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

“Yeah, you’re the one who has all that fire shit to explain,” he said.


“We both hid this from each other.”


“Hid what? You can play with fire. I can do what, exactly? You saw how that pack of recruiters beat me up,” said Akton.


“I knew the moment I saw you,” said Talfryn. “You were a shifter. Why else were those people, some also shifters, after you? The look on your face when we opened the pack of furs. What kind? Rabbit? Chipmunk? I can’t really see you as a chipmunk, but then—”


“And what does the Child of Flame shift into? I’m not sure I want to know.”


“I’m not sure I want to tell you,” said Talfryn, finally sounding annoyed. “Until now, only Glenna and I knew. And the number has grown by three in a whole day—you, Wren, Basil—”


“Basil knows?” asked Akton, angry. “How could you do that? It’s dangerous.”


Chapter 38