Generations ago, shifters -- many with magic powers -- were accepted throughout Emylnor. But a war with the nearby dragon nation bred concern, and though Emylnor's forces beat back the invasion, the shifters retreated into hiding.<br><br>Akton is a weasel shifter who seems to have no magical talents. When he is hunted, Talfryn joins the fight, finally able to flex his salamander flame powers. But while they make a good team, the thrill quickly wears off when they uncover recruitment orders. A shifter named Basil is building an army.<br><br>Someone has to warn Queen Ylenia before Basil can launch Emylnor into another war. When Akton and Talfryn volunteer to deliver the information to her, they have no intention of getting deeply involved with the fight -- or each other. But to stop Basil, they need to learn to trust each other completely, and fast. Or all of Emylnor will burn ...

Flame and Snow

“What?” Akton didn’t think this man had any tactical training. When he glanced over again he was met with a frown.


“You rush them and she’ll have to break cover. I can handle her.”


“She’s a wolf shifter,” said Akton.


“Trust me,” he said, and gave Akton a little shove. He stumbled forward, caught his footing, and raised his sword, half expecting to find fangs in his throat any moment.


But they never sank in. As his ally said, he handled the wolf, a blaze of fire lighting up the space to the left of Akton as he ran. The fox looked up from licking his wound and the remaining non-shifter moved to meet his blow, but Akton summoned the last bit of strength he had and came at the man with everything he had. The non-shifter stumbled back on the uneven ground, and Akton buried his sword in him, barely able to pull it back and out. He stared, hand on his side.


Chapter 4