Frogs croaked occasionally in the night as Mistybreeze followed Revengeheart and Mottledface through the forest. She blinked away sleep as the cool night air chilled her fur. Revengeheart had prodded her awake and nudged her out of her nest without warning. The ShadowClan cats allying with Deserve were meeting in the forest. What horrible scheme could this be about? She wondered miserably.

When the three reached a small clearing, half hidden by bushes and pine trees, many other cats already sat waiting. Blackstorm and Foxshadow sat like dark statues in the black night.

Poisonedsap sat on a fallen log, hunched over as she studied her allies. Her amber eyes glinted in the shadows. As Revengeheart led Mistybreeze and Mottledface into the clearing, she moved her attention to them. "Where's Swiftstalker and the apprentices?" She growled.

"They're coming." Revengeheart dipped his head respectfully as he sat down close to his mother. Mistybreeze awkwardly sat beside him, looking over her shoulder nervously.

The cats had been very careful about sneaking out. After one group of cats left the camp, the next group would wait a few moments as to not look suspicious. Though every other cat in the clan was asleep, they couldn't make a lot of noise to wake anyone or alert the guards.

Foxshadow swished his fluffy tail. "They'd better not be much longer." He grumbled. "I want to sleep before-" 

Poisonedsap growled, and the dark tom fell silent. These cats have so much respect for her. Mistybreeze thought. More respect than they do for Depthstar! Do they really want to help her destroy the clans? What's in it for them?

It wasn't long before Swiftstalker arrived. He was followed by the three apprentices. Mistybreeze's heart sunk when she saw the stone cold look in Falconpaw's eyes. You could have been a loyal warrior. You could have been happy. But Revengeheart has convinced you that hate and anger is the only way to live.

"What kept you, Swiftstalker?" Poisonedsap studied her son suspiciously.

Swiftstalker sat beside Mistybreeze and lifted his chin as he responded. "You don't want us getting caught, do you? We had to take our time."

Amberpaw rolled her eyes. "Heatpaw rolled over in his sleep and into my nest!" She scowled in disgust. "Right on my leg! It wasn't easy to get away without waking that orange furball."

"I see." Poisonedsap dismissed her daughter with a flick of her tail. When she was sure she had every cat's attention, she raised her voice. "First thing's first. Revengeheart." She gave him a nod. "You did very well in the fight earlier."

"Yes!" Foxshadow chuckled. "Every cat looked at Bloodfur like he was a case of green-cough! Like he was a badger ready to strike."

The golden she-cat nodded as a twisted grin spread across her face. "And that's exactly what we want. The clan is quickly seeing the monster that Hawkfeather prophesized."

Hawkfeather? Prophecy? Mistybreeze's ears pricked with curiosity. What is she talking about?

Spiderpaw and Amberpaw were exchanging confused looks as Poisonedsap went on. "Bloodfur has a darkness inside him that can be used to our advantage. We saw that today when Revengeheart angered him."

"So?" Blackstorm prompted. "We should pick on Bloomfire's kits more often?"

"Wrong." Poisonedsap narrowed her eyes. "That was only a test. I've had an idea, but first I needed to see how Bloodfur reacted to Revengeheart's insult." A purr rumbled in her throat. "It's very clear to me now just how much Bloodfur wants to be accepted by his clanmates. How much he wants to prove himself. He doesn't understand why they've always treated him so strangely. That frustration and pain can easily be converted into hatred." She smiled. "Now I know this will work."

The cats looked at each other thoughtfully as Poisonedsap rose to her paws. "I've thought long and hard about our next steps. And it's very simple, so long as we control what happens afterwards." Her eyes glittered in the darkness as she spoke. "It's time for Bloodfur to learn the truth about his birth."

While Blackstorm and Foxshadow's eyes lit with excitement, Poisonedsap went on. "It's up to us to make sure he focuses on his anger and hatred."

