Page 97 of The Life of Anna-Tenth Anniversary Edition: Act 2

“Maybe if we could trust you,” Kurt muttered.

Wilhelm looked past Devin into the room. “She looks worse.” He shoved Devin out of the way and hurried across the room to sit next to her on the bed. Her face was so pale. “What did you do?” he demanded, turning back to Devin.

Kurt also pushed past the Elder and kneeled by the bed, stroking her damp hair back from her face.

“She can be healed now,” Devin said without emotion. “Do you know the Immortals here?”

Wilhelm glared at Devin. “You are killing her. She should not even be able to get sick.”

Devin’s face remained impassive. “Sacrifices are necessary sometimes.”

Before he realized what he was doing, Wilhelm stormed across the room, swung back, and smashed his fist into Devin’s nose.

Devin spun sideways and fell to his knees, grabbing his face. “Ow, you fucker!”

“Vati!” Kurt exclaimed.

Blood trickled down Devin’s face. Wilhelm’s chest heaved as he towered over Devin, glaring down at him.

Ian appeared in the doorway seconds later and looked around in shock. He saw Devin kneeling on the floor and looked at Wilhelm, confused.

“He might need a doctor,” Wilhelm said calmly, though feeling oddly triumphant.

Devin looked up at Ian. “Get Vlad. Tell him we need one of his Immortals.” Devin pushed himself to his feet and stumbled out of the room.

Wilhelm returned to Anna’s bedside, standing behind a kneeling Kurt. He stared down at Anna’s pale face.

“I can’t believe you hit him, Vati,” Kurt said in German. “That’s something Alex would have done.”

“Except if Alex had done it, Anna would have suffered. I am thankful I don’t have that restriction.” Wilhelm chuckled softly. “Where do you think Alex got his temper?”

The men were quiet for a few minutes, staring at Anna and remembering Alex. Kurt continued to stroke Anna’s forehead. “Will she be okay? She’s so pale.”

“I hope so. The Immortals will heal her... I hope.” Wilhelm gritted his teeth as a great shudder shook Anna’s frail body.

“Alex,” she muttered. “. . . better . . .”

Kurt looked up at his father. “Why does she still dream of him?”

Wilhelm saw the hurt in his son’s eyes. In Kurt’s head, he understood the connection between Anna and Alex, but it still hurt his heart. His son longed for that same connection between himself and Anna. He was so in love with her.

Wilhelm put his hand on Kurt’s shoulder. “I don’t know.” He had asked the same question hundreds of times since he’d found out.

Kurt leaned forward and kissed Anna’s pale cheek. “She’s so hot.”

Ian returned a few minutes later. “Vlad will be here in a few minutes.” He walked over and looked down at Anna. He glanced behind him and then looked at Wilhelm. “She will be alright, won’t she?” he asked in a hushed voice.

“I hope so.” Wilhelm hated feeling so helpless.

Vlad arrived about twenty minutes later with an Immortal by his side. “I am Patya,” said the man with golden hair and sapphire eyes.

Elders rarely had contact with the Immortals of other countries. Every country had them, but they did not venture outside the national boundaries unless there was a dire need.

Wilhelm bowed his head respectfully and spoke in Russian. “I am Wilhelm of Hessen. This is my son, Kurt.”

Patya turned to look at Kurt. “A younger son?”

“My eldest son was killed three-and-a-half years ago.” Wilhelm’s heart twinged. He hated saying the words aloud.

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