Page 197 of The Life of Anna-Tenth Anniversary Edition: Act 1

Anna’s eyes widened. “You are an Immortal?”

Sebastian nodded. “I am. I have known Alex for over eight years and can testify that he would never have attacked you without an outside influence. Have you heard of his rages?”

Anna shook her head.

“Alex is a very passionate man, but with that comes a terrible temper and, in certain situations, he can lose control. He knows himself well enough to not put himself into situations where he would hurt anyone. Alex was in a situation like that today and he put himself in a place where he could... relieve himself safely. But someone took advantage of his weakness and drugged him to make him take it out on you.”

“Who?” Who would want to do that to her? Or Alex?

“I’m not at liberty to say. But please believe me when I say Alex would never intentionally harm you.”

“Anna, you can believe him.” Anna turned to see Seth leaning against her dresser. She hadn’t realized anyone else was in the room. “Sebastian doesn’t lie.”

Anna frowned. She desperately wanted to trust that Alex genuinely cared for her, but fear gnawed at her heart. The memory of Alex’s twisted face and angry eyes haunted her. But Seth wouldn’t lie to her. Or so she thought. Everything she’d thought was true had been turned upside down, and she didn’t know what to think. “Where is he?”

“In the hall bathroom.” Sebastian frowned suddenly. “I should go check on him.” He stood and left the room.

Seth came over and sat next to her on the bed. “Can I get you anything?”

Anna shook her head and lay back down, facing away from the window toward the closet. She didn’t hurt physically, but her heart ached. She couldn’t get the picture of Alex’s angry face out of her mind. Even though Sebastian had told her Alex had been tricked into hurting her, it was still his enraged face she saw.

Seth sat next to her and held her hand. She liked Seth. He was nice. He didn’t hurt her. As scary as Alex was, before everything happened, she could have said he’d never hurt her. Now she couldn’t. And she hated that she couldn’t.

A while later, a very pale Alex stepped into the room with Sebastian. Anna sat up. He looked like he’d been sick. “Are you okay?”

Alex shook his head and slumped against the wall. “Anna...” His voice was dull and raspy. She’d never seen a man look so defeated. “I can’t even begin to apologize for... for what I did to you. Saying I’m sorry sounds so trite.” He took a step forward and then stopped.

Anna’s heart broke as his shoulders slumped and he stared at the floor as he spoke. When he finally did look up, his normally bright blue eyes were dull and red, as if he’d been crying. She desperately wanted to believe him, wanted to believe the sorrowful emotions that were practically leaking out of him, but she was terrified she was misreading him. She stared at him for a long moment, not knowing what to do. Her jaw trembled, knowing her heart was still tied to his, but still afraid she was wrong. She held out her hand to him without thinking.

He rushed to her side and pulled her into his arms. His heart pounded against her ear as he held her tightly against his chest. She closed her eyes and relaxed into his embrace.

“I am so sorry, Anna,” Alex whispered against Anna’s hair, kissing her head and holding her as tight as he could without hurting her again. His eyes watered as he stroked her hair, his heart heavy with regret. He whispered words of endearment in German because he couldn’t get them out in English.

He was so unworthy of her. Sebastian was right. He had to go home and become the man she needed him to be.

“Alex, what’s wrong?” Her voice was muffled, and she pulled away from him, searching his eyes.

Alex’s shoulders slumped. He didn’t want to tell her right now. He looked up at Sebastian, hoping for his agreement on the poor timing, but the Immortal gave a single, deep nod and raised his eyebrows.

Sighing, he brushed her hair back from her face. Her sweet, sweet face that he would miss terribly. Sebastian had healed her and the bruises were gone, but his painful memory of her battered face wouldn’t go away so easily. Would she forgive him for leaving her? “Anna...” He didn’t want to say the words. “I have to return to Frankfurt.”

Her brows twitched and she pulled away the tiniest bit. “When?” she asked quietly.

“Within the week.”

Her lower lip quivered. “For how long?”

He shook his head. “I don’t know. A few months maybe.”

“A few... months?” She didn’t ask why. She pressed her lips together and pulled even further away. “Yes, Alex.” She looked away.

“I will come and visit you. I want to see you dance next month.”

“Whatever would please you, Alex.” She folded her hands in her lap and bowed her head. He gave Sebastian a desperate look. I can’t do this to her, he silently yelled at him.

Sebastian’s stern expression softened. You don’t have a choice, Alex. Staying will hurt her more.

Alex closed his eyes in defeat. Sebastian was right. But how could Alex make her understand?

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