Chapter 120

Anna didn’t hear from Kurt again until a few weeks later, when he called to wish her a happy birthday. It was a short call.

Aaron threw her a party in their apartment the night of her birthday, and most of the company dancers attended, some even after performing that evening.

Needing a quiet moment away, she stood at the edge of the terrace, looking out at the lights of the city.

“How’s the birthday girl?” Hugo came to stand next to her at the railing.

She inhaled deeply. “I’m good. One of my better birthdays.”

“What do you usually do for your birthday?”

“Not much.” She thought for a minute. “I had a birthday dinner a couple of years ago. Last year, my fake boyfriend threw me a surprise party.” She shrugged. “That’s about it.”

“Fake boyfriend?”

“Someone I pretended to date because... someone else thought I needed some sort of stable relationship, even if it wasn’t real.”

“The same someone who wants to control you?”

Anna nodded, smiling about Peter. “It wasn’t so bad. He was a really nice guy after a while. Once he got to know me, I suppose.”

Hugo nodded. “Did Kurt call?”

“Briefly.” She looked up at the sky. “I still don’t understand what happened to him. He used to be so kind.”

Hugo put his hand on hers. “I’m so sorry, Katrina. I wish... I wish there was something I could do.”

“Me too.” She looked up into his eyes. One of the best things about dancing with him was the ability to show how much she still cared about him in an acceptable manner. Most of the time she was “over” him, but there were moments that her heart ached for him. Especially when she was feeling lonely. Like now.

He gazed into her eyes, his eyes darkening as their bodies moved closer together. “Katrina...”

Anna blinked and looked away. It wasn’t fair to him to encourage him. “I’m sorry...”

“I miss you, Kittycat.”

Despite every fiber of her being urging her to do so, Anna resisted the temptation to meet his gaze. She wanted to throw her arms around him and kiss him until she couldn’t breathe anymore. But she couldn’t. “I need something to drink.” She pulled her hand away and hurried back into the apartment.

The first week in June marked the last week of the spring season. A Midsummer Night’s Dream came together and ended out the season nicely. She’d received a standing ovation at every performance she’d danced and had become a favorite with the local critics.

The company had a couple of days off after closing out Sunday night, starting again on Thursday to get ready for their residency in upstate New York in July. Vincent had spoken to Tom, hoping something had changed and that Anna would be allowed to travel, but Tom apologetically told him there was nothing he could do. On the bright side, it would give Anna an opportunity to learn a bunch of the repertoire without the pressure of an upcoming performance.

Near the end of June, Anna woke up feeling a bit under the weather, but dismissed it as nothing serious. She hadn’t been feeling especially good for the last several weeks, but it was mostly just tired. That morning she felt like she had the flu—or was pregnant—but she knew she wasn’t pregnant. The only sex she’d had was with a vibrator Aaron had helped her pick out a while back.

But she didn’t get sick, so she shook it off and headed off to class. She was shaky and pale when class started, but she kept telling herself she didn’t get sick and tried to ignore it. A few steps into their center work, Aaron caught her before she collapsed.

“Why didn’t you stop, hon?” Aaron asked as she lay on Hugo’s office couch, her head in his lap. He wiped her face with a cool cloth.

“I don’t get sick.”

“Well, I think this proves you wrong.”

She shook her head. “I’m not supposed to get sick.”

“Maybe your humanity finally caught up with you.”

She gave a weak laugh. “Maybe.”

After she’d rested a bit, Aaron took her home and settled her in bed with the remote and a cooler full of drinks.

She remained in bed for the next week without getting any better or any worse. Aaron called Tom because he didn’t know if he could take her to the doctor.

Tom came over that afternoon. “No. It wouldn’t be a good idea to take her to a doctor. A doctor would do tests and find out she’s not fully human.”

“So what do we do?”

“I don’t know.”

She had a low-grade fever and was very pale. She trembled and sweated as if she had the flu. Tom promised to stay with her while Aaron was out of town. The day Aaron left, she fell asleep.

She dreamed strange dreams. Of silky beaches and men in white tunics. Of Devin and Alex. Of California and Germany. She floated on a cloud over the earth as it spun round beneath her.

