PROLOGUE
Sofiya shuffled to her chair. Her body had aged faster than her actual years. She settled stiffly, cradling her vodka. Everything here is the best of Russia, she thought, looking around the opulent room. The library was her favorite; dark wood-paneled walls with high bookshelves adorned with keepsakes of travels, a vast collection of books never read, and a gentle fire in the massive stone fireplace. This was the only place in the sprawling mansion she ever really felt at peace.
Lost in her thoughts, Sofiya did not hear the other woman enter until she was standing in front of her. “Oh!” She exclaimed, startled when she saw the face. “Liebchen, am I dreaming? Are you really here?”
The other woman frowned slightly. Liebchen, she thought. Poor Sofiya thinks this is a cordial visit. She was not here for fake pleasantries or to reminisce. She was here to end the game they started years ago.
She was here to kill her.
Coming Spring/Summer 2026