We were greeted by several black suits as the doors opened, and for once I couldn't be more grateful for there presence. Instead of feeling the urge to ditch them, we clung together between there protective barriers and waltzed towards the entrance.

When the man at the door asked for our names we hesitated. With all of the preparation of learning how to dole out fake-Id's and lying our faces off, with names to match our in depth cover stories, it was harder than I thought to say, "Cammie. Cammie Morgan." Bex and Liz gave there names as well, but now Bex was pouting too.

"We're moving," one of the men whispered into the microphone attached to his collar, with the real life clear bouncy string winding up into his ear.

I used a technique he taught me himself, and looked around viewing the millions of red, white, and blue balloons, thousands of civilians ranging from students to senior citizens, and most importantly the men and women patrolling the event. Up and down the walls they lined, at every exit or entrance, walking in between the chairs set up, checking the mic's for the conference; still no Zach.

But we were already walking through the back, past the bomb-sniffing dogs and metal detectors into the large dining hall that held an elegance that rivaled our own back home.

Op BG Part l. Le Pomme de couchon.

The Operatives took there seats and counted that there would be another 30 select guests. Operative Morgan was closest to Peacock who was sitting beside her "boyfriend".

After all the invitees had been escorted to there seats Operative Baxter estimated that 12 dinner guests had a high possibility of concealing weapons. 5 of these Subjects appeared suspicious (or is that just how politicians look?) and could possibly be a POI.

The security was outrageous and all of the eyes and ears (human or machine) watching, listening, recording, was driving me insane. I felt so seen I would blush slightly anytime I made eye-contact.

The three boys beside Aiden were grinning and kept sneaking glances over at us. I think I'm the only one who noticed because Liz was staring queerly at the pig with her head cocked and Bex was intently watching a man across from her.

I tuned into Maceys conversation with a man across from her as the appetizers were served.

"Someone grew up." The man proclaimed, " The last time I saw you you're hair was still blonde and you played with Barbies! Then you're mom and pops' sent you off to the Alder, and I haven't seen you since! Look at you, a young woman, in a dress and heels, on the arm of a boy no less! You're parents must be so proud."

Smiling I plucked some foie gras off the table and delicately nibbled on the edge. I'd never been a fan of Goose Liver, but it was alright.

When the main course was served, Bex rudely took a bite of her pork while the waiters were still coming.

I was still paying attention to Macey's every move so I barely saw it from the corner of my eye.

I cut her a look, Not until every one is served yet.

Scowling she put the fork down and sent one back, Okay Mom.

But then it changed, she stiffened and seemed to turn the food around in her mouth for a second. Her eyes went wide and she quickly spit it out in her napkin.

It had something in it, she mouthed.

So I did the first think that came to mind.

Shooting to my feet so fast I knocked the chair over and drew attention "A mouse!" I shrieked at the top of my lungs.

BPOV (Bex)

Shrieks identical to Cammie's erupted around the room and everyone jumped up and away from where her finger was pointing, I swear one girl even fainted.

Meanwhile, even without swallowing that little bite my head began to hurt. I had no idea what chemical was in there, it was nothing I'd ever seen before.

All of the sudden the waves on Macey's dress were swaying back and forth, an ocean with large sharks jumping out snapping there teeth. The strings on Liz's sandals were curling way past her knees, wrapping around her body, retaining vines squeezing the life out of her stretching for other people trying to get them too. The snakeskin belt I had been wearing was now a real black, deadly snake. It curled around my stomach, a constricting boa and hissed up at me, bearing its fangs.

I screamed and screamed but they wouldn't go away, my legs swayed and I accidentally knocked over one of the ornamental candles setting the table and everything on it alight.

The last thing I remember was seeing Cammie's wide eyes approaching me, a wicked smile in place as her hands, no claws, tried to keep me upright. Something large and male tossed me over their shoulder.

Then I began to feel lightheaded, everything was slowly going out of focus. I let my eyes close and succumbed willingly to an unconscious state.

CPOV

Instead of following the masses of people into the sitting room I followed Bex, who rested securely on Grants shoulder. Yes. Grant.

Liz had stayed behind with Macey and I kept glancing over my shoulder to assure them we would be fine.

Still unbelieving I followed Grant up a service elevator towards an unknown destination.

Why did I feel so nervous? Because I was with Grant, and that sums it up all together.

First of all he was a guy. A hot guy. Scratch that, a really hot, scorchingly sexy, beyond any girls wildest dreams, attractive guy.

Second of all, he was a Blackthorne Boy. And although the whole last semester was supposed to get us to know each other and bond, trust, blah blah, I was a little busy with another Blackthorne Boy to really notice all the rest. Concluding that I was taking a whim, not a smart think to do on spy terms, and giving him the benefit of the doubt. I mean he was Zach's best friend. And I trusted Zach. Enough.

Speaking of… he should be around here somewhere.

We walked down another hall, and Grant stopped at a door and gently handed Bex to me.

We hadn't said a word the whole time, but silent communication did us just as well.

He would go in, and check everything out, before I would enter.

He made a knocking mechanism, with a certain rhythm, old fashioned but effective.

He walked in and left the door open, after checking the hall and the first two rooms branching off he signaled me inside and nodded his head toward the kitchen.

I ducked inside, silent even with the extra weight, and laid Bex on the table.

Then I heard the giggling.