Page 220 of The Life of Anna-Tenth Anniversary Edition: Act 1

It was a command. A gentle command, but still a command. She spoke in a halting voice, hating the painful memory of how Devin had punished her on Sunday night.

Alex’s anger grew as he paced in his father’s study while Anna told him what Devin had done to her Sunday night. Kurt’s phone sat on Vati’s desk and was on speaker so his father could listen to the conversation as well.

Picturing poor sweet Anna being beaten so badly she wished for death... He didn’t know whether to cry for her or grab his rifle and assassinate Devin—screw the consequences of going rogue. He made eye contact with his father and shook his head in disbelief.

When Anna finished speaking, Alex was speechless. Devin’s cruelty never ceased to amaze him. He’d punished her because of her so-called misbehavior—her supposed disobedience—on Friday. Alex had been there. He’d witnessed her emotional rollercoaster—from excitement to heartbreak—and her reactions had been entirely human, entirely normal. It wasn’t intentional disobedience; she was just a normal girl. But that’s not what Devin wanted from her.

More than ever before, Alex was determined to find a way to defeat the bastard. He was making good progress, but not quickly enough for Anna’s sake. “Are you okay?” Had Devin permanently marred her?

“I’m fine. Devin said something about Immortals healing me. I passed out.”

How could she speak so casually about passing out? He shook his head and then her other words registered in his mind. “The... Immortals healed you?” He glanced at his father, who frowned. It wasn’t unheard of for Immortals to heal if requested. Sebastian had healed Anna when Alex had—He shook his head, not wanting to relive that horrible day.

“Is that... Was that wrong?” Anna asked softly.

“No, Schatzi. I’m glad you’re okay.”

“I don’t think I would’ve been able to travel if they hadn’t.”

Alex cringed. “Did you see them?”

“Who?”

“The Immortals.”

“No. I didn’t wake up until Monday morning. I don’t know when Devin... finished with me. There aren’t windows in the dungeon.”

Alex had first-hand knowledge of that fact. “I’m so sorry he did that to you. I... I wish I could have stopped him.”

Anna didn’t respond.

“Are you still there?”

“Yes.” She paused. “Are you angry with me?”

“Why would I be angry with you?”

“Because of the . . . piercings. Because they’re gone.”

“No. It’s not your fault.” He spoke in the gentlest voice he could. “There’s nothing to be angry about.” At least not at you.

He heard Anna say something away from the phone. “I—I have to go. Devin’s calling me.”

“Anna, I’m going to give you a command to protect you, alright? I don’t want you to get in trouble for talking to me.”

“Why would I?—‍”

“Anna, you are not to tell Devin about your dream last night, nor about speaking with me today.” He kept his voice firm, but as gentle as he could. “You are to tell him that you had a pleasant conversation with Kurt and that he told you he would be out to see you opening night of The Nutcracker.” He paused. “Do you understand?”

“Yes, Alex.”

He couldn’t read her tone. Had he hurt her again? He was trying to protect her the only way he knew how at the moment.

“Are you . . . coming to Nutcracker?”

“I don’t know yet.” Being near her and not being able to be with her was torture. Not to mention seeing her with his brother. He didn’t know if he could do it.

“Okay.” She paused. “I have to go. Devin’s getting impatient.”

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