What truth about his birth? Mistybreeze felt completely lost at Poisonedsap's words. She looked at Revengeheart, then turned to Swiftstalker, who looked just as puzzled. There's a big secret about Bloodfur? This must be the reason every cat acts so strangely around him!

"What do you mean?" Swiftstalker stared at his mother, genuine confusion in his eyes. "What about his birth?"

Amberpaw spoke up as well. "Yeah, what's the big secret? Wasn't he born like the rest of us?"

"Oh, yes." Poisonedsap looked mildly amused. "Some of you don't know the truth about Bloodfur. You were too young or not even born yet when it happened."

Mistybreeze's heart pounded as she awaited Poisonedsap's next words. What could be such a dark secret?

"Flameheart and Bloomfire are not Bloodfur's parents," The dark golden she-cat meowed, her voice like claws dragging across stone. "His real mother bled to death giving birth, and his father served himself up as fox food."

"Sick!" Spiderpaw exclaimed, and Amberpaw shushed him.

Mistybreeze couldn't hold back a sharp gasp, and Revengeheart shot her a glare. She shrank back under his gaze, but continued staring at Poisonedsap in shock. I can't believe it! Poor Bloodfur...

"Hawkfeather thought the blood covered kit was an omen from StarClan," Poisonedsap went on. "He declared that Bloodkit would destroy ShadowClan."

While Mistybreeze's heart sank with pity, Revengeheart broke into laughter. "And the clan believed something so stupid?"

"You know how silly clan cats are about their precious StarClan," Poisonedsap snorted.

Amberpaw raised her voice. "Here's what I think of StarClan!" She dropped onto her chest and raised her tail, wiggling her rump at the stars. Spiderpaw and Falconpaw broke into laughter, and Revengeheart couldn't even resist a chuckle.

"Right, Amberpaw." Poisonedsap's eyes gleamed. "Though every cat agreed to keep the secret about his parents, they don't trust him. They're waiting for the day Bloodfur turns on them." She dug her claws into the bark under her. "And that day is coming... Very soon."

Revengeheart nodded slowly. "The clan will hold him responsible for our crimes without question."

They're really going to do this to Bloodfur? Mistybreeze's heart ached. He's already struggling so much. He doesn't deserve to learn the truth about his parents like this, or be framed for murder! She glanced aside at Swiftstalker and saw dull sorrow in his blue eyes. He doesn't like this either. I know he still cares about Bloodfur... Just like I do, despite what he said to me and Coldpebble.

"The next killings," Poisonedsap announced, breaking Mistybreeze out of her thoughts. "We will pin them on Bloodfur." She nodded to Revengeheart. "Ravenfeather and Clovernose are meeting with Castiel later tonight just outside RiverClan territory. I want you and Mottledface to join them and ask Castiel when his next attack on ShadowClan will be."

"Yes, Poisonedsap." Revengeheart's eyes gleamed.

"We need more deaths as soon as possible, while the memory of Bloodfur attacking you is fresh in their minds." Poisonedsap purred. "Then the fun begins."

"Right." The black legged tom stood and looked at Mottledface. "We'd better leave for RiverClan territory now if we want to make it in time." He shouldered Mistybreeze, startling her to her paws. "Come on."

She reluctantly turned away when Poisonedsap spoke. "Wait. Before you go, I'd like to have a word with Mistybreeze."

Unease prickled her fur. Me? Why me? She turned toward Poisonedsap as Revengeheart hesitated, his eyes narrowed. "Fine." He muttered. "We'll wait for you."

Why do I have to go with you to meet Castiel? Mistybreeze wondered. Must I be by your side at all times? What sort of mate does this?

As Revengeheart and Mottledface moved away, Poisonedsap stalked toward her. She tensed as the queen watched her through gleaming amber slits. "Hello, Mistybreeze."

"Poisonedsap." She forced her fur to lay flat as she dipped her head respectfully. It was quiet for a moment. Crickets chirped in the undergrowth. Mistybreeze shuffled her paws nervously. What does she want to talk about?

