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

“Just make sure you handle it,” she said. “Because if it looks like you’re going to fail, I’ll shoot you myself to keep her from taking it out on us.” 27: Akton


If Spence hadn’t been there, Akton would have laid into Talfryn. Whatever he was thinking, it was shit. Attack a centaur shifter? Akton would have suggested finding a weak point in the blockade and going over when the centaur was resting. Not outright attacking. Talfryn had to have a death wish—the village seemed to be fine as long as it kept its distance.


“What are you, then?” asked Spence as he led through the trees, hand on a knife. Akton had seen him pull it when Talfryn showed off his flame magic and he hadn’t put it back since.


Chapter 50