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

Talfryn understood now he should have said something, done something, other than fight and run away.


“No one had seen them prior to their bodies being discovered,” said Verne. He sounded weary, like he’d been up half the night talking with the pub owners, and he probably had. “Of course, it’s hard to tell with shifted bodies, but the other three with them were unfamiliar. There was a fight at Road Forks Pub, during which several fires broke out, and a window was shattered. A man who was seen at the bar for about an hour rented a room for the night and disappeared.”


“I mentioned we treated a man for cuts last night,” said Glenna. Her eyes held rage. “What happened to him?”


“He refused to stay,” said Talfryn, moving closer to the dead shifters. He wasn’t sure how to process all this. “I didn’t get his name.”


“Shifter?” asked Verne, and Talfryn extended a hand to touch the fox’s ear. Warm. He shuddered and drew back.


Chapter 7