Summary

The first chapter, “Blood Sacrifice,” is narrated in the present tense in 1738 by a Choctaw woman, Shakbatina, whose daughter, Anoleta, has been accused of murdering a Red Fox woman. Prior to revealing details of her life, Shakbatina tells the origin story of the Shell Shakers. Grandmother of Birds, her ancestor, was very young when a war broke out. Her husband, Tuscalusa, decided to fight in the war to save his people. Grandmother of Birds tied turtle shells to her ankles and danced until her ankles bled, praying for peace and salvation. Tuscalusa gave her a pebble to swallow, and she gave him a feathered veil. Tuscalusa left for battle. When Grandmother of Birds threw up the pebble, she knew that Tuscalusa was dead. Instead of grieving, she gathered her six younger sisters and concocted a plan to escape and save their people. They...