Tigerheart's Shadow Read online

  Monsters growled on the Thunderpath ahead, lighting the thick rain with their burning eyes. Their paws threw up spray. Tigerheart hung back. The Thunderpath was jammed with a stream of monsters thicker than he’d ever seen. Were the Twolegs migrating? Their monsters streamed after one another like geese heading south for the winter, leaving no gap to cross. Tigerheart stopped a few tail-lengths from the edge, out of reach of the filthy spray. His head spun as he stared at the stampeding monsters. Had Dovewing found a way between their rolling paws? He tried to glimpse a gap, but the speeding monsters made him dizzy, whipping past him one after another. Rain pounded his pelt, streaming into his eyes. Blinking rapidly, his head aching, he sank to his belly and watched the passing monsters helplessly. Dovewing. Why didn’t you wait? His heart seemed to crack open with loss and frustration. They should be facing this together. Why hadn’t he met her in time? The night darkened around him; the burning lights from the monsters blurred. Their growling faded as his thoughts jumbled and he collapsed into unconsciousness.

  He dreamed. Puddleshine stood beside him as the sun rose over the ShadowClan camp. Tigerheart knew at once that he was in the medicine cat’s vision. The sun burned beyond the trees, casting black shadows in stripes across the clearing. Juniperclaw, Tawnypelt, Snowbird, and Whorlpaw padded from their dens. Grassheart yawned in the middle of the clearing and stretched as a dark shadow fell across her glossy pelt. Rowanstar moved beside the rock near his den, his eyes flashing in the dawn light. Tigerheart blinked in the fierce sunshine as it sliced between the trees, half-blinded until suddenly the sun began to fade.

  “Puddleshine.” Tigerheart called to the medicine cat watching from the edge of the clearing, but the brown tom didn’t seem to hear him. His gaze was fixed on the clearing as the sun dissolved into the pale blue sky and the shadows evaporated like mist.

  I’m seeing what he saw. Tigerheart knew where this dream had carried him and watched intently. He glanced toward his father. Would the ShadowClan leader fade with the shadows? Rowanstar blinked beside the rock, his gaze blank as though unaware of the changing light. Then, suddenly, the sun brightened once more. Tigerheart jerked his nose toward it. Puddleshine didn’t mention this part of his vision. He narrowed his eyes as the sun reddened and intensified until it looked like flame burning at the edge of the forest. The shadows in camp darkened once more, reaching across the clearing, casting his Clanmates into gloom. Then Tigerheart saw himself standing at the edge of the clearing, his outline carved from darkness by brilliant sunshine. His pelt shimmered in the fierce light. The shadow he cast was long and black, far darker than any other in camp, while across the clearing Rowanstar dissolved into milky light.

  “When the sun is strong, the shadows are strong.”

  As Puddleshine’s mew rang across the clearing, Tigerheart felt cold. A chill gripped him and he struggled awake. Rain was seeping through his fur. He blinked open his eyes, Puddleshine’s words ringing in his ears. When the sun is strong . . .

  He sat up. The rain was still falling. Weak dawn light filtered through the gray clouds. The Thunderpath lay empty, the marsh stretching into a haze of rain beyond. He felt groggy, his head still aching. He shivered with cold and fluffed out his pelt. When the sun is strong. Puddleshine’s words buzzed in his ears like a bothersome fly. Unease tugged in Tigerheart’s belly. The dream meant something. He could sense it. The sun. Tigerheart stiffened. The son ! When the son is strong, the shadows are strong! Understanding burst like starlight in his thoughts. Rowanstar wasn’t the sun that would make ShadowClan strong. Only the son could save ShadowClan from disappearing. The son is the sun!

  His headache faded. Energy fizzed beneath his pelt. He had to get back to his Clan. He was the one who could save them! He headed away from the Thunderpath and hurried into the forest. Why hadn’t he realized earlier?

  As he crossed the wet forest floor, the sound of rain pounding the branches above him, guilt jabbed at his belly.

  Dovewing. The thought pricked his heart. I’m sorry. His Clan needed him too much. And if Dovewing had truly needed him, she would have waited. . . .

  She had to understand—his whole Clan was at stake.

  He reached the ditches and crossed them, his belly feeling more hollow with every leap. Grief tugged at his heart. I have to save them. As he saw the bramble wall of the camp looming ahead of him, Tigerheart lifted his chin. Dovewing would have to take care of herself for now, and their kits. He ignored the shame that clawed in his belly. If ShadowClan was to survive, he needed to be here.

