Alex stood above Anna until her body began to relax, then he knelt down and lifted her head to see her eyes. They were still angry, but her pupils were beginning to show again. He sat down on the floor next to her and pulled her into his lap. He rocked her gently and stroked her hair as he spoke softly to her in German. She had always seemed to respond to his native language before, and this time was no different. Her body sagged in his arms a few minutes later and was totally relaxed shortly thereafter. He looked down and saw that she was asleep.
Alex looked around and spotted his brother nearby. “Kurt, would you please hold her?”
Kurt nodded and rushed over. “She’s not going to attack me, is she?”
Alex smiled. “No. She’ll likely stay asleep until morning.”
Kurt took her into his arms and carried her to the far side of the platform, cradling her close and kissing her temple. Alex watched his little brother love on her for a moment and then turned to Devin.
“I didn’t do that for you,” he said, pulling the man roughly to his feet
Devin looked at him with glazed eyes and Alex looked back at Anna. What had she done to him?
“Give him to me,” Sebastian said. “You do what you need to do.”
Alex released him into the Immortal’s arms and went to stand in front of the staring men and the few Elder-Mistresses in the room. “I am Alexander Kunze Herzog von Hesse, son of Wilhelm Kunze Herzog von Hesse, Elder of Hesse and Thuringia. The beautiful woman my brother is holding is my precious wife, Anna Kunze Herzogin von Hesse, daughter of Trevor and Anya Perkins. I am also a Brotherhood assassin. My team is known as the Black Eagles.”
Another murmur swept the room. Not many assassins identified themselves publicly and as far as he knew, he was the only Elder-Son that was also an assassin.
*****
Wilhelm watched proudly as his son addressed the crowd with dignity and confidence. By giving his team’s name he was making himself vulnerable, but also letting every person in this room know that they were looking at the best Brotherhood Assassin of the present age. There wasn’t any other way to explain everything.
“My wife’s father is an Immortal, but she was not born to be an Elder-Mistress. She was born of love between her parents, and Trevor had no intention of her knowing anything except what would be considered a normal, loving home.”
Devin, apparently revived by Sebastian, struggled to stand, but Sebastian held him down on the floor.
“When Anna was born, Devin used an ancient method to claim her for his own with the help of Anna’s guardian, Jack Koslov, who was killed earlier this year.” Alex looked at Devin. “By Anna when she was provoked into one of her rages by his attempt to rape her.”
Devin’s eyes widened, and then he looked at Tom, who raised a condescending eyebrow at his former friend. Wilhelm knew Tom had told Devin that Jack died at the hands of the mafia.
“Trevor became suspicious of Devin, but before he could do anything, Devin caused a car accident, killing Anya and sending Trevor away. Anna came into the custody of her guardian, who molested her until her sixteenth birthday.”
Murmurs were beginning to sound around the room, and none of them sounded in favor of Devin.
“Trevor, in a desperate act, contacted my father and asked him to help. My father told me about it, but in my foolishness, I acted against my father’s wishes and missed the opportunity to save Anna.” Wilhelm saw Alex’s cheeks redden slightly before he turned to look lovingly at Anna, sleeping in Kurt’s arms. Someone had gotten her a blanket and she was snuggled against Kurt’s chest.
Alex’s voice cracked slightly as he continued. “Devin took Anna as his own on her sixteenth birthday, and she was then raised by her guardian in an unbelievably abusive home. Jack was a special trainer of Devin’s, who trained his Red Girls. He trained Anna in a similar, though far more brutal, manner than our Red Girls are trained. When she was twenty she was turned over to Devin.”
Alex looked at Wilhelm with a smile. “My father, ever wise, knew about this and when my first wife died, directed me to San Francisco. When Anna’s birthday approached, my father visited me and through various circumstances, we were able to intervene in Devin’s performance of the bonding ritual, which bound her to Devin and myself. I intended to intercede to save a half-Immortal from a cruel fate. I didn’t expect to fall in love with her.”
