Page 13 of The Life of Anna-Tenth Anniversary Edition: Act 2

Devin didn’t reply.

“Devin?”

“It’s Friday. It’s four o’clock and you’re not here.” His tone was even, but she could feel the anger radiating through the call.

Anna gasped and clasped her hand over her mouth as tears filled her eyes. “Oh, God! Devin, I’m so sorry. I’ll leave right now.” She turned to run to the street, but Wilhelm grabbed her hand and took the phone from her.

She grabbed at it, but he shook his head and walked away. “Hello, Devin. It is Wilhelm...”

Anna’s jaw trembled and she watched helplessly. “He’s going to punish me...” She hung her head and wiped away her tears with shaky hands. She’d been doing so well, and Kurt and Wilhelm had come into town and ruined it all in a single afternoon.

“Vati will not let that happen.”

Anna watched Wilhelm as he talked to Devin. His face remained impassive, and he seemed to speak with confidence and firmness. At last, he nodded and ended the call.

Wilhelm walked back and handed Anna her phone. “Your presence is not needed at the Schloss tonight, Anna.” He smiled. “What would you like to do?”

Anna gaped at Wilhelm. She couldn’t even process his question. His ability to stand up to Devin amazed her. Like Alex... She flinched at the thought.

“We had talked about going to the symphony, Vati.”

Wilhelm nodded. “That is true. How does that sound, Anna?”

Anna blinked and stared at him, trying to process everything that had happened in the last fifteen minutes. Wilhelm wanted her opinion about going somewhere. When was the last time she’d been asked about something like that? Devin never did. He just told her what to do. It was kind of nice to be asked.

She nodded and then gasped and shook her head. “I don’t have anything to wear. I don’t have much at all, actually.”

“Finally!” Kurt grinned.

Anna gave him a confused look.

“I can buy you something!” Kurt took her hand and the three of them walked back to the hotel to get the car Wilhelm had rented.

Chapter 8

Anna stood in the shower, immersed in rose-scented body wash, and let out a contented sigh. For the first time in what felt like forever, she felt genuinely happy. Perhaps life wasn’t as hopeless as she’d thought.

She liked being with Kurt. He was quieter, more mature, and more thoughtful than he had been before. Devin wouldn’t approve of her having a relationship with him. But then again, maybe it wasn’t Devin’s call. After all, she belonged to Wilhelm just as much as she belonged to Devin.

Everything just felt right with Kurt. Maybe Alex hadn’t really been her soulmate. After all, she’d met Kurt before Alex. Well, if she didn’t count all those dreams she’d had about Alex...

No. Alex was dead. And a monster like Jack. Kurt was alive. And the son of her Master. An Elder-Son. They fit together. She summoned the strength to push away the fear that she was mistaken. Again.

After she’d dressed and they’d eaten dinner, Wilhelm, Kurt, and Anna were driven to the Opera House. Wilhelm doted on her like a father would, and beamed at her and Kurt together.

They walked into the Opera House and found the lobby crowded with patrons eager for the world premiere of a new symphony. Once again, she was drawn to the statue of her parents. Wilhelm spotted a couple he knew, and Kurt walked with Anna over to the statue.

She gazed up at the bronze image of her parents, her heart aching. Seeing her father before her wedding had been so wonderful. Right now, more than anything, she wished he could return and whisk her away from all her troubles. If only she knew how to go to him...

Kurt slipped his arm around her waist and nuzzled her ear. “I am glad you are dancing again.”

Anna sighed. “I’m not sure if I’m glad or not. It’s frustrating when my body won’t do what it’s supposed to.”

“You will get there.” His thumb rubbed against her ribs and she inhaled sharply, surprised to find herself getting aroused. She smiled, remembering him pushing her up against the wall the first time he took her out and Alex getting angry at him.

“Anna? Anna Perkins?”

The unexpected voice from her past sent shivers through her body. She closed her eyes, wishing she was just dreaming, then turned and gave a practiced smile to Zach. He stood with his arm around a pregnant blonde woman. The same woman he’d been with at Devin’s banquet. Ages ago. “Hello, Zach.”

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