The Life of Anna, Part 2: Entwined (50 page)

While Maggie and Sarah were preparing Anna for the Gathering that evening, Devin came in to see her. Maggie was brushing Anna’s hair and they were giggling about something when Devin walked into the bathroom.

Maggie and Sarah dropped to their knees and Anna turned around nervously. He didn’t seem angry. He was dressed in his white tunic and pants.

Anna was confused. Why was he here?

“Girls, I need to speak to the Mistress alone.”

“Yes, Master,” they murmured and hurried out of the room

Devin smiled at Anna, who in return smiled nervously. He stepped closer and stroked her cheek. She closed her eyes and leaned into him.

“You look tired, Baby. Are you dancing too much?”

Anna blushed. “No, Devin. I couldn’t sleep last night.”

“Why is that?” he asked softly, brushing his fingers across her collarbone, then down the opening of her robe.

She shuddered and leaned into his hand. “I...I haven’t had sex since Sunday.” She sighed as he cupped her breast and squeezed gently.

Devin chuckled. “No wonder you couldn’t sleep. I’m surprised you’re still sane.” He undid the tie of her robe and she moaned as he tugged on her nipple ring. He trailed his fingers down her belly, leaving hot trails across her skin.

He pulled her into his arms and kissed her deeply, pressing his hips against hers. She clung to his shoulders and moaned as his tongue invaded her mouth.

“So eager,” he murmured against her lips. He pulled away from her a minute later. She breathed heavily and looked at him wide-eyed. He stroked her cheek again. “I will see you downstairs,” he said softly. “You need to finish getting ready.”

Tears of frustration filled her eyes, but she simply nodded. “Yes, Devin.”

“Don’t fret, Baby. You’ll be riding my cock soon enough.” Her eyes brightened and he chuckled. “I like your enthusiasm.”

He left and Maggie and Sarah returned and finished preparing her for the evening. By the time she arrived in the hall, she felt like her pussy was dripping with desire for Devin. She’d been unable to think of anything else since he’d left her.

She bowed low before him and trembled as she waited for him to acknowledge her.

“Come, Mistress,” he said, and she stood quickly to join him.

He pulled her to straddle his lap and pulled the top of her dress down. Her nipples were engorged and ached terribly. His touch was almost painful, but she didn’t care. She moaned softly with every touch.

“I’ve missed you, Baby,” he said, taking a nipple into his mouth and sucking hard. Anna’s head fell back and she whimpered as he sucked and kneaded and squeezed and pulled.

When he trailed his hands down her belly and reached her pussy they both sighed. “Oh, Baby. You’re so wet and swollen.” He pushed a finger inside and she jumped and whimpered from the pain. “And tight.”

His finger inside her felt like Alex’s cock. She hadn’t realized how tight she’d gotten. When he eased another finger inside, she cried out softly.

“Give me your pain, Anna,” Devin reminded her, then pulled his fingers out and positioned her over his erect cock.

She stared into his eyes as he pushed her down. Tears of pain spilled down her cheeks as he pressed himself into her tight channel. It hurt so bad, but at the same time his presence inside her felt so good.

“Oh, Master,” she sighed.

Every thrust was painful, but so good at the same time. He fucked her hard and she came several times at his command. Her screams echoed in the hall. When he finished with her, he had her service the other men sitting around him. She was eager to suck cocks and let them fuck her.

By the end of the night, she was exhausted and sore. Devin took her back to his room and fucked her painfully and she bled. But it felt so good she didn’t care.

When Anna woke up the next day, Devin wasn’t there. It was mid-afternoon, according to the clock next to the bed. She felt stiff and a little achy as she sat on the bed contemplating what she should do.

The door opened a few minutes later and Devin entered. “You looked so peaceful sleeping, I didn’t want to wake you,” he said, coming to sit next to her.

“I’m sorry, Master,” she said softly.

Devin kissed her. “It’s all right, Baby. I had some things to do around here before I left, so I let you sleep.”

“Thank you, Master.” She gazed up at him and smiled.

“You did very well last night, baby.” He cupped her breast and squeezed. “Your pussy felt incredible. Maybe I should forbid you from having sex during the week.”

Anna looked at him alarmed. “Please don’t, Master,” she implored.

Devin studied her. “Why shouldn’t I? Do you have someone to fuck?”

She shook her head.

“Then, unless I say otherwise, no fucking during the week. I like your pussy tight.”

“Yes, Master,” she whispered.

“I need you Tuesday night for a dinner meeting. I will pick you up at six.”

“I don’t finish classes until five.”

Devin glared at her. “Then leave early,” he said between clenched teeth.

Anna cowered. “Yes, Master.” She bit her bottom lip for fear of his anger.

Devin relaxed and leaned forward to kiss her neck. “I want you one last time before you leave.” He stood and undressed, then joined Anna in bed.

Alex stood in his bedroom in Frankfurt, looking around. He’d been back several times since moving to San Francisco, but only for short visits. A couple of weeks at the longest.

He stared at the bed he’d slept in since he was a very young boy. The same bed that he’d shared with Mina. The same bed, Heidi, his daughter, had been conceived in. The same bed he was sleeping in when he got the news that they were gone.

Tears filled his eyes, but it wasn’t as painful as usual. The pain of loss was a dull ache instead of a ragged, open wound in his heart. It was a relief, in some ways, to just feel the ache instead of the pain, but was he betraying Mina’s memory?

No, he decided. It had been three years since she died. It was all right to move on. Falling in love with Anna certainly had helped dull the pain.

Oh, sweet Anna. That was the hardest thing about being back here: being away from her. Her tears Monday morning had been torturous to his heart. But he’d left knowing she cared for him. He’d assured her he’d be back for the student performance at the end of the summer, and he would be. No matter what.

“So, are you ready to begin?”

