Ashfur turned and began kicking mud against the gap in the brambles. The others followed suit. Lionpaw grabbed a broken branch and shoved it in beside Firestar’s, churned-up earth spattering his flank. Why hadn’t he done this days ago?

Firestar nudged him out of the way. “You and Poppyfrost stand guard.” He nodded to the others. “We’ll continue checking the border.” He led them away from the thicket in silence, each cat prowling now as if hunting for prey. WindClan prey.

Standing by the heap of branches blocking the way into the thicket, Lionpaw scanned the forest, whiskers stiff.

Poppyfrost paced a little ways from him, nose twitching.

He glanced at her. “Any sign?”

She opened her mouth to answer, but a bush rustled a few tail-lengths ahead of them. She froze.

A shadow streaked toward her.

Nightcloud!

“Attac—” Lionpaw’s warning was cut off as Harespring shot from beneath a bramble and slammed him to the ground. Struggling to his paws, Lionpaw screeched again as WindClan warriors swarmed from the shadows on every side.

CHAPTER 13

A rising wind stirred the forest. Branches rattled and leaves showered down onto the patrol as Hollypaw followed her Clanmates through the woods.

It’s so dark!

She glanced up. No starlight glittered through the leaves, and clouds had hidden the moon.

Brackenfur’s tail brushed her cheek. He was only a few paw steps ahead of her, but she could hardly see him.

“Stay close,” he whispered.

The patrol was moving slowly, picking its way through the forest. WindClan might be hiding anywhere, waiting for them to pass by.

“Ow!” Mousewhisker’s muted yelp from behind made Hollypaw jump.

“Are you all right?” she hissed over her shoulder.

“Scratched my eye on a bramble.”

Hollypaw stopped and peered through the darkness at Mousewhisker’s cut. Blood was welling around his eye and it was already puffed up.

Mousewhisker brushed away the drips with his paw. “I’ll be okay,” he mewed.

“Keep up!” Brackenfur called to them.

Falling in beside Mousewhisker to guide him, Hollypaw quickened her pace. It was like running blind. Her paws fell on leaves, then mud, then tangled roots. She sniffed the air, her heart racing as she tried to picture where she was. This was how Jaypaw must feel all the time.

Only when her paws scraped against stone did she realize they had reached the old Twoleg path. It was dotted with tufts of weeds, and she had to be careful not to trip.

“Stay close together,” Brambleclaw warned. Hollypaw could only just make out his shadow in the darkness. “It’ll be easy for WindClan to surprise us.”