“…The author excels at character development, and she clearly understands what makes people tick, grow and change. The first installment of Guest’s series breathes life into a compelling, relatable character that readers will gladly follow into subsequent volumes.” “KIRKUS REVIEWS"

     ...The door was opened with the help of a short, plump man, maybe the owner, who politely invited them into the store. Once inside, the two girls froze in awe at the ocean of fur coats and hats of every sort and kind.

     Margo walked along the row with her mouth open in amazement, touching the soft silky furs which begged to be handled. “Lena, I can’t believe it!” she murmured. “They’re gorgeous! I can’t even imagine wearing one!”

     “Excuse me, sir,” Lena said. “I’d like to try on this coat.” She pointed at one of them.

     “Yes, madam!” With a pleasure smile, he bowed and helped her put on the fur.

     “Where can I have a look at myself?”

     “Oh! Over there, my lady.” He took her to a small, open area far behind the coats where three large mirrors stood together forming an angle that allowed the customer to see a variety of views.

     Lena stood motionless, focusing at her reflection in the mirrors. “Margo, can you believe this fabulous coat?” she cooed in ecstasy, clinging her cheek to the soft collar.

     The man also brought a fur coat for Margo. Looking her over, his eyes glistened as he put a light-colored fur coat over her shoulders. Now, the girls, without stopping, enthusiastically turned in front of the mirrors, and the man brought more furs of different sort and kind, skillfully helping them to put it on.

     It was no doubt the women had fun paying compliments to each other; so much so, they failed to notice that the couple customers had left, and nobody else had entered the shop. On top of that, there were only a few men remained in the corner, sitting quietly in some armchairs and watching as the girls joyfully passed through the rows of furs.

     Not before long, the two tourists felt that the shop had become warm. Lena guessed, laughing, “We need to stop work very hard on fur.”

     “But I like it.” Margo squinted her eyes with enjoyment.

     Beads of sweat glistened on Lena’s forehead. A young assistant of the owner politely brought out a tray with two small glasses filled with water. Lena exclaimed, “Oh, wow, such great service! 

     Thank you very much.” She took one for herself and another gave to her pal.

     “Thanks.” Margo took it and gulped her water down.

     “We have to go,” Lena whispered. “This is getting embarrassing now, especially since the owner is being so polite to us.” She emptied her own glass also.

     “But look at this magnificent coat!” Margo beamed, twilling in a long red fur. “It suits me so nicely, as if it were made just for me!” She laughed.

     Lena took her coat off, checked Margo’s coat’s price tag, and calculated the conversion. “Ruseena, you would faint if you knew how much this little piece of cake cost in rubles.”

     “Don’t ruin my feelings.”

     “Oh, our poor rich baby,” Lena ribbed. “The price will scare you and believe me you’ll never, ever go into a shop like this again.” She helped the girl with coat.

     “You know,” Margo swallowed hard, “funny to say, but I already feel as the lofty price hit me and I’m gonna to collapse.”

     “We’ve done with shopping. Let’s get out of here.”

     “Something is wrong…” She massaged her temples. “My head is spinning… and the arms and legs get numb.”

     “I don’t feel well either,” said Lena. “It must be a fur allergy.” She rubbed her throat. “We have to leave right now.”

     Supporting each other, they staggered a little towards the exit, coping with their shortness of breath, and would have made it to the door, but the owner, who seemingly worried by their condition, slowed their movement by offering them a seat.

     “No, thank you,” Lena rejected and cornered her eyes to her friend. “Your face is as pale as dead.”

     “I feel… like I’m going to…” Margo wheezed faintly.

     Now both girls began struggling to keep their eyes open, but for a few moments, they still attempted to leave. Finally, Lena’s strength failed and she could no longer hold up her sinking friend.

     With the owner’s help, they crumbled onto the sofa. 

     Suddenly Lena’s training kicked in. “We’re in trouble,” she said as soon as they sat down. “Get up!” she yelled as loud as she could. “Get up, Margo…” Her words slurred together. “They’ve…drugged us!” She shook her barely breathing friend, who was fading in and out of consciousness; and as a final act, they both tried to get up.

     Too late!

     Kneeling in front of them, the smirking owner peered into their faces and held them back on the sofa. “Come on, girls, everything will be fine...” Lena’s hand pretended to push him off, but her entire power was gone, and she collapsed over the already unconscious Margo...