Page 234 of The Life of Anna-Tenth Anniversary Edition: Act 1

Anna winced. “Yes, Master.”

He didn’t rebuke her again, but pulled the blankets up over her shoulders and kissed her head. He untied the ropes holding the walls back, and the room darkened. Anna was asleep within moments.

Chapter 111

A big, gentle hand brushed the hair away from Anna’s face, jerking her awake. Her eyes flew open, and then she relaxed as Ian smiled down at her. “What time is it?” She sat up and looked around. The sunlight that had been streaming in between the hanging fabrics was long gone.

“A little after seven, Mistress.”

Sounds from outside crept into Anna’s consciousness. A male voice was being projected by a microphone, but the words were muffled. Panic rose in Anna’s chest. “Did I sleep too long? Dev—I mean, Master will be so angry!” She flung the covers off and leaped to her feet.

Ian put his hands on her shoulders. “It’s alright. Devin said to let you sleep. You aren’t needed for a little while yet.”

Maggie entered the room, pushing the fabric aside. “Good Evening, Mistress.”

Ian moved aside and let Maggie brush Anna’s hair and refresh her perfume. Maggie gave her a fresh, unwrinkled dress, and then Ian took her outside through an opening in the back of the pavilion.

“Ouch!” Anna had stepped on something sharp.

Ian scooped her up into his arms. “Sorry. The areas outside the pavilions aren’t meant to be walked on with bare feet.” He walked behind the pavilions, away from the lake. Between structures, Anna caught sight of the bronze eagle flickering in the firelight and a huge crowd of men sitting on the grass in front of it.

In the shadows at the back of the field, Ian sat her down on her feet. “There are so many people!” Slaves kneeled around the edge of the open-air field, while over a hundred men sat on the grass wearing Brotherhood robes or tunics and pants like those worn at informal Friday night Gatherings.

Tom stood on the elevated dais, dwarfed by the giant eagle. The eagle’s outstretched wings seemed to reach for the heavens, and its metallic feathers glittered in the flickering firelight, making it look like the majestic bird was only seconds away from springing to life and leaping into the air. The gold and diamond edging of Tom’s white robe caught the play of flames from the long, curved fireboxes at the base of the platform. As the shadows danced and smoky scents wafted through the air, Anna shivered with both awe and unease.

The rest of the Elders sat on thrones at the back of the dais wearing their white robes. Devin sat in the middle, his chair larger than the others. The Elder-Sons sat on tall wooden chairs on either side of the platform, wearing white robes without the gold and diamond edging. Tommy and Tyler sat with them. They must have gotten their piercings.

Anna stood silently next to Ian, still unable to properly understand what Tom was saying. His words were met with head nods and approving sounds from the men on the grass. Something about making the country great and powerful. And about honored guests.

Suddenly, there was a round of gasps. The Immortals, Kaveh and Val, had appeared and stood in the center with two other beings that also looked like Immortals. Tom gave them a small bow and went to sit next to Devin.

Kaveh moved to the front to address the crowd. He spoke loudly and in a deep voice. “Mortals,” he began. “The Elders have decided to put aside the foolishness of the rest of the world and embrace the old ways. This country has never had the privilege of embracing...”

“Anna,” Ian whispered. “Did Devin tell you about the hunt?”

Anna shook her head. “A hunt?” She couldn’t imagine Devin going hunting. It didn’t seem his style. “What does he hunt for?”

“... Chairman who will provide ultimate guidance for the Elders and the other leaders of the country...” Kaveh’s voice drifted in their direction.

Ian’s brow furrowed, and he kneeled down next to her. “Anna, it’s... for you girls.” Anna frowned, not understanding. “The Elders and Deacons send the girls out that way.” He pointed in the direction opposite Devin’s pavilion. “The men hunt for you and do whatever they want. You’re naked and barefoot. Devin’s changing the rules this year. There are no restrictions on what they can do to you.”

Anna’s eyes widened and her heart pounded in her chest. “He’s sending me out with the other girls?”

Ian nodded.

Anna looked at the dais. Kaveh was still speaking. “... is well equipped to bring the country back to its former glory...”

“Why are you telling me this?” she whispered.

“Because I wanted to warn you. I don’t want you to get hurt any more than you—than you have to be. Stay away from the politicians as best you can. Especially Weir. He’s brought some toys with him and they don’t look nice.”

“How long does it last?”

“Until the sun comes up. There are alwaysgirls that don’t make it through the night.” Ian glanced at the dais. “The best thing you can do is find a hiding space and stay there until morning. It will start as soon as this is over.” He motioned toward the dais. “It’s time for you to go. Just... start thinking about a way to protect yourself.” Ian took her hand and led her to the back of the crowd. A long pathway led to the platform in the middle of the sitting men. “Walk up slowly. When you get to the front, bow as you usually do. You’ll be given instructions when you get up there.”

“Thank you, Ian,” she whispered and gave him a small smile. He nodded and gave her a little push.

She bowed her head, but not so much she couldn’t see what was going on ahead of her. Devin kneeled in the center of the platform, naked, with Kaveh kneeling behind him, his arm across Devin’s chest. Devin’s face was pink, his eyes closed, his lips parted. His hips moved back and forth, and he leaned his head back and groaned. She realized Devin was being made Chairman the same way men were brought into The Brotherhood. By showing submission. But something about it was different. Devin’s expression wasn’t one of submission, and he was glowing like the Immortals.

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