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

“Let’s see…” she said. “That one leads to the cavern to the menagerie, I came in here, that leaves…Eh, this should be right.”


She led them into one of the passages and Talfryn tried not to be concerned. He imagined if they got lost in here, they might possibly die searching for the way out. None of the tunnels were marked in any way—presumably so if anyone did follow a target inside, they would wind up lost—and it was difficult to trust Ylenia when she seemed to be mentally struggling.


Still, neither he nor Akton objected. It was difficult to doubt the queen, and her pausing to dredge up directions from her memory didn’t necessarily mean they were wrong.


Chapter 71