Page 270 of The Life of Anna-Tenth Anniversary Edition: Act 2

“I passed out?”

The Immortal nodded. “It is to be expected. The amount of energy you expended is immense.”

“That explains why I feel like I need a nap.”

Sebastian chuckled. “Rest, and then you must finish preparing for your mission. The time is close.”

Alex grinned. Yes. The time was close. Time to deliver the first blow to Devin.

Aaron leaned against the wall and slid down to the floor. His legs had turned to jelly and wouldn’t hold him anymore. What the hell had just happened?

A phone rang in Anna’s room, and then he heard her voice. A moment later, she ran out of the room and into his arms. “Aaron!” She fell into his lap and he wrapped his arms around her, burying his face in her hair. She was shaking as badly as he was. “What happened?”

“I have no idea. He thought your room was a closet... I don’t know how, but I’m so glad.”

They huddled together for a long time on the floor, both lost in their own thoughts. After a while, he told her what had happened at the studio. “I think I still may strangle Jasmine. Fucking bitch.”

Anna didn’t argue.

After a few more minutes, he gently pushed her to her feet. “I should get back to the studio and let everyone know you’re okay.” He stood. “Hugo wanted to stop by tonight and practice a little here. Would you be up for that?”

Anna’s face softened and she nodded. “Yeah. That’d be nice.”

“Call me if you need anything. Even if it’s in the middle of rehearsal. Vincent will understand.”

She nodded. “Thanks, Aaron.” She hugged him hard. “I’d be lost without you.”

“I didn’t do anything, but I’m glad you’re okay.”

Aaron hurried back to the studio as quickly as he could. He knew Hugo would be extremely worried, and meant to give him an assuring smile as soon as he walked into the room, but when he saw Jasmine, his temper exploded and he stormed over to her.

“You fucking bitch!” he shouted over the music, which promptly stopped. “You almost got her taken by him!” He pulled back to hit her, but someone pulled him away before he could swing his arm. Yeah, a small rational part of his mind told him hitting her probably wouldn’t be a good idea. He shrugged off whoever was holding him but glanced at Stef, who stood next to her. “You remember her guardian? That’s nothing compared to what that man did to her. A walk in the park.”

Stef’s eyes widened and then fixed on Jasmine. The resounding crack as her hand hit Jasmine’s cheek was one of the most satisfying sounds Aaron had ever heard.

Jasmine struck back and a catfight ensued, which Aaron watched gleefully. Stef outweighed Jasmine by twenty pounds and she got in some good throws before Vincent, seemingly reluctant, stepped in. “Enough!”

Everyone stopped. Vincent didn’t yell often, if ever.

Everyone in the room froze. The two women looked at him, their hair sticking up from their buns. Jasmine had a bruise on her cheek.

“Jasmine, did you hear Hugo tell that man that he hadn’t seen Katrina?”

“Yeah, but?—‍”

“Did you know it was a picture of Katrina?”

“Yeah, but?—‍”

“Don’t you think there might have been a reason why Hugo lied about seeing her?” Vincent’s stare became very harsh and Jasmine cowered. “Katrina came here to be protected. From that man. That man...” Vincent clenched his jaw and shook his head, dragging his hand through his hair. “Your jealousy of her has gone far enough. It’s bad enough you’ve stolen the attention of her fiancé from her.”

Jasmine’s olive complexion paled into an ugly ash color. “You knew?”

“Yes.” He looked around the room. “Anything you hear or see today will absolutely not be repeated at any time, anywhere. If I find out anyone has repeated these things, they will be fired immediately and not given a good reference for their next job.”

“What the hell, Vincent?” Jasmine whined. “What’s so special about her?”

Vincent breathed in deeply. “Do you know what torture is, Jasmine? Real torture? The type that takes you to the brink, and you pray that death will finally take you? But it never does.”

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