Page 84 of The Life of Anna-Tenth Anniversary Edition: Act 1

“Yes, my lord,” Ian said. “She just took them.” He gave Alex a small bow. “I’ll wait in the hallway and let Devin know when you’re done.”

“Danke, Ian. It shouldn’t take but a few minutes.” Alex smiled down at her and blew out a short breath. “Better to get it over with now.”

Ian bowed and left the room, closing the door quietly behind him.

Alex sat on the bed next to her and cupped her cheek with his hand. His hand was warm and gentle, and she relaxed. He looked so reluctant to do what he had to do, and Anna wondered at the hesitation. “Master, you don’t need to worry about me. I can take quite a lot of pain.”

His brows drew together, and his lips twitched into a frown. “I know, Schatzi.” He paused. “I’m going to have to do three piercings, as Devin did.” He leaned down and kissed her deeply.

She stiffened, wondering why he was kissing her, but the wonder melted away under his skilled lips. Her heart raced as his tongue explored her mouth. She slid her hand around his neck and into his hair. He gave a little moan as she pressed her mouth harder against his. Why did kissing him feel so right?

His hand skimmed her ribs and cupped her left breast. She moaned softly into his mouth as he brushed the nipple with his thumb, making it harden instantly. He pulled away and reached for the piercing gun.

She watched his face as he glanced down to position the instrument, then looked back into her eyes. His own eyes were a mixture of determination and sadness as he spoke in German. Then she felt the same stabbing pain in her nipple she’d felt the previous night.

She pressed her lips together to stifle her cry and Alex leaned down and kissed her, avoiding any pressure on the fresh piercing. The room spun as his lips caressed hers. A similar peace she’d felt when Devin had pierced her swam around in her mind, but it was more... substantial. More powerful.

“Schatzi, there are only two other places for the piercings. Devin took this one.” He ran his hand over her new belly ring. His finger trailed lower to her pelvis and then to her pussy, gliding down the outer skin. Heat rushed to the area, blossoming the lips open. He smiled and leaned down to kiss her pussy, darting his tongue inside the folds. She groaned as he teased her clit. All the pain in her nipple disappeared at his touch.

He traced her outer pussy lip with his finger again, moving the other ring, and she shivered. “Was that a good shiver or a bad shiver?”

She gave a shy smile. “Good, I think.”

He chuckled and licked the skin below the ring. “I will mark you here,” he whispered. “And here.” He flicked her clit with his tongue. “Well, the hood, not the clit.”

She gasped and let out a soft breath. What had Devin said about piercing the clit and slaves? She couldn’t remember as Alex kept licking her, and her eyes closed as the sensations grew stronger.

Suddenly, he sat up and his eyes filled with sadness as he looked at her. “These will hurt more than the first piercing. I am so sorry.” He sat up and pulled at the outer lip, positioning the gun carefully. Then he looked at her, the same mix of determination and sadness in his eyes. “You are mine, Anna. I claim you for myself.” He dropped his gaze and she bit her lip, bracing for the pain. She heard a click and the ring bit into her flesh as it had before.

Tears sprang to her eyes. She pressed her lips together and clenched her fists, sucking in deep breaths as tears filled her eyes.

He brushed her clit and tugged on the hood as he looked back at her. “Du bist mein,” he whispered in German. His eyes glistened with tears as hers did. Click. Stab.

She couldn’t keep silent on this one. She shrieked in pain and hot tears streamed down her cheeks.

Alex tossed the gun aside and lay down next to her, holding her tight and whispering in German. She couldn’t understand what he said, but his deep voice soothed her mind, and his chest rumbled against hers as he spoke. He lifted her knee onto his hip to keep her legs from pressing together. He petted her hair and kissed her. She began to shake and he pulled the covers up, cocooning his warmth around her with the blanket.

With each passing moment, the pain became less and less intense.

“Sleep if you can, Schatzi. I’ll stay with you as long as you need me.”

She didn’t want to sleep. She wanted to enjoy his presence, but her need for healing overcame her will and she soon drifted off to sleep.

Chapter 34

Devin shoved Anna’s bedroom door open and scowled. Fucking Alex, interfering with my ritual. “You’re still here?” he snapped.

Alex and Anna both jumped, and Alex looked over his shoulder to glare at Devin. “Six piercings in less than twenty-four hours is difficult, Devin.”

Anna lifted her head and gasped when she saw Devin.

Reminding himself he had a plan, he bit back a growl. He only had to play nice for a little while longer. He softened his expression. “Hey, Baby.”

“Hello, Master Devin.”

Devin frowned at the reminder that he wasn’t Anna’s only Master. How long would he have to suffer the German’s presence?

Alex turned back to Anna and cupped her cheek. “How are you feeling?”

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