T’was the year of our Lord 1888. Her Majesty Queen Victoria reigns supreme, and her rule brings an age of peace, prosperity and technological advancement.

But the peace is just a facade. The queen is but a puppet, and the true power behind the throne is someone infinitely more powerful: The Empress of Steel. Very few people know the truth, not even the Empress’ most loyal retainers.

Sam Thorne is one such retainer: the Empress' favourite bounty hunter. The name is power, feared and respected by a great many people - but what few know is that the notorious Sam Thorne is actually a woman. In an era before women’s liberation, Samantha Thorne is a force to be reckoned with.

In the dead of winter, she receives a contract. There is a creature on the loose in London Town, a devilish-looking grey-skinned man who could only be one of the mysterious, aquatic Nereidis. The Empress wants him, and the contract places his life and his safety in Sam Thorne’s deadly hands.

But Sam is just a mortal. Will her skills be enough to capture one of the powerful Immortelle and bring him before the Empress’ court? Or will this contract end up costing the bounty hunter her life?

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