  CHAPTER 6

  In the days since Dovewing had left, the rain hadn’t let up. Tigerheart trudged through it now, following Stonewing, Juniperclaw, and Whorlpaw home from a hunt. The swelling behind his ear had eased since Puddleshine had treated it with nettles soaked in rainwater. His headache had lingered for a day but was gone now.

  Tigerheart held a soggy sparrow between his jaws. The others carried prey too. Whorlpaw was clearly proud of the young rabbit he’d caught and walked with his tail high, despite the rain dripping from the trees and the earth squelching beneath his paws.

  It had been a good hunt. The patrol had worked well together. Tigerheart felt hope flicker in his chest each time Juniperclaw called out to Stonewing to warn him of prey heading his way. And whenever Whorlpaw dipped his head respectfully as Juniperclaw gently adjusted his hunting crouch or showed him which part of a bracken stalk held prey-scent even when it rained, Tigerheart had dared to believe that ShadowClan would grow stronger and more united with time. Perhaps it didn’t matter if Rowanstar wasn’t a strong leader. Perhaps it was enough that Tigerheart was there to support them. Meanwhile, hunting and patrolling would bring the Clan together. Training their young to be great warriors would remind them of what it was to be loyal and brave. In a few seasons, the rogues would be forgotten and ShadowClan would thrive once more.

  But where would Dovewing and his kits be by then? The thought pricked Tigerheart’s chest. Would she come back once she felt their kits would be safe with the Clans? If not, perhaps he could find a way to join her as soon as he felt that ShadowClan’s future was secure.

  He dared not think about the dangers waiting beyond the Clan borders. She’s a warrior. The thought comforted him. She’d survived the battle with the Dark Forest. And the rogues. But what if she wasn’t all right? He pushed the thought away, fear slicing his belly so sharply he winced. Was his Clan really worth endangering his mate and kits for? Frustration itched beneath his pelt. Why did he have to make such a choice? It wasn’t fair.

  Juniperclaw halted as he reached the camp entrance. Stonewing and Whorlpaw stopped beside him. He dropped his prey and sniffed the air suspiciously. “ThunderClan cats have been here.” He looked at Tigerheart. “I wonder what they wanted.”

  A fresh chill crept through Tigerheart’s damp pelt. He could guess what they had wanted. Especially when he tasted the air and smelled Ivypool’s scent. They’d be looking for Dovewing. Of course her sister would come here. His fur prickled nervously. Had she said anything to Rowanstar about the secret meetings?

  “Tigerheart!” Tawnypelt called through the entrance. “You’re back.” She hurried out of camp and quickly nosed Tigerheart away from the patrol.

  Stonewing called to her. “What did ThunderClan want?”

  “One of their warriors is missing.” Tawnypelt glanced at the white tom and flicked her tail nonchalantly. “It’s their problem, not ours, but they wondered if we’d seen her.”

  Juniperclaw narrowed his eyes. “I hope Rowanstar didn’t let us get drawn into ThunderClan’s problems.”

  “Of course he didn’t,” Tawnypelt answered sharply.

  “We’ve got enough of our own,” Juniperclaw grouched. “First it’s prophecies about coming storms, then it’s six-toed cats, then missing warriors. ThunderClan is always coming to us with some problem. I hope Rowanstar was firm with them.”

  Irritation flared beneath Tigerheart’s pelt. “Of course he was firm,”
he mewed curtly. “Why wouldn’t he be?”

  Stonewing dropped his thrush. “He’s not exactly decisive these days.”

  “How dare you?” Tigerheart glowered at the tom. His gaze flashed to Juniperclaw. “You weren’t here when ThunderClan came. You don’t know what was said. Don’t assume Rowanstar let any cat push him around. You have to trust him!” His hackles lifted. “He’s our leader.” He glared at Juniperclaw and Stonewing until they dropped their gazes.

  Whorlpaw shifted his paws uneasily. “Which warrior is missing?”

  “Dovewing.” Tawnypelt’s mew was even.

  Whorlpaw’s eyes widened. “Perhaps the sick badger got her.”

  “Nonsense.” Tawnypelt flicked her tail impatiently. “We sent out a patrol to check that the badger was gone, remember? There’s been no scent of it on our land since the rain started.”

  “Perhaps it went onto ThunderClan’s territory,” Whorlpaw persisted.

