Lemurstar's Prophecy (book two)

Chapter 4

"Morningstar, I've found these two tiny kits in the forest!"

Lemurkit opened her eyes to a wail of terror. She bolted out of her nest and shook her mother.

"Mom! What are they gonna do? We can't let Morningstar hurt them! Can you do something?" She whispered. Brightshine stroked her daughter soothingly.

"Don't fret my love. I'll do anything to save a helpless kit. It's the warrior code, be me in a savage clan or a wonderful one, I must follow it. You stay and protect your sister," she commanded. And with a gentle lick on her forehead, she swooped out of the den gracefully.

Turtlekit pressed against her sister, eyes wide as she gave Lemurkit a play-by-play. "Looks like Fishfang found a few kits. I wonder what Morningstar will do to the black one? He's got a broken jaw!" Her sister whispered fearfully.

As if by magic, Fishfang growled. "Shall I kill this one, Morningstar? Will he be of use to us?" Lemurkit narrowed her blind eyes. Not if I have a say!!

Before Morningstar could respond, Turtlekit grabbed her sister. "Venomrain, no..." She whispered, and Lemurkit guessed she had stepped forward to confront her daughter.

"Fishfang, how could you say that?!" Venomrain cried in horror. "You're kinder than that! What has Morningstar done to corrupt you so?" Lemurkit could almost feel the sadness and disappointment in her voice as if it were her own. She shivered, a pit of dread filling her stomach.

Turtlekit wrapped a fearful tail around Lemurkit, and Lemurkit did as well. "Oh no... Venomrain, no..." She heard her sister whisper, and Lemurkit clenched her teeth. The knot in her belly grew stronger.

"Turtlekit, look away." She commanded her sister, and Turtlekit's whiskers moved up and down beside her in a nod, grazing her cheeks with a tiny tickle. She buried her face in Lemurkit's neck. Lemurkit closed her eyes too, though is didn't matter, clutching Turtlekit. She fought to keep them closed when she heard a growl and a pained yelp, then a cry of grief. All was still except for a lone cat, sobbing quietly. The reek of blood hung in the eerily still air. Lemurkit tapped her sister, who was clutching her shoulders with thorny claws. Lemurkit felt tears wet her back when her sister rose.

"V-Venomrain..." She whispered. Lemurkit nodded. "F-Fishfang k-killed her..."

Then came a honey throated purr.

"Great work, my fine, fine warrior. You chose loyalty to me over your ungrateful mother. You have trained well. As for Heronpaw, you will be held prisoner for six moons for your ridiculous behavior! I should kill you now, seeing as you intervened, but that would be three deaths in a day. Now, Fishfang, yes. Kill the weak one." Said Morningstar. Her words ended in a menacing growl and Lemurkit screamed in her head. No!