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

Talfryn felt it when he concentrated, confirmed it when the shifter who went up to the wall above the main gates showed off with a pillar of flame feet from where Shanna was standing. Despite being nowhere near the front gate, Talfryn could picture what was happening—Shanna had no way of knowing whether this was Basil or not.


A roar went up from the Guard behind the Kynithremyln. Talfryn reached out with his senses, trying to locate Basil within Keldoure. He found him almost directly across from their gate, slowly walking the perimeter of the town. The feel of his shifter magic crackled off him, and Talfryn could tell he was setting a wall of fire around Keldoure, starting with the northwest section of wall. From what Talfryn remembered, the map seemed to indicate that the wall there was lower, easier to climb. But he had no doubt Basil was making his way toward their side of Keldoure.


Chapter 89