Darkness Falls (27 page)
Authors: Erin Hunter
Lucky's paws crunched on the forest
floor as he ran. Dappled bronze light, scattered by the branches above him, burnished the fallen leaves beneath his paws. Just ahead, he could see Fiery's powerful haunches as his huge Packmate bounded through the forest.
“Lucky!” Fiery turned to bark over his shoulder. “Rememberâkeep your nose alert for Blade and the others.”
“Don't worry.” Lucky wasn't about to forget the savage leader of the Fierce Dogs. He felt his hackles rise as he pictured her snarling, arrogant face. Lucky sniffed the frosty forest air for any trace of their enemy, but all he could detect were dying leaves, running water, and tiny creatures of the earth.
No, Blade won't get near the Pack while I can stop her
. . . .
“Good. Just stay alert, and make sure the others do too.” Fiery swung his great head to scan the forest. “Alpha's certain Blade will be back for revenge.”
“I think Alpha's right.” Lucky increased his pace until he was running closely at Fiery's flank. “And he's right not to let any dog go out alone.”
Fiery's muscles bunched as he slowed his pace to a trot. “Let's move carefully now,” he growled. The half-wolf Alpha had insisted that Fiery go out with Lucky on this first hunt of his new status. Lucky was fairly sure that was for strength in numbers and not an indication of his leader's lingering distrust of him. It felt odd that Alpha should care about Lucky's life after all that had happened between them, but Lucky and the half wolf seemed to have reached a kind of peace.
For now.
Lucky didn't think he would ever trust Alpha completely, but that wasn't a thought he could share with Fiery. He was the Pack's third-in-command after Sweet, Alpha's Beta, and had always been deeply, fiercely loyal to their leader.
“Lucky!” The excited yelp came from a clump of grass to his left, and Lick burst into view.
“You kept up,” barked Lucky, amused. “Well done.”
The young Fierce Dog visibly swelled, her head lifting. Lucky's surge of pride in her was mixed with a tingle of foreboding. Though she was young, Lick's Fierce Dog heritage already showed in her powerful muscles and her glossy hideâand in that strong jaw lined with ferocious teeth. Some of the other dogs were still nervous about accepting a Fierce Dog into their Pack.
Fools. Lick's about as vicious as a rabbit
.
“Keep your eyes open, Lick,” he growled softly at the young dog. “Remember, it's a white rabbit we're looking for, and Dart swears she saw one around this warren.”
“Why does it have to be white?” Lick frowned. “I can smell so much prey here.”
Lucky's heart sank, but he kept his voice cheerful. “Alpha insists on a snow-white rabbit for the Naming Ceremony.”
Lick's head lowered, and all her energy seemed to seep out of her. “Oh. For Squirm and Nose. I bet it's going to be amazing.” In a resentful growl she added, “Not that I'd know anything about Naming.”
“Neither do I.” Lucky shunted her cheerfully with his nose. “I never had a Naming Ceremony, Lick.”
“Really?” She cocked her head, seeming a little more hopeful.
“Really. I don't even remember getting my name. Sometimes there's a vague memory, but . . .” Lucky shook his shoulders. “I remember a young longpaw with yellow hair like a tail. She was in danger. I remember my Mother-Dog being pleased with me. I hear a voice saying Lucky . . . but the memory slips away just when I'm about to seize it, like a sneaky piece of prey.”
Lick gave a rumbling laugh, a deep one that reminded Lucky just how fast the young dog was growing. “At least I'm not the only one, then.”
“It's not something all dogs do,” Lucky reminded her. “Think of the Leashed Dogs.”
Lick sniffed and said wryly, “They don't know how to do anything right.”
Poor Lick. She's putting on a brave face, but I know she's desperate to get her adult dog name like the others
. Covering his anger at Alpha, Lucky nudged her. “You'll get a Naming Ceremony. Don't worry.”
“I hope so.” Lick scowled. “Why won't Alpha let me have one now?”
ERIN HUNTER
is inspired by a fascination with the ferocity of the natural world. As well as having great respect for nature in all its forms, Erin enjoys creating rich mythical explanations for animal behavior. She is also the author of the bestselling Warriors and Seekers series. Visit her online at www.survivorsdogs.com.
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THE NEW PROPHECY
POWER OF THREE
OMEN OF THE STARS
Book One: The Fourth Apprentice
Book Five: The Forgotten Warrior
DAWN OF THE CLANS
Warriors Super Edition: Firestar's Quest
Warriors Super Edition: Bluestar's Prophecy
Warriors Super Edition: SkyClan's Destiny
Warriors Super Edition: Crookedstar's Promise
Warriors Super Edition: Yellowfang's Secret
Warriors Super Edition: Tallstar's Revenge
Warriors Field Guide: Secrets of the Clans
Warriors: Battles of the Clans
MANGA
The Lost Warrior
Warrior's Refuge
Warrior's Return
The Rise of Scourge
Tigerstar and Sasha #1: Into the Woods
Tigerstar and Sasha #2: Escape from the Forest
Tigerstar and Sasha #3: Return to the Clans
Ravenpaw's Path #1: Shattered Peace
Ravenpaw's Path #2: A Clan in Need
Ravenpaw's Path #3: The Heart of a Warrior
SkyClan and the Stranger #1: The Rescue
SkyClan and the Stranger #2: Beyond the Code
SkyClan and the Stranger #3: After the Flood
NOVELLAS
BIND-UPS
The Untold Stories
Book Four: The Last Wilderness
Book Six: Spirits in the Stars
RETURN TO THE WILD
Book Three: River of Lost Bears
MANGA
Toklo's Story
Kallik's Adventure
A WORKING PARTNERS BOOK
Cover art © 2013 by Julia Green
Art direction and cover design by Cara Petrus
Cover design by Megan Stitt
S
URVIVORS #3: DARKNESS FALLS
Copyright © 2013 by Working Partners Limited
Series created by Working Partners Limited
Map © 2013 by Frank Riccio
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ISBN 978-0-06-210264-5 (trade bdg.)
ISBN 978-0-06-210265-2 (lib. bdg.)
EPub Edition July 2013 ISBN 9780062102676
13 14 15 16 17
CG/RRDH
10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1
