CHAPTER 1
Someone’s bleeding!
Ivypool stiffened1 as the memory of Antpelt’s death flooded her mind, just as it always did when the scent3 of blood hit her. She could still feel his flesh tearing beneath her claws, still see his final agonized4 spasm5 before he stopped moving forever. She’d been forced to kill the WindClan warrior7 to convince Tigerstar of her loyalty8. It had earned her the grim honor of training Dark Forest warriors9, but she knew she would never wash the scent of his blood from her paws.
“Stop!” she yowled.
Birchfall froze mid-lunge and stared at her. “What’s wrong?”
“I smell blood,” she snapped. “We’re only training. I don’t want any injuries.”
Birchfall blinked at her, puzzled.
Redwillow scrambled10 up from underneath11 Birchfall’s paws. “It’s just a nick,” the ShadowClan warrior meowed. He showed Ivypool his ear. Blood welled from a thin scratch at the tip.
“Just be careful,” Ivypool cautioned.
“Be careful?” Hawkfrost’s snarl12 made her spin around. “There’s a war coming and it won’t be won with sheathed13 claws.” Hawkfrost curled his lip and stared at Ivypool. “I thought you were helping14 to train our recruits to fight like real warriors, not soft Clan6 cats.”
“Then why do you come here?” Hawkfrost challenged.
Redwillow whisked his tail. “Our Clans16 need us to be the best warriors we can be. You told us that, remember?”
Hawkfrost nodded slowly. “And you can only learn the skills you need here.” He flicked17 his nose toward Birchfall. “Attack Redwillow again,” he ordered. “This time don’t stop at the first scent of blood.” He narrowed his eyes at Ivypool.
Ivypool swallowed, terrified she’d given herself away. No Dark Forest cat could ever know that she came here to spy for Dovewing, Jayfeather, and Lionblaze. Growling19, she lifted her chin and barged past Birchfall. “Do it like this,” she told him. With a hiss20 she hurled21 herself at Redwillow, ducking away from his claws, and grasped his forepaw between her jaws22. Using his weight to unbalance him, she snapped her head around and twisted him deftly23 onto his back. He landed with a thump25, which she knew sounded more painful than it felt. She’d hardly pierced his fur with her teeth and her jerk was so well-timed it had knocked him off his feet without wrenching26 his leg.
She glanced back at Hawkfrost, relieved to see approval glinting in his eyes. He’d only seen the flash of fur and claw and heard the smack27 of muscle against the slippery earth.
“Hawkfrost!”
Birchfall and Redwillow stared wide-eyed as Applefur appeared from the mist. The ShadowClan she-cat’s eyes were bright, her mottled brown pelt2 pulsing with heat from training. “Blossomfall and Hollowflight want to fight Dark Forestwarriors.”
Applefur’s apprentices28 padded out of the shadows. “We can fight Clan cats anytime,” Blossomfall complained.
Hollowflight nodded. “We come here to learn skills we can’t learn anywhere else.” The RiverClan tom’s pelt was matted with blood. Clumps30 of fur stuck out along his spine31.
Haven’t you had enough?Ivypool glanced at Hawkfrost. “Are there any Dark Forest warriors close by?” she ventured, praying there weren’t.
“Of course.” Hawkfrost tasted the air.
The screech32 of fighting cats echoed through the mist. It had become like birdsong to Ivypool—filling the forest, so familiar that she only heard it when she listened for it. “Why aren’t we training with them tonight?” she asked. Most nights, the Dark Forest warriors couldn’t wait to share their cruel skills with the Clan cats.
Hawkfrost wove between Blossomfall and Applefur. “I want you to learn how other Clans fight.”
Ivypool shivered.
“You may be fighting side by side one day,” Hawkfrost went on.
“You need to know your allies’ moves so you can match them, claw for claw.”
No, you’re training them to destroy one another in the final battle.
A husky growl18 echoed from the trees. “Four Clans will unite as one when it matters most.” Tigerstar padded from the shadows, his wide tabby head held high. “This is the law of the Dark Forest. Remember it.”
Birchfall nodded solemnly. “Four Clans will unite as one when it matters most,” he echoed.
“When will that be?” Blossomfall’s eyes were round.