  “If she was attacked by a badger on their territory, they’d know about it,” Juniperclaw pointed out.

  Tigerheart shifted his weight self-consciously. He was the only cat who knew the truth. He dropped his gaze. Ivypool must be beside herself with worry. ThunderClan would be grieving.

  Tawnypelt nudged Tigerheart to one side, flicking her tail toward the patrol. “Take your catch into camp,” she told them. “The fresh-kill pile needs filling.” As they obeyed and disappeared through the bramble tunnel, Tawnypelt looked into Tigerheart’s eyes. “Do you know anything about Dovewing’s disappearance?”

  “No.” Tigerheart’s pelt burned as he struggled to return his mother’s gaze innocently. “Why should I?”

  “I saw the way you were with her when we were living with ThunderClan. You ate with her and talked with her like she was the only cat in camp. And it wasn’t just me who noticed. Ivypool asked specifically if you knew anything about Dovewing’s disappearance. She’s clearly suspicious. She’s on her way to SkyClan right now to ask them if they’ve seen Dovewing. But I know she doesn’t believe they’ll have any answers.” Her whiskers twitched. “Was there anything going on between you and Dovewing?”

  Tigerheart hesitated, then avoided the question. “I don’t know where Dovewing is.”

  Tawnypelt’s eyes narrowed. Tigerheart could sense doubt glittering behind them. But she didn’t ask again. “ShadowClan needs you, Tigerheart. Your father needs you.”

  Anger surged beneath Tigerheart’s pelt. “You think I don’t know that?” If I didn’t, I’d be with Dovewing right now! I’d have followed her wherever she went.

  Tawnypelt held his gaze for a moment, then turned away. “A warrior is loyal to his Clan above all things.”

  As she headed back to camp, Tigerheart called after her. “You don’t need to tell me about the warrior code!” She had no idea what he was giving up to stay loyal to his Clan. Not just Dovewing, but his kits. He might never know them.

  As she disappeared through the bramble tunnel, urgency tugged at his paws. He headed for the ThunderClan border, rain splashing his pelt. He had to speak with Ivypool before she sparked suspicion in any other cats. He didn’t want all the Clans silently believing that he was responsible for Dovewing’s disappearance. It had been Dovewing’s decision. Ivypool had to know that. Should I tell her where Dovewing was heading? His belly twisted. I can’t betray her! What if ThunderClan follows her and brings her home? He slowed. Would that be so bad? She’s not safe alone. His thoughts were spinning as he crossed the border. Tawnypelt had said Ivypool had gone to SkyClan. He could intercept her on her way home, before she reached her camp. Climbing a leaf-strewn rise, he ducked through bracken and shadowed a ThunderClan trail. He tasted Ivypool’s scent before he heard her call.

  “Tigerheart.” There was anger in her yowl. He stopped as she marched toward him. She was alone, her pelt bristling as she glared at him. “You’re on our land. And I know why. You’ve come to lie to me again. You’re here to persuade me that you have nothing to do with Dovewing’s disappearance. But you know where she is, don’t you?”

  “No.”

  “You knew she was going to leave!” Ivypool accused.

  “I did,” Tigerheart admitted. “I tried to stop her, but she was determined.”

  “Where has she gone?”

  A huge Twolegplace with nests that reach into the sky . . .

  He could still hear Dovewing’s words clearly. He pictured the desperation in her green eyes as she told him. He couldn’t betray her. She was convinced that their kits’ lives depended on finding a gorse-spined den. He looked at Ivypool. “I tracked her as far as the Thunderpath beside the marsh.”

  “But no farther?” Ivypool’s eyes flashed with disgust. “Did the monsters scare you away?”

  “My Clan needs me,” Tigerheart meowed simply. “I couldn’t abandon them.”

  “But you could abandon Dovewing?” Ivypool flexed her claws.

  She abandoned me ! Frustration flared in Tigerheart’s belly. “I thought you didn’t want us to be together,” he snapped.

  Ivypool spat at him. “Do you think I’d prefer she was out there alone?”

  Guilt swamped Tigerheart. Ivypool was right. He had chosen to stay with his Clan. He’d left Dovewing to face the land beyond the forest alone.

  Ivypool thrust her face closer. “I always knew you were trouble. You never cared about Dovewing. If you had, you’d never have let her leave.” With a snarl, she lashed her claws across his muzzle.

