Chapter 112

Alex studied as much as he could without neglecting time with his family. Despite his efforts in reading and studying, he found no information about breaking the bond or the potential consequences of not performing the ritual. The only thing the tome said, and what he knew already, was that the final ritual solidified the bond. His gut told him the bonds would dissolve, but he hesitated to take the risk without knowing more. He didn’t want anything to happen to Anna.

It was nearly midnight and he lay on his bed in his old room, staring up at the ceiling and thinking about Anna. He’d just moved back in earlier in the afternoon. Kurt had moved into Greta’s old room since Sofie and Derek both had rooms on this floor, and he didn’t want to move them back into the wing he’d lived in with Gretchen.

Alex had patiently stayed in one of the guest rooms until Kurt was ready. He didn’t want to push his little brother. Kurt was having a hard enough time adjusting to Alex’s return, though he had a feeling it had more to do with Anna than him. Kurt had admitted that he was glad he could stop trying to learn about The Brotherhood and becoming an Elder, but Alex had seen regret in his brother’s eyes.

Vati had said Kurt had been doing very well stepping into Alex’s shoes. He’d never seen Vati so proud of Kurt, and Alex hoped Vati would continue to support Kurt in the way he had obviously supported him while Alex had been gone.

Kurt had changed in the years Alex had been gone. Alex never would have imagined his younger, carefree brother ever feeling so responsible for so many things. But he did. And he had taken his adopted role as eldest son very seriously. Alex didn’t imagine for a minute it had been easy; he knew it wasn’t. But it wasn’t in Kurt’s nature to be so serious. He hoped Kurt would learn to be himself again.

They hadn’t talked much since Alex had returned, aside from light family conversations. But every time Anna’s name was mentioned, Kurt got quiet and he clenched his jaw. Kurt had fallen for Anna hard. Harder than the first time. Vati said he’d asked her to marry him twice, but both times Devin had prevented it. This was one of the only times Alex was thankful for Devin’s interference. What would he have done had he returned home and Anna was married to his brother?

The stabbing pain in his heart brought to mind what Vati had told him a few days ago. Anna was dating someone. Alex rubbed his chest. That was one of the reasons he had wanted to get to New York as soon as possible. What if she fell in love with this guy? Where would that leave Alex? It didn’t help that Tom said that Hugo was a good guy. Anna was his wife!

He growled and imagined punching the guy in his face.

Laughter from behind him made him jump. He somersaulted out of bed and was in a defensive pose before he realized what he was doing.

“Sebastian!” He hadn’t seen his Immortal since they’d been taken by Vitaly’s men. He looked exactly as he had the last day he’d seen him. The two embraced. “What took you so long to come?”

Sebastian scrunched his face and shook his head. “I had to get out without Kaveh knowing.”

Alex had forgotten about the other Immortal’s involvement. “Does he know you’re gone?”

Sebastian shook his head. “I finally convinced the Immortal Father that what Kaveh was doing was wrong. Since the humans finally acknowledged the harm Devin was doing, he allowed me to return to help. Kaveh and the others will be dealt with. They are protecting me and staying out of it until you deal with Devin. But I promise you, Kaveh will be dealt with.”

Alex nodded. “Good.” He grinned. “I can’t shoot Kaveh, can I?”

Sebastian chuckled. “Well, you can, but it will not do any good. Do not worry. He, and the others, will pay for what they have done.”

Alex set his jaw and nodded again. “Good.” He ran his hand through his hair. It was still long. For some reason, he was reluctant to cut it or shave off his beard. He supposed it made him feel less vulnerable. He wasn’t immediately recognizable, even though he couldn’t leave the estate until he was ready to go to New York. How long would that be?

“Not long, Alex,” Sebastian said sympathetically. “You must be patient.”

Alex frowned. “I hate it when you do that.” Though sometimes it was nice not to have to talk.

Sebastian laughed and then sat down on a chair near the fireplace. “How are things going here? Why do you want to punch someone in the face?”

Alex stood and walked to the chair opposite Sebastian. “Anna’s dating someone.”

“Ah.”

“I’ve been told he’s a good guy.”

“You are amusing when you are jealous.”

Alex growled. “How can I not be? That man is fucking my wife.”

“Alex, she thinks of herself as a widow. She has finally accepted it and moved on.” Sebastian smiled. “You must woo her back.”

