing his muzzle against hers.

“Is Hollypaw awake?” Thornclaw asked.