The Life of Anna, Part 5: Emerged
By Marissa Honeycutt
Copyright 2015 Marissa Honeycutt
Smashwords Edition
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Copyright © 2015 Marissa Honeycutt
All rights reserved. This book or any portion thereof may not be reproduced or used in any manner whatsoever without the express written permission of the publisher except for the use of brief quotations in a book review.
This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, businesses, places, events and incidents are either the products of the author’s imagination or used in a fictitious manner. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental.
***WARNING***
This book is for grownups. This book is not for people who are easily offended, get nightmares easily, or have difficulty reading books about tough subjects. I do not glorify bad things, but bad things do happen to my poor characters. This is not your typical love story. My heroine does not fall in love and live happily ever after... at least not like the typical heroine. There is a happily ever after, but it is a long, painful journey to that end.
This is not a stand-alone novel. The series must be read in order.
Anna’s story is told in five, novel-length books. There is a subculture within our own world that you’ve only heard whispers of. The conspiracy theorists wish they knew Anna’s story. What the conspiracy theorists think they know is only disinformation, put out there to keep them from the real story.
This book will likely offend you. This book might make you cry; it might make you throw up. It is a dark book. As my friend, Heidi, said, “It’s dark. It gets darker. It gets even darker, and then it gets even darker. And then, just when you think it can’t get any darker, it does.”
But, don’t worry. I take you to the deep end gradually. ;)
There are many sexual situations in this series of books. People die. People get hurt. Things aren’t always truly the way they appear. The antagonist isn’t just a bad guy; he’s EVIL. My heroine’s worldview is skewed; things that may appall you are perfectly normal to her.
Any violence in this book is non-gratuitous and crucial to the plot and character development.
Do not read this if you are under the age of consent in your country. Do not get angry if the subject or actual book upsets you. If you're reading this, you've been warned.
Chapter One
Aaron paced around Penn Station, stopping to stare at the arrivals screen every few minutes. The train that Anna and Justin were on was supposed to have arrived over two hours ago. Yes, this particular train had a reputation for being late, but every minute that ticked by made Aaron’s anxiety grow. The lack of communication was killing him.
He hadn’t seen or spoken to Anna in nine months. Their goodbye had been passionate and he couldn’t stop himself from wondering if things could maybe get going between the two of them again. She was a free woman now. No obligations to the Brotherhood, other than staying out of Devin’s sight. What would she do?
The overhead speaker blared and he was pretty sure he heard the train number he was waiting for. God, he hoped so! He didn’t know if he could stand waiting any longer.
He turned and headed back to the arrivals area and, sure enough, he saw a notification of the Number 48 train. As he sighed in relief, he anxiously scanned the crowd for the beautiful face of the woman he still loved after all these years.
Justin’s tall, thin frame was easy to spot and Aaron looked around for Anna, but didn’t see her. A panic arose in his heart as he and Justin made eye contact. Justin grinned and then bent over to the small person wearing a hat next to him. The hat lifted and Anna’s green eyes appeared, her gaze moving quickly around the room. She looked for a second and then Aaron’s heart took a nosedive as she found him. A big smile appeared on her face and she said something to Justin who nodded.
The next thing Aaron knew, Anna was in his arms, hugging him tighter than he’d ever been hugged before. It felt like heaven.
“Aaron!” she cried against his chest.
Justin approached, watching Anna closely with a troubled look on his face; the other dancer had grown feelings for her. It wasn’t really surprising, though. Aaron suspected that anyone who spent time with Anna developed feelings for her. It couldn’t be helped.
Justin and Aaron shook hands and Aaron reluctantly detangled himself from Anna’s embrace.
“What’s with the hat?” Aaron asked, tapping the brim and grinning down at Anna.
Justin looked around. “She’s all over the news as a missing person.”
Aaron frowned. “She is? I haven’t seen anything.” Fuck, that wasn’t good. But he watched the news and he hadn’t seen anything. “Where did you find that out?”
“In Chicago,” Anna said, looking up at him with anxious eyes.
Aaron’s heart raced as he gazed into her eyes. Oh, he just wanted to lean down and kiss her, but she looked away before he could decide if he would or not.
“C’mon, let’s get going,” Aaron said with a heavy sigh as he took Anna’s backpack from her. He would take them to the Ritz tonight where Wilhelm was staying. Tomorrow they would start dealing with her new life.
They went outside and he flagged down a taxi.
*****
Anna stared out the window of the taxi, amazed by all the tall buildings. They went on and on and on. “Where are we going?” she asked. Aaron had told the cab driver, but she had been overwhelmed with her surroundings and hadn’t been listening.
“The Ritz. Wilhelm is there.”
Anna inhaled sharply and then sighed with a smile. Wilhelm. “Is Kurt with him?”
Aaron shook his head. “He couldn’t risk bringing Kurt.”
“Why?”
Aaron glanced at the cabbie. “Traveling difficulties.”
“Oh.”
