Snowtuft glanced at him. Was that doubt in his gaze? Rage surged like fire in Ashfur’s chest. Did he have to make every move for these mouse-hearts?

Rootspring must die! Without speaking, he flicked the simple, vicious instruction at the spirit cats. It energized them, his thought becoming theirs. Their pelts spiked, their ears flattened, their tails bushed as they began to yowl.

“Kill him!”

“Slit his throat!”

“Rip him to shreds!”

A Light in the Mist, Prologue