Kurt walked into the library where Alex was studying, his face pale. Alex had done his best to make amends, but Kurt wanted nothing to do with his brother, except to fight. There had been multiple instances of physical fights between them, hidden from their father’s knowledge—or at least, Alex hoped Vati didn’t know. They hadn’t spoken kindly to one another in nearly two months, except for the occasional forced politeness during conversations with Vati.

“Kurt? What’s wrong?”

“Tommy called. It’s Anna.”

Alex shoved the Elder Tome away and stood. “What happened?”

“She’s sick.”

Alex frowned. “That’s not possible.”

“His dad says it’s because she’s moved away from her Master.”

Alex fell back into his seat. Of course. Why hadn’t he thought about this before? She was away from Devin. Alex was stuck in his father’s house. She was a runaway slave. Of course, there would be consequences. He stared at the ancient script he’d been deciphering. He had worked day and night and was almost finished with the entire book. Unfortunately, he’d learned nothing useful. There were many disgusting rituals that had been used in the past to gain control of the Immortals, their daughters, and sometimes even fellow humans. Devin had obviously studied this book thoroughly.

But there was nothing on how to break the bond between slave and Master. Nothing about how to free Anna from his and Devin’s control. Nothing about how to free an Elder-Mistress.

He sighed and looked up at his brother. “Did you already tell Vati?”

Kurt shook his head and walked away. Alex tilted his head. Kurt had come to him before going to their father?

Alex jumped to his feet and hurried to catch up with his brother in the hallway. “Kurt, I?—?”

Kurt stopped abruptly and turned around, his eyes filled with sorrow. “I know you and Anna belong together. I understand why things never worked out between her and me.” He grimaced. “It’s just... I love her too.” He squinted. “I gave up everything for her. For the damn Brotherhood.”

Alex sighed and nodded. “I know you have. And I am so grateful. You’ve done your best with everything.” He stepped closer and Kurt didn’t back away like he had been doing. “Soon you’ll have your life back and you can find someone special. Someone only for you.”

Kurt shook his head and rolled his eyes. “Who could compare to Anna?”

Alex gave a small shrug. “I know.”

Kurt laughed. “Maybe I should do what Aaron did and try men.”

Alex’s brows shot up and he stared at his little brother. “Are you?—?”

Kurt snorted. “Nah. I like women. But the look on your face...” He chuckled and turned away, his shoulders shaking with laughter.

Alex jumped on his back, and the two fell on the floor laughing.

“What on earth?”

Looking up, Alex and Kurt were met with the sight of their father’s intense stare, his eyes wide with suspicion.

“We’re not fighting, Vati,” Alex said, wiping the tears of laughter from his face. “Your son is...” He shook his head and looked at Kurt. “How long have you been planning that?” He stood and held out his hand to help Kurt to his feet.

Kurt shrugged. “Just came to me.”

Vati raised his brows. “So, you two have worked things out?”

Alex glanced at Kurt, who nodded. “Yes, Vati.”

“About damn time.” Vati shook his head and walked away.

“Wait!” Alex hurried to catch up with his father and motioned for Kurt to follow. “We need to talk to you.”

A few days later, Vati called Alex into his study early in the morning. When he walked inside, a young man in a suit sat on the couch, holding a glass of water.

“Alex, you remember Simon Reisig, Edwin’s youngest son?”

Alex nodded. “Of course.” Though he was a few years younger than Alex, Simon had always presented himself as more mature than most of his older brothers. And they shared a love of the outdoors. “How are you?”

Simon grinned. “I’m excellent. And eager to help with the big plan to rid the world of Devin.”

They shook hands, and Vati motioned for Alex to take a seat.

“Simon has worked in New York City for the past several years with Deutsche Bank and has agreed to help us get you settled.”

Alex blew out a breath of relief and sat back in his seat. After Kurt and Alex had told Vati about Anna, they’d decided that Alex needed to move to New York as soon as possible, but the logistics were challenging. Vati had spent the last few days making discreet phone calls to find someone who could help. Edwin had volunteered his youngest son, but it had taken some time to get in touch with him in a way that would not alert Devin.

“I have been in touch with a friend of mine in real estate, and he has suggested several options for purchase.”

