Path of Stars by Erin Hunter Page B

trees.
    Gray Wing felt a flicker of relief, then stared anxiously into the shadows. “Are you alone?”
    â€œOf course I am.” She slid from the tangled branches, wincing as the thorns tugged her black, knotted fur.
    Leaf straightened. “We thought you weren’t coming.”
    Fern glared at him. “I said I would, didn’t I?”
    Reed dipped his head. “We’re just glad you made it here safely.”
    Lightning Tail blinked at her expectantly. “Where’s Star Flower?”
    â€œFollow me.” Fern brushed past him and padded from the trees. Keeping low, she led them across the scrubland.
    Short, wiry grass jabbed between Gray Wing’s claws. Frost-blackened bushes crowded on either side. The stench of the carrion place grew stronger as they neared it.
    Fern slowed her pace. She nodded toward a dense patch of bracken. “She’s in there,” she breathed. “Swallow and Snake are guarding her.”
    Lightning Tail padded closer, tasting the air.
    Gray Wing saw Fern hesitate, fear-scent wafting from her pelt.
    â€œYou’d better get back to your camp,” he whispered.
    She glanced at him gratefully. “If Slash finds out I led you here—”
    â€œI know.” Gray Wing touched his nose to her head gratefully. “You’ve been very brave, and we will remember your kindness and courage for many moons.”
    She blinked at him expectantly. “I hope you get her away from here. It’s no place for a queen who’s carrying kits.” Dipping her head quickly, she hurried back toward the cover of the pines.
    Gray Wing turned to Lightning Tail. “Are you ready?”
    â€œOf course!” Lighting Tail lifted his chin.
    Gray Wing nodded toward Leaf. “Do you remember what to do?”
    Leaf nodded.
    Gray Wing tasted the air. Rogue scent touched his tongue. The bracken swished in the light breeze. He signaled Lightning Tail and Leaf forward with a flick of his tail, then crouched, pressing his belly to the earth. Reed dropped down beside him as the two forest cats padded closer to the bracken.
    Gray Wing held his breath as they neared the shadowy fronds. Leaf glanced at him quickly, then ducked beneath the cover of a juniper bush. Lightning Tail lifted his chin and marched straight on.
    â€œWho are you?” An angry snarl sounded from the bracken patch as Lightning Tail disappeared behind it.
    â€œJust a loner looking for prey,” Lightning Tail answered breezily.
    â€œGo hunt somewhere else!” A second snarl cut through the night air.
    Lightning Tail sniffed. “Where’s the best place to hunt around here?”
    A threatening growl sounded from behind the bracken.
    Gray Wing stiffened as he saw Lightning Tail back away, his ears twitching uneasily. Two cats stalked toward him, hackles high. One was an orange tabby she-cat with amber eyes, the other a gray tabby tom with broad shoulders. Their tails twitched aggressively.
    â€œI’m sorry I bothered you.” Lighting Tail was leading them farther away from the bracken. “I’ll leave you in peace.”
    As he spoke, Leaf let out an anguished wail.
    The rogues jerked around, pelts bristling.
    â€œWhat’s going on?” The gray tom flattened his ears.
    â€œI don’t know.” Worry flashed in the tabby’s eyes.
    â€œGo find out what that noise was and I’ll get rid of this loner.” The gray tom turned toward Lightning Tail, his teeth glinting as he drew back his lips.
    The tabby stalked cautiously toward the bush where Leaf was hiding.
    Leaf let out another anguished wail.
    â€œWho is it?” the tabby asked nervously. “What’s wrong?”
    â€œQuick!” Gray Wing hissed in Reed’s ear. With both guards distracted, this was their chance. He slunk forward, keeping low, and crept toward the bracken. Reed’s breath warmed his tail-tip. He reached the wall of stiff fronds and pushed