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 stalked over, sword in hand, and bathed him in fire again before he could move.


“I’m not a basilisk, and I’m not forging an alliance with you,” he said, and stabbed downward, sword in both hands. Basil tried to roll away, then exploded in flame when the sword went through his middle. Talfryn took the blast without being able to block it and fell on his ass. He grasped the boulder beside him with shaky arms and painfully hauled himself up, vision blurry.


“You’d rather we kill each other,” said Basil, gasping out every word, “than work together?”


“I don’t work with people like you,” said Talfryn, bracing himself on the boulder with one arm, trying to grab for the sword with the other. He didn’t think he could stop until he was certain Basil was truly dead.


“I’ll get it,” said Basil. Talfryn blinked, stunned, as Basil yanked the sword out of his body by the blade, screaming as he went. Blood poured down his hands and he held the sword out to Talfryn. “Here you are.”


Chapter 96