Page 370 of The Life of Anna-Tenth Anniversary Edition: Act 2

Alex took a deep breath and set his jaw, even as tears filled his eyes. “Yes. I would choose for her to be free, even if it meant I would lose her.”

Kronos nodded, his face inscrutable, and went to stand in front of Anna. He kneeled down and spoke softly to her. Alex couldn’t hear what he said, and it took every ounce of willpower to stay where he was.

Devin still couldn’t concentrate on anything for more than a minute or two. Those dark, horrifying images kept forcing their way to the front of his mind. He shuddered as he fought another one back. Anna had torn open his mind and shoved her own memories deep into the recesses of his mind. If Alex hadn’t stopped her, Devin would surely be dead. He felt every lash he’d ever dealt, every emotional scar, every heartbreak. He winced and grabbed his head as another one loomed just out of sight.

He squinted, struggling to focus on the Immortal Father speaking to Anna. Alex had told him he wanted her free. Didn’t Devin get to answer the question?

“No, Devin. You do not.” Sebastian towered over him. “You do not deserve to have her. You have proven yourself unworthy.”

Wilhelm saw Alex’s shoulders slump as he watched Kronos speak to Anna. Alex loved her so much, but was willing to let her go if that was her choice. His son had matured into a man of integrity and kindness, thinking of others more than himself. He was so proud, even as he grieved the loss of Anna himself. She would no longer belong to Wilhelm once the bonds were broken. But if it meant her being free of Devin, then the pain in his own heart was worth it.

Kronos stood and helped Anna to her feet, and then nodded to Tom. Kronos led Anna to the side of the stage and looked expectantly at Tom.

Tom gave the Immortal a nervous smile and then glanced sorrowfully at Devin. “Devin, you are one of my oldest friends, but we cannot let you continue down the path you’ve chosen. Your selfishness has wreaked havoc on our country and has spilled over to affect the entire world. We, the American Elders, do deem you unworthy of the position of Elder. Come and kneel as we strip you of the symbols of your position.”

Low voices filled the room as Sebastian helped Devin to his feet. Devin jerked as though trying to flee, but Sebastian’s hands on his shoulders prevented it. He shook so badly he could hardly walk up the steps. “Don’t do this, Tom. Please. I’ve learned my lesson. I won’t?—‍”

“No, Devin. It’s too late.”

The American Elders surrounded him and Tom removed his robe, leaving him naked in front of the entire room. Javier removed Devin’s Elder ring from his finger, and Brandon produced a tool that looked like wire clippers and handed it to Tom.

Wilhelm winced, realizing what the tool was for: Devin’s piercings. Knowing how well-seated his own were, it wouldn’t be a painless process. Tom hesitated and then turned to Alex, holding out the tool. “Would you like to do the honors?”

Alex raised his brows and glanced at Wilhelm. It would be the ultimate insult to allow a foreigner to remove his piercings, and even more so, a foreign Elder-Son.

Wilhelm nodded, and Alex accepted the tool from Tom.

Alex couldn’t move for a long moment, processing Tom’s offer. Had the American really just offered him the job? He smiled grimly and stepped forward to accept the tool. De-piercing Devin would be very satisfying.

He crouched in front of the former Elder and examined the tool. Devin’s eyes widened as the other American Elders grabbed his arms and head to hold him still while Alex worked.

“I should just cut it off,” Alex said softly as he grabbed the soon-to-be-former Elder’s cock. “But that would be too easy a punishment. You should endure some semblance of the pain you put my wife through.”

He actually heard Devin whimper as Alex put the tool to the first piercing at the top of his cock. Amusement lit his eyes. “Shall I show you mercy?” He squeezed and Devin let out a cry as the metal snapped. He pulled the piercing out and let it drop to the floor.

Devin shook so hard it was hard to get hold of the next piercing. “P-p-please...” His voice was high and squeaky. “D-don’t hurt me.”

Alex grinned wickedly as he placed the tool at the next piercing. “How many times did my Anna say that to you?” Snap. “Did you ever listen?” Snap. “Did you ever show mercy?” Snap. Devin jumped each time. One by one, the piercings were pulled and dropped to the floor.

When the normal piercings were all gone, Alex studied the spikes. “How do we get this one out?”

Devin’s face turned gray again, and the only reason he remained upright was because of the grip the other men had on him. Alex had a feeling there was no way to remove this one kindly. He glanced at Tom for direction.

Tom nodded. “They all need to be removed.”

Devin wailed. “Oh, God! Please... just cut the spikes off. Don’t pull it. Please.”

Alex hesitated, not because of Devin’s begging, but because he wondered if an honorable man would do such a thing. He would essentially be ripping Devin’s cock apart. There was a definite appeal to the thought, but Alex had made it through the whole ordeal without lowering himself to Devin’s level. Would this undo all that?

He looked at his father, who watched from the side of the room. He gave a solemn nod. Alex glanced at Kronos, who also nodded. Lastly, he looked at Anna.

Anna stared, frozen, as she watched Alex carefully remove Devin’s piercings one by one, while Devin begged and whimpered. Alex could have just ripped them out, but he was showing Devin mercy, something Devin didn’t understand. She didn’t know how she felt about Devin avoiding pain.

As awful as Devin had been to her, she felt sad to see him naked and humiliated in front of the world Elders. He had been so proud, so confident, and now he was reduced to a whimpering mess. But he had done the same thing to Alex.

The memories of Alex’s jealousy and insecurity returned, and her body tensed as anger oozed through her being at the thought of what Devin had done to Alex. A hand landed gently on her shoulder and she looked up and behind at Kronos, who gave her a gentle smile.

“There is no need to exact more revenge on Devin, Daughter,” he said in a low voice.

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