Windborn by Jennifer Lynn Alvarez

Author:Jennifer Lynn Alvarez [Alvarez, Jennifer Lynn]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Fiction, Fantasy, Young Adult
Publisher: HarperCollins
Published: 2016-07-20T00:00:00+00:00

20

LETTING GO

MORNINGLEAF WOKE IN THE COOL DEPTHS OF the den. Brackentail had slipped into the chamber and fallen asleep next to her. His warm breath blew against her singed feathers, making them rise and fall. His ears twitched and his eyelids fluttered—he was dreaming.

She stretched, being careful not to wake him. The bright splotch of sunshine that streamed from the hole above her head indicated that it was near the middle of the day. They normally slept until dusk. What had awakened her? And where was Star?

The sound of whispering sifted gently through the silence, and she recognized the soft voices of Bumblewind and Dewberry. Morningleaf slipped out of the lair and crept through the center chamber where Hazelwind was sleeping. She followed the tunnel to the den’s first chamber and entered, yawning.

Bumblewind glanced at her with startled eyes. “Why are you awake?”

“That’s an odd question. I can be awake if I want.” She peered at her two friends, who looked guilty. “Why? What’s going on?”

They looked at each other, arguing with their eyes as they often did. Morningleaf realized Star was missing, and her belly twisted. “Where’s Star and Frostfire?” Before they could answer, she knew where they’d gone. “They went to save the walkers, didn’t they?”

“We couldn’t stop them,” said Dewberry.

Morningleaf’s eyes burned, and her throat tightened. She stood for a moment, her wings trembling, and then she charged out of the den and galloped toward the blind that overlooked the valley.

“Morningleaf!” Dewberry grunted, and sped after her.

Morningleaf flattened her neck and galloped faster.

But Dewberry was older and stronger. She caught up to Morningleaf and snatched her tail in her teeth, tugging hard to stop her.

“Let go!” Morningleaf squealed, kicking Dewberry in the chest. The mare released her, and Morningleaf resumed her gallop toward the blind.

Dewberry lifted off, flying just over her head. “Get back to the den,” she snapped. “Now.”

“No,” whinnied Morningleaf. “I have to know what happened to Star.”

“But it’s daylight! It’s not safe.”

“I don’t care.”

Morningleaf reached the hiding place, out of breath, and skidded inside.

Dewberry followed and bit Morningleaf’s mane, yanking out some hair.

Morningleaf whirled on her. “Why did you do that?”

Dewberry nipped Morningleaf again, hard, like an angry dam.

Morningleaf snapped her jaws, but Dewberry’s dark eyes hardened to stone. “Don’t try it, filly.”

Morningleaf closed her mouth and rubbed the top of her neck with her wing, which throbbed from the bite. “What’s your problem?”

“You,” huffed Dewberry, pointing behind them. “You tore out of the den without scenting for wolves, without checking the sky, and without telling us where you were going. Are you trying to get us all killed, or just yourself?”

“But Star—”

Dewberry stamped her hoof. “Star left the den without telling you for a reason, Morningleaf. Did you consider that? He didn’t want you to stop him or follow him.”

“Why?” asked Morningleaf, trying to catch her breath.

“Because of stuff like this,” said Dewberry. “When it comes to Star, you don’t think about anyone else, or yourself.” Dewberry folded her ruffled wings. “You take too many chances.

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