“You’ll know when the time comes.” Mapleshade slunk from the trees. Her tortoiseshell pelt was so transparent34 now that the white patches showed the forest behind. Ivypool flinched35 at the reminder36 that she too would fade from every memory one day.
“Tigerstar?” Blossomfall was staring at the dark warrior. “Are we training for something special?”
Ivypool flinched. “Not yet,” she meowed quickly, one eye on Tigerstar. He nodded and she went on. “But you never know.” She remembered the vicious battle with WindClan in the tunnels only a quarter moon earlier. “There may be more cats like Sol ready to lead one Clan against another.”
Applefur stepped forward. “Next time a rogue37 tries to drive us apart, I’ll stand beside ThunderClan, not against them!”
Ivypool shifted her paws. These cats believe their loyalty to the Clans is being strengthened.She glanced at Birchfall. But who will they be loyal to when the final battle comes? Their Clanmates or the Dark Forest warriors?
Tigerstar flicked his tail. “Go back to your nests,” he ordered the Clan cats.
Hollowflight tipped his head. “But it’s early.”
“The senior warriors have a meeting.” Tigerstar nodded to Mapleshade and Hawkfrost.
“Can I come?” Ivypool asked.
Mapleshade narrowed her eyes. “No.”
“I’m a mentor38 now,” Ivypool pressed. She had to find out when the Dark Forest cats were planning to attack the Clans by the lake.
“While you still have the taste of living prey39 on your tongue, you’re not truly one of us,” Mapleshade snarled40.
Tigerstar nodded. “Go back to your Clan and rest,” he ordered. “You’ll need your strength tomorrow night.” He turned and stalked into the shadows, Mapleshade hurrying after.
Blossomfall shrugged41. “I guess we can practice our new moves in the forest as well as here,” she told Birchfall. Closing her eyes, she began to fade.
Ivypool watched her Clanmate vanish from the forest. She’ll take her wounds with her. And the memory of what she’s learned.Ivypool’s pelt pricked42. She didn’t want those memories, these vicious skills in ThunderClan!
“Are you coming?” Birchfall flicked his tail.
Hollowflight, Applefur, and Redwillow were melting into the shadows as Birchfall disappeared. As soon as they had gone, Ivypool turned to Hawkfrost. “You trust me to train cats for the Dark Forest, but not to attend gatherings45 of the senior warriors?”
His eyes gleamed. “Do you really want to be there?”
Ivypool nodded.
Hawkfrost leaned closer. “Tough.” He turned and padded after Tigerstar.
Ivypool flexed46 her claws. I’m coming whether you want me to or not!As Hawkfrost’s pelt shimmered47 away between the trees, she darted48 forward and, heart racing49, began to shadow him. Keeping just enough mist and bramble between them so that he was little more than a flicker50 at the edge of her vision, she matched his pawsteps.
“Snowtuft?” Hawkfrost suddenly slowed.
Ivypool halted and pricked her ears.
Hawkfrost greeted his Clanmate with a growl. “Are you heading for the meeting?”
“I wouldn’t miss it for all the mice in the forest,” Snowtuft rasped. “Where are the Clan cats?”
Hawkfrost snorted. “Tigerstar sent them back to their nests.”
Snowtuft’s claws scraped the earth. “Are you sure there won’t be any hanging around the training rock?”
The training rock!Ivypool flicked her tail. They’re meeting beside the river!She knew the Dark Forest well enough now to find her way without being spotted53 by Hawkfrost. She only had to follow the old stream to the hollow trunks, then aim for the riverbank.
Crouching54, she slunk behind bushes until she could hear the deep murmur55 of the senior warriors. She slid behind a trunk and peered around. The mist cleared where the river cut through the trees. A large boulder56 stuck out of the mud on the shore. Ivypool flattened57 her ears. She had shared her first training sessions with her Dark Forest Clanmates here. Now it was circled by heavily muscled warriors. Feeling the stirrings of fear in her belly58, she pushed them away. I am a warrior of the Dark Forest,she reminded herself. I am the equal of any of these cats!
Brokenstar stood on the stone, his thick, dark pelt spiked59 with excitement. “The time is close,” he growled.
Hawkfrost sat and watched through narrowed eyes. Blue as ice, they followed Brokenstar’s every move. Shredtail and Thistleclaw paced while Tigerstar stood stiff-legged, his tail lashing63. “Where will we strike first?” he demanded.
