Splashflight's Mistake (book one)

Chapter 20

Splashpaw stared in horror. "No... Anyone but her..." He whispered. His paws shook ever so slightly as the clan called their new deputies name.

"Morningshine! Morningshine!"

Splashpaw forced himself to rumble his sister's name as Morningshine leaped smugly from the great rock and settled herself next to her mate, Fallingfeather. Brightshine pressed a reassuring cheek to his.

"It'll be fine, Splashpaw. You'll see..."

*****

"The time grows near!" The shadowy cat that stood before him growled. "Beware, the lake of blood will grow with every strike! Kits will drown in rivers of endless blood and pain and the clan will be wiped out. Only the ringed tail and the dappled turtle can deliver us from the fatal morning star!"

Splashpaw woke as the bone chilling voice screeched in his ears. He felt sweat running down his face. Nightgaze moved closer. "Splashpaw? Everything alright?"

Splashpaw gulped, trying to hide his fear until he realized his mentor was blind. "Yes. I'm fine. Just... Just a bad dream..." He whispered. Nightgaze grunted and nodded.

"Well, get some sleep. I have a feeling Brightshine's kitting will happen in a few sunrises..." He yawned and curled back up to sleep and within minutes he was snoring gently.

Splashpaw got up quietly. He was growing restless. Every night he dreamed of the prophecy. He knew the horrible time was drawing near. Which meant the clan was in great danger. But he felt he couldn't tell anyone about the terrible prophecy. He knew the clan would panic. And panic was the real killer.

He stepped outside, pacing the entrance of the den. He couldn't run off with Brightshine, she was too close to kitting. He felt like a caged animal... Trapped in the woven walls of the camp.

He finally stepped up to the great rock and stared up at the stars, watching for the pink wisps of dawn to come.

*****

Splashpaw was curled up on the top of the great rock when he woke. He gave a huge yawn, and suddenly smiled. Today was Hernonkit and Fishkit's ceremony!

He jumped to see Morningshine above him. "Well well well..." she growled softly. Unsheathing her claws, she kicked him over roughly. The sun was only just peeking from the treetops. No one was up.

Splashpaw got up, his eyes sparkling defiantly. "What do you want, Morningshine?" He growled. His eyes bore into hers.

"You are a coward. Running away from me. You fear me." She smiled maliciously. "And don't pretend you don't." She growled in his face. "I know your secret..." She whispered and stalked off, leaving Splashpaw to stare at her in horror.

He quickly scrambled down the rock and sat back down, his heart pumping. If Morningshine knew he was mates with Brightshine, why hadn't she told?

Then a horrible thought entered his head. she was waiting for the right time to blackmail...