“Sorry, Firestar,” Lionblaze mewed.

Firestar just let out a sigh before bounding off to join Sandstorm, Graystripe, and the other cats around the fresh-kill pile.

Once he was out of earshot, Hollyleaf turned to her brothers. “We’ll have to—”

She broke off at a warning touch on her shoulder from Lionblaze’s tail, and glanced around to see Brambleclaw padding up. Oh, great.

The deputy halted and raked the three cats with a cold yellow gaze. “Are you going to tell me what you were doing?”

Hollyleaf clamped her jaws shut and stared mutinously at the tabby warrior. Beside her, Lionblaze and Jayfeather were silent, too.

“I don’t know what’s gotten into you lately.” Brambleclaw sighed. “You’re all—”

“Hey, Brambleclaw!” Dustpelt interrupted from outside the warriors’ den. “I’m leading the evening patrol. Which cats do you want to go with me?”

“I have to go,” Brambleclaw meowed to Hollyleaf and her littermates. “Just try to keep out of trouble, okay?”

Hollyleaf watched him go, then drew her brothers into a tight huddle. “We’ll go back to Sol tomorrow. I don’t care what ShadowClan thinks. We have to know the truth!”

Lionblaze was gazing warily at her, as if he was wondering whether she would lose her temper with Sol again, but Jayfeather just looked thoughtful. At last he nodded. “I agree. This time, he’s got to talk to us. And if he refuses, we’ll make him. The prophecy belongs to us, remember. Not to him.”

CHAPTER 25

Sunhigh had come and gone by the time Hollyleaf and her brothers were able to slip away and head for the old Twoleg nest. Clouds had gathered during the night, and by the time they reached the border of their own territory, rain was hissing down steadily.

Once they had crossed the border, Lionblaze led them by a roundabout route through the spindly trees, keeping as far away as possible from the ShadowClan border. All three cats stayed alert for any sign of a ShadowClan patrol.

There’ll be real trouble if we’re caught this time, Hollyleaf thought.

When they reached the old Twoleg nest, Sol was sitting in the entrance as if he had been expecting them.

“Greetings,” he meowed, rising to his paws as the three cats picked their way among the dripping brambles to reach the nest. “I thought you would come today.”

“Let’s get this straight.” Hollyleaf drew ahead of the others. “We don’t want any more arguments. We’ll let you help us fulfill the prophecy, as long as you tell us the name of our father.”

Sol’s eyes glowed as he gazed at her, and Hollyleaf shivered. Once she had felt as if she could spend her whole life looking into this cat’s eyes and hearing his voice. Even though she knew how dangerous he was, she still wasn’t quite free from the snare of his charm.

“Shall we go inside?” Sol offered, as if this was nothing more than a friendly visit.