Hollowed Shadows- Rise of the flame book two

Chapter 5

Later, Hollypaw was in her dreams. She pounced on a dream-mouse just for the fun of it.  She thought for a moment, remembering what Ambershadow had told her.

Ask for Hollyleaf. She will tell you more.

Hollypaw felt odd that there was another cat named 'Holly.' She looked around, and feeling silly, she called out. "Hello? Hollyleaf? Ambershadow sent me!"

"So you're the young apprentice Ambershadow told me about." A voice purred behind her. Hollypaw whirled around and jumped.  It was almost like looking into the river. The cat had pitch-black, gleaming fur and bright green eyes. Had it not been for the fact the cat didn't have grey stripes, she had green eyes instead of violet ones, and she was a full-grown warrior, Hollypaw would have thought she was looking at a clone of herself.

"Who are you?" Hollypaw sharply retorted.

"Who did you ask for?" The cat snapped. "The name's Hollyleaf. " Hollyleaf flipped her head. "I like your attitude. Now. Why did Ambershadow send you?"

"Hollyleaf..."

"Fine, fine." Hollyleaf flicked her tail. "I've learned that living basically forever in StarClan can be pretty dull. I've sort of lost my love of Clan politics. Anyway, Ambershadow sent you here about the wolf attack, correct?"

"Yes..." Hollypaw trailed off.

"Lionclaw did it." Hollyleaf casually sniffed, and licked her paw. "Patchscar and him."

Hollypaw was shocked at how casual her tone was at such a revelation. "What in StarClan's name do you mean?" 

"Lionclaw and Patchscar led a wolf pack into ThunderClan." Hollyleaf hissed. 

"What?"

"Telling her about that, hm?" A ginger tabby she-cat, her yellow eyes gleaming, walked over. 

"Who in StarClan's name are you?"  Hollypaw asked. 

"My name is Nutmeg. " The cat's whiskers twitched. "Cinderfall, you should know me. And since when did your eyes turn violet? And... you look so young."

"Cinderfall is my mother." Hollypaw replied. 

"Oh, right!" Nutmeg purred. You're the daughter of that she-cat who adopted my son."

"Wait, what?"

"Mintsong is my son, dear." Nutmeg purred. "I was so proud of him when he adopted Lionclaw, Pathscar, and Larksong."

"What are you talking about?" Hollypaw hissed. Lionclaw and his siblings are Mintsong's kits!"

"They're my former mate's kits." Nutmeg corrected. "Technically, Mintsong raised his half siblings. "

"You must be lying." Hollypaw frowned. 

"Mud, my mate, had kits with a ShadowClan cat. She gave up her kits to become leader. Not to save her Clan, but because to her, ambitions came before kin. "Nutmeg spat bitterly. 

"Nutmeg's right." Hollyleaf piped up. "Greenstar is Patchscar, Larksong, and Lionclaw's real mother. Only Ambershadow can tell you more."

"Why can't you?" Hollypaw asked. 

"StarClan doesn't know everything." Hollyleaf replied. Hollypaw jerked up from her nest, wheezing. The sun was filtering in through her den, and Hollypaw heard the snores of the other apprentices faintly. She hurried out of her nest, the dream fresh in her mind, and she rushed to the medicine den where Ambershadow lay. Ambershadow was munching on a mouse while Spottedpaw and Emberspot chatted in the herb store.