Chapter 51

Chief Werama stepped out from behind his desk. He peered into Mateo’s face. “Your eyes didn’t change at all,” he remarked. “Interesting.”

My grandfather may have the same to say about you, if you two ever meet.

“Can you understand me?” the chief asked.

Mateo chuffed.

“I take it you cannot use human speech in this form?”

Mateo chuffed and growled.

“Very interesting.” Chief Werama sat on his desk, surveying the jaguar before him. Though he kept a calm fa?ade, Mateo could smell his wariness. Dazi was barely hiding his own anxiety. His scent was sour with sweat.

Three nervous predatory animals gathered in a small room together, each one scared of the others. Terrific.