Chapter 182

Alex watched Devin as the bastard tried to defend himself. He tried not to show that he was enjoying the panic in the man’s eyes. When Shaw conceded that the matter was up to the American Elders, he was amused to see the man who had terrorized his wife slump to his knees in front of Sebastian. The pain and horror of his expression was gratifying, to say the least.

The American Elders moved to the side of the room to discuss the matter. Surely the older, wiser 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 looked around the room, satisfied that he’d done what he’d come to do. The Elders had grouped together by country and seemed to be having intense conversations amongst themselves.

Kurt still held Anna, and Alex walked over and sat on the edge of the platform next to his brother. He reached out and stroked her cheek. “How is she?”

Kurt gave a soft smile. “Sleeping soundly.” Kurt gazed down at her and petted her hair.

A swell of emotion swept through his body. “Thank you for taking care of her, my brother.”

Kurt glanced up at him, surprised. “I hurt her terribly.”

“And she’s forgiven you. Aaron told me how you took care of her when she was catatonic after my disappearance.”

The relationship between the two brothers had remained strained since Alex’s return, though they’d managed to be civil to one another. He hoped, now that things were settled, they could rebuild their relationship.

Kurt pressed his lips together. “I divorced Gretchen so I could marry her.”

“I know. But 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 again. Not after...”

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.” A tiny smile tugged at his lips.

Alex smiled. “Even Jasmine’s 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. It wasn’t hard to imagine 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 smiled and shook his head. “My sons...” He crouched down and stroked Anna’s head. “Do you think she should be woken?”

“Is it alright 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 inhaled deeply as she slowly woke. She opened her eyes and looked around at the three familiar 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 hell without you, but imagining what you’ve been going through...” Alex shuddered and she felt his distress for her at the forefront of his emotions.

She squinted, trying to remember... anything... everything. The last few weeks were a blur. “I was—?” She sat up and looked around. Devin sat on the edge of the platform, head hung and hands clasped in between his knees. Sebastian towered over him, watching him closely. “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.”

Wilhelm took her hand. “Forgive me, Liebling , but I had no other choice.”

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 glanced at Alex, 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. Kurt squeezed her hard. “I owe you my life,” she said softly, remembering the night they’d met in this very room. Everything had 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, although you will always hold a piece of my heart.” He kissed her head, and then stood and walked across the room to Peter and Tommy.

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 gently.

Wilhelm kissed her head and patted Alex on the shoulder. “Let me see if I can find someone to bring you some clothes, Liebling .”

Alex kissed her head. “How are you feeling, Schatzi ?”

“Wonderful...” 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 mostly.” She could still feel the pain of what Devin had done to her, but it was nothing compared to the elation of being in Alex’s arms once more.

“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 approached the platform as a group. Alex helped her into a white dress someone had brought her as Tom walked up the stairs and turned to face the Elders. He held up his hands, but before he could speak, a blinding light filled the room. She squinted and then whimpered when she saw several Immortals had appeared, including Kaveh and Val.

Alex hugged her to his chest. “They won’t hurt you, Anna,” he murmured against her hair. “But look.”

Anna frowned but looked again at the group of Immortals. She gasped. “Daddy?” She scrambled out of Alex’s embrace and ran into her father’s open 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 sighed. How she missed him!

He tucked her hair behind her ear. “You look so much like your mother,” he whispered.

Anna smiled. “So I’ve been told.”

He grinned and then looked up as Alex approached. They nodded to each other.

“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.

Tom stepped aside and the biggest Immortal Anna had ever seen climbed the steps and turned to look over the assembly of Elders. He was taller than Alex by a foot and his jet-black hair was pulled back into a tail held in place with golden ties. His crystal-blue eyes were of a similar color to her father’s, but were filled with ancient wisdom. He wore a white linen tunic and pants edged in gold and diamonds. Two Immortals, a few inches shorter, dressed in white without the diamond adornments, stood at the bottom of the steps on either side of him, golden spears in their hands.

When he spoke, his voice reverberated in Anna’s chest and nearly shook the stone walls of the Hall. “I am Kronos, Father of the Immortals.” He paused and looked around the room once more. “I have learned of the deeds of my Immortal children. For the abuse of our Daughter. For enabling a human to perform forbidden rituals. For acting against the sacred agreement between humans and Immortals. I do pass judgment on them and they shall be punished accordingly.” He looked around again. “I do not judge the deeds of humans. That is your job as Elders.”

He frowned and Anna would have sworn every man in the room shuddered. “I am displeased with how you have allowed this great misdeed to occur. Our Daughters are gifts to you, to aid you in your endeavors.” He extended his arm and pointed at Devin, who cowered and shook. “You have allowed this man to abuse my Daughter in the worst form.” His blue eyes glowed gold with anger. “Nothing like this has been seen in centuries, and it is despicable. Those who have kept the forbidden tomes are given a final warning to destroy them, or we will remove our Daughters from your world, leaving you to your own destruction.” Kronos lifted his chin and nodded slowly.

Then he turned to Anna and held out his hand. “Come to me, Daughter.”

Anna stood and walked to the huge Immortal, her legs shaking terribly. She fell to her knees at his feet.