Brokenstar slid from the boulder and scratched a line in the muddy earth. “This is where the lake meets the land.”
Slash.
Slash.
With deft24 claws he sliced more shapes into the ground. “We will come at them from here and here.” He stabbed the ground. “And while they are fighting there, another patrol will strike here.”
Ivypool stretched forward, desperate to see where he was pointing at, but Tigerstar and Shredtail blocked her view as they crowded close. Her heart pounding in her throat, Ivypool listened for clues instead.
“They’ll be weaker where the hill slopes down to the brook,” Brokenstar growled. “We can come at them from higher ground and drive them backward.”
“What if we approach from here instead?” Tigerstar jabbed the map with a claw.
Ivypool jumped as Brokenstar’s eyes lit up with interest. “At the very heart of the Clan!”
Hawkfrost looked over his shoulder, his gaze grazing the tree where Ivypool was hiding. She flattened herself to the ground, relief swamping her as Hawkfrost’s gaze swept past, missing her, and the Dark Forest warriors began to pad away from the river. As soon as the shore was deserted68, she slid out from her hiding place and crept toward Brokenstar’s map. Tense as a rabbit, she glimpsed lines scored in the mud.
“Ivypool!”
Dovewing’s shocked mew brought her to her senses. Ivypool was in her nest. “You woke me up!” she snarled at her sister.
Dovewing stared at her, terror glittering in her eyes. “Ivypool? Are you okay?”
“I was dreaming!” Frustration71 tightened72 Ivypool’s throat. She was about to see Brokenstar’s plans!
“You’re awake now, though?” Dovewing asked uncertainly.
“Yes,” Ivypool muttered. “I’m awake.”
“You know what happens when I dream.”
“That’s why I woke you. Your fur was on end. I was scared something was…” Dovewing suddenly narrowed her eyes. “Did you want to stayin the Dark Forest?”
Ivypool lifted her chin. Here, in the safety of her nest, the terror that had sharpened her dreams ebbed73 away. But the sense of danger still thrilled beneath her pelt. “I was doing something important!”
Dovewing leaned closer. “What?”
Ivypool turned away. “It’s too late now.” Brokenstar’s plans would be scuffed74 or washed away by tonight.
Ivypool glanced down at her muddy paws and tucked them tighter beneath her. “Don’t worry. I’ll wash.”
Ivypool glanced at Molepaw’s empty nest and Cherrypaw’s beside it. They’d already left for apprentice29 duties. Flexing76 her claws, she shouldered her way out of the den.
“Ivypool!” Bumblestripe called from the fresh-kill pile. The well-muscled gray tom had a fat blackbird at his paws.
Ivypool ignored him and ducked through the thorn tunnel, into the forest. How could she stay in camp, confined by the hollow, trapped with her Clanmates while her head still spun77 with the scents78 and sounds of the Dark Forest?
She bounded up the slope toward the ridge79. Strength surged through her body. The Dark Forest had given her that power. It had trained her to be a more skillful warrior than her Clanmates, given her tactics that she would use against the Dark Forest cats when the final battle came. Ivypool’s claws sliced through brambles as she crested80 the slope and burst from the tree line. Below, the lake glittered beneath a pale dawn sky. Leaf-fall was beginning to tinge81 the treetops. The green haze82 that had enfolded the forests for moons was darkening to amber83. Excitement surged beneath Ivypool’s pelt. There was no prey she couldn’t catch; no warrior she couldn’t defeat. Her paws itched44 to prove it.
Out of nowhere, a vision filled her eyes. Warriors swarmed84 from the shores and spilled into the forest. Torn-eared and scarred, their eyes gleamed with hate. Ferns trembled, brambles shivered as the woods seemed to heave, suddenly alive with battle-hungry cats. Shrieks85 echoed and Ivypool heard the thud of muscle against rock as the world shook in the claws of the Dark Forest warriors.
As the vision faded she could still taste the tang of blood and fear. Ivypool realized that she was shaking, and her pads were sweating. All the battle skills in the Place of No Stars would not be enough to stop that unrelenting tide of death.
