Page 354 of The Life of Anna-Tenth Anniversary Edition: Act 1

“I will. If you’re up to it, maybe we can have a few people over on Sunday evening.”

Anna nodded. “I’d like that. I’d really like to see Jenna.”

“Let’s see how you feel tomorrow.”

Ian stopped a few feet away from the car and waited.

“I should go.” She closed her eyes to gather her courage and nodded to herself. I don’t need to be afraid. She leaned over and kissed Alex, then opened the car door and looked up at Ian. “Good evening, my lord.”

“Good evening, Mistress.”

“Anna, remember.” Anna turned back to Alex and saw him leaning down so she could see his face. “You are not inferior.” He gave an encouraging smile. “I love you.”

Her heart warmed. “I love you, too.” She gave a last nod, then grabbed her bag and closed the car door. Ian took her bag and she followed him up the steps. She glanced back and waved at Alex, then walked inside.

Anna took a moment to collect herself just inside the doorway, her gaze sweeping across the familiar entryway of the Manor. Although she had changed since the last time she’d visited, the Manor had not. It remained as cold and imposing as ever. Fear threatened to overwhelm her, but she straightened her posture and drew strength from Alex’s love and what he, Sebastian, and Wilhelm had told her over and over again in Germany. She was an Elder-Mistress, deserving of respect and honor. Yet, she also knew she needed to show respect and honor to her Master Devin, no matter how difficult that might be.

She slipped off her shoes and put them to the side.

“Devin would like to see you in the Hall,” Ian said. He turned and walked toward the central staircase that led directly to the Great Hall.

“The Hall? Why?” Anna walked behind Ian but kept her head up. I am not inferior.

Ian shrugged and glanced back at her with a smile. “You look good, Anna,” he said softly, his eyes sad.

Anna swallowed and looked away. Could she forgive him for killing Ben? She was happily—very happily—married to Alex. Ian had only done what Devin had told him to do. He wouldn’t have done it otherwise. It wasn’t his fault.

Ian stopped at the door to the Hall and pushed it open. She glanced up and gave him a small nod and a smile as she walked by. He smiled back with relief in his eyes.

She walked into the Hall and paused when she saw the room filled with naked women. The Manor slaves. Devin sat on his throne in the middle of the dais. She picked her way through the crowd to the platform, where she kneeled and bowed to him.

“I didn’t know if you would greet me in such a way, Mistress,” Devin said sarcastically. “Alex doesn’t think it beneath you?”

Anna sat up. “You are still an Elder, my lord, and my Master.” She glanced up at him and he raised his eyebrows.

He nodded. “I approve.” He stood. “Come.” He held out his hand to her. She stood and he turned her to face the women sitting on their heels in front of the platform. “I want you to pick out a pet.”

“A pet? I don’t understand.” These were women, not animals.

“I want you to pick out a girl that can be your... well, pet is the best way I can describe it. Someone you can train.”

“For what?”

“For whatever you want them to be trained to do. I may ask you to train them for something, too.” He put his hands on her shoulders and leaned into her ear. “Choose someone you will be able to manipulate to do your will,” he whispered.

Anna closed her eyes as a wave of dizziness washed over her.

Devin held Anna around her waist until she was steady on her feet again. She smelled good. It had been so long since he had been with her, his cock stirred at having her in his arms. He slid his hands up and cupped her breasts over her t-shirt. They were larger than they had been before she left. And beautifully firm and full. Maybe he should impregnate her more often. He liked the feel of her heavy breasts in his hands. She moaned when he gently squeezed.

He kissed her neck and her eyes opened, slightly glazed. She was under his control. The control was limited, but it was there. He couldn’t push against the constraints that Alex had put in place, but he could do this. “Go, Baby. Choose the girl I need.”

Anna stepped forward and looked around. She stopped in front of several girls and looked them over. She spent considerable time staring into the eyes of a redhead named Jamie. Devin had thought she might be the one and was pleased to see Anna seemed to feel the same way.

His cock twitched when Anna leaned forward and kissed Jamie on the mouth, caressing her breasts at the same time. Jamie had very nice breasts, full, with long pink nipples that Anna tugged on. Devin could hear the girl moan from his place on the platform.

Anna straightened and took Jamie’s hand to lead her to Devin. The girl dropped to her knees in front of Devin.

“This is the one?” he asked Anna.

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