Page 372 of The Life of Anna-Tenth Anniversary Edition: Act 1

“Very foolish, Anna.”

He grabbed her arm and hauled her to her feet. She cried out as he pulled her out of the cave, digging his fingers into the cuts on her arm, and shoved her into the freezing water.

“You look like shit. Clean yourself up.”

Anna shivered. “H-h-here?”

“Yes.”

Her whole body shaking with cold and fear, she splashed water onto her arms and legs.

“Faster.” Devin kicked at her and she fell sideways into the freezing water.

Anna cried out and tried to escape, but Devin grabbed her by the hair and shoved her forward several feet into deeper water. He plunged her head beneath the frigid surface. Anna squealed and gasped as the cold water enveloped her body. Devin pulled her up for a short breath before grabbing her hair even tighter around his fist. Once more, he shoved her head underwater, her desperate gasps for air muffled by the relentless grip of his hand.

He yanked her up. “Devin, pl?—‍”

Devin pushed her beneath the water’s surface again. Anna fought desperately against his hold, but the cold had sapped her strength, leaving her muscles unresponsive. Just as the darkness began to close in, he yanked her out of the water.

Devin dragged her to the edge of the creek and shoved her onto the ground. Anna coughed up water as her hands sunk into the mud. Her wet hair clung to her face and she trembled uncontrollably with a combination of cold and terror.

He sneered at her. “Get up.”

She willed her body to obey, but she shook so badly, she fell back down. With a growl, Devin yanked her to her feet and pushed her toward the muddy hill in front of her. She struggled to move her legs, and he dragged her up the embankment. “Walk.”

Anna wrapped her arms tightly around herself and limped through the dense trees toward the Gathering site. Whenever her pace didn’t meet his satisfaction, Devin shoved her forward.

She had stopped dripping by the time they arrived back at the pavilion. Her muscles cramped in the cold air.

Devin shoved her into the bedroom and pulled out a pair of leather cuffs. “Since I can’t trust you to stay where you need to be...” He locked the cuffs around her wrists and attached them to one of the support poles. “I will make sure you stay in place.” When he was satisfied she was secure, he instructed Ian to keep watch. “Don’t give her anything. No blanket or food.”

Anna leaned her head against the cold metal pole as hot tears rolled down her cheeks. She was back where she began and her child was still in danger, but there was nothing she could do. She curled into a ball around the pole and closed her eyes, wishing with all her heart that Alex would come rushing across the field and rescue her. Maybe his job finished early and he was on his way.

She shook her head. Not likely.

She dug her nails into the palms of her hands. Alex! Alex, please! I need you.

Chapter 173

Anna whimpered as someone moved her arms. The cuffs loosened, and she was picked up and put on the bed. She opened her eyes and found herself looking into the golden eyes of Kaveh.

“I was told you tried to run away, Daughter.” He shook his head. “That was not a wise decision.”

Anna groaned as he stretched out her cold, stiff legs. He pulled off her dress and wrapped a blanket around her.

“I will return when you are warm.”

She shivered as he walked away, then stared blankly at the grassy field. Alex!

The sun had set and men were starting to gather in front of the eagle. A large fire crackled in front, casting eerie flickering shadows, while braziers scattered around the field gave warmth to the cool evening and added to the ambiance.

Anna buried her face in the blanket, overwhelmed by a growing sense of dread. Devin’s ominous words about taking her baby echoed in her mind. She couldn’t understand how or why he would do such a thing, though. Tears welled up in her eyes, and her heart ached with fear and confusion.

Sitting up, she surveyed her surroundings, her mind racing with thoughts of fleeing once more. But before she could make a move, Kaveh appeared, closing off the side of the pavilion. He pulled the blanket from her as he sat down and stroked her hip. “Much better.” He looked at her sternly. “Do not scream or I will make you regret it.”

Icy fear shot through her veins as he turned her over and brought her onto her hands and knees. Anna whimpered as he invaded her body, holding her hips firmly in his grip. There was no escape. She groaned and buried her face in the pillow to muffle her cries. Her stomach cramped as the Immortal moved deeper and deeper into her body.

He let out a low moan and she tightened around him, trying with all her might to keep him from going deeper. Tears flowed down her cheeks. He thrust hard and slow. She bit the pillow to keep from screaming as his movements went on and on and on. It felt like he would never finish.

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