Chapter 4

Sveta sighed. “Tanya.”

Dounia thought she’d been on edge before, but her stomach lurched at hearing the name before tying itself into a knot. Tanya wasn’t supposed to be here. but back in Moscow, where it was safe.

Torn, Dounia looked back and forth between Sveta and Ira.

“Go,” Ira said. “You need to see her. Meow will look after me, won’t you?”

Meow answered by uncurling from around Dounia’s shoulders and jumping to Ira’s.

That was all Dounia needed to hear. She rushed after Sveta, into the growing storm, shoulders tight with tension and stomach churning.

One Tsareva sister was enough of a sacrifice to the motherland. Why was Tanya here?

* * * *

Ira watched Dounia stride out of the tent and smiled to herself. Dounia always wanted to take care of everybody so much, and although most people found her vigilance stifling, Ira found it comforting. Somebody had to look after everyone, after all.

“Ira, you’re up next,” the girl behind her said.