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1
stiffened
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| 加强的 | |
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pelt
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| v.投掷，剥皮，抨击，开火 | |
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scent
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| n.气味，香味，香水，线索，嗅觉；v.嗅，发觉 | |
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agonized
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| v.使（极度）痛苦，折磨( agonize的过去式和过去分词 )；苦斗；苦苦思索；感到极度痛苦 | |
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spasm
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| n.痉挛，抽搐；一阵发作 | |
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clan
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| n.氏族，部落，宗族，家族，宗派 | |
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warrior
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| n.勇士，武士，斗士 | |
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loyalty
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| n.忠诚，忠心 | |
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warriors
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| 武士，勇士，战士( warrior的名词复数 ) | |
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scrambled
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| v.快速爬行( scramble的过去式和过去分词 )；攀登；争夺；（军事飞机）紧急起飞 | |
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underneath
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| adj.在...下面，在...底下；adv.在下面 | |
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snarl
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| v.吼叫，怒骂，纠缠，混乱；n.混乱，缠结，咆哮 | |
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13
sheathed
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| adj.雕塑像下半身包在鞘中的；覆盖的；铠装的；装鞘了的v.将（刀、剑等）插入鞘( sheathe的过去式和过去分词 )；包，覆盖 | |
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helping
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| n.食物的一份&adj.帮助人的，辅助的 | |
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bristled
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| adj. 直立的，多刺毛的 动词bristle的过去式和过去分词 | |
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clans
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| 宗族( clan的名词复数 )； 氏族； 庞大的家族； 宗派 | |
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17
flicked
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| （尤指用手指或手快速地）轻击( flick的过去式和过去分词 )； （用…）轻挥； （快速地）按开关； 向…笑了一下（或瞥了一眼等） | |
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18
growl
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| v.（狗等）嗥叫，（炮等）轰鸣；n.嗥叫，轰鸣 | |
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growling
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| n.吠声, 咆哮声 v.怒吠, 咆哮, 吼 | |
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hiss
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| v.发出嘶嘶声；发嘘声表示不满 | |
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hurled
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| v.猛投，用力掷( hurl的过去式和过去分词 )；大声叫骂 | |
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jaws
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| n.口部；嘴 | |
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deftly
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| adv.灵巧地，熟练地，敏捷地 | |
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deft
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| adj.灵巧的，熟练的（a deft hand 能手） | |
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thump
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| v.重击，砰然地响；n.重击，重击声 | |
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wrenching
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| n.修截苗根，苗木铲根（铲根时苗木不起土或部分起土）v.（猛力地）扭( wrench的现在分词 )；扭伤；使感到痛苦；使悲痛 | |
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27
smack
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| vt.拍，打，掴；咂嘴；vi.含有…意味；n.拍 | |
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apprentices
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| 学徒，徒弟( apprentice的名词复数 ) | |
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apprentice
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| n.学徒，徒弟 | |
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clumps
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| n.（树、灌木、植物等的）丛、簇( clump的名词复数 )；（土、泥等）团；块；笨重的脚步声v.（树、灌木、植物等的）丛、簇( clump的第三人称单数 )；（土、泥等）团；块；笨重的脚步声 | |
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spine
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| n.脊柱，脊椎；(动植物的)刺；书脊 | |
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screech
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| n./v.尖叫；(发出)刺耳的声音 | |
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liar
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| n.说谎的人 | |
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transparent
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| adj.明显的，无疑的；透明的 | |
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35
flinched
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| v.（因危险和痛苦）退缩，畏惧( flinch的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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reminder
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| n.提醒物，纪念品；暗示，提示 | |
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rogue
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| n.流氓；v.游手好闲 | |
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mentor
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| n.指导者，良师益友；v.指导 | |
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prey
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| n.被掠食者，牺牲者，掠食；v.捕食，掠夺，折磨 | |
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40
snarled
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| v.（指狗）吠，嗥叫， （人）咆哮( snarl的过去式和过去分词 )；咆哮着说，厉声地说 | |
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41
shrugged
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| vt.耸肩（shrug的过去式与过去分词形式） | |
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42
pricked
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| 刺，扎，戳( prick的过去式和过去分词 )； 刺伤； 刺痛； 使剧痛 | |
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43
twitched
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| vt.& vi.（使）抽动，（使）颤动（twitch的过去式与过去分词形式） | |
