Page 89 of The Life of Anna-Tenth Anniversary Edition: Act 2

Alex gritted his teeth and balled his fists, fighting the urge to not jump on the other man and beat him to a pulp. Devin moved and Alex caught sight of... something. Something was different about the man. Subtle, but definitely different. But try as he might, he couldn’t identify the change.

“It’d be worth it, Alex,” Seth growled from behind him.

No. It wouldn’t. And it was a battle he couldn’t win. On top of that, hurting Devin would hurt Anna. He blew out a breath and relaxed. A tiny bit. “What do you want?”

“You know your accent has become even more pronounced? I can barely understand you.”

Alex growled again and didn’t make any effort to clear his speech. “What the hell do you want, you fucking bastard?”

Devin arched a brow. “You’re not surprised to see me?”

Alex frowned. “I already figured out you orchestrated the entire thing.”

“Really?”

“The guards forget I speak Russian.” He looked around the room. If looks could kill, Devin would be dead four times over. It was tempting to allow his men to do the pummeling, to keep Anna from being hurt, but they couldn’t beat the speed of a bullet coming out of a rifle. Especially with their past injuries.

Devin smiled. “I knew you were a smart man. I’m glad.” He gave a mock bow. “Victory over an imbecile wouldn’t be quite as satisfying.”

Alex gritted his teeth.

“Look at it this way. At least you know that you’ll eventually be freed. Once I perform the final ritual with Anna...” He shrugged. “There’s no reason for you to be kept prisoner any longer.”

Alex growled, irritated that the man wouldn’t answer his question. “What do you want?”

Devin strolled around the room, looking at the shelves of food along the wall and tapping the plastic jugs of water with his foot. “Just wanted to see how you were holding up.”

Alex crossed his arms over his chest.

Devin walked to Seth and put his hand on his head. Seth froze, his eyes wide, and stared up at Devin from his cot.

Alex drew his brows together. What was going on? Seth would never let Devin touch him.

Devin slid his hand down Seth’s temple. “Stand.”

Alex lunged toward Devin, but he held up his hand and Alex hit an invisible wall. “Touch him or me and the guard over there will put a bullet in his head.”

Alex fisted his hands and watched in horror as Devin leaned forward to whisper into Seth’s ear. Seth closed his eyes and unfastened his jeans, letting them drop to the floor. Devin grasped Seth’s soft cock and looked back at Alex, a triumphant grin on his face, then stroked Seth to hardness. Seth moaned and closed his eyes.

“Why don’t you kneel and let me fuck you?” Devin spoke softly, hypnotically.

Alex swallowed as the Elder’s words swirled around him. He tried to shake his head, but he couldn’t move, and he watched helplessly as Seth obeyed Devin.

There was nothing sensual about what Devin did to Seth. Alex and the others were paralyzed, unable to aid their friend or even avert their gaze as Devin took him without mercy. Seth screamed in pain as Devin forced himself into his body without preparation or lube. Alex held his breath, praying Devin wouldn’t kill him with his spikes, but it seemed Devin only wanted to torment Seth, not kill him.

When Devin finished, he stood and turned to Alex. “Do you think Anna feels our pleasure?” he asked, stepping close.

Alex swallowed, still frozen in place. What the hell was going on? Why couldn’t he, or the others, move and fight the bastard?

Devin motioned to Seth. “I could hurt him all I wanted and Anna wouldn’t be affected. Only you.”

Seth whimpered and buried his face in the rough wool blankets on the bed.

Devin slid a finger over Alex’s temple and a rush of warmth spread through his body. “Kneel and submit, Alexander Kunzberg, Elder-Son of Hessen.”

Alex’s mind screamed to fight back, but his body obeyed.

Devin accepted a tube of lube from the guard and spread it over himself. “Wouldn’t want Anna to be hurt by this.”

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