Velvet Undercover by Teri Brown

enjoyed the tasks?”
    I smile and he continues. “After your work with LDB is finished, I’m going to recommend to Captain Parker that you be reassigned to a position more in line with your talents. Now off with you. I wish to read.”
    I stand to go and then hesitate. “So you think I’ll survive spying for La Dame Blanche? You didn’t when I first came.”
    He stills, his lined face falling into a tired mask. For the first time he looks older than my father. Usually his expression is so fluid and lively that it’s difficult to tell, but now age marks his features like the sun marks a grape.
    He waves me away. “Don’t ask such stupid questions. Of course you’ll return.”
    He sticks his nose in a book, dismissing me.
    I go to my room but am too wound up to sleep. My mindgoes round and round with all the questions I have. After an hour, I give up. Perhaps a cup of warm milk and a book from the library will help me sleep. The house is still as I tiptoe down the stairs and I wonder if everyone is already in bed. I’m just rounding the corner to the dining room when voices from the library reach me. I’m biting my lip, unsure whether I should announce my presence or not, when I hear my name.
    I glance back at the staircase, knowing I should return to my room, but I hesitate. Aren’t I a spy now? Perhaps it’s time to put my new skills to use.
    Keeping close to the wall, I move toward the raised voices, stopping just before I get to the library.
    â€œThis is a ridiculous waste of time. You know that, don’t you?” Monsieur Elliot’s voice is tight, like he is trying to control himself.
    â€œThat’s not for me to decide, Elliot, nor for you.”
    â€œ Merde! She has brilliant ciphering skills, and yet instead of giving her a job where she can be of some use, they send her on a suicide mission!”
    My breath catches and I strain to hear Miss Tickford’s much quieter voice.
    â€œYou’re being dramatic, Elliot. It’s not a suicide mission.”
    â€œSo you really expect her to return from Berlin? Or is your boss so blinded by the fact that she’s the only one who can gain his objective that he doesn’t care? What is it you’re not telling me?”
    There’s a long silence and my heart races. Berlin? Surelynot. And what objective? What can I do that no one else can? I wait, trembling, for Miss Tickford’s answer. When it comes, it doesn’t exactly alleviate my fears.
    â€œDon’t be silly. I’m not going to just cut her loose. Once the goal has been achieved, I’ll do my best to protect her.”
    â€œBut that isn’t your priority, is it.”
    â€œOf course not,” she snaps. “We’re at war. You know as well as I do that war is full of choices that would be unthinkable during peacetime. I value my agents and it is my intent to keep them safe at all times, but if it is one life against many, you can be sure I will choose the many, and so would you. She is the only way we’re going to . . .” Her voice quiets and I strain to hear her words.
    I swallow. They’re sending me to Berlin and they don’t expect me to come back. I’ve learned everything they’ve asked me to and more. I’ve earned the right to know what’s going on.
    Sometimes you have to upend the chessboard.
    I stride into the library and stand in front of Miss Tickford and Monsieur Elliot, my body trembling. “I think it’s time you clued me in to what’s happening, don’t you?”
    Miss Tickford’s face registers surprise.
    Monsieur Elliot shrugs. “I thought you should have been told immediately, but what do I know?” He gives Miss Tickford a bitter look.
    Miss Tickford regains her composure and twitches a shoulder. “Fine. Sit down and I’ll tell you.”
    â€œEverything?”
    She waves a hand. “Don’t be absurd.