Page 125 of The Life of Anna-Tenth Anniversary Edition: Act 2

Alex’s brows shot up and looked around. “Okay? I’m stuck here while Anna’s been... pushed beyond her limits, and you just told me she has to kill herself in order to be free?”

Vlad shook his head. “I can’t say any more, but—‍” He sighed. “You’re not the only one who cares about her and what’s going on.” He gave Alex a pleading look. “Please. Trust me.”

Alex seemed to get the grasp of what Vlad was trying to imply, and gave a curt nod. “How long?”

“It depends.”

“That’s not an answer.”

“It’s the only one I have at the moment.”

Alex leaned back in the chair. “Can you at least... find out if she’s okay right now?” Her cry before she vanished still echoed in his ears.

Vlad nodded. “I will ask around. It may take a few days.”

Alex stood. “Thank you.” He hurried back to the tower to tell Seth and the others what he had learned.

Chapter 71

Anna screamed as pain invaded her most wonderful dream—or at least, she tried to scream. What came out was more of a garbled, high-pitched mew. Her back burned as her skin and dried blood resisted leaving the floor as someone lifted her. She opened her eyes and thought the blurry image was Ian. She blinked several times, trying to clear her vision, but before she could, her neck muscles gave out and her head fell back. Ian lifted his elbow to raise her head and rest it against his chest.

He carried her like a limp rag doll up several flights of stairs to her room. It had been cleaned and the bed and window replaced, though the mirror was still gone and the shelves were bare. He carried her into the bathroom and gently placed her in the bathtub filled with warm water. Maggie held Anna upright as Ian removed his jacket and shirt and then took her from Maggie.

The maid tenderly washed Anna as Ian held her face above the water. Maggie scrubbed the blood off Anna’s body, and soon the water went from scattered with brown dots to a reddish-brown soup as flakes of dried blood melted back into liquid form. Maggie emptied the tub and refilled it with clean water twice before Anna was completely clean. When Anna’s hair had been washed, Maggie held a towel open and Ian lifted her from the water and carried her to her bed.

Anna tried to speak but her jaw wouldn’t work properly, and all that emerged was low warbles.

Ian shook his head and slid his hand over her wet hair. “Don’t try to speak. Your jaw is dislocated. Can you swallow?”

A rush of fear swarmed through her body and tears filled her eyes. What did he want from her?

“I was going to have Maggie get you some soup, but if you can’t swallow, I won’t.”

Anna relaxed and closed her eyes. She swallowed several times and gave a shallow nod. Ian looked behind him and nodded.

“I gave you a shot of painkiller before I picked you up. Are you in pain?”

She gave a tiny shake of her head.

Ian smiled sadly. “I had no idea you were so strong.”

Anna drew her brows together, the only part of her face she seemed to have control over.

“Do you remember fighting me?”

Anna gave a shallow shake of her head and winced at the dull ache. She didn’t remember anything after Devin...

Tears filled her eyes at the remembrance of the lost baby. Wilhelm!

Something stirred inside her. A red-hot heat. But she quickly doused it. She didn’t know what it was, but knew it was dangerous.

Ian watched her carefully. “Devin said if you had... reformed... he would have Kaveh heal you this afternoon. He’ll be here in a little while.”

Anna closed her eyes, thankful for Ian’s kindness. She didn’t remember exactly what had happened, but she remembered the pain. Pain and chaos.

Maggie returned a few minutes later with a tray and Ian fed Anna soup, one spoonful at a time. He made sure it was cool before putting the spoon into her mouth and holding her jaw so she could swallow. It was slow going, and Anna wished she could say thank you.

She had eaten half of the soup when Devin walked in. Maggie quickly grabbed the tray and left the room. Ian stood and moved to stand by the window while Devin looked down at her and frowned. He gazed deeply into her eyes, reading her thoughts. Anna trembled and tried not to look away. Finally, he nodded. “Are you in pain?”

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