Chapter 53

Anna walked with Kurt across an enormous courtyard, heading toward the impressive Saints Peter and Paul Cathedral. The cathedral, an imposing structure of yellow and white hues, stood tall in a Baroque architectural style. Its towering golden spire, crowned by a majestic golden angel clutching a cross, captivated Anna. Intricate carvings decorated the front and sides of the building.

Kurt intertwined his fingers with Anna’s and she sighed. It felt so right, being with him, though Anna couldn’t help but search the crowd for Peter’s familiar face.

Hundreds of people stood around, talking in small groups or standing quietly, staring up at the cathedral. Dignitaries, heads of state and, of course, the Elders and their Sons had all gathered to pay tribute to Vitaly Vladislav Ivanov, the Elder of St. Petersburg, Russia. There were very few women, though. Elders did not attend events like these with their wives.

“Anna!”

Anna turned at the unexpected sound of a woman’s voice. Peter’s mom, Jackie, was hurrying toward her.

Anna smiled brightly and stepped forward to greet her. The two women hugged before Anna introduced Jackie to both men, whom she eyed suspiciously. “Jackie is Peter’s mother,” Anna explained, and Wilhelm nodded. She looked at Jackie. “Wilhelm and Kurt are my late husband’s father and brother.”

Jackie looked at the two men again and then at Anna before taking her hand and pulling her a little to one side. Anna resisted stepping away too far, though, as she tried to read Jackie’s intentions. She could only register concern and... hurt?

“I feel like I’m playing catch-up,” Jackie said softly. “Sometimes these men don’t see fit to keep me in the loop. But... everything between you and Peter was... fake?”

Anna chewed her lip. “He came to keep an eye on me. I... I care for him a great deal, but we went into it knowing it wasn’t real.”

Jackie slowly nodded. “He shared a few details about what happened. I didn’t even know he’d gotten married until yesterday.” Hurt flickered in her eyes. “I had hoped...” She shook her head. “You’re a good girl, Anna. If you ever need anything, don’t hesitate to ask.” Her gaze shifted to Kurt, her expression intense. “If he ever hurts you...”

Anna put her hand on the older woman’s arm. “They’ve never hurt me, Jackie. Quite the contrary.” Anna swallowed back tears. “They saved me.”

Jackie searched her eyes and then nodded. “Would you mind if we came to see you dance again sometime? We can’t always get here to see Peter, and we loved watching you.”

Anna nodded and smiled. “I would love that.”

“Be sure to find Peter if you can. He’s been looking for you. If I see him, I’ll let him know you’re here, if he hasn’t already found you.”

Anna nodded and watched her walk away.

Wilhelm, Kurt, and Anna made their way slowly to the cathedral. Wilhelm stopped every so often to speak briefly with another Elder. Kurt kept her close to him, a firm grip on her hand in the increasingly packed crowd.

Tommy made his way over to them. “Hey, Anna.” He embraced her hard and kissed her cheek, then glanced up at Kurt. “Sorry.”

Kurt grunted.

“It is good to see you, Tommy.” Wilhelm extended his hand.

Tommy smiled and shook it. “It’s good to see you, sir. I understand you’re able to come into the country again.”

Wilhelm nodded. “I plan on doing so often.”

“I hope you do.” He glanced at Anna. “I haven’t seen her smile like this in a while. It’s nice.”

“Your father is around, I assume?” Wilhelm raised his brow, but there was a look in his eye Anna couldn’t quite discern.

“He is.” Tommy grimaced. “He’s trying to keep Devin calm. Devin’s not... happy about yesterday’s dinner.”

“Understandable. But necessary.”

“I agree, sir.”

They exchanged inscrutable looks again, and then Tommy said goodbye and walked away.

What a strange exchange. “Have you met Tommy before, Wilhelm?”

Wilhelm’s face became impassive. “Briefly, at Alex’s funeral. He came to comfort you, remember?”

Anna vaguely remembered Tommy trying to talk to her, and her coldness to him. Thankfully, he hadn’t held it against her.

They finally made their way through the crowd to the covered entrance of the cathedral. Vlad and Peter stood at the doorway, greeting people as they entered. Their wives stood next to them, looking sad but composed.

Dariya saw her before Peter did and smirked, until she noticed Kurt and Wilhelm. Her eyes widened at the sight of the men flanking her.

Peter saw her and smiled broadly as he hurried to her, arms outstretched. “Anna.” He seemed to have changed since yesterday, a new dignity overlying his dancer’s grace. He looked like an Elder-Son now. A nice one, though. He kissed her on the cheek and then greeted Wilhelm and Kurt.

Wilhelm greeted him with a broad smile. “How are you doing, Peter?”

“I’m doing well, sir. As well as I can.” He glanced at Kurt and then Anna. “You okay?”

She nodded. “You?”

He gave her a sad smile. “I miss you already.”

“I miss you.” She looked up when she saw Dariya approach.

“You certainly do not waste time, do you?” Dariya eyed Kurt’s hand on Anna’s shoulder.

Peter frowned. “Anna was married to Kurt’s brother before he died. She’s an Elder-Mistress.”

Dariya looked at Anna, then looked around the crowd at the other women. “You do not look like one.”

“She’s not supposed to be one.” Kurt frowned. “She is also a gertsoginya .”

Dariya started at the last word and curtsied. “I-I did not know. I am sorry.”

