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

Flame blossomed over Akton’s head—Talfryn had shaken Basil’s look and blasted him with fire so intense Akton could make out a white core to it. Talfryn was swearing in ways Akton had never heard before, and he laughed despite feeling like he was tearing another hole in his organs. He watched as Basil shrieked again, body twisting back, and then elongated and dropped to the ground.


A massive snake lay mere feet from Akton, bleeding from various gashes in its body. It was larger than anything Akton had ever seen before, something big enough to swallow a stag whole. A comb a bit like a rooster’s rested on the snake’s head, glowing like an ember. Akton’s laughter died. This was Basil’s shifted form.


Chapter 94