She sat between Aaron and Justin. Both men wanted her attention and she wanted to give attention to them both. Justin had risked his life by bringing her out here and they’d connected on the train. Aaron...Aaron was Aaron. Her best friend and first love. She intertwined her fingers with both of them and smiled at each of them.
They arrived at the hotel, went up to the Royal Suite and knocked on the door. A few moments later Wilhelm opened the door and smiled at her with tender blue eyes.
“Mein Liebling,” he said in a soft tone and opened his arms.
She rushed into his arms and sighed as he held her tight.
Wilhelm stepped back without letting go of Anna. “Come in, please.”
Justin and Aaron stepped inside and Aaron closed the door behind him.
Justin let out a whistle as he looked around. “Fuck,” he murmured under his breath.
Anna buried her head in Wilhelm’s chest. “You’re here,” she mumbled.
“Of course, Liebling,” he murmured, stroking her hair. “I wanted to be here when you arrived.”
Anna looked up and saw his eyes were wet. She reached up and stroked his cheek. “Why are you upset, Wilhelm?”
He shook his head sadly. “I should have done this years ago. I should have kept you in Deutschland and never returned you to him.”
“Wilhelm, you know you couldn’t have done this alone,” Aaron said softly. “How many
Elders did it take to get her out?”
Wilhelm chuckled. “Several.” He smiled and looked at Justin. “Thank you, Justin, for bringing her.”
“You’re welcome, sir,” Justin said.
Wilhelm led them into the living room and sat down with Anna on the couch. She curled up next to him and rested her head on his chest. Aaron and Justin took seats on opposite sides of the couch.
“Are you hungry?” Wilhelm asked, looking at Justin and Anna.
Anna nodded and glanced at Justin, who nodded as well. “There wasn’t dinner on the train,” she said. “It was supposed to arrive earlier. Even when the train is late, they close the dining car mid-afternoon for the end of the line.”
Wilhelm reached beside him on the table and handed Anna a binder with a picture of the hotel on the front. “Let me know what you want and we will order it.”
After the orders were placed, Justin told Wilhelm and Aaron about the trip.
“There weren’t any issues, except Anna showing up on the news as a missing person in Chicago.” He shrugged. “I don't get it.”
“Tom is most likely preventing the story from airing here,” Wilhelm said. “Anna’s face plastered all over the city’s TVs would not be good.”
“He can do that?” Justin asked surprised.
Wilhelm nodded and smiled almost sheepishly. “Part of being an Elder and running a city.” He kissed the top of Anna’s head. “Would any of you like something to drink?” He motioned to a wet bar in the corner. “Feel free to help yourselves. I would get it for you, but....” He smiled down at Anna. “I do not think she will let me up.”
Anna shook her head. She tightened her arms around his waist and snuggled closer. “Nein,” she whispered.
Wilhelm’s eyes dilated slightly. “I like it when you speak German. It is very sexy.”
“That’s about all I remember.”
He looked down at her intently and stroked her cheek with his thumb. “I have missed you so much, Liebling,” he whispered. He slid his hand around the back of her head and captured her lips with his as Aaron and Justin made their way to the wet bar.
After a relaxing dinner, Anna followed Wilhelm into the master bedroom after saying goodnight to Justin, who was staying in the second bedroom of the suite.
“Why isn’t Kurt here?” Anna asked, hurt that he wasn’t.
“An Immortal transported me here. They can only do that with Elders.” Wilhelm glanced down at her. “He is very sad that he could not be here, but sends his love.” He took her into his arms. “Did you learn what your new name is?”
Anna couldn’t stop the grin from appearing on her face as she nodded. “Justin said you picked it out.”
“Ja,” he smiled. “Kurt picked the last name. I picked the first name.”
“Katrina Engel,” she said softly and gazed up at him. “It makes me feel like I belong to you,” she said softly.
He brushed her hair back from her face. “You do belong to me,” he said softly and brushed his lips against her. “Always.” He slowly pulled her shirt off and stroked her bare back. “I have missed you,” he murmured.
Chapter Two
As Justin, Anna and Wilhelm were finishing breakfast the next morning, someone knocked on the door. Wilhelm looked at his watch before standing and going to answer it.
Tom and Tommy walked into the room with another man that Anna recognized as Wayne Sawyer.
“Dad?” Justin exclaimed, standing as the men appeared.
Tommy smiled brightly at Anna and she stood quickly and went to him. He sighed contentedly as he pulled Anna close. “For the first time I don’t have to worry about you getting hurt,” he murmured against her hair.
She looked up at him and smiled. “Thank you,” she said softly.
He brushed her cheek and leaned down to kiss her. “I can’t believe you live here now,” he said softly.
“Tommy,” Tom said in a warning tone. “She’s a free woman now. And you have a wife.”
Tommy grimaced and released her. “You’re right, Dad,” he said, though the longing remained in his eyes.
Anna looked at the ground, ashamed at her excitement of seeing Tommy. Tom clearly didn’t approve of Tommy approaching her. What did that mean?