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44
itched
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| v.发痒( itch的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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45
gatherings
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| 聚集( gathering的名词复数 )； 收集； 采集； 搜集 | |
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46
flexed
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| adj.[医]曲折的，屈曲v.屈曲( flex的过去式和过去分词 )；弯曲；（为准备大干而）显示实力；摩拳擦掌 | |
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47
shimmered
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| v.闪闪发光，发微光( shimmer的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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48
darted
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| v.投掷，投射( dart的过去式和过去分词 )；向前冲，飞奔 | |
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49
racing
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| n.竞赛，赛马；adj.竞赛用的，赛马用的 | |
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50
flicker
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| vi./n.闪烁，摇曳，闪现 | |
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51
den
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| n.兽穴；秘密地方；安静的小房间，私室 | |
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52
growled
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| v.（动物）发狺狺声， （雷）作隆隆声( growl的过去式和过去分词 )；低声咆哮着说 | |
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53
spotted
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| adj.有斑点的，斑纹的，弄污了的 | |
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crouching
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| v.屈膝，蹲伏( crouch的现在分词 ) | |
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murmur
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| n.低语，低声的怨言；v.低语，低声而言 | |
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boulder
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| n.巨砾；卵石，圆石 | |
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57
flattened
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| [医]（水）平扁的，弄平的 | |
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belly
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| n.肚子，腹部；(像肚子一样)鼓起的部分，膛 | |
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spiked
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| adj.有穗的；成锥形的；有尖顶的 | |
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muzzle
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| n.鼻口部；口套；枪(炮)口；vt.使缄默 | |
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61
hissed
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| 发嘶嘶声( hiss的过去式和过去分词 )； 发嘘声表示反对 | |
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62
shred
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| v.撕成碎片，变成碎片；n.碎布条，细片，些少 | |
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63
lashing
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| n.鞭打；痛斥；大量；许多v.鞭打( lash的现在分词 )；煽动；紧系；怒斥 | |
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64
slash
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| vi.大幅度削减；vt.猛砍，尖锐抨击，大幅减少；n.猛砍，斜线，长切口，衣衩 | |
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kits
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| 衣物和装备( kit的名词复数 )； 成套用品； 配套元件 | |
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pointed
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| adj.尖的，直截了当的 | |
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decided
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| adj.决定了的，坚决的；明显的，明确的 | |
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deserted
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| adj.荒芜的，荒废的，无人的，被遗弃的 | |
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69
hissing
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| n. 发嘶嘶声, 蔑视 动词hiss的现在分词形式 | |
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70
lashed
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| adj.具睫毛的v.鞭打( lash的过去式和过去分词 )；煽动；紧系；怒斥 | |
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71
frustration
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| n.挫折，失败，失效，落空 | |
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72
tightened
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| 收紧( tighten的过去式和过去分词 )； （使）变紧； （使）绷紧； 加紧 | |
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73
ebbed
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| （指潮水）退( ebb的过去式和过去分词 )； 落； 减少； 衰落 | |
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74
scuffed
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| v.使磨损( scuff的过去式和过去分词 )；拖着脚走 | |
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75
foul
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| adj.污秽的；邪恶的；v.弄脏；妨害；犯规；n.犯规 | |
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76
flexing
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| n.挠曲，可挠性v.屈曲( flex的现在分词 )；弯曲；（为准备大干而）显示实力；摩拳擦掌 | |
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spun
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| v.纺，杜撰，急转身 | |
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scents
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| n.香水( scent的名词复数 )；气味；（动物的）臭迹；（尤指狗的）嗅觉 | |
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ridge
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| n.山脊；鼻梁；分水岭 | |
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crested
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| adj.有顶饰的，有纹章的，有冠毛的v.到达山顶（或浪峰）( crest的过去式和过去分词 )；到达洪峰，达到顶点 | |
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81
tinge
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| vt.(较淡)着色于，染色；使带有…气息；n.淡淡色彩，些微的气息 | |
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82
haze
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| n.霾，烟雾；懵懂，迷糊；vi.(over)变模糊 | |
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83
amber
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| n.琥珀；琥珀色；adj.琥珀制的 | |
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84
swarmed
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| 密集( swarm的过去式和过去分词 )； 云集； 成群地移动； 蜜蜂或其他飞行昆虫成群地飞来飞去 | |
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85
shrieks
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| n.尖叫声( shriek的名词复数 )v.尖叫( shriek的第三人称单数 ) | |
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