The men in the room laughed softly. Devin’s face was red with impotent fury.
“Determined to make up for my past mistakes, I set out to find a way to free her from Devin’s hand. After an intense amount of research, I discovered that the bond between husband and wife was so strong, it would likely balance out the power difference between myself, as a Son, and Devin, as an Elder.”
Alex twisted his wedding ring on his right hand. “Anna and I were married at the end of that year in Germany and we returned to San Francisco. As much as I wanted to, I never kept Devin from having Anna, as long as he treated her with respect. My plan was to find a way to free her from both of us.”
He was quiet for a few moments, swallowing several times. “Four and a half years ago, I was called out on a job by Vitaly Asimov. I had been married only a few months to my beloved bride.” He motioned in Anna’s direction. “I knew that if I didn’t go, I would certainly be killed for refusing to do my duty as a Brotherhood Assassin. So I went, against both of our instincts.”
“We planned everything down to the last detail and arrived in St. Petersburg as expected, but when we went to the target’s town, we were ambushed. Kept alive, but captured and taken to Vitaly's home. Vlad was there at that time and can attest to the truth of my words.” Alex glanced at Vlad, who nodded.
“For four years, we were imprisoned there, by Devin’s orders. He couldn’t kill me because of the bond I share with Anna, so he just removed me from the equation, telling everyone, including my beloved bride, that my team and I had been killed.”
*****
Held in Sebastian's tight grip, Devin felt everything crashing down around him as Alex spoke. The world's Elders looked disapprovingly at him as Alex told them how Devin had used Anna and consumed her powers in order to become more powerful. He told them how he had abused Anna and finally taken control of her.
He learned the truth of her escape. How he had been betrayed by Tom and Vlad. How Tom had kept him from finding her while she was in New York.
What could he do now? His son was dead, apparently by Alex’s hand. The room was against him. The most he could hope for was to retain his Elder status under the watchful eye of the rest of the Elders. They wouldn’t strip him of his position...would they?
At long last, Alex stopped speaking.
The room filled with the low rumble of men speaking amongst themselves. After a few minutes, Shaw stood and approached Alex. He studied him for a moment and then looked at Devin.
“These are serious charges, Devin. Do you deny the truth of them?”
Devin rallied himself and shook off Sebastian's hands, knowing that he could only do so because the Immortal allowed it. “This is my home country. I did little that the other American Elders disapproved of. If they had such a serious problem with what I was doing, they should have said something.”
“And risk being killed?” Brandon stood. “By the time we knew what was really going on, you were too powerful.”
Devin scoffed.
“You used Anna to manipulate the dissenters, Devin,” Tom said.
“You manipulated your own Elders?” Shaw asked.
Devin lifted his chin. “I did what needed to be done. I wasn’t afraid to do so.” He glared at Shaw. “This is America. We do as we please.”
“That’s true,” Shaw said slowly. “Fine. The American Elders will decide what happens to you.”
Suddenly Devin realized why Alex had been given the job of killing the other Elders.
Chapter Sixty-One
Alex stared impassively at Devin as the bastard tried to defend himself. H
e tried not to show the fact that he was enjoying the panic that was beginning to show in the man’s eyes.
The American Elders moved to the side of the platform to discuss the matter. Surely the older Elders would be able to convince the younger ones of the best course of action. If not, then they didn’t deserve to be Elders.
He saw Kurt stroking Anna’s face as he held her, and walked over to sit down next to him. “How is she?” he asked softly.
“Sleeping soundly,” Kurt answered, gazing down at her and petting her hair.
He felt a swell of emotion towards his brother “Thank you for taking care of her, my brother.”
Kurt looked up at him, surprised. “I hurt her terribly.”
“And she’s forgiven you. But when you could, you took very good care of her. Aaron told me how you took care of her when she was catatonic after my disappearance.”
The two brothers had barely spoken of Anna since Alex had returned. It was a touchy subject for Kurt, and Alex respected his feelings. But he wanted to let his brother know how he felt.
