Edward shifted uncertainly. The clan cats' focus was on the clan leaders on the rock but he still felt watched. The clan leaders took turns standing and telling of the current events of their clan. Most of it was boring, so Edward tuned it out, focusing his worried mind on the future. Finally it was Firestar's turn. HE stood gazing down solemnly for a few seconds then began to speak.
"The clans are at war." At his ominous words the cats gasped and began their whispering anew. The other Clan leaders showed no reaction.
"Recently a group of cats, lead by a cat who calls himself 'Envy' attacked our camp. He made it very clear that if we didn't leave, Bloodclan would take our territory by force."
The whispering continued.
"And for this reason…I have enlisted the help of some special, err, creatures."
Edward glanced at the clan leaders. Tallstar and Leapardstar were staring at Firestar with confusion. Nightstar was staring…at him.
For a few moments neither of them moved, caught in the trance of their connection. Then, with a small smirk, Nightstar turned his red eyes back to Firestar.
Wait…Edward swore that Nightstar had green eyes, having time to observe the other clan leaders before the meeting. A feeling of dread and suspicion wormed into his heart. "Blackpaw, when did Nightstar become your clan leader?" he asked without turning. When she didn't answer Edward turned toward where she was laying only to find she wasn't there.
"Blackpaw?" he whispered. The feeling of dread grew bigger.
Suddenly a warm body collided with his from behind and he was pushed into an open space before the leaders. Spinning he caught sight of a torn ear and patchy fur before the cat slipped into the crowd. Edward growled softly. Damn it, Longtail.
He turned to the silent cats.
"Well, who's this?" sneered Nightstar, the only leader unfazed by his sudden entrance.
"I was just getting to that," Firestar said coolly. "This is Edward. He is currently staying with Thunderclan, and has been a major component in our preparations against Bloodclan."
At the mention of Edward's name Nightstar's eyes widened and gasps came from the scattered Shadowclan cats.
"You're Edward?" hissed Nightstar. "Envy was right when he said you were small."
The retort on Edward's tongue died away as his blood ran cold. The cats went silent. Tallstar turned his burning gaze onto Nightstar.
"You talked with Envy?"
Nightstar growled. "Did you think Thunderclan was the only ones to receive that warning? Instead of being cowardly heaps of fox-dung like the rest of you, I took matters into my own paws and struck a deal." Nightstar grinned evilly. "In exchange for half of the forest we are making a trade. This little runt," He pointed his tail at Edward, "for the future survival of my clan."
As if on cue, three Thunderclan warriors raced out of the crowd and grabbed Edward before he could react, dragging him by his scruff to the foot of the rock. Through his face was pressed into the dirt, he could still see Nightstar's evil grin leering over him.
"Enough of this!" Leapardstar hissed, jumping to her paws. "Leave him alone!"
"He won't be hurt if he cooperates," said Nightstar.
Edward gazed up at Leapardstar in confusion. He didn't know her, she didn't know him, and they were in different clans… So why was she defending him? He had heard about Leapardstar's dislike for Thunderclan from Cloudtail on their many hunts and patrols together. Why defend him, when he wasn't even part of a clan?
Leapardstar shot him a quick glance. In her eyes he could see fear, anger, and…love? She turned away to glare at Nightstar.
"This isn't necessary, Nightstar," Tallstar meowed quietly. "We can defeat Bloodclan, but we need Shadowclan's help."
That was something Edward thought he would never hear anyone say.
Nightstar snarled, looking really pissed now. "This is what I think of helping you!" He charged Tallstar, head-butting him like a bull, and the older cat flew off the edge of the rock.
For a second everything stopped. Tallstar hung suspended in the air, face etched in fear. Then time sped up and Edward cringed and looked away as Tallstar's body hit the ground with a sickening crunch.
A Windclan cat raced toward his fallen leader and cried out, "He's dead! Tallstar's dead!" Howls of grief echoed in the too silent forest. A shadow passed overhead, adding to the somber scene. Edward glanced up and saw an ominous black cloud block the clear moonlight. Cats looked up at the cloud with worry. "Starclan is angry," he heard one murmur.
Suddenly he felt himself being pulled to his feet and he growled, ready to make a break for it. All the Shadowclan cats were now surrounding him, clearing a path for Nightstar, who stalked over to him with and evil grin.
He decided that escaping now would be a bad idea. He would get clawed to pieces before he was halfway.
He glared as Nightstar towered over him, his eyes red aglow. "Well, Edward, I wish I would have never had to see you again."
"Who are you?" he hissed. He was tired of these guessing games.
Nightstar stepped forward till his head was by Edwards's pinned-back ears.
"You thought you had seen the last of me, didn't you?" Nightstar's cold drawl filtered into Edward's ear. "Your friend Scar should have know better; it takes more than a few bloody battle wounds to kill a Furor."
Edward growled as Wrath backed away, chuckling under his breath.
"Wrath," Edward said. "When I'm through with you, I swear that you head will hand next to Envy's."
"I don't think so," Wrath said. He twitched his tail to his clan and Edward disappeared under the wave of attacking cats.
