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

Spence took them closer, to a place where they were still hidden but could see where the road met the centaur’s trench. Akton looked and listened, trying to count up the armed forces while Talfryn sought out the centaur. She was pacing far beyond the gash in the ground, in shifted form. As a centaur, her white skin disappeared into dappled grey horse body, and her grey hair was twisted back out of the way on her head. Akton was mildly surprised to see she had to be well into her fifties.


“Shit,” said Talfryn. “She isn’t young.”


“Don’t let that stop you killing her,” said Spence. “She’s murdered over a dozen people herself now, and that’s the ones she hasn’t ordered killed, or they fell into her little pit.”


“That’s not it,” said Talfryn. “I’m concerned she has more experience.”


“With her magic? Maybe,” said Akton, scanning the skies for the eagles. “But that doesn’t mean she’s fought much, does it?”


Chapter 51