Red Moon Rising
Page 19
Lucky survived for a long time as a Lone Dog. He was happy, and he hunted alone. I can do the same. I can be happy too.
She had walked a long way already, it struck her as she came out of the trees onto a long, grassy slope. The Sun-Dog lit the landscape with his last, slanting rays; he was a bright point of dazzling gold on the far horizon. Every leaf and blade of grass glowed with the great Spirit Dog’s light.
And then, abruptly, there was another, separate flash of gold.
It sprang up from nowhere and stood poised before her, bright and magnificent:
The Golden Deer!
Storm halted and stared, awestruck by its beauty. It was standing so close to her, she could see straight into its bright liquid-bronze eyes. The tines of its antlers sparkled with points of light and its hide shone like the Sun-Dog himself.
Storm’s aching heart pounded, and her throat felt dry and tight. The beauty and solemnity of the creature was overwhelming, and for long moments she could only gape at it, dazzled.
It looked back at her, unafraid, challenging.
One leap. One good spring is all it would take. I could bring down the Golden Deer right here, right now; it’s as if the Wind-Dogs have sent it to me.
If I take the Golden Deer, the Pack will have good fortune at last. The pups will be safe, and happy, and that will be down to me. Tumble, Fluff, Nibble, and Tiny: They’ll thrive and be truly lucky.
If I catch the Golden Deer for my Pack . . .
For the Pack.
Storm and the Golden Deer just gazed into each other’s eyes, as the last rays of the Sun-Dog faded. The glowing light died from the landscape, and shadows crept across the grass and the trees. But still the Golden Deer remained radiant, as if a part of the Sun-Dog had stayed here with it.
It blinked at her, slowly. Storm dipped her head, once, in awed respect.
And then she turned away.
She padded across the dew-damp grass without looking back. She walked on, away from the Golden Deer, and felt no regret at all. She walked until she knew that even that beautiful, shining Spirit Deer had faded from view and disappeared in the shadows of the night.
It isn’t my duty anymore. I’m a Lone Dog now. I can’t bring good fortune to a Pack that is no longer mine.
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ABOUT THE AUTHOR
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 Warriors, Seekers, and Bravelands series. Visit her online at www.survivorsdogs.com.
Discover great authors, exclusive offers, and more at hc.com.
BOOKS BY ERIN HUNTER
Book One: The Empty City
Book Two: A Hidden Enemy
Book Three: Darkness Falls
Book Four: The Broken Path
Book Five: The Endless Lake
Book Six: Storm of Dogs
THE GATHERING DARKNESS
Book One: A Pack Divided
Book Two: Dead of Night
Book Three: Into the Shadows
Survivors: Tales from the Packs
NOVELLAS
Alpha’s Tale
Sweet’s Journey
Moon’s Choice
THE PROPHECIES BEGIN
Book One: Into the Wild
Book Two: Fire and Ice
Book Three: Forest of Secrets
Book Four: Rising Storm
Book Five: A Dangerous Path
Book Six: The Darkest Hour
THE NEW PROPHECY
Book One: Midnight
Book Two: Moonrise
Book Three: Dawn
Book Four: Starlight
Book Five: Twilight
Book Six: Sunset
POWER OF THREE
Book One: The Sight
Book Two: Dark River
Book Three: Outcast
Book Four: Eclipse
Book Five: Long Shadows
Book Six: Sunrise
OMEN OF THE STARS
Book One: The Fourth Apprentice
Book Two: Fading Echoes
Book Three: Night Whispers
Book Four: Sign of the Moon
Book Five: The Forgotten Warrior
Book Six: The Last Hope
DAWN OF THE CLANS
Book One: The Sun Trail
Book Two: Thunder Rising
Book Three: The First Battle
Book Four: The Blazing Star
Book Five: A Forest Divided
Book Six: Path of Stars
A VISION OF SHADOWS
Book One: The Apprentice’s Quest
Book Two: Thunder and Shadow
Book Three: Shattered Sky
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 Super Edition: Bramblestar’s Storm
Warriors Super Edition: Moth Flight’s Vision
Warriors Super Edition: Hawkwing’s Journey
Warriors Super Edition: Tigerheart’s Shadow
Warriors Field Guide: Secrets of the Clans
Warriors: Cats of the Clans
Warriors: Code of the Clans
Warriors: Battles of the Clans
Warriors: Enter the Clans
Warriors: The Ultimate Guide
Warriors: The Untold Stories
Warriors: Tales from the Clans
Warriors: Shadows of the Clans
Warriors: Legends 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
Hollyleaf’s Story
Mistystar’s Omen
Cloudstar’s Journey
Tigerclaw’s Fury
Leafpool’s Wish
Dovewing’s Silence
Mapleshade’s Vengeance
Goosefeather’s Curse
Ravenpaw’s Farewell
Spottedleaf’s Heart
Pinestar’s Choice
Thunderstar’s Echo
Book One: The Quest Begins
Book Two: Great Bear Lake
Book Three: Smoke Mountain
Book Four: The Last Wilderness
Book Five: Fire in the Sky
Book Six: Spirits in the Stars
RETURN TO THE WILD
Book One: Island of Shadows
Book Two: The Melting Sea
Book Three: River of Lost Bears
Book Four: Forest of Wolves
Book Five: The Burning Horizon
Book Six: The Longest Day
MANGA
Toklo’s Story
Kallik’s Adventure
Book One: Broken Pride
CREDITS
Cover art by Julia Green
Cover design by Sarah Creech,
based on series design by Cara Petrus
COPYRIGHT
SURVIVORS: THE GATHERING DARKNESS #4: RED MOON RISING. Copyright © 2017 by Working Partners Limited. Series created by Working Partners Limited. Endpaper art © 2017 by Frank Riccio. All rights reserved under International and Pan-American Copyright Conventions. By payment o
f the required fees, you have been granted the nonexclusive, nontransferable right to access and read the text of this e-book on-screen. No part of this text may be reproduced, transmitted, downloaded, decompiled, reverse-engineered, or stored in or introduced into any information storage and retrieval system, in any form or by any means, whether electronic or mechanical, now known or hereafter invented, without the express written permission of HarperCollins e-books.
www.harpercollinschildrens.com
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Library of Congress Control Number: 2017934809
ISBN 978-0-06-234345-1 (trade bdg.) — ISBN 978-0-06-234346-8 (lib. bdg.)
EPub Edition © September 2017 ISBN 9780062343482
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FIRST EDITION
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