Kurt pressed his lips together. “I divorced Gretchen so I could marry her.”
“I know. It’s no great loss to be rid of Gretchen.” Emotion flashed through Kurt’s eyes, which surprised Alex. “You still care for her?”
Kurt shrugged. “I loved her when we married. It’s...lonely being a single father.”
“Do you love her still? Or are you just lonely?”
Kurt looked up at Alex with a pained look. “I wouldn’t mind trying to work things out with her, but I don’t know if I could ever trust her.”
Alex nodded. “If Anna wants to, we will stay in New York through Nutcracker before returning to Germany. Perhaps you could stay with us. She has several nice friends.”
Kurt shrugged. “Maybe.”
Alex smiled. “Even Jasmine has changed. She’s actually a pretty nice girl.”
Kurt raised his brow. “What happened?”
“Sebastian healed some past hurts.”
Kurt looked thoughtful for a moment. “I always thought Anna’s friend Stefanie was pretty.”
Alex laughed. “She is. You just have to treat Anna well. She’s very protective of her.”
“I know. She yelled at me the last time she saw me.”
Alex laughed even harder. He could see Stefanie doing so.
“What are you two laughing about?”
Alex looked up to see his father approaching with amusement in his eyes. “Trying to hook up Kurt with one of Anna’s friends.”
Wilhelm grinned and shook his head. “My sons....” He squatted down and stroked Anna’s head. “Do you think she should be woken?”
“Is it all right to do so?”
“I don’t see why not. She should see what happens. I will release her memories.” Wilhelm put his hand on her head and closed his eyes.
*****
Anna’s eyes slowly opened and she looked around at the three German faces around her. She blinked, trying to orient herself, and studied each anxious face. Her eyes focused on Alex and she smiled. “Alex....”
His grin made her heart skip a beat and he pulled her into his arms and kissed her soundly. “Oh, mein Schatzi...,” he murmured against her lips. “Oh, these last few weeks have been pure torture without you.”
Her mind was slowly sorting out the events of the last weeks. “I was....” She sat up and looked around. Devin was sitting on the floor with Sebastian standing over him, looking defeated. “He...he found me.... I....” She looked up at Alex. “Why didn’t I remember you while I was here?”
“Vati blocked your memories so that you wouldn’t tell Devin about me.”
“Forgive me, Liebling, but I had no other choice,” Wilhelm said, taking her hand.
Anna nodded and rested her head on Alex’s chest and closed her eyes. Safe.
When she opened her eyes, Kurt was watching her with sad eyes, and she sat up and reached for him. He looked at Alex in surprise and Alex loosened his arms around her. She moved to her knees and wrapped her arms around his neck. “I will always love you, Kurt,” she whispered, hugging him tight. Kurt squeezed her hard. “I owe you my life,” she said softly, remembering the night they’d met in this very room. Everything changed that night.
He held her for a few minutes and then released her, gently pushing her back into Alex’s arms. “That is where you belong, though you will always hold a piece of my heart.” He kissed her head and then stood and walked over to where Peter and Tommy were standing.
Anna snuggled into Alex’s chest, burying her face in his soft white robe. He wrapped the blanket around her and held her tightly, rocking her slightly. Wilhelm kissed her head and patted Alex on the shoulder, and then went to stand with Vlad. Tom was with the American Elders, still deep in discussion.
“How are you feeling, Schatzi?” Alex asked softly.
“Wonderful...,” she murmured. It was heavenly, being in Alex’s arms again.
He chuckled. “I meant your injuries.”
“Oh.” She giggled softly and he squeezed her. “I feel okay. Tired.”
“Are you hurting?”
“Mmm. A little. Not bad though.”
“When we are done, would you like to spend a few days here before we go back to New York? We can see our old house.”
Anna smiled. “Yes, I’d like that.”
*****
Twenty minutes later, Anna was nearly asleep again, but sat up straight when the American Elders appeared to have finished discussing the “Devin Problem.” Tom went to the middle of the platform and held his hands up, but before he could speak, there was a flash of light and several Immortals appeared, including Kaveh and Val.