Anna looked up at Kurt, who beamed at her.

“I didn’t know that,” Peter said. “I suppose it makes sense...”

Anna looked between Peter and Kurt several times. “Didn’t know what?”

“That you were a duchess. You never told me.” He looked hurt.

“I don’t think about it. I—?” She looked up at Wilhelm. “It’s a part of my past that seemed to die with Alex. I’m sorry, Wilhelm.”

Wilhelm gave her a sympathetic smile. “It is alright. I know it is difficult.”

“Wilhelm.” Vlad approached, extending his hand in greeting to Wilhelm. Nina was with him and gave Anna a sad smile.

“Vlad, I am sorry for your loss.”

“Thank you, Wilhelm.” Vlad cleared his throat. “I hope you will not hold my father’s rudeness against me. We... did not see eye to eye on many things these last few years, and I hope I can undo some things he did.”

“Thank you, Vlad. I would not?—?”

“Good morning, Vlad.” Devin appeared at the side of the group and Anna felt as if a cloud of ice had fallen over her. His voice held a tinge of warning. “I see you are looking to rekindle past friendships?”

Vlad clenched his jaw. “My family and Wilhelm’s have been friends for a long time. I hope to undo some of the things my father did.”

Devin’s eyes narrowed. “That is an interesting idea.” He tilted his head. “Your father was a wise man. I hope you can also learn from things he did.”

Anna shivered and Kurt put his arm around her. “Are you alright?” he whispered.

“Cold.” She stepped closer to Kurt, but the cold seemed to originate deep inside her own body.

Devin looked around the group and stopped his gaze at Anna. His black eyes beckoned her and she tried to step forward, but Kurt held her against him, refusing to go.

Devin looked sharply at Kurt. “You only have her for a few weeks.”

“And I will cherish every moment and strive for more.”

Devin laughed. “So idealistic.” He reached out and stroked Anna’s cheek with long, cold fingers. “I can’t wait to have you home with me, Baby.” He ran his fingernail down her neck, stopping where he normally gave her the painful injections. He looked around and then gave Vlad a pointed look. “Might I have a word?” After raising his eyebrows, he purposefully turned and walked away, causing people to hurriedly clear a path.

Vlad gave her a sad look, then inhaled deeply. He glanced around. “I supposed I must speak with Devin.” He gave his wife a tight smile and kissed her cheek. “I will return as soon as I can.” He nodded to Wilhelm before turning and following Devin.

Peter bowed his head at Wilhelm and smiled apologetically at Anna. “I’ll see you later?”

Anna nodded, and he and Dariya followed Nina back to the entrance of the building.

Devin’s eyes narrowed as Vlad hurried over to where he was waiting at the side of the enormous courtyard.

Vlad frowned as he approached. “What do you want? I have guests to greet.”

Devin glanced over to where Vlad's family stood, their expressions sober as they greeted the arriving guests. “I hope you have no plans to make drastic changes to anything your father did.”

Vlad clenched his jaw. “And what if I do?”

A flash of anger coursed through Devin’s body and he glared at the new Russian Elder. Then he let a smile slowly appear on his face. “Of course, you can do whatever you want. You are Elder now.” Devin paused as a sigh of relief passed through the other man’s lips, and he casually looked up at the cathedral. “Would you have Peter’s funeral here, even though he is only a Son?” He could feel the fear shoot through the other man’s body and he gave Vlad a benevolent smile. “It would be a shame to have two family funerals so close together.”

“You wouldn’t dare!” Vlad hissed.

“I wouldn’t?” Devin raised his eyebrows. “I am Chairman, Vlad. I can do whatever the fuck I want.”

Vlad’s jaw trembled with barely controlled rage. “You have no power outside your own country!”

“Don’t I?” Devin knew his power was limited, but there were still the Assassins. And he would never admit that he lacked power of any sort. He tilted his head. “Do you really want to take that chance?” He smiled again. “You have other children as well. There’s no limit to how much pain I could inflict on you, if I wanted to.”

Vlad clenched his fists as he looked over his shoulder at his family. His face softened and his eyes filled with affection.

“You have vulnerabilities, Vlad. Never forget that.”

“I will keep them where they are,” Vlad said as he turned back around, shoulders slumping in defeat.

Devin gave the Russian Elder a triumphant smile. “That wasn’t so hard now, was it?” He bowed his head. “I will see you inside.” He strolled away, leaving Vlad alone in his defeat, confident Alex would remain where he was for many years to come. Vlad loved his family too much to let Alex go free.

Wilhelm and Kurt spoke softly in German as Kurt held Anna close. The coldness had not dissipated after Devin walked away, and she pressed herself against Kurt, trying to warm up.

“Anna, you look pale. Are you sick?” Kurt ran his hand over her forehead and frowned. He glanced at Wilhelm. “Does she seem feverish to you?”

Wilhelm leaned down, pressed his lips to her forehead, and then frowned. “That is not right. Devin is here. She cannot get sick this quickly.”

“I’m okay.” Anna shivered again. “I’m just tired and cold.” She smiled. “I was up late last night.”

Wilhelm looked at his watch. “Let us take her into the sunlight. We have a bit of time.”

They moved and Kurt stood with his arms around her, her head leaning against his chest and the sun’s warmth on her back. She let out a contented sigh and closed her eyes to listen better to the rumbling in his chest as he and his father talked softly in German.