She felt movement beside her and twisted, her fur billowing around her. Something was flailing a tail-length away. Shadowsight? Had she sacrificed herself for nothing? Panic flared in every hair. She struck out, ready to fight. She would save him. She had to.

But when she saw the face of the cat beside her, she froze. It wasn’t Shadowsight who’d fallen in. Ashfur was thrashing his paws as he fought to reach the surface.

No! I can’t let him escape the water. . . .

Bristlefrost lunged, taking two clawfuls of the dark warrior’s fur and letting her weight sink into her hindquarters, turning her body to the side and pushing him away with all her strength. She watched him sink toward the darkness below. His face was distorted by the water, and yet the terror in it was clear. Bristlefrost felt a surge of triumph. They’d done it! Ashfur was scared at last. He saw her, his eyes rounding with disbelief for a moment before he slipped from sight and vanished into shadow. All that remained was his last breath as it bubbled past her to the surface and disappeared.

A Light in the Mist, Chapter 18