Jade stood bye the entrance to the Swim race camp. She was exhausted, and hoped that her replacement would come soon. Suddenly, something caught her eye. Was it her imagination, or had she seen a shadow, a darker black in the blackness of the night. Then a voice whispered, "Hello, Jade. I have come from far away to join your Races." Jade jumped, startled. Was it her imagination, or had she heard her daughter's voice? No, that couldn't be right. Shadow had died years ago. She looked at the newcomer more closely. She certainly resembled Shadow, even though her build was slightly different, and her scent not the same. "I'm sorry if I frightened you," the strange cat said, with the same soft lilt that Shadow's voice had had, "I suppose I arrived at an inconvenient time." Jade, still somewhat shaken, replied, "No, it's fine. I'll take you to Silk. What's your name?" "My name," the shadow said, with some amusement, "Is Mystery"
TO BE CONTINUED
TO BE CONTINUED
A wail came from the nursery. Inside, two cats from the race of healers stood over the screaming she-cat. One was a beautiful white queen with warm, but anxious, blue eyes. The other was a creamy tom with eyes of the same hue, but not nearly as friendly... fffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffff