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

He was no help. He staggered upright, circling a newly-formed bubble of fire and ground magic, trying to find some way in. Talfryn would get sluggish. If Akton didn’t do something now, he feared what would happen.


He heard the centaur scream, but before he could feel relief at that he sensed Talfryn stumbling. He let out a noise of pain and Akton cast a desperate look around. There were trees here, and he bent to grab a branch that had fallen off of one. He’d seen what happened when he disrupted the magic.


Akton threw the branch at the swirling magic and ducked behind a tree as it exploded outward. Immediately he dashed forward, through the window between when everything dissipated and Talfryn and the centaur got their attacks back up. He watched the shifter limp forward, churning the ground beneath Talfryn’s feet as she went. Talfryn fell, hard, on an arm and went limp.


Chapter 53