Page 242 of The Life of Anna-Tenth Anniversary Edition: Act 1

“How would you like me to please you?”

Tommy sighed. “By relaxing and enjoying yourself. Yesterday, when we were together... Hell, it was the best part of the weekend for me.”

She turned to look at him. “Why?”

“Because... God, Anna. Can’t you tell that I like you? Am I being too subtle?”

She shrugged her shoulders, then sighed. She knew he liked her. That’s what scared her. And Devin would never allow anything to happen between them. He lived in New York. She wasn’t allowed to leave California.

“I woke up this morning next to some girl, and I wished it had been you. I looked for you when I got up, but couldn’t find you.”

“I went to clean up at the girl’s dorm and then I saw—‍” Anna closed her eyes and shuddered at the memory of the girls in the field.

“Saw what?”

She shook her head, not wanting to voice the horrors she’d seen.

“You saw the girls?”

Anna nodded. “You know about them?”

“Dad told me about the fight. They had to be punished. Two of them belonged to us. We had to be involved.”

“Why did they have to be punished?”

“Because they attacked you, Anna. You’re the Elder-Mistress. They can’t get away with something like that.”

“You saw them?”

“I had to help.”

Anna stared at him, mouth opened. She couldn’t imagine Tommy doing such a thing. “Why?” she whispered.

“Because I’m pierced. I have duties now, too. Dad said it was time I learned... about that sort of stuff.” He shuddered. “I hope I never have to do it again.”

“It was awful,” Anna whispered.

Tommy hugged her to him. “I know. But if they weren’t punished, your position wouldn’t be respected and you would be in danger. America’s never had an Elder-Mistress before. Precedents have to be set.”

Anna leaned her head back on his shoulder and sighed. Life was so complicated.

They were silent for a few minutes. “I wish you didn’t live so far away from me,” he said softly, intertwining his fingers with hers in the soapy water.

Anna swallowed. “Me too.”

“Think Devin would let you move out east? Elder-Sons can... um, be with Mistresses, ya know.”

“Of course they can.”

“No, I mean . . . like . . . dating and stuff like that.”

“Devin would never let me move to New York. Believe me, I already asked.”

“You did?”

Anna realized how he might have taken her words. “I mean, I was offered a position in New York and Devin said no.” She sighed. “So did Alex.”

“Who’s Alex?”

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