When the clan arrived home from the gathering, Blackfrost was beyond exhausted. She started walking straight to the warriors den with Stormpelt, but a voice behind her stopped her in her tracks.

"Blackfrost. Can I talk to you?"

Eaglestar.

No, please don't.

"Of course you can." Blackfrost followed the clan leader outside the camp.

After a few heartbeats of silence, Eaglestar spoke. "I brought you out here to apologize. I know it's a little late, but I want you to know why I wasn't there for you as you were growing up."

No. Don't tell me that. I can't deal with the guilt if you do.

"Your mother was the love of my life, and I should've stayed with her. But I was too focused on becoming deputy, and then leader."

Like me.

"I just couldn't deal with a couple of kits if I was to be in charge. So I ditched you two, and I shouldn't have done that." Eaglestar's tail drooped and he dragged his big tabby paws ever so slightly. "And when your mother died...I couldn't stand to look at you both...you reminded me too much of her."

Was my mother a killer too? No, of course not. But you don't know that about me.

"I should've been with her. Then she never would've got bitten by that snake. But I was too selfish! Please don't become that way, Blackfrost. Please don't ever be too selfish to except other cat's love." The clan leader sat down on some pine needles, and his amber eyes were downcast.

Blackfrost could see the pain in his eyes.

I can't do it.

She told the voice.

Yes you can. He's not your father. He's the clan leader and he's in the way. He's weak.

Blackfrost flexed her claws and struggled not to comfort Eaglestar.

Kill him.

She held back the tears.

Make him sorry.

Blackfrost didn't move.

Make him sorry for what? He's been nothing but good to me!

She asked the voice.

Kill him! Kill him now!

"No!" Blackfrost screamed out loud. "No, no, no, no!" She collapsed and covered her ears with her paws.

"What's wrong?" Eaglestar asked, the worry thick in his voice.

"I can't kill you!" She blurted.

The air seemed to grow still. All the night sounds stopped. The lake lapped up against the shore, hungry. Blackfrost froze in her crouched position.

"You don't have to."

Stormpelt.

No.

Don't do it.

Don't do it.

Do it.

Kill him.