Page 131 of The Life of Anna-Tenth Anniversary Edition: Act 1

Alex always performed his duties to The Brotherhood with honor. Yes, he was an Elder-Son, but he was also a Brotherhood Assassin. He was proud of both titles, especially since he was the first Elder-Son to lead an Assassin’s team in The Brotherhood’s history.

But with the additional title came additional rules and responsibilities. And the first and most important rule was that an Assassin never took any action against a member of The Brotherhood—especially an Elder—without permission. There were no rogue Assassins. If an Assassin killed an Elder or Brother of their own volition, they were executed. There was no appeal process.

But what happened if an Assassin rescued an abused slave from an Elder? Was that an offense worthy of capital punishment?

Alex would soon find out.

A knock sounded at his door and Sebastian walked in. Alex jumped to his feet and chewed his lip as the Immortal approached. “Are they terribly angry?”

Sebastian frowned. “You shouldn’t have done it, Alex.”

Alex’s shoulders slumped. “I couldn’t leave them there, Sebastian. I had the power to rescue two girls from Jack’s hands. They would have been raised like Anna.” He gave his friend a despairing look. “I couldn’t do nothing.”

Sebastian’s expression was inscrutable, but his eyes were intense as he read Alex. After a moment, he nodded. “It’s time to go.”

They arrived at the chamber a few minutes later. At the center of the room, in a circle of light, the seven German Elders sat in a semi-circle of tall wooden chairs. Each wore their white Elder robes, yet the diamonds at the edges did not sparkle. None of them moved as he walked into the room. Brenton and Gavin, the Immortals that watched over Germany, stood behind the semi-circle, arms across their chest, staring hard at him.

Alex moved to the center of the semi-circle, swallowing hard over the lump in his throat.

“Where are your men?” Gerhard Staudegger, Elder of Saxony, asked.

“The fault lies solely with me, and I bear the responsibility alone. They acted only upon my orders.”

Gerhard nodded.

Edwin Reisig, Elder of Bavaria, sat in the center seat of honor. He was a good man, but he’d taken the seat Vati normally occupied and Alex’s heart fell. His father had been moved to the left edge of the Elder circle. Alex respected and admired all the Elders, but he’d always been proud that they deferred to Vati’s judgment.

Edwin lifted his chin. “Alexander Johannes Kunzberg Herzog von Hessen, you are charged with taking action against an Elder without orders from another Elder.”

“Yes, my lord.”

“Tell us what happened.”

Alex told them about visiting Jack’s house with Anna, and how he had found the girls. He told them why he had acted. “I realize now how foolish I was, but if I hadn’t...” He shook his head. “I couldn’t have lived with myself.”

The Elders didn’t respond. They stared at him with hard, unflinching eyes, and Alex’s heart was heavy in his chest. Would they call for his execution? Would the girls be sent back to America? “Please, my lords...” The Elders looked at him. “Whatever your judgment upon me, please don’t send those girls back to Devin.”

Edwin gave a sharp nod. “Thank you, Alex. You may go. We will summon you when we have made our decision.”

“Thank you, my lords.” He bowed his head and turned and walked out of the room.

Although it was a little less than an hour before they summoned him back to the chambers, it felt like days had passed. He debated with himself the entire time. Should he have not done it? Should he have left the girls to their fate? But he always came back to the same conclusion: he couldn’t have done differently and lived with himself.

He walked back into the chambers humbly, but confident in his actions and ready to accept his punishment. He stood tall and straight as the Elders looked him over. His hand shook and he clenched his fist. What would happen to Anna if they called for his execution? The thought was too terrible to bear.

“Alexander Johannes Kunzberg Herzog von Hessen, we find you guilty of the charges brought against you,” Edwin announced.

Alex swallowed but kept himself still, even though he wanted to fall to his knees and beg for mercy. He cleared his throat. “Yes, my lords.”

“You are sentenced to twenty lashes with a cat-o-nine-tales, to be carried out immediately following these proceedings.”

Alex stared at Edwin. A merciful punishment, considering the circumstances. He let out a shaky breath. “Thank you, my lords.” He paused. “What about the girls?”

Edwin’s face softened for the first time. “Alex, we admire what you did. You obeyed your conscience regardless of the consequences.” He glanced at Vati. “Your father raised an estimable son. They will come to live in my Schloss. They are less likely to be discovered there. News of what you did will not go beyond these walls.” His eyes hardened again. “But be warned, Alex. Do not do it again.”

“Yes, my lord.” The praise relieved some of his apprehension. Some.

Vati stood. “Come, Alex. Let’s go get it over with.”

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