Page 357 of The Life of Anna-Tenth Anniversary Edition: Act 2

Chapter 177

Wilhelm and Kurt arrived at the cathedral on Sunday morning and searched surreptitiously for Devin, and more importantly, for Anna. What Wilhelm had learned from Brandon had relieved some of his fears. At least temporarily. But he would feel better when he actually saw her. He made brief eye contact with Vlad and gave a subtle nod of greeting, wishing he could speak to him openly and discuss the necessary adjustment to their plans.

The Elder-Mistresses, cool and aloof, talked and smiled with each other and the surrounding men. But then, as one, they all turned toward the street. A limo stopped, the back door opened, and Devin stepped out, arrogance radiating off him in waves. Anna stepped out a moment later, dressed in a simple black skirt suit that emphasized the lack of color in her face. A faint bruise on her cheek marked her beautiful face, but otherwise she looked unharmed.

The other Elder-Mistresses watched as Anna followed behind Devin, head down, hands clasped in front of her. Most looked at her with impassive expressions. A few had subtle, though genuine, smiles on their faces, almost as if they admired her. Irina looked at her curiously.

Devin met Wilhelm’s eyes and Wilhelm could barely contain himself as the other man smirked. He put his arm around Anna’s shoulders and guided her toward the entrance of the cathedral.

“A word, Devin?” Wilhelm said in a calm voice as Devin walked by.

“You won’t be getting Anna anytime soon, Wilhelm, so don’t even ask.”

Anna stared at the ground. He winced at the bruise on her cheek. It was worse up close. “You can’t treat her like that, Devin.”

“Why not? She’s a runaway slave. She’s lucky she can walk.”

“She is an Elder-Mistress,” Wilhelm growled.

“Who ran away from her Master.” Devin smiled. “You have no right to contest her punishment and you know it.”

Kurt, standing beside him, growled. Wilhelm put his hand on his arm to warn him not to do anything rash.

Anna shuddered, which broke Wilhelm’s heart. “Perhaps not, but I can contest how you treated one of my own.”

Devin raised his brow. “Oh?”

“You attacked Aaron and nearly killed him.”

Devin frowned. “He’s supposed to be dead.”

“You came very close.”

“Well, then, he should consider himself lucky to be alive,” Devin snapped.

“It is not your right to attack my Brother. He belongs to me. My country.”

Edwin appeared at Wilhelm’s side, as well as Oswin and Jürgen, two of the other German Elders.

Devin’s eyes widened. “Alright. Alright. I apologize. But he was harboring my slave.”

“As I understand it, she was in her own home when you found her. How could he be harboring her in her own home?”

“Fine. What do you want?”

“Stay away from him and make sure his medical bills are paid.” Wilhelm smiled as Devin sighed, but nodded. “And I would like a few minutes alone with Anna.” He had figured out a way to give Anna an element of protection. It wouldn’t keep her from getting hurt, but it would keep Devin from torturing any information out of her. At least to an extent.

“Absolutely not,” Devin snapped. “I will not allow you to take her out of my sight. For all I know, you helped her run away.”

He forced a lightness into his tone he was far from feeling. “How could I do that from Germany, Devin? Really!”

Other Elders had joined the small group and they all chuckled. Devin frowned. “Fine. As long as she stays where I can see her.”

“Alright.” He extended his hand. “Liebling?”

Anna looked up, hope in her eyes, and he gave her a kind smile. She glanced at Devin, who nodded grudgingly, and walked away with him. Wilhelm hugged her to him and she sobbed into his chest. Wilhelm’s heart squeezed in his chest.

“I am so sorry this has happened, Liebling,” he said in a soft voice. “I will speak to the others as soon as possible, and we will get you away from him as soon as we can.”

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