On America's brutal frontier, five young girls—surrounded by death and violence—harness primal magic in a world of scalping knives and sacred spirits, transforming themselves from helpless victims into dark forces amidst a war that will determine the fate of a continent.

SYNOPSIS:

In 1773, as a Shawnee war party descends on a settler wagon train, ten-year-old INGRID watches her family die in pools of blood and chaos. Adopted by the Shawnee and renamed Heart on Fire, she finds a new peace among them, especially with the maternal Tribal Mother MIINA. But four years later, her adopted people's way of life faces its own extinction as HAMILTON arrives at the village with British soldiers, trading guns and supplies for scalps in their war against the colonies.

While LAURA, SENA and POLLY struggle to find their place among the people—and Polly clings to her Christian faith—Ingrid embraces Shawnee life completely. Her obsession with the tribe's spiritual practices draws constant criticism from Polly and mockery from Laura and Sena. Only young TEAQUEE shows any attempt at genuine friendship, though the protective OAPIN keeps her at a distance from the adopted girls she distrusts. When Chief BLACKFISH brings Ingrid in to translate negotiations with the British, she witnesses firsthand the deadly game being played for her people's survival.

Meanwhile, in Boonesboro, DANIEL BOONE faces a desperate choice—without salt, the settlement won't survive the winter. Leading an expedition into Blue Licks, he and thirty men are captured by Blackfish. Ingrid's fury at seeing Daniel again erupts during his gauntlet run, where she strikes at him with lethal intent, blaming him for her family's deaths. Her rage only deepens when she must translate as Daniel negotiates to surrender Boonesboro to the Shawnee in spring—another betrayal of the very settlers he swore to protect.

The fragile peace completely shatters when a group of drunk American soldiers attack the village. As Miina bleeds out in Ingrid's arms, something breaks inside her. Grief-stricken and in mourning, she encounters the legendary scout SIMON KENTON by the river, where he mistakes a shadowy SASQUATCH for a bear and shoots. His and Ingrid’s violent first meeting sparks an odd connection—he sees past the Shawnee attire to the lost settler girl beneath, offering to return her to "her people." But Ingrid's hatred burns too hot. As she races back to the village in tears, the UNDERWATER PANTHER whispers to her of power and vengeance.

But when two British soldiers brutally assault Laura and Sena, the five girls are forced together in their first taste of power in bloody revenge. Their violence awakens something dark and ancient, drawing the attention of powerful spirits who have watched and waited. The Underwater Panther's whispers grow louder, promising Ingrid the power to protect those she loves—if she's willing to pay the price in blood.

Under the full moon, Ingrid leads the girls in a forbidden ritual, creating witch bundles of bone, feather, and claw. But when sweet Polly refuses to embrace the darkness, the choice is made and Ingrid slices her throat. As THE GRANDMOTHER, The Underwater Panther, MOSHEE MONITOO, and Sasquatch bear witness, Polly’s innocent blood activates their dark covenant. Though horrified, the other girls continue their chanting, now bound together in blood and power. Hidden in the shadows, Simon watches in terror as these masked, young girls transform into something terrible… and wonderful. As he flees into the night, The Grandmother and Moshee Monitoo share a knowing look— their great game has found new players, and the dark threads they’ll add to the tapestry of fate will change the frontier forever.