Warriors: Second Strike: Book 5: Frozen Wings

Chapter 22

[Cheetahpelt's POV]

"Cheetahpelt!" I heard Emberbreeze yowl from behind me. I was just getting ready to go and visit the kits since they were just born. I wanted to be there for my brother.

"Go, you are the deputy." Shinyfall whispered from beside me and headed toward then nursery to go next to Tigerstripe and her best friend. I turned and saw Emberbreeze and Honeydrip running back into the camp. Honeydrip skidded to a halt and fell down.

"Yes? What is it? Did you find them?" I asked quickly as I went to go and help the new warrior back onto her paws. The ginger shecat breathed heavily before looking at me with wide eyes and something was in the look. Something like pure terror.

"Please, they are dead. Exploded. A Phantom did it. Guts are everywhere. Lionsun and Softrose stayed back to get the birds away." Emberbreeze said and I could see she was crying. I looked around wanting to comfort her and saw Maplesnow. I flicked my tail to him and Witheredsoul.

"Take care of these two. I have to go and take my brother and Branchtail to the border with no clan." I huffed looking at the two young shecats. I should never have sent them to find the shecats. I shouldn't have traumatized them.

"We will." Maplesnow said quickly as he broke away from the other tom to go to his sister. Witheredsoul did the same with his sister and looked around for his parents.

"Tigerstripe, I hate the ruin the moment, but I need you and Branchtail. Now. This cannot wait." I said sharply already anxious. I didn't want to go and see it but I knew I had to. We had to get Softrose and Lionsun away from that.

"What is it?" My brother asked me worried as he pushed his way away from the nursery. I looked and saw the other tom coming too.

"Come on, I will explain on the way. The others don't need to hear this." I told them quickly and quietly as I headed out of the camp. The two males followed after me and once we were a good distance away I turned to them.

"Are you going to tell us?" Branchtail asked shifting on his paws. He knew his mate and daughter went out and hadn't returned. He must be worried sick.

"A Phantom came. It wasn't Malvago. She would have possessed them. No, this one exploded them. Guts are everywhere. Blood too. There isn't a piece of them that isn't guts that's bigger than a paw." I told them feeling my insides twist. I didn't even like to describe that much.

"Airwing... Featherfall..." Branchtail mumbled to himself. I quickly went to his side and let him lean against me.

"I'm sorry. If I knew this would happen to them, I wouldn't have sent them out. Softrose and Lionsun are still out there. We are some of the few that were there when Malvago came. We have seen her work, we can handle this." I said hoping that would encourage them.