Chapter 54

Wilhelm sat in the enormous cathedral, contemplating the exchange between Vlad and Devin. The service was in Russian, which he spoke fluently, but his thoughts still strayed. What did Vlad want to undo that Vitaly had done, and why did Devin care so much? He’d seen Vitaly and Devin together several times over the years, but Wilhelm couldn’t imagine the stubborn old Russian doing anything for Devin.

Anna shivered next to him, despite being wrapped in Kurt’s jacket and her own. Her face was pale and a sheen of sweat glistened on her forehead.

How could she be sick? It wasn’t supposed to be possible. Was it because he had insisted on taking her to Germany for a few weeks, away from Devin? But Wilhelm loathed the idea of Anna being with Devin any more than she had to. Maybe he and Kurt should take her home to San Francisco and visit with her there. Ilsa was looking forward to seeing Anna, but she would understand if Anna needed to go home.

Maybe he should speak to the other Elders with Mistresses. Perhaps they could shed some light, though none of the Mistress’s were slaves like Anna. As far as Wilhelm knew, Elders no longer practiced the bonding ceremony, as it was considered cruel and unnecessary. Wilhelm agreed, especially after seeing what it did to Anna. Although, it wasn’t so much the actual bonding that made the difference, but the person she was bonded to.

Pain twisted his heart at the remembrance of meeting Anna for the first time. At the pain of watching the cruel ritual and Alex stepping up to save her the only way he could. His beloved eldest son.

Oh, Alex. The pain was no longer raw, but there was still a deep ache in his heart. He would never stop missing him. He often wondered about Anna’s dreams, wondering if they were perhaps real. Was Alex still alive somewhere? It was painful to hope, but that didn’t stop him. The dreams of a Half-Immortal were often significant. But perhaps it was just a part of Anna that couldn’t let go of him. Even Wilhelm dreamed of Alex occasionally. Dreams were sometimes just dreams.

He had gone to see the graves, frozen in the ground, after the funeral. There had been eight graves, not nine. Sebastian wouldn’t have died, but would have had to act as though he had. And he was forbidden from coming back for a long time. Only long after he and Kurt—and even perhaps Kurt’s children—were gone, would he be allowed to return. But it wouldn’t matter then. Wilhelm had hoped that he would send a message—like Anna’s father had—but none came. The other Immortals didn’t speak of it; that was also forbidden. Times like these made him hate the rules of life. But they were there for a reason. Did he really want to know the details of his son’s death?

The service concluded a while later, and Wilhelm inhaled sharply at the sight of Anna’s face. It had turned gray and she had dark circles under her eyes. Something was desperately wrong. He searched the crowd as people began to stand and make their way toward the exits.

Devin . He caught the man’s eye and motioned for him to come. He hated the man with a deep, fiery passion, but Anna was more precious to him than his hatred for Devin.

Kurt held her tightly against his chest as she trembled, her eyes glassy and half-open, staring into nothingness.

Devin had that disgusting amused look on his face as he sauntered over, but it disappeared when he saw Anna. “What happened?”

“She complained of being cold and tired when we were outside, and she has grown progressively worse.” Wilhelm grabbed Devin’s collar and glared down at the man he despised with all his being. “What the hell did you do to her?”

Devin’s eyes widened and he backed away a step. Wilhelm released him. Devin looked down at Anna with genuine concern on his face, though the true object of his concern was debatable. “I... I haven’t done anything. She’s... she shouldn’t be sick.”

“I know,” Wilhelm growled. “What did you do?”

Devin shook his head. “I didn’t do any—?” He looked up suddenly and turned around, searching for someone in the crowd. “I’ll be right back.”

Devin hurried through the crowd to where Vlad stood speaking with another Russian Elder. Wilhelm watched as they had a heated conversation. Vlad repeatedly shook his head and held up his hands. He glanced over at Wilhelm, and his face paled when he saw Anna. He turned away and pulled his phone out of his pocket.

Devin returned to Wilhelm. “We’ll take her to Vlad’s townhouse. It’s nearby.” He reached for Anna and Kurt pushed his hand away.

“I will carry her,” he growled. Kurt picked her up and she moaned softly, then closed her eyes and shivered.

Wilhelm glared at Devin. “What is wrong with her?”

Devin didn’t answer, but turned and walked toward a side door. Kurt looked at his father, who nodded, and they both followed Devin outside.