His amber gaze was warm and friendly, but a chill crept over Rootpaw as he returned the Clan leader’s gaze. He blinked, then blinked again. It was as though some kind of dark shadow was hanging over Bramblestar, yet no shadows lay in the clearing. Rootpaw glanced around swiftly at the other cats around him, but none of them seemed to notice anything odd.

“I—I was glad to do it,” he stammered in reply to the Clan leader, dipping his head respectfully. Inwardly his heart was pounding so hard he thought every cat must be able to hear it. Is there something wrong with Bramblestar? Rootpaw asked himself.

Lost Stars, Chapter 11