Anna let out a whimper and Alex hugged her to his chest. “They won’t hurt you, Anna,” he murmured against her hair. “But look.”
Anna frowned at Alex, but looked where he was looking, at the group of Immortals. She gasped. “Daddy?” She scrambled out of Alex’s arms and ran to her father’s arms.
Trevor held her close. “Oh, Anna. My Anna.”
Tears streamed down her face. “You’re here? Can you stay?”
“I’m sorry, sweetheart. I can only stay as long as the others are here.”
She looked up into his crystal-blue eyes and gave him a smile.
He tucked some hair behind her ear. “You look so much like your mother,” he whispered.
“So I’ve been told,” Anna said with a grin.
He grinned and then looked up as Alex approached. They shook hands in greeting.
“I’m sorry I failed you and Anna...that night, Trevor.” He gave Anna a mournful look. “I won’t fail her again.”
Trevor smiled. “Just love her. That’s all I can ask.”
“I do. So much.” Alex squeezed her hand.
The biggest Immortal that Anna had ever seen stepped to the center of the platform. He was taller and broader than Kaveh and Alex both, with black hair and crystal blue eyes. He wore a white tunic edged in gold and diamonds and looked old and young at the same time. Two Immortals, slightly smaller, though still giant, stood on either side, dressed similarly, though in black.
“I am Kronos, father of the Immortals,” the big one said, in a powerful voice that reverberated in Anna’s chest. “We have heard of the deeds of our fellow Immortals. We do not judge the deeds of humans, unless it interferes in our affairs. But we do judge our fellow Immortals, and have pronounced judgment on Kaveh, Val, Chiron and Skaron. Both for the abuse of our daughter, and for enabling a human to perform forbidden rituals and act against the sacred agreement between humans and Immortals.”
He looked around the room, seeming to gaze at every man in the room at once. “We are displeased with how you humans allowed this to happen. Our daughters are gifts to you, to aid you in your endeavors, and you stood by and allowed this human,” he pointed to Devin, “To abuse her in the worst form.” His eyes glowed with anger. “Nothing like this has been seen in centuries, and it is desp
icable. Those who have the forbidden books are warned at this time to destroy them, or we will remove our daughters from your world and leave you to your own self destruction.” Kronos looked at Anna. “Come, Daughter.”
Anna walked to the huge Immortal on trembling legs and fell to her knees at his feet.
*****
Alex watched as Anna knelt at the feet of Kronos. What would he do to her? Would he take her away from him? Because he failed to protect her? Oh, please don’t take my love from me.
Kronos’ blue eyes met Alex’s and Alex barely kept himself from looking away. The gaze was so intense it made him step back. He sighed in relief when the Immortal’s gaze turned to Devin. Devin trembled as Kronos stared at him.
Kronos turned back to Alex. “You would free our Daughter if you had the opportunity?”
“Y-yes. I would.”
“Even if it meant she might leave you? I can undo the marriage bond as well.”
Alex swallowed over a lump that had formed in his throat. His eyes burned with tears and it felt like a dull knife had been stabbed into his chest. The thought of losing Anna again was too much to bear. He looked at Anna, who watched him with her big green eyes.
What if she chose Kurt? Or Hugo? If she were free, she might decide that she didn’t belong at his side anymore. It was tempting, oh so tempting to say no. To keep her where she was: with him. But did he want to force her to be with him if she wanted to be with someone else?
No. He wanted her to choose him, not force her. He loved her too much to force her to stay with him. If you love something, let it go.... Only this time she would really be free. There was no safety net, knowing she’d ultimately choose him. He could lose her forever.
Alex took a deep breath and set his jaw to look at Kronos, even as tears filled his eyes and his heart ached. “Yes. I would choose for her to be free, even if it meant I would lose her.”
The Life of Anna, Part 5: Emerged Page 47
