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

“Your feet,” he said the moment it occurred to him. “Can you handle the heat?”


“My clothes must have some protective properties too because I can’t feel it yet,” said Akton, wincing. “Although my face can.”


“So I didn’t need to strip after all.” Talfryn wasn’t pleased about that, but there wasn’t any going back. “I’m not going to use any flame until we find them. I don’t want them to know we’re here.”


Akton only nodded. Talfryn shut out the sounds of people dying or fighting, leading them down streets that didn’t have any of Basil’s fighting force. When he came to one street over from the shifters even Akton could tell they were there.


“Shit,” he said, ducking as a window blew out and a gust of fire shot through.


Chapter 76