Why don't you kill the guards and let us fight our way out?

They grew up together and are distantly related. But can three such different personalities form an effective fighting team? When a car bomb leaves Misha orphaned at nineteen, his life changes its trajectory. The possibilities of a privileged youth fade to a dismal choice between a brutal death or a violent life. He will never know peace and safety again.

Misha's distant cousins, Louis and Vasily, are more accustomed to danger. They have the skills for it. But it is not long before they realize that it is Misha who has the judgment necessary to keep all three of them alive.

A Lighter Shade of Night is a collection of short stories about the early days of Charlemagne, the premier freelance specialist team used by western governments for black operations conducted without fingerprints. The Cold War stories illuminate the exploits, personalities, strengths, and weaknesses of the three men on the early team as well as their long-time American handler, Frank.