  Tigerheart didn’t flinch. He deserved it. He felt the sting of torn flesh and the wetness of blood welling on his nose. Without moving, he held Ivypool’s gaze. “I love her,” he confessed. “I should have stopped her, but I couldn’t.” He’d let Scorchfur and Juniperclaw keep him from meeting her. If he had let his Clanmates go to SkyClan, he could have met Dovewing before she left. He might even have been able to persuade her to stay. Instead he’d given up everything he loved for his Clan. His eyes grew hot with grief.

  Ivypool stared at him with hatred. “You’re a coward. And a fox-heart. Dovewing deserved a better mate than you.” Tail lashing, she turned away and left him alone beneath the dripping pines.

  She’s right. His throat thickened with grief, almost choking him. Dovewing, I’m so sorry.

  CHAPTER 7

  “The rain has driven the prey too far underground.” Grassheart lifted a clump of soggy leaves and peered underneath. “There’s a mouse hole here.” She reached in but dragged up nothing but mud.

  Tigerheart’s belly rumbled. The rain still hadn’t ceased. The scratches Ivypool had given him still stung. They hurt worse in his sleep, when he dreamed of Dovewing wandering alone. Each morning he woke to a fresh ache in his heart. The fresh-kill pile had dwindled to nothing as the forest creatures hid from the endless torrent. As he stood with the patrol now, he grunted at Grassheart. “Prey must search for food eventually. It’ll starve quicker than us.” He tasted the air but smelled nothing but wet wood.

  Juniperclaw paced behind him. Strikestone and Snakepaw huddled beneath the shelter of a bramble, their pelts slicked against their skinny frames.

  “There might be frogs in the ditches,” Juniperclaw suggested. “We could catch those.”

  “There’s probably fish there by now,” Grassheart snorted. “They’ve been flooded for days.”

  “Tawnypelt led a hunting patrol to the ditches this morning while you were marking the borders,” Tigerheart told Juniperclaw. “They came back with a drowned vole and four slugs.”

  Snakepaw shuddered, her nose wrinkling. “Perhaps we could look around the beech patch near the SkyClan border,” she suggested. “The beechnuts might attract something tastier than slugs.”

  Tigerheart glanced at the honey-brown tabby. It was a good idea. He flicked his tail. “Nice plan, Snakepaw.”

  She glanced shyly at her paws. Grassheart shook the rain from her pelt and headed toward the patch of forest where, moons ago, beeches had found a gap among the pines and had grown vigorously, as
though celebrating their small victory over the evergreens.

  Their leaves were browning in the leaf-fall chill. Some hung limply on bare branches. Most lay on the ground in sodden swathes around the roots. The small opening to the sky let more rain in and Tigerheart narrowed his eyes against it as he reached the beech patch. Beyond it, the ground sloped upward toward the SkyClan border nearby. Spiky beechnuts scattered the ground, their skin peeled open, the nuts gone.

  Grassheart kicked miserably at an empty shell. “It looks like the prey has already been and gone.”

  “They didn’t get everything.” Snakepaw tapped an unopened beechnut with her paw, her eyes bright.

  Tigerheart flicked his tail toward his Clanmates. “Let’s surround the beech patch and wait. It might take a while, but something is bound to come looking for food eventually.” He threaded through the battered bracken stalks sprouting beside a beech and crouched just outside the cluster of trees. The rest of the patrol did the same, encircling the beeches. As Tigerheart flattened himself against the ground, hoping his pelt would blend against the moldering leaves, his Clanmates hunkered down until he could hardly see them.

  Now we wait. He braced himself against the cold that began to seep through his pelt. As his belly rumbled with hunger, he thought of Dovewing. He had tried to keep himself busy since she’d left, but there were always moments of stillness when his thoughts would slide toward her. Where was she? Was it raining there too? Was she wet and hungry? Their unborn kits would need food, and so would she. Would he ever see her again? Would he ever meet his kits? Grief swelled in his chest. He tried to push it away. But the scent of her still lingered in his fur despite the rain. Perhaps he was imagining it. He no longer knew.

  Paw steps thudded the ground nearby. He stiffened, his eyes widening. Prey? His heart leaped as a rabbit raced across SkyClan’s border toward the beech patch. He saw Juniperclaw’s eyes widen with excitement beyond the bracken. Not yet. He flicked his tail to order the warrior to wait. He wanted to make sure the rabbit was surrounded. It wasn’t going to escape.