Page 151 of The Life of Anna-Tenth Anniversary Edition: Act 2

“Who she was supposed to be?”

“Yes, the way she would have been had your son not interfered in the bonding ritual.”

Wilhelm stared. How was this possible?

“She’s much happier now, Wilhelm. Why don’t you just let her be?”

The irony of the question wasn’t lost on Wilhelm. Devin had never let her alone. Did he really expect Wilhelm to do the same? It occurred to Wilhelm that Devin might not have seen Anna’s internal struggle. Maybe there was still hope. He took a long, deep breath to calm his rampant heartbeat.

“I would like to spend time with her while I am here.” He glanced at Anna, who watched him with a pleasant, though vacant, look in her eyes.

“You are still technically her Master. I suppose you still have a right to be with her.” He paused. “She needs to rest between performances. I will have her come to your hotel Sunday night after the evening performance. I am establishing her place in society tonight and I don’t want anyone to be confused as to who she belongs to.”

“She still belongs to me.”

“Technically, yes. But she won’t respond to you as she does to me. I am her sole Master now and she does as I want her to.”

Wilhelm had to admit the man’s words were true. Everything in her demeanor spoke of devotion and loyalty to Devin. They gave the appearance of being a couple, but Wilhelm knew better. Devin had gotten his mindless slave. But Wilhelm had also seen that the real Anna was still in there. Trapped deep inside. Maybe, with enough time, he could bring her out again.

Devin having total control over her was dangerous. If Devin was wielding that much power, the stories he’d been hearing from other Elders and on the news made a lot more sense. Even the slightly vacant look in their president’s eyes made more sense now.

He had to get Anna away from him.

“We are staying in the Ritz presidential suite. I expect her there immediately after the performance.”

Devin smiled. “Of course.” He turned and walked away with his arm around Anna’s waist.

Kurt rushed over. “Vati, what’s going on?”

Wilhelm shook his head as he watched Anna walk away, her head inclined to Devin. “He’s... made her his puppet.” He looked at Kurt. “But she’s still in there. I saw it for a short moment. She asked me to help her.” Wilhelm turned to look at the wall, his heart aching at the pain he’d seen in her eyes. He ran his hands through his hair. “I don’t know what to do.”

“She’s still there?”

Wilhelm turned to see Travis standing casually next to him with Justin. He looked as if he had just asked about the weather, except for the intensity in his eyes. “She’s not completely gone?”

“What do you know about it?” Wilhelm asked.

“He’s taken control of her. She doesn’t act like herself. I don’t know how he did it, but he did.”

“Why did you not tell me before now?”

“Because we thought she’d be gone by now,” Travis sighed. “And we didn’t want to risk... others... finding out.”

“Gone?” Wilhelm frowned.

Travis glanced at Justin, then back at Wilhelm. “Have you ever been to O’Brien’s Pub on Market?”

Wilhelm slowly shook his head, not understanding what a restaurant had to do with Anna.

“We like to go there for a late breakfast after morning rehearsals.” Justin raised his eyebrows and gave him a pointed look.

“Irish, eh?” Wilhelm said, forcing a smile. “I have an Irish son-in-law. Good food.” He glanced at Kurt. “Sounds like a good place for breakfast.”

Kurt nodded in agreement, but his brows furrowed in confusion.

Justin nodded. “You should try it.”

“We might just do that.”

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