Free The Hunter's Moon (The Secret Warrior Series) by Beth Trissel

understand.”
    Freckles stark in his pale face, he nodded. “OK, Okema.”
    The others at the table leaned in, intent on his words. Perhaps they thought Morgan’s presence would add a new twist to the old story.
    She glanced at Jackson. His eyes seemed to will her courage. She’d already seen and heard more in the past twenty-four hours than anyone could possibly absorb, but she steeled herself for more.
    Okema’s gaze grew distant, as if he were journeying way back. “The Panteras descend from an ancient line of Spanish pirates. After many years of sailing the seas and plundering ships, they raided the American coast. They were victorious, until the British Royal Navy vowed to hunt them down and hang each one.” Here, he paused and made a slashing motion across his throat. “Or cut off their heads.”
    “Awesome.” Jimmy appreciated the gory touch.
    A faint smile, and Okema continued. “Their ship was heavy with treasure, too heavy to outrun the swift vessel giving chase. In their haste to escape the navy, the Panteras wrecked on the Virginia shore. With their ship badly damaged, and the British in pursuit, they fled inland to hide the treasure.”
    Jimmy lit up, but bit back the ding, ding, ding , he often chimed before giving the answer. “I bet they hid it in these mountains in a cave!”
    “They did, clever one. But pirates fight among themselves, and their numbers declined.”
    “They couldn’t have killed off every single man, or none would be left,” Jimmy argued.
    “True.” Okema seemed mildly impressed with the kid. “Some lived. But pirates are also restless, from all their sailing. They took what treasure they could carry and left these mountains. Except for one. He remained behind to guard the rest of the treasure. The others thought to return, but did not. They stayed in the city, until one recalled the story of the treasure. And they grew greedy.”
    Jimmy pounced like a sharp-eared cat. “They don’t know where it is, do they?”
    “No.”
    “The one who stayed knew.” The kid was on a roll.
    “Yes.”
    “He lived, didn’t he?”
    “He did. And wed a woman. They had children. His descendants are the Mountain Panteras, led by Santiago, named for the one who remained. The city Panteras formed a gang.”
    Jimmy made his about to barf face. “Led by Mateo.”
    “The two groups war with each other. Both attack the Wapicoli and the Morcants. Santiago lives in a rocky fortress, more of a hideout then a home. He and his kind have women and children with them.”
    Morgan bet government agents and social workers didn’t mess with them. “Did they spend all the treasure? Is any left?”
    “Pirates are hoarders of gold. Some treasure remains. This the other Panteras desire.” Okema cast her and Jimmy a significant look. “There is one more thing you must understand about the Panteras.”
    She was afraid to ask. “What?”
    “They are the Panther People.”
    Jimmy scrunched blue eyes together behind his glasses. “You mean like real panthers?”
    “Quite real. When they wish.”
    “So shifters.” Morgan had a sinking sensation. Panthers could climb trees, had slashing claws, tearing teeth, high speed, the advantage over a lone wolf. A pack was essential.
    Okema’s forbidding expression confirmed her silent conjecture.
    Jimmy was far more matter-of-fact about this startling news than she’d expected. “That explains the panthers in the woods. What about the wolves?”
    Okema tapped his chest and gestured at the circle. “These are before you, except for the women. More Wapicoli live in the mountains.” He rested his hand on Morgan’s head, sending a near electric current surging through her. “Soon, your sister will transform, like us.”
    “Cool,” Jimmy said, then caught himself. “Wait—does Morgan know what to do?”
    No one answered in the affirmative.
    Concern veiled his initial enthusiasm. “Isn’t that kind of dangerous?”
    He had no idea.

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