The Hunter's Moon (The Secret Warrior Series) Read Online Free

disbelieving stare to him. “What in God’s name was that?”
    “A thunderbird. They hunt at twilight. Snatch animals. Children. Even attack adults if they’re real aggressive.”
    “Seriously?”
    “That one would tear you apart. Sometimes they hunt during the day in stormy weather. It’s why they’re called thunderbirds.”
    Jimmy tucked in close to his hero, regarding him with reverence. “Dude, you shot that arrow like a mile. You’re an Indian Robin Hood.”
    “You think?” Jackson smiled. “Tomorrow, I’ll teach you how to shoot a bow, Jimbo.”
    “Uncle Don taught me, but I want to be like you.”
    “Excellent. We’ll hone your skill. The Wapicoli could use another archer.” He spoke as if they were staying indefinitely.
    Puzzled, Morgan walked on with his support. Jimmy trotted at his heels the remaining distance to the fortress home. She eyed the wooden totem standing at one side. All along the colorful painted pole were wolf carvings, mostly faces, with gaping jaws and fangs; others were carved with their mouths shut. In some instances, the entire beast was displayed, its legs stretched out. What or who was it chasing?
    Watchful eyes seemed to follow her. A shiver prickled down the nape of her neck.
    Jackson shifted his gaze to hers. “Totems are not native to this region, but hey, we like to carve.”
    “You’re brilliant at it.”
    A smile flickered at his mouth. “I didn’t do all of this myself.”
    “No. The place looks as old as the hills, and you’re—”
    “Seventeen. I’ll be eighteen in January.”
    As she’d figured. “I’m turning seventeen next week on the twenty-fifth.”
    A pensive look came into his eyes. Did he think her older, or much younger?
    “We’ll have a special party for you, Morgan.”
    “Will I still be here then?”
    “I wouldn’t be surprised.”
    With no further explanation, he led the way up the wide stone steps to the front porch. Above the wooden door stout enough to withstand a battering ram were yet more wolf carvings. They stared down at her as if they held the secret to an age-old mystery.
    Perhaps they did.
    Goosebumps scattered over her from head to toe. Where was she?

Chapter Four
    The Silent Shadow
    What was it with the Wapicoli and wolves? Did they belong to some kind of cult?
    Morgan sat uneasily on the leather couch in front of the crackling blaze in the large main room of the lodge. Carvings of wolves embellished the wide mantel above the massive stone hearth and the thick wood framing both sides of the fireplace. Deer, buffalo, and elk were among the animals depicted in the design—chased by wolves. Only the hawk and eagle could fly away. The bears were untouched, regal, even. Noble brothers.
    Colorful weavings of animals, wolves being the most prominent, hung on the stout log walls. One scene portrayed a great wolf and panther battling for supremacy. Wolves were every freaking where . No doubt, more lurked in the carvings and tapestries in other rooms.
    Maybe the occupants of Wapicoli Lodge just really liked bloodthirsty predators. Not a comforting thought.
    However, Grandma Miriam, as Jackson referred to the older woman with flowing silver hair, was all kindness. The witch in Snow White had seemed nice at the start, too, though, Morgan recalled. That apple thing hadn’t turned out well. And there was Hansel and Gretel and the witch with the candy house. She’d recently seen the movie remake of that twisted tale.
    “Here you are.” Her brown eyes lit with warmth, Miriam held a basin of aromatic, minty water. Feathers dangled from her handmade earrings and multi-colored glass beads decorated her fringed leather jacket and long blue skirt.
    Were those dyed porcupine quills sewn in with the beadwork? Morgan couldn’t be sure.
    What the holy heck —
    A screech and flapping overhead jerked her attention to the speckled brown owl perched on one of the beams of the high ceiling.
    The white heart-shaped face, the ridge of feathers