Alex slumped into the chair across from Sebastian. “Is it possible? Will she be able to love me again?”

“I firmly believe so. But you will have to be careful with her. She has likely changed quite a bit from the girl you married.”

“I hope it’s in a good way.”

Sebastian shrugged. “Gavin told me she has been through a lot. She has more emotional scars than before. Your death being the biggest.”

“How do I approach her?”

“Slowly and carefully. Talk to Tom and Tommy. See what you can glean from them. Did you know she is living with Aaron?”

Alex nodded, his heart squeezing again. He missed Aaron, too. Guilt washed over him when he realized he hadn’t considered Aaron’s reaction to his return. And all his other friends. They’d suffered too. Oh, what a mess Devin had made. He would make sure Devin paid for it all.

Alex paced outside in the garden the next morning, troubled by the thought of Anna removing her wedding ring and dating the dancer in New York. When Tom had called the previous night to tell them what Anna had done to Jack, it hadn’t fully registered, but this morning, the thought refused to leave his mind.

She’d moved on. She’d given up on him. He shook his head and sat down hard on the cement bench, staring at the ground, twisting his own wedding ring on his finger.

Was he being selfish? Should he just let her go? If she found a man who would take care of her?—

“No!” He wouldn’t give her up without a fight. He’d come too far to give up so easily. What would happen if Devin found her? This other man wouldn’t be able to protect her. He would unquestionably be killed if he tried. Then she would be even worse off.

No, he had to convince her to return to him. He had to! But how?

Leaves rustled behind him and he turned to find Sebastian walking toward him. “She is strong, Alex. She will be okay.”

Alex shook his head. “I should have returned to her already.”

“You are not ready and Devin is too strong.”

“What if the guy falls in love with her? What if she falls in love with him?” He looked up at his friend. “I need to talk to her, but she doesn’t dream of me anymore.”

Sebastian drew his brows together. “I know.”

“You know she shouldn’t be with him?”

The Immortal nodded. “He cannot protect her.”

“Then what can I do? Can I make her dream of me? Can you make her dream of me?” The intense expression on Sebastian’s face made his heart race. “It’s possible?”

Sebastian pressed his lips together. “I am not supposed to do such a thing.”

“But you can?”

“I could with an Elder. But I cannot teleport you. You do not have any Immortal in you.”

Alex cocked his brow. “What?”

“When Elders become Elders, we imbue them with a bit of ourselves. That is why you become an Elder the way you do.” He paused and looked thoughtful. “It would give you the ability to protect her...” He squinted his eyes thoughtfully. “I must speak with your father.”

Sebastian vanished without warning, and Alex sighed. Why did Immortals have to be so damn cryptic?

In his study, Wilhelm listened as Sebastian explained his thoughts on giving Alex a share of Immortal essence. “I will not do it unless you approve, Wilhelm. I know my brothers won’t, but at this point, I’m more concerned with offending you. Your son would have some Elder abilities.”

“Is there anything dangerous about it?”

Sebastian shook his head. “Only if you are worried about him questioning your authority.”

Wilhelm chuckled. “No. I know my son respects me.”

“I agree. I trust him completely.” Sebastian tilted his head. “I also think it would be helpful when he confronts Devin.”

Wilhelm tilted his head. “Would he be more of Devin’s match?”

“I believe so. Nothing like this has ever happened before, but it seems logical. Unless Devin’s other Elders band together with him against Alex.”

Wilhelm stroked his chin as he pondered an idea that had just popped into his mind. “Then maybe we need to remove those other Elders.”

Sebastian smiled, but it disappeared as quickly as it appeared. “That would not be a decision I am allowed to be involved with. It is a human decision.” He smiled. “But I am sure a certain Assassin would not mind getting revenge on the men who have hurt his wife.” He stood, gave a respectful nod, and vanished.

Wilhelm pursed his lips and tented his fingers. Collaboration among Elders allowed them to combine their powers synergistically, as evidenced in the successful escape of Anna from Devin. Devin’s powers not only came from Anna, but his loyal Elders surrounding him. If the loyal Elders united around Devin, he would become unbeatable. But if he were the only one left...

He sat up and picked up his phone to call Vlad. For the first time, he had hope that they could defeat Devin sooner than later. But it was not a decision he could make, nor execute, on his own.