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

Cat, his brain registered, then more accurately, sphinx. His weasel heart beat fast and he nearly lost consciousness again. He tried to focus—he knew this shifter—then felt her return to how he knew her.


“You had to interfere,” said Shanna, sounding pissed. Akton burrowed back into the clothes as she started going through them, looking for him. “I should let you burn. Get out.”


Akton made her go through all the clothes searching for him. His rue fell away and then he was exposed to the smoke in the air, Shanna’s unimpressed expression. She took one look at him and blinked.


“You look like shit,” she said. “Don’t shift back—looks like that’ll kill you at the moment.”


Akton watched her shoot a glare over her shoulder, then motion to someone out of his range of sight.


Chapter 97