Death to Honor

Chapter One - Cobblewood Mansion

"It's time, Verity." Rendell's voice sounded behind me.

"No! It's not time!" I said firmly, "Our country is not ready for another civil war."

"But Verity! If we don't act now, then hundreds more could die. The Annora sent over a mission request and an invitation for the debrief. I want you to work with me on this one."

I turned and stared at him in disbelief.

"Come on, you're smart and strong. Even more so than I." He smiled.

We both knew that he was stronger.

"Rendell! Stop. If the Annora ever heard about me coming with you, we'd both be killed."

"That's a risk that I'm willing to take."

"But I'm not. You don't know all the things that I've done." I knew what Rendell was going to ask next, so I went on, "And I won't burden you with my past!"

"Verity," Rendell turned to pleading, and I knew that I wouldn't be able to say no now. "The Annora will never know."

"The Annora knows everything. They have agents everywhere. There is no telling what they already know about me."

"Verity, I need you."

I felt my mental wall crumbling and my shoulders sagged. I couldn't take this.

"Fine. I'll go. But I must be fully informed from the beginning. I'm going with you to the briefing." I leveled my eyes at him, which was like staring upward because of my height.

Rendell seemed to sigh inwardly, but he nodded reluctantly. "Only if you come in disguise."

I returned his nod.

Little did I know that this simple nod was about to change everything.

***

"No. You're not wearing that." Rendell held up his hand.

"Why Rendell, I know it's a little outdated, but not all of high society is yet wearing those new-fangled flapper dresses," I teased him.

"You know that's not what I meant."

"I thought you wanted me to come with you on this mission," I protested, now serious.

Rendell raised his eyebrow.

"Then if so, I shall choose my wardrobe." I brushed past him and out of the alley we met in. Rendell had not been protesting the hoop skirt I wore, but rather the reason I wore the skirt. They were excellent for hiding things. Things like weapons.

Rendell threw up his hands, "Verity!"

"So you're telling me that you're not bringing anything?" I turned back to him.

"Of course, I brought us protection. But you are too young."

"What!" I tossed my head. "You wanted me on this mission." I steadied my blond wig before carefully drawing the hood of my cloak over my head, to hide my identity and my smile. "Plus, I'm an adult."

Rendell gave a short laugh. "You're eighteen. Still a child."

"Nineteen," I corrected.

"Whatever."

***

"Now, remember everything I told you," Rendell whispered in my ear as we walked up the steps of the Cobblewood mansion, "Don't look anybody in the eye, don't talk to anybody, don't–"

I held up my hand, "Rendell, please. I've been trained just as well as you. Just because we were born on opposite sides doesn't mean that you received higher training than I." I know I should respect Rendell's thirty years, and I do, but sometimes he lays it on heavier than he should.

I glanced up at him. Rendell was a good two or three heads taller than me, but I was small for my age. All the better, I thought.

Cobblewood mansion was grand and older than our country itself. My eyes wandered over the polished staircases, crystal chandeliers, tall windows, and high balconies.

They were all too familiar to me. The mansion hadn't changed much in the two years since I'd been here last.

"Okay, Verity. Let's enjoy the party until they call me back to see the Annora."

"Don't call me Verity, they'll recognize me. Call me by my code name," I said hastily.

Rendell looked amused.

"And you may do the same with me, Asena," he grinned.

I was too nervous to return his amusement, but I mumbled, "Fine, Zion."

Cobblewood's spacious rooms and halls were filled with people. All Annora's agents, no doubt.

And I am pretending to be one of them tonight, I thought as a chill went down my spine. I wasn't sure if I should be excited or terrified. As an enemy–or ex-enemy–in their midst.

"Zion, you never told me that this was a masquerade ball," I admonished him, emphasizing the 'Zion'. "Now I haven't the proper accessories."

"Zion Levy!" a burly man called and took quick steps toward us. "I'm glad you could make it. And who is this?"

"Hi, Frank!" I saw the smile that was plastered on Rendell's face, it was masking his nervousness.

Something else that I've never told him was that I was also trained to detect emotions, so by simply looking at one's face and posture, their stance, I can gauge their feelings. I'm pretty good at it, if I do say so myself.

While Rendell exchanged pleasantries with this Frank fellow, I scanned the perimeter.

Tall balconies, elegant chandeliers, and windows some twenty feet tall, with long, brocade curtains. It appeared to be one of the most expensive private parties in St. Louis that I'd ever been to. One of. Not the most.

Nothing was out of the ordinary except for two men in dark suits standing like statues outside a door. They were guarding something. Or someone.

Frank handed us both drinks, which I supposed to be champagne.

"This is Asena Levy, my wife," Rendell was saying.

I choked on my drink.

"Are you alright, darling?" Rendell turned to me as I gathered myself.

I bit my tongue and straightened my shoulders, "Yes, Zion. I merely swallowed wrong." I managed a wry smile, and I stepped on his foot.

Rendell smiled at Frank. "Excuse us, Frank, old boy, but I should go see if I can find a mask for my wife. It seems we forgot ours."

I cringed inwardly. This was not part of the plan. It was a smart idea for cover, although I'd never admit it. I just wish Rendell would tell me these things before he surprised them upon me.

"Yes, of course. It was nice to meet you, Mrs. Levy," Frank said.

"You also," I smiled politely. As soon as he turned away, I downed my drink all in one go.

Rendell's eyebrows shot up in surprise.

As soon as Frank walked away, I pulled Rendell towards a more secluded part of the room.

"What are you doing?!" I hissed.

"Why Mrs. Levy, whatever is the matter?" Rendell grinned.

"You know what I mean. This wasn't part of the plan."

"It is now," he smiled.

I had never wanted to punch him more in my life than at that moment.

Rendell saw my fist clench and took my hands.

"Look. Everything is going to turn out fine tonight. I'll go to the meeting, then right after, we'll call it an early night, and you can go home," he smiled. "Now do you want to dance?"