Chapter 21
She glanced over to see the steady rise and fall of Scourge's flank. 'The Fire is coming…' Equinoxrise's words echoed in her ears. Ashwinter rested her chin on her paws, trying clear her mind of all thoughts. However, she couldn't keep them from invading her peace. Again she watched the little black cat who lay beneath the large blue thing. He doesn't seem that bad… maybe I should give him a chance. Ashwinter resolved. She closed her eyes once more, hoping Equinoxrise would visit her again. She was relieved for a moment to find herself back in StarClan. But a different cat appeared from the mists this time—Swiftflight!
" What do you want?" she spat.
Swiftflight remained calm. " Ashwinter, I need to tell you that you and Honeymallow are going to be held captive for a few more sunrises. Be patient, my little flower."
Ashwinter hissed. " Why send you of all cats to bear this message?"
Swiftflight didn't answer. " Another thing, dearest. Honeymallow is going to need you soon. Desperately need you, she is going to be hit hard by what she deems a tragedy."
" What tragedy? Why were we chosen anyway?" Ashwinter demanded.
Swiftflight held her icy gaze. " Know this—Scourge loves you for who you are. He is gifted in the sense that he can learn much about some one just by being with them for a short amount of time. Realize this is a time of self-learning for him, too."
Ashwinter breathed sharply as her father began to fade away. Swirling darkness engulfed her. I have been taken from my Clan by a cat that claims he loves me…Honeymallow is going to suffer…and there is nothing I can do about it.
Three days later, Ashwinter lay close to Scourge, sharing body heat. Rain poured down out of the gray sky, and lighting flashed quickly now and again. Ashwinter worried about Honeymallow—not knowing where she and Bone were unnerved her. The rain thudded melodically off the blue thing (which Scourge had ushered her underneath when the storm had blown in).
" I promise Panic is safe." Scourge whispered in her ear.
Ashwinter sighed. " If you say so. And her name is Honeymallow, not Panic."
" Cats should be coming with food soon," he gazed out through the gap beneath the ground and the metal thing they were under.
Ashwinter snorted. " That's like slavery," she muttered.
Scourge's pale yellow eyes turned to her. " You disapprove?"
" We should be getting our own food."
" Ashwinter!" the wail echoed off the buildings. Ashwinter pricked her ears and squeezed out into the open air.
" Misery…?" Scourge followed curiously.
Ashwinter turned to him. " My name is Ash-win-ter." She enunciated. "Not Misery. Ash. Winter."
Scourge opened his mouth to retort when Honeymallow barreled around a corner.
" Ashwinter!" she screeched.
" Honeymallow! I'm right here, what's wrong?" Ashwinter asked with concern.
Rain soaked the golden she-cat's fur. Fear and fury were reflected in her wild eyes.
" Honeymallow…?" Ashwinter prompted.
" I need to talk to you," Honeymallow eyed Scourge, " Alone."
Scourge shrugged and disappeared into his den.
" Ashwinter, I…something's gone terribly wrong. Worse than either of us expected." Honeymallow began, then paused.
Ashwinter leveled her eyes with her friend's. Resisting the urge to shake the water from her quickly growing black pelt, she asked, " What's the matter?"
Honeymallow dropped her muzzle onto Ashwinter's shoulder and hesitated before whispering, " I'm expecting Bone's kits."