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

“Tarl deserved it,” he said. “He disagreed more than was reasonable. Come.”


Talfryn refused to breathe out in relief until they were out of sight, then uncurled from around Akton and dug him out from the pile of his clothes, terrified. If Akton died…He couldn’t think about that, wouldn’t think about that, or he’d panic and that would do Akton no good.


The weasel was limp and bleeding, and Talfryn put pressure on the gash in his side while taking a quick look at his other injuries. Non-lethal gashes on the arm and leg, a potentially problematic burn on his sword wrist. Basil had tried to kill Akton and Talfryn had barely noticed. He swallowed. He heard footsteps.


“What’s going on?” Tinah’s voice was wary, suspicious. No doubt she’d figured out a shifter battle had happened here, and there was no way she didn’t see Akton’s clothes and weapons scattered around, an injured weasel lying on them.


“Later,” said Talfryn. “Fetch me a medical kit, preferably my own, but any will do.”


Chapter 80