The Life of Anna, Part 2: Entwined (31 page)

Anna opened her eyes and looked at Devin. They were so full of pain it made Aaron's heart hurt.

“Baby, I'm going to put you to sleep. It should help, okay?”

Anna turned her head to look at Aaron. “Stay with me?” she whispered.

“I won't leave you,” he assured her.

She looked back at Devin. “Yes, Devin,” she said softly.

Devin put his hand on her head and closed his eyes. She winced at first, but after a few moments her body relaxed and her breathing calmed. Devin removed his hand and watched her for a few minutes. She was asleep and somewhat peaceful, though she still grimaced a few times.

Aaron breathed a sigh of relief. She'd been like this for over an hour and he was relieved to see her have at least a little bit of comfort.

Devin stood. “She should be okay in a few hours at most. Hopefully sooner.” He looked at Alex. “Do you want me to take you back to the Manor? Your car is still there.”

Alex grimaced and shook his head. “No, thank you,” he said coldly. “I'll have Seth and Tony pick me up and I'll get my car later.”

Devin looked at Anna one more time, then glanced at Aaron. “It was nice to meet you, Aaron.”

“I can't say the same thing about you, Devin. But thank you for putting her to sleep,” he said in a low voice.

Devin gave him an amused look, then looked at Ian. “Shall we?”

Ian glanced at Anna. “Yes, sir.”

Devin and Ian turned and left the room. Aaron heard the door open and shut a moment later.

Aaron turned to Alex and glared at him.

“What?” Alex asked defensively.

“‘I'm her Master. I decide what's best for her’? I didn’t think you were such an ass, Alex.”

Alex sighed. “Aaron, I have to maintain control of Anna when Devin is around, or what little control I have, I will lose.” He shook his head. “He already has a major advantage over me.” Alex ran his hand through his hair. “I am so fucked, Aaron. I don’t know what to do.”

Alex's admission surprised Aaron. Alex never showed any weakness.

“What do you mean?” he asked, his anger softening.

“He doesn't fight fair, Aaron. I'm fighting an enemy I don't understand. He doesn't play by the rules.” Alex sounded like he was in despair. “You're not supposed to mess with the
kinder
of the Elders, but he chained me up and—”

Alex stopped. When he spoke again, his voice was so low Aaron could barely hear him.

“Fuck, Aaron. He made me rape three little girls.”

Aaron stared at him. That was impossible. Alex loved the female species, but he'd never go for an underage girl and he'd certainly never rape one. He couldn't imagine Alex doing something that horrible.

“How is that possible? You wouldn't....”

Alex was sitting on the window seat, slumped over his knees and head in his hands. When he looked up, tears were streaming down his cheeks.

“He gave me Scopolamine. It...turns you into a puppet. All he had to do was tell me....” He shook his head. “He recorded it. He made me watch it and threatened to show Anna.”

Aaron could do nothing but stare at Alex. He’d had an inkling of what Devin was like from the conversation at the party. But this was over the top of anything he could imagine.

“Why would he do that?”

“Because he was furious that I told Anna the truth about what she was. He didn't want her to know.” Alex sighed and sat up, wincing. “I deserve how I'm feeling. She doesn't.” He motioned to Anna. “
Mein Gott
, I can't do anything right with her.” He stood. “And she won't want me here when she wakes up.” He pulled out his phone and left the room.

Poor Alex. Aaron had never seen him so despondent. It was very un-Alex like. Whatever Devin had done had really gotten to him.

Aaron carefully stretched out on the bed and looked at Anna. He wondered if he could put the blanket on her now. She still had goose bumps all over her skin. He kissed her hand and was glad when she didn't wince.

Alex returned a few minutes later. “Tony's on his way. I'll wait downstairs for him.”

“Okay. Can you put the blanket on Anna? She's cold.” Aaron didn't want to let go of her hand.

Alex nodded and picked the blanket off the floor. He carefully lay it on top of Anna. She whimpered slightly, but then stopped once the blanket was in place.

“Thanks,” Aaron said. “You gonna be okay?”

Alex frowned. “I need to figure some things out.” He gave Aaron a wry smile. “Want to go out tonight? She has to go to the Manor.”

Aaron frowned. He'd forgotten about the Friday night obligation. “Yeah. Anything's better than sitting at home worrying about her.”

Alex grunted. “I'll call you.” He left the room and Aaron heard the apartment door open and close a few moments later.

He turned back to watch Anna sleep. Peacefully at last.

Pain. Excruciating pain. Pain that has no source and no reason. It comes from within her own body, but didn't originate there. The pain comes from another.

The pain is directed towards another. But why? Why does she feel his pain?

Yes, it is a him. She doesn’t know why she knows, she only knows.

The
him
loves her and thinks of her. He is in pain because of her. More than physical pain. His heart is in pain as well.

She knows him. He saved her. He rescued her. But she can’t see him. She can only feel him. Feel his pain. Feel his torment. Feel his doubt.

A strong man brought to his knees by the feelings of failure. His anguish is too much to bear. He torments himself because of his own failure. Grief, sorrow, agony. They all fill his heart.

A man appears in the darkness of her mind. She reaches toward him. It is the man in pain. He kneels on the floor by a bed.
Too many times I have failed
, he cries to himself.

No, you have not failed. You cannot have failed. I am still here. Do not give up.

I need you....

The man fades back into darkness and she awakes.

Anna sat up and immediately started trembling. She felt the after effects of pain; the emptiness the pain left behind.

“Anna.”

Strong, warm arms pulled her back down and held her close. The sun, high in the sky, lit the room with sunshine.

