Among all the kinds of serpents, there is none comparable to the dragon.

Edward Topsell, 1658

Moscow, Russia ¨C Three months later

Charlotte MacQueen tugged the sweetheart neckline of her red satin cocktail dress up a few more centimeters. Despite the thick red velvet winter coat she wore, her exposed skin had drawn the cabdriver's eyes and made her shift restlessly until he'd had to focus back on the road. But then, she'd known her dress would have this effect. She ...