Alex jumped at the voice and turned around, shaking his head. “I hate it when you sneak up on me like that.”

Sebastian laughed. “I’m not sneaking. I’m appearing.”

Alex rolled his eyes. “Same thing.” He sighed. “Yes, I’m ready. You will help me, right?”

“I will guide you as I always do. If you’re on the right track, I will tell you. If you’re on the wrong track, I will...hint as such.”

“You didn’t get into trouble for helping me save Anna, did you?”

“Kaveh tried to confront me and I warned him that if he turned me in, he would be turning himself in. He hasn’t said anything.”

“Why didn’t you turn him in?”

The Immortal sighed and frowned. “Because this is a human matter. These are the choices that have been made. I don’t think it’s right for us to interfere, aside from giving you guidance about how to help.”

“Do you know what Devin has planned?”

“Some. Which is why I’m helping you. He must be stopped, Alex, and you are the man who will do it.”

Alex laughed bitterly. “No pressure, huh?”

“Fate lies down the path for those strong enough to walk it.”

Alex shook his head. “So, where do we begin?”

Sebastian raised his brow at him; Alex took that to mean it was his own decision to make.

“I thought I should start with Vati’s Book. I need to learn the ancient language, don’t I?”

Sebastian nodded. “A wise decision.”

Time flew by, and before Anna knew it, it was time for dress rehearsals for the student performances.

Nate had asked Anna out again and she said yes. He was very sweet and treated her nicely. But she was afraid to get close. They’d gone out several times with the other dancers over the last few weeks, and she was beginning to open up to him a little.

Alex had called a few times, but with the time difference, it was difficult to have a normal conversation. He’d been gone six weeks now, but she hadn’t heard from him in the last two weeks. Anna wondered why, especially since she’d received a text from Kurt letting her know that they’d be arriving on Wednesday. Why hadn’t Alex told her? Why Kurt?

During the dress rehearsal on Thursday afternoon at the theater, Nate was whispering in her ear about taking her out later, when movement in the aisle caught Anna’s attention. She looked and saw three figures walking down the center aisle. They were men. Tall men. She squinted and her heart dropped into her stomach.

Alex, Kurt and Wilhelm.

As they came closer to the stage, Anna reluctantly pulled away from Nate.

Alex met Anna’s eyes. She saw him glance briefly behind her at Nate, then back at her with an inscrutable expression on his face. Her pulse increased as he stared at her. But he didn’t smile at her. Why?

Isaak turned and greeted the three men. When Alex looked away, she looked at the other men, who were greeting Isaak. Isaak motioned to some seats near the stage, and the three men sat down in them.

Kurt looked at Anna and smiled broadly. She gave him a shy smile and stepped further away from Nate. She glanced at Wilhelm, who gave her an affectionate smile.

After Isaak and Delia finished speaking, the dancers got ready for one last run through. Anna ran backstage, breathing heavily and heart pounding. Knowing the three Kunze men were out there watching made Anna’s nerves rise to almost unbearable levels as she waited for her own cue. She closed her eyes and tried to forget their presence. Especially Alex. She didn’t want to disappoint him. He was the reason she was here. She owed him the best she could do.

When it was time, she stepped out on stage and became Giselle. Nothing mattered except the dance and Nate.

When they were done, there was a quick break so that the older students could change. The second part of the performance consisted of showcases by the individual classes. Anna was glad she was not the primary focus of her class’s performance, though she and Nate were center front.

After rehearsal ended, she went out to greet Wilhelm, Kurt and Alex.

“Anna,
Engel
!” Kurt exclaimed, picking her up and spinning her around. “You look so pretty!” He kissed her then set her down.

Wilhelm hugged her and kissed her cheek. “Hello,
Liebling
.” His deep accented voice comforted her to the depths of her heart.

She turned, giving Alex a bright, albeit nervous smile. She reached for him, to hug him, but he didn’t hug her back.

“Hello, Anna,” Alex said stiffly. He didn’t give any indication that he was happy to see her.

A cold chill ran through her body and she backed away from him. She looked at the ground and clasped her hands together, blinking back tears at his rejection. Maybe he hadn’t left because he needed to, as he had told her. Maybe he really did just want to leave her and go back to Germany. He didn’t care for her as she thought he had.

“
Liebling
, why don’t you get your things and we can go have dinner?” Wilhelm said in a gentle voice.

Anna nodded, still staring at the floor. She turned and walked as fast as she could backstage to her dressing room.

*****

Alex watched Anna walk away. He could see that he had hurt her by his stiff greeting, but he had to remain distant because of Devin. When he’d spoken to Devin a few days ago to let him know he was coming into town, he let Devin think that he didn’t care for Anna anymore.

After getting a grasp on the language, and with his father’s help, they were beginning to get an idea of how to keep Anna safe. A plan was forming in Alex’s mind, but he had to be very careful how he went about executing it. Devin could know nothing about it or he would be able to prevent it.

Unfortunately, doing this, once again, meant keeping his distance from Anna. It had been easier to agree to when she wasn’t around. Once he saw her, though, his resolve wavered. He’d seen her standing next to that other dancer when he’d walked in and jealousy flared in his heart.

If Devin suspected affection on his side, any chance of the plan working would be lost. He also didn’t want to give Devin cause to use him to hurt Anna again. Alex wouldn’t underestimate that man again. Devin would do anything to keep Anna for himself. And, as long as Devin believed that Alex had lost interest, Anna would be much safer until Alex could bring her fully under his protection.

The last thing Alex wanted to do was hurt Anna, but he had promised her that he would come. And he wanted to see her dance. But when she wrapped her arms around him and he inhaled her sweet scent, it had almost undone him. Not embracing her as he desperately wanted had been harder than taking out a target at a thousand yards in a stiff crosswind.