Page 99 of The Life of Anna-Tenth Anniversary Edition: Act 2

“How are you feeling?”

Anna thought for a moment. “Good.” The last thing she remembered was freezing in the cathedral. “What happened?”

“You got very sick. You were healed by an Immortal.”

“Oh.” She didn’t remember anything about being sick, though his words triggered a memory of a cold, dark room. She strained to retrieve the memory, but all she could grasp was a fading sensation of cold darkness, obscuring any further details. “How long have I been asleep?”

“All afternoon. It is past dinner time. Are you hungry?”

She nodded and he stood.

“I will call for some room service.” He left and returned a few minutes later, sitting on the bed again. “I was so worried about you,” he said tenderly, stroking her hair back from her face.

She looked up into his eyes, hating that she’d caused him pain. “I’m sorry,” she whispered.

He gave a little half-smile. “Do not do it again,” he teased.

Anna giggled softly.

“Vati got so angry at Devin, he punched him in the face.” Kurt pressed his lips together, but his eyes were full of amusement.

Anna gasped and clasped her hand over her mouth. “Are you serious?”

He nodded, and then his face fell. “But the weird thing was that he left the room and returned a little while later with his nose completely healed. I saw it before he left. It was definitely broken.”

Anna nodded and sat up. “He’s got that from me.”

“How, Anna? How is he taking your power?”

She opened her mouth to speak, but the words would not come out. She tried several times and finally gave up, understanding the sensation of wanting to do something her Master had forbidden. “I can’t tell you. He forbade me.”

Kurt frowned. “It is not right. You are far too precious to steal life from.”

Anna took his hand and kissed his palm, then looked up at him. Emotion swelled through her heart. He still loved her. She could see it in his eyes. She wanted to love him. Wanted to be with him. Time hadn’t changed that. She wished... “Have you... met anyone?”

“I have met lots of people, Anna.” He chuckled. “It is part of being a Sohn.”

Anna blushed. “I mean... women? A woman. That you like?”

“You are asking if I have fallen in love with another woman?”

She nodded.

“Nein, Anna. I kept hoping that I would see you again. Yes, I have met lots of women, but none have interested me.” He sighed. “I still love you. I believe I always will.”

Anna smiled, her heart warming. “I’m glad I get to spend time with you again.”

“Me, too.” He leaned down to kiss her and a knock sounded at the door. “Dinner.” He straightened and went to answer the door.

Anna looked down to see she was wearing a big blue t-shirt. It must have been Kurt’s. She wiggled out of bed and wandered into the living room.

Kurt paused, holding a large tray in his hand. “I was going to bring it in there.”

Anna shrugged. “It’s easier to eat at a table.”

Chapter 57

The next day, Anna went sightseeing around St. Petersburg with Wilhelm and Kurt until they were due at the Manor, or Pomest’ye, as they called it in Russia. Anna was taken upstairs to a large room where the other Elder-Mistresses were getting ready for the Funeral Gathering. She stood near the door, watching them. They were so elegant. So beautiful. And so aloof.

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