Page 153 of The Life of Anna-Tenth Anniversary Edition: Act 1

Devin frowned, then held out his arm. Alex grabbed hold and squeezed. A moment later, Anna whimpered and grabbed her own arm. The same arm Alex was squeezing on Devin. Alex let go and a moment later Anna relaxed, though she still cradled her arm.

“Alex, what the hell is going on?” Aaron asked, stepping forward.

Alex turned to Devin. “The pain transfers from us to her.” He frowned. “But not the other way around?”

Devin pursed his lips. “Because she’s a slave?”

Alex grimaced, but nodded. “Probably.”

Devin cursed under his breath.

Aaron pressed his lips together as he looked between the two men. “Alex, what the hell is going on?”

Alex turned to him with sad eyes. “Devin decided to get even with me for telling Anna the truth about her and her family.” Alex glared at Devin, then winced. “He gave me something that makes everything hurt like hell, then used a bullwhip on me.” He lifted his shirt and Aaron stared at the angry red welts on his friend’s chest.

Aaron hurried over to the bed and looked at Anna’s chest. The welts matched, though hers weren’t quite as dark. “What the...”

“The pain transfers. We didn’t know. We knew we couldn’t kill each other. I don’t think even Devin would use this on Anna.”

Devin shook his head. “I wouldn’t. It would be counterproductive.” He sighed. “I had no intention of using it on her, unless I absolutely had no other option.”

Alex growled. “There are always other options.”

“I didn’t develop it for her,” Devin snapped.

Aaron shook his head and threw his hands into the air. “So, will she get better? Your bickering isn’t helping Anna.” He glared at both men. “What can we do to help her now?” Anna opened her eyes and gave him a weak smile. He sat next to her and resisted the urge to smooth her hair away from her face. “You’re still hurting?”

She winced and nodded.

“Is it getting any better?”

“I don’t feel like I’m getting hit anymore,” she whispered.

Aaron smiled sadly at her. “I wish I could hold you and take it all away.”

She moved her arm, wincing, and put her hand next to his. “I want to hold your hand...”

“Won’t it hurt?”

She grimaced. “It already hurts.”

He took her hand in his and held it as lightly as he could. She smiled weakly and closed her eyes. Her face contorted every so often, but she was otherwise still.

Aaron looked up at Alex, then Devin, who both stared at her with remorse. “There’s nothing you can do?”

Alex shook his head. “He doesn’t have an antidote,” he growled.

Aaron realized his friend must be in pain, too, if it was his pain that had transferred to Anna.

Devin looked thoughtful. “I could . . . put her to sleep . . .”

Alex’s eyebrows shot up. “You what?”

Devin sighed. “I can put her to sleep. It wouldn’t be the most restful sleep, but it might relieve some of the pain.”

“How can you do that?” Aaron asked.

Devin shrugged. “I can make her do almost anything I want.”

---