Alex nodded. In order for Anna to be able to stay in New York, Alex had to formally move there. He had to purchase a residence intending to stay there long term. Again, the logistics were challenging, but Simon was a financial wizard and knew all the loopholes to make it happen.

Simon produced a tablet and he, Vati, and Alex spent the next couple of hours weighing the pros and cons of each of the properties. “Wilhelm said you’d be confined to the building, so I thought it would be best to have an outdoor space attached to your home.”

Alex flinched at the thought of being confined in a small space again, but knew it had to be done.

They finally settled on a two-story condo a few blocks from Anna’s apartment.

“Of course, everyone will know someone purchased the property.” Simon smiled. “New Yorkers love gossip.”

“How do we keep my presence a secret?”

“I have a friend in marketing. We’ll feed the press a story about a rich European. They’ll eat it up.” He glanced at Alex. “The building has excellent security. Celebrities are fond of the location, being right across from Central Park and such.”

Alex nodded, studying the floor plan and pictures. It had a large roof garden that would make being cooped up more bearable, though he couldn’t help but remember his time in Vitaly’s tower. Was this much different?

He stared at the picture of Central Park—a view from the rooftop terrace—and smiled, until he saw the unmistakable image of a fruiting Osage orange tree in one of the close-ups of the park.

Vitaly had grown one of these in the courtyard of his castle. Not as fine a specimen, so far from its native habitat, but the sprawling green boughs with their massive fruit reminded him of another scene.

Simon’s voice faded as Alex flashed back to a much colder summer, looking down from his tower room to see Vlad dragging his crying middle daughter past the tree toward a waiting vehicle. Yelena, pregnant and crying out to be released so she could run to her baby’s father—to him. He hadn’t thought of the poor girl in years, and he felt worse about it now than he had at the time.

Vlad’s daughter had managed to sneak up to the tower, somehow convincing the guards that she was a Dirne. Vitaly had sent girls up regularly, Alex assumed, to “scratch the itch” of the prisoners in an effort to keep them from doing stupid things.

Alex hadn’t been interested in the girl’s pathetic attempt at seduction, until he realized who she was and saw an opportunity to extract petty revenge on his “hosts.” At the time, the girl’s pregnancy felt like the coup de grace of his small rebellion, but when she later “lost” the baby, he’d come to realize the tragic consequence of what he’d done. Of course Vlad couldn’t allow her to keep the child—after Vitaly’s death, he’d confessed to inducing a miscarriage. How could a dead man father a child?

And now, in light of his escape, it would have been doubly tragic. Neither he nor Anna needed such a reminder of his imprisonment.

After the incident with Vlad’s daughter, there were no more Dirne for two years. Punishment, he supposed, but it wasn’t much of one. Yelena’s pregnancy had just reminded him of Anna. That she had been glowing with her own pregnancy when he’d left. Despair and depression had crept in again and he did very little except sit in his chair and stare at the spot where Anna had appeared during her last visit, willing her to come back. But she didn’t.

Simon’s voice brought him back to the present as he glanced at Alex slyly and said, “It’s close enough to Anna’s apartment that you might see her walking by from time to time.”

That was the difference between his imprisonment in Vitaly’s tower and a voluntary seclusion in a New York City condo. This “imprisonment” had a purpose: to help Anna. Tommy had told Kurt yesterday that Anna had fallen asleep. Tom was with her, keeping watch, but the Elders were certain she wouldn’t wake until Alex had moved. Or Devin found her. Alex’s moving was, of course, the preferable option.

He glanced at Vati, who had taken the tablet from Simon and was examining the condo pictures with a satisfied expression. Sebastian’s hint about Devin’s Elders banding together, back when he’d spoken to Vati about Alex being imbued with the Immortal’s essence, had given the Elders a starting point in their plan to weaken Devin. The four-part strategy was set to begin soon, turning the unexpected move to NYC into an advantage. Moving around the country would be more convenient for Seth, Tony, Greg, and him, rather than constantly flying in and out of Germany.

Alex sat back in his chair and blew out a long breath. At last! Something to do besides studying. He’d learned all he could. Now he just needed to be patient as he awaited his orders from the Elders to begin.