She turned her head and looked up into Aaron’s face. She sighed and gave a soft smile. Oh, she was happy to see him.

“How are you feeling?” he asked.

“Weird,” she answered truthfully. “I had the strangest dream. I was in so much pain...and I didn't know why.”

Aaron smiled and kissed her forehead. “I'm glad you're feeling better. It was sheer torture not being able to comfort you.”

“Comfort me?”

“The pain. Anna, it wasn't a dream. You were screaming in agony and I had no idea what was going on.” Aaron told her about what had happened when Devin and Alex had come over and what they’d learned.

“I don't remember that. I thought it was a dream.”

Aaron shook his head. “I'm glad you don’t remember. It was awful.” He looked as if he were going to say something but changed his mind. “I'm glad you're better.”

“Me too.” She rolled over so that she was lying on his chest with her head resting on her chin. She traced his bottom lip. “I don't want to think about anything bad for a while.”

Aaron grinned. “We had talked about going to the dance store to buy your things for next Monday. Are you up for a walk across the street?”

She frowned. “I haven’t asked Devin or Alex if I can participate.”

“I’m sure they’ll let you, Anna. Especially after this morning. Call Alex. He’ll make sure you get to do it.”

Anna frowned. Alex had fought for her to be able to dance before, but had he really meant it? He lied to her about Devin. Could she trust him?

“I’ll call Devin.” She got her phone and made the call.

“Hey, Baby. How are you feeling?” Devin’s voice was tender and she smiled.

“Fine, thank you.”

“I’m so sorry about what happened. If I had known....”

“It’s okay, Devin. I understand.”

“Did you have a reason for calling, Baby?”

“I....” She hesitated. What if he said no? “Isaak invited me into the Summer Intensives. They start next week.” She paused, nervous to go on.

“Do you want to go?”

“Yes,” she whispered.

Devin was quiet for a moment. “Have you talked to Alex about it?”

“No, I was scared to ask him.”

Devin was quiet again and Anna twisted the hem of her shirt. “Yes, Baby. I think I’d like to see you do that.”

“Oh! Oh, Devin! Thank you!” Anna jumped up and down in joy.

“Do you want to call Alex or shall I?”

“Will you do it?”

“Of course, Baby. I’m sure he’ll agree to it as well.”

“Thank you, Devin.”

Anna ran into the bedroom after saying goodbye to Devin.

“He said yes!” she exclaimed, launching herself into Aaron’s arms.

*****

Aaron laughed. “Of course he did, hon. Why would Alex not want you to dance?”

“No, I called Devin.”

Aaron was confused. “Why would you call Devin?”

Anna bit her lip. “Alex is scary.”

Aaron’s eyes widened. “What?” Alex scary? What the hell was going on in that girl’s head?

“He tells me things because he wants to keep me from Devin.”

“Anna, what are you talking about?”

Anna huffed. “I know he’s your best friend, but I don’t like him. He’s scary and controlling.”

“Anna, I don’t understand what you’re talking about.” Shit. Had Devin done something else to her mind besides make her go to sleep?

Aaron stared at Anna, this girl that he was falling in love with, totally bewildered as to where this hostility towards Alex was coming from.

“Anna, Alex cares for you a great deal.” More than Aaron was comfortable with. Why would Anna think such a thing?

Anna frowned at him. If Devin had done something to her mind, then arguing with her about it would likely do more harm than good. He would see Alex tonight and talk to him about it then.

“Okay, Anna, shall we go shopping now?” he asked, changing the subject.

Anna grinned and went into her bathroom. Aaron shook his head. Who the fuck was Devin that he could control Anna’s mind like this?

*****

Devin put his phone down and grinned to himself. Anna was afraid to call Alex. Good. His attempt to change her mind had worked and was holding. Alex would find out and then realize the futility of fighting Devin and give up. Then Devin could proceed with his plans.

*****

Alex listened to the message from Devin, bewildered. Anna had been too afraid to call him to ask for permission to dance with the school this summer? What the hell did Devin do to her?

He ran his hands through his hair and stared at the ground. How the hell was he going to keep Anna safe?

Hopelessness filled his heart with despair.

Later that afternoon, Anna headed to the Manor, her heart aching from leaving Aaron behind. She missed him terribly and every mile she drove seemed to make it worse. She arrived at the Manor at a little before four.

She saw Ian waiting for her and exited the car after grabbing her overnight bag from the passenger side seat. She removed her shoes and then followed him silently to her room.

Ian closed the door behind him as he followed her inside.

She turned around and looked at him. “How may I please you, my lord?” she asked quietly.

Ian's face registered shock. “Anna, that's not why I came in with you,” he said. “I wanted to make sure you were okay.”

“Okay? Why?” Why was Ian showing concern towards her?

“Because of what happened this morning. You were in so much pain.”

Aaron had said that Alex and Devin had been there. “You were there too?”

Ian nodded. “Are you okay?”

“Yeah. It was weird, but I’m okay.”

“Good.” He looked around, looking like he felt awkward. “Okay. Well, I’ll see you in a few hours.”

As Ian was leaving, Maggie entered carrying a tray of food.

“Good evening, Mistress,” Maggie said with a curtsy. “How was your week?”

“Um. Interesting. And good.” She was confused about Ian’s kindness, but pushed it aside. Thoughts of Aaron filled her heart and she began to miss him again, making her heart ache.

Maggie looked at her carefully. “You look sad, Mistress.”

“I miss someone,” she said softly. “It's all right. I'll be okay.”