Path of Stars by Erin Hunter Read Free Book Online Page B

kits alive, you will meet my demands.”
    Cold fear seeped beneath Clear Sky’s pelt. Words dried in his mouth.
    â€œWhat are your demands, exactly?” Thunder’s steady mew sounded behind him.
    â€œFor every five pieces of prey you catch, I want one,” Slash told him simply. “My rogues will visit you each day to collect our share.”
    Wind Runner glared at the rogue. “We’ll starve!”
    Thunder growled. “We’re not going hungry to feed you!”
    Slash narrowed his eyes. “Why should you grow fat on prey from our land?”
    â€œNo one will grow fat this leaf-bare,” Tall Shadow spat. “There’s hardly enough prey for ourselves. There’s certainly not enough to share with you.”
    â€œThat’s not my problem,” Slash answered back. “If you want to live on our land, then you must share what you catch there.”
    â€œIt’s not your land!” Thunder hissed.
    â€œIt’s not your land either. You took it without asking,” Slash snapped. “You force us to roam the edges and live off your scraps.”
    â€œYou’ve always roamed the edges of other cats’ land,” Wind Runner snarled. “You know no other way. Your kind has been bullying others to hunt for them since I was a kit.”
    Clear Sky’s thoughts whirled. Why were they arguing over land ? This meeting was about Star Flower. Why weren’t the other leaders trying to save her?
    River Ripple eyed Slash coldly. “Why do you stay? The moor, the river, and the forest mean nothing to you. New lands stretch as far as the horizon. Why not go and hunt somewhere else?”
    â€œWhy should we bother when we have you to hunt for us?” Slash began to pace the edge of the rock, his rogues moving back to let him pass. “You pride yourself on your hunting skills. Isn’t this a perfect chance to show them off? And I think I’ve given you enough incentive. . . . Remember, if you don’t share your prey, Star Flower will die.”
    No! Clear Sky’s breath caught in his throat. “What if we gave you one piece of prey in ten?” he blurted.
    Slash’s ears twitched. “That’s not very generous.”
    â€œOne in seven?” Clear Sky’s mew was husky with desperation. He glanced over his shoulder at the other leaders, silently pleading for them to back him up. “One in seven isn’t much to ask,” he rasped. “It’ll be newleaf before we know it, and the land will be prey-rich again.”
    Thunder avoided meeting his eyes. Tall Shadow blinked at him apologetically. Wind Runner’s gaze was too narrow to read.
    River Ripple stepped closer to the great rock and stared upat Slash. “Our campmates will not go hungry to feed yours.”
    Clear Sky felt sick. Didn’t they care if Star Flower died? He broke from River Ripple’s side and hurried to Thunder. “You can’t do this!” He snapped his gaze to Wind Runner. “You have to help save her!” Tall Shadow backed away as he glared at her. “You promised that you’d help me!”
    A low growl sounded in Slash’s throat. Clear Sky turned to face him. The rogues paced menacingly around their leader.
    â€œGive me a chance to persuade them,” Clear Sky begged.
    Slash scowled. “Clearly your friends don’t care if Star Flower dies,” he snarled. “But don’t worry. You won’t be the only one to pay for this.” His claws scraped the stone. “None of you realize the danger you face. My rogues outnumber you. They are more savage than any of you can imagine. If you value your prey more than the lives of your kits and your campmates, then you are free to refuse me.”
    Thunder lifted his chin. “You’re bluffing.”
    Tall Shadow hissed at Slash. “Why should we believe a word you say?”
    â€œFor all we know,” Wind Runner added,