At last, Poisonedsap spoke. "Are you expecting kits, Mistybreeze?" Her voice lacked any emotion.

Unease shot through her as she stared back at the queen. Her tongue felt dry as she gave a simple response. "N-no."

"Well, how long until you are?" Poisonedsap's tail twitched impatiently. "You and Revengeheart have been mates for moons."

"I..." Mistybreeze swallowed, her mind spinning for an answer. She forced herself to meet Poisonedsap's gaze. She's a horrible cat... She truly is. But... Maybe she'll understand that I don't want kits. She-cat to she-cat. She could understand, couldn't she? She lifted her chin bravely as she spoke. "I-I'm not sure if I want any kits."

For a long moment, Poisonedsap said nothing. She only stared back at her with an unreadable look in her eyes. At last, she spoke. "Well, that had better change soon." As Mistybreeze's heart sank in disappointment, the she-cat brushed past her, whisking her ragged tail around her neck. "I'd really like grandkits, you know." She chuckled.

Mistybreeze looked over her shoulder and watched warily as Poisonedsap headed toward Revengeheart and Mottledface. "I'm done with Mistybreeze if you want to leave now." She paused and leaned close to Revengeheart, murmuring in his ear. When she finished speaking, he raised his head and glared past her at Mistybreeze.

She told him what I said! Panic flashed through Mistybreeze, and she froze, waiting for Revengeheart to confront her.

But instead, the white tom only lashed his tail at her. "Come on," He growled. "We're going to meet Castiel." He and Mottledface headed through the trees, and Mistybreeze had no choice but to follow.

***

The moon had changed position in the sky by the time Mistybreeze and the others reached the outskirts of RiverClan territory. Revengeheart quickened his pace. "There they are." 

Up ahead, Mistybreeze saw the dark silhouettes of five cats. Two of them were Ravenfeather, the RiverClan deputy, and his clanmate, Clovernose. Opposite of them were Castiel, Papercut, and Wolf.

All five cats bristled at the newcomers, claws flashing out, but quickly relaxed when they recognized the ShadowClan warriors.

"Revengeheart." Castiel greeted him, though the surprise was clear in his voice.

"What are you doing here?" Ravenfeather demanded. "This is RiverClan business."

When the ShadowClan cats joined them, Revengeheart dipped his head. "I'm sorry for intruding, Castiel," He meowed. "Poisonedsap has requested that Deserve launch another attack on ShadowClan territory as soon as possible."

Castiel narrowed his blue eyes. "Why can't it wait?"

"ShadowClan is growing suspicious," Revengeheart replied. "Poisonedsap plans to frame one of our clanmates for the murders to keep them off our tails."

The silver tabby nodded slowly. "Very well." He looked over his shoulder. "Papercut, will you lead an attack on ShadowClan next moon?"

Before the white tom could respond, Mottledface butt in. "Next moon? That's-"

"The best we can do." Castiel fixed the brown tom with a firm stare. "Ravenfeather has asked us to launch two attacks within the moon. You'll have to wait."

"Very well," Revengeheart meowed, shooting Mottledface a glare. "Thank you, Castiel." 

He was about to turn away when Castiel spoke again. "Will Brownstripe be on many patrols?"

"Brownstripe?" Revengeheart glanced over his shoulder, his tail twitching in confusion. "Probably. Why?"

Mistybreeze felt her stomach twist as Castiel responded. "Perfect," He purred smoothly. "Then Deserve himself will participate. He and Brownstripe have... unfinished business."

After the ShadowClan cats said their goodbyes and began the journey back to ShadowClan territory, Mistybreeze couldn't get Castiel's words out of her head. It was painfully clear that the next of her clanmates to fall to Deserve's claws was Brownstripe.

And he won't be the only one. Mistybreeze felt sick to her stomach, her tail low and dragging behind her. Who else is doomed to suffer the same fate?