Page 304 of The Life of Anna-Tenth Anniversary Edition: Act 1

Was it right to feel that way, though? Ben had just died a few weeks ago. She squeezed her eyes shut as the ache in her heart began anew. The pain wasn’t as sharp now, though. She hadn’t realized that it had started to ease until that moment and let out a small sigh. Maybe Wilhelm had been right. The pain would ease eventually. It just took time.

Inga returned to her side. “Would you like something to eat?”

She gave a small smile. “Yes, please. I’m hungry.” For the first time in a long time.

Alex jumped as his phone buzzed in his pocket. It was a message from Greg. He hurriedly pushed the screen to open the message.

Anna’s sick. She threw up but seems okay now.

Alex frowned at his phone. “Vati, can Half-Immortals get sick?”

Vati looked thoughtful for a moment. “Not that I’m aware. Unless they’re away from their Master for too long. Why?”

“Seth told me Anna hadn’t been feeling well and not eating. I just got a text from Greg saying she got sick on the plane.” He paused. “I didn’t think they got sick either.”

Vati’s brows frowned. “That is odd. She’s been gone for less than a day and she’s coming to you. She shouldn’t be vulnerable.” He raised his brows and tilted his head. “On the other hand, she’s been under an enormous amount of stress lately. Maybe the human part of her is succumbing to everything that’s happened. I’ll have Heinrich come take a look at her if she’s not better tomorrow.” Heinrich was Vati’s brother and a doctor.

“Okay.” Alex gazed out into the darkness of the night. He hoped Anna would allow him to comfort her when she arrived.

After Anna finished her meal, she felt much better. When the plane began its descent, she clutched the armrests tightly and squeezed her eyes shut. Seth reached out and gently patted her hand, but she couldn’t fully relax until they had landed and were moving at a slower pace. When the plane finally came to a stop, Anna peered out the window into the darkness, expecting to see a large building, but there was nothing close by. “Where’s the terminal?”

Seth ducked his head to look out her window. “Looks like we’re deplaning out on the tarmac. There aren’t enough gates at this airport. Don’t worry. We’ll take a nice warm van to the terminal. I actually think it’s faster to do it this way.”

The moment Anna stepped out into the open air, she shrieked. “Omigosh, it’s so cold!” She hugged her coat around her and hunched against the wind.

Seth chuckled and put his arm around her. “Thirty seconds and we’ll be in a nice, warm van.”

Greg climbed into the van first, and Anna followed him to the back and sat next to him. Seth sat on the other side of her. When all the seats were full, the van sped off toward the large, lit building that Anna guessed was the terminal.

Anna’s nausea surged as the reality of seeing Alex in just minutes washed over her. She pulled a peppermint from her pocket and sucked on it, taking in deep breaths and trying to calm her racing nerves.

Chapter 142

Alex anxiously paced back and forth in the Arrivals Hall of the airport. His parents watched him from the nearby seating area and exchanged soft words. Their amused expressions didn’t escape his notice, and he scowled in response. The flight had landed, and all that remained was for the travelers to clear customs.

He ignored the women who tried to get his attention. He and his family were well known here. Women practically threw themselves at him. A few years ago, he loved it. Now it just irritated him. He only wanted one woman, and she was, at long last, in the same building he was.

Tony stood nearby, his arms crossed over his chest, legs spread apart, chin lifted and watching everyone who walked past, but Alex could see the amusement in his eyes.

Alex paused his pacing and blew out an irritated breath. “I’m glad I’m so entertaining tonight.”

“Oh, Alex, I think it’s adorable,” his mother said, her eyes sparkling.

Alex rolled his eyes and shook his head.

“Alex.” Tony nodded to the opening across the walkway and Alex spun around.

Greg and Seth flanked Anna, forming a protective barrier around her. She looked so small and delicate between their imposing figures. An airport employee in uniform stood behind them, his luggage cart laden with matching bags—presumably Anna’s. Greg and Seth had their own small roll-on bags next to them.

Greg and Seth spotted him at the same time and nodded. Seth bent down to speak to Anna and she looked across the concourse toward Alex. They locked eyes for a moment, then she gasped and stepped behind Seth.

Alex’s shoulders slumped.

Vati appeared at his side and spoke softly. “Give her a moment. She’s frightened. Be patient.”

Seth put his arm around Anna’s shoulders and the three of them made their way across the massive hall to where Alex and his parents waited.

Alex shook Seth’s hand and hugged Greg, patting him on the back. He hadn’t seen Greg since their last mission, which was very unusual. Both men had rooms in his family’s enormous home, and he was used to seeing them on a daily basis.

---