Tom came up and hugged her in a fatherly manner and then kissed her on the top of the head. “You don’t have any more ‘obligations’, Anna. Er, Katrina.” He grinned down at her. “Katrina is a free woman who can do as she pleases, as long as she stays in Manhattan.” He released her and went to shake hands with Wilhelm.
Wayne, whom she had met several times, came to her and kissed her cheek. “Hello, Anna,” he said with an affectionate smile. He then went over to Justin and embraced his son. “I’m really proud of you, Justin.”
Justin’s eyes widened for a moment before he smiled at his dad. “Thanks, Dad.” He beamed and glanced at Anna, who smiled encouragingly at him. She knew their relationship had been difficult. Maybe this would be a new beginning for them.
They settled down in the comfortable seating area in the living room. Anna curled up on the couch next to Wilhelm.
“So, Anna,” Tom said with a sigh. “You’re here. I’m so relieved. It’s been a stressful few days. We just got back into town yesterday afternoon. Devin’s...not taking your disappearance well.”
She chewed her lip. “Ian?” she asked softly.
Tom’s face fell. “He took a cyanide pill after he told Devin that he’d helped you escape. Devin....” He paused and glanced at Wilhelm. “Devin was ready to kill him, butt Ian knew that a quick death was preferable to the torture that Devin would have put him through. He also didn’t want to risk revealing any information about your whereabouts, even though he didn’t officially know anything.”
Tears ran down Anna’s cheeks. At least he hadn’t suffered.
“Anna’s face was all over Chicago’s news,” Justin said. “Why isn’t it here?”
“I control the news here. Devin won’t know.” He looked at Anna. “Anna, like I said, as long as you stay in Manhattan, you are safe. Just don't go around telling people who you are. Katrina is from California and was just accepted into the New York City Ballet Company. You have no obligations to anyone here like you did when you were Anna. You have a chance to make your own life and do as you please. Just, please, be careful. New York can be a dangerous place.”
Anna nodded.
“I have put a type of shield over the city, with the help of several other Elders so that Devin can’t find you here. He won’t know the shield is in place unless he were to try and come here, but there’s no real reason for him to come, so it won’t be an issue.” Tom smiled. “Technically he’s still your Master and we won't be able to do anything about that until next year. We just need to keep you safe until then. But Katrina is not a slave, not a Mistress, not anything except a normal, beautiful young woman.”
Anna liked the sound of that.
“You can call any of us, though it would probably be safer if you had Aaron call,” Tom said. “But in an emergency, don’t hesitate to call me. If you see something that doesn’t look right, like someone you know from San Francisco, call me immediately. Devin is the only one blocked from seeing you, but I can put up temporary protections if needed.”
“So, I don’t have to go to your Manor?” Anna asked softly.
Tom shook his head. “It wouldn’t be a good idea if you did.”
“Aaron has a second bedroom in his apartment that is set up for you, unless you want your own place,” Wilhelm said. “Though I would prefer it if you stayed with him so you are not alone. If something were to happen to you, he has the authority to take care of things.” Wilhelm looked at Justin. “You are also now a member of the ballet company. I know Aaron has a place for you to stay as well. If there is anything you need, please let me know. I would like to help you in any way I can as a thank you for bringing Anna out here.”
Justin blinked. “Thank you. That’s really nice of you.”
Tom smiled. “I’m sure you’ll do fine here, Anna. Just be careful and remember to say no if you don’t want someone’s advances.” He stood with Tommy and Wayne. “I’ll let Wilhelm help you settle in. Vincent would like you both to stop by the studio today so you can get a feel for it. Performances begin at the end of the month and he would really like you to be able to perform in the spring program.”
Anna gave him a hesitant smile and Justin grinned.
“Cool,” Justin said, bringing his hands together with enthusiastic force.
*****
Justin went with his father so they could spend time together, and he and Anna agreed to meet at the studio at two.
Wilhelm took Anna to the apartment she’d be sharing with Aaron. It was only two blocks from the theater on the fortieth floor of a tall blue-glass building.
“There is a second master bedroom in here, which is one of the reasons Aaron liked it,” Wilhelm said, leading her to the back of the apartment. “I wanted to buy you a place, but Aaron pointed out it would draw a lot of attention to you if you showed up in the Company living in a multi-million dollar penthouse.” He smiled. “You will be garnering enough attention once you begin dancing, you do not need more due to where you live.”
Her room was beautifully decorated in purples and creams and she had her own private bathroom. One wall had floor to ceiling windows, and she had a beautiful view of the city and the Hudson River.
Wilhelm stood behind her and put his arms around her waist. So, since I cannot spoil you with a condo, I will spoil you other ways.”
He kissed her neck and she turned and wrapped her arms around his neck. His hands moved to cup her breasts and kneaded them gently.
Anna pressed her lips against his and moaned softly as he moved his hands down to cup her ass. It felt so good to be in his arms again. Last night, she’d been reminded what an incredible lover he was.
The Life of Anna, Part 5: Emerged Page 1
