There was already a patrol car on scene when they arrived. Jax and another deputy were arguing with a group of panther shifters who were standing by a cluster of pine trees. The students were in the creek bed, sifting through dirt.
“You’ve got no damned authority here! None!” Jax was yelling at them. The shifter he was talking to, a tall muscular man with black flowing hair streaked with gray and white, who wore a traditional loincloth and buck skin boots, looked as if he were about to change form and throw down. Hair was bristling from the tips of his ears, and his eyes glowed yellow, as Loch and Ginger rushed up.
“Settle down, everybody. I’ll handle this. Montgomery, what’s going on –“
“These damned panthers”- Jax rushed in.
Loch spun on Jax with a growl, and his claws shot from his hands. His eyes blazed amber, and the bones in his face rippled and lengthened. Within seconds his face was covered with hair and his teeth sharpened into fangs.
For a brief second, Jax’s eyes sparked with fury, but then he quickly backed down and went down on one knee, bowing his head.
“Sorry. Didn’t mean to interrupt,” he muttered.
“You’ll wait in the patrol car.”
“Yes, sir.” Jax didn’t look happy about it, but he obediently climbed to his feet and loped over to his patrol car without a backward glance. His deputy glanced at Loch for guidance, and Loch inclined his head towards Jax’s car. “Go,” he said in a low growl, and the deputy ran after Jax.
He turned back to Montgomery and made a polite incline of his head. “My apologies,” he said. “My lieutenant spoke out of turn.”
Professor Reese was standing there, arms folded, glowering at Montgomery. “No he didn’t,” he said petulantly. “Your deputy was right. This man has no authority over me. He can’t tell me to do anything.”
Montgomery glanced over at Ginger. “Who’s this?”
“Ginger Colby.” She thrust her hand out to shake hands with him. “I’m delighted to meet you. I’ve heard so much about the Panther nation. I teach a unit on them to my fourth grade class in New York, you know.”
“I’m always happy to meet people who are respectful of our culture.” Montgomery inclined his head politely.
The panther shifters who were standing with him came forward and made a point of shaking hands with Ginger, while eyeing her appreciatively. “Tommy Deerkiller,” one of them said. “I own the souvenir shop. Come by any time.”
My God, Ginger thought, I love it here. I am going to call all of my fat friends and make them vacation here with me, so help me God. This is chubby chick heaven.
She heard a low rumbling growl and glanced over at Loch, who seemed to be struggling to contain himself. Quickly, she stepped back. He wasn’t actually jealous, was he? He couldn’t possibly be jealous.#p#分页标题#e#
Although she found herself oddly flattered at the thought.
“These are my pride mates, Richard Iron Claw and his son Jason Strikes True.” Montgomery nodded at two panther shifters who were standing by his side, muscular men with the shining black hair of their tribe pulled back into pony tails.
“Perhaps we could give her a tour of our property.” Tommy smiled at her lasciviously. “Since she’s so interested in our history.”
“If she can go on your property, why can’t a legitimate scientist?” snapped Professor Reese.
“Because you’re not a legitimate scientist. You’re a treasure hunting looter with no respect for indigenous people’s customs,” Montgomery snarled.
“So,” Sheriff Armstrong said quickly, cutting them off. “What brings you out here today, Montgomery?”
“I demand the right to inspect his site and all of his vehicles for stolen artifacts,” Montgomery said.
“Absolutely not. He may rule his Nation like a demi-god, but the second he steps out of the Nation’s territory, he has no authority.” Professor Reese folded his arms and looked smug.
“Why doesn’t he want us to look at his dig? Has he got something to hide?” Montgomery glowered.
“Let me on your land, and I’ll let you inspect our dig,” the professor smirked at him.
“Panthers don’t make deals with humans!” Montgomery roared, fangs descending.
“Show some respect for our leader, or pay the consequence!” Richard Iron Claw’s eyes blazed with rage.
“This whole expedition is a fraud! He’s not even a specialist in Mastadon fossils! He’s a specialist in early Native American tribal lore, and he has a reputation as a thief of priceless artifacts!”