Riverstar's Home by Erin Hunter

Author:Erin Hunter [Hunter, Erin]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: HarperCollins
Published: 2023-06-29T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter 17

“Don’t let him rile you.” River Ripple brushed against Clear Sky.

The half-moon sat in a star-specked sky. Leaf-bare—what the mountain cats called the cold moons—had set in fast, and icy air pooled at the bottom of the four trees hollow. River Ripple faced Slash. Tall Shadow and Thunder stood beside him while Clear Sky pleaded.

River Ripple’s pelt ruffled angrily. Slash had been one of One Eye’s rogues. He’d been hanging around the forest ever since One Eye died. He’d snatched Star Flower and had been holding her hostage for a quarter moon. And now he was standing on top of the great rock, flanked by six skinny, mean-eyed rogues, glaring down at them, his lip curled with malice. He’d promised to return Star Flower tonight, but she was nowhere in sight.

Clear Sky had taken in the treacherous she-cat and made her his mate. River Ripple could still hardly believe it. After she’d lied to everyone! And hadn’t it been Thunder who’d loved her, not Clear Sky? The young ginger tom must have turned his back on Star Flower after she’d betrayed the mountain cats to One Eye. It was likely that he still had a lingering affection for her, which should have been respected. But then, when did Clear Sky ever show respect for another cat? And Clear Sky was Thunder’s father. What kind of father stole their son’s almost-mate? And now she was carrying Clear Sky’s kits. Perhaps that was why Thunder had left Clear Sky’s group and started his own in another part of the forest.

But Clear Sky must love her. Why else would he be pleading with a rogue like Slash? And Slash was playing with him as though playing with prey before he killed it. River Ripple flexed his claws. No cat would die here tonight. “He wants to cloud your thoughts,” he whispered to Clear Sky. “But you need to keep a clear head,”

Clear Sky seemed to take hold of himself and steadied his voice. He glared at Slash. “You promised to return Star Flower if I brought the other leaders here.”

Slash tipped his head. “If I gave you Star Flower now, what incentive would you have to honor the agreement we will make here tonight?”

Clear Sky lifted his chin. “No one will agree to anything until Star Flower is safely returned.”

Slash peered over the edge of the rock nastily. “I’m afraid that isn’t something you get to decide. If you want to see your mate or your kits alive, you will meet my demands.”

Thunder stepped forward. “What are your demands, exactly?”

“For every five pieces of prey you catch, I want one,” Slash told him. “My rogues will visit you each day to collect our share.”

River Ripple narrowed his eyes. He hadn’t expected Slash to bring Star Flower. The rogue was too much like One Eye—devious and a liar. The other leaders had also guessed he would hold on to Star Flower. That’s why they’d come up with a way to save her. But they hadn’t shared it with Clear Sky.

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