Chapter One
Earth: Centuries later
Siberia, Russia
Trescina Bukov laughed as she chased her younger half-sister through the forest. Ahead of her, Katarina darted around a thick tree and hid. Trescina slowed and looked around, her eyes twinkling with mischief.
Katarina’s breathing sounded loud to Trescina. On silent feet, she crept forward until she rounded the large tree trunk and pounced on her sister, sending her tumbling into the freshly fallen snow. She released a pleased sneeze when Katarina’s arms wrapped around her neck, and her sister tightly hugged her.
“Oh, Trescina, I wish I could shift into a tiger like you can,” Katarina sighed.
Trescina ran her sandpaper tongue along her sister’s cheek. The affectionate caress drew a loud squeal of disgust from Katarina. Trescina gave h
