Page 141 of The Life of Anna, Tenth Anniversary Edition, Act 2

The next week went by so fast, Anna could hardly believe it. Only two weeks until opening night and Anna was worried since she’d missed a week of rehearsals. She fell into bed each night exhausted, unable to read the books on New York that Mr. J had picked out for her at the library.

Simon called Monday to make arrangements for the following Saturday. She liked that he called early in the week. It made her feel like Mr. J really wanted her.

Mr. J came to two rehearsals that week, sitting in the auditorium in pitch blackness. The girls all checked their appearances before going out on stage and Anna started to, too, until she caught Stef grinning at her.

Anna spent an amazing Saturday night with Mr. J in the Winston Churchill Suite at the Waldorf Astoria. He seemed tense, but since all she could do was ask yes/?no questions, it was hard to make sure he was alright.

Monday, as she was walking to lunch with Aaron and Stefanie, Wilhelm called and Anna stared at the phone for a long moment before finally tapping the screen. “Hello, Wilhelm.” She was still angry at him, but was doing her very best to be polite.

“Hello, Liebling . How are you doing?”

“Okay. Busy.” She hoped he would take the hint and keep the call short.

“I can imagine. Did Kurt tell you he is coming out for the gala?”

Anna bit back a sigh. “I haven’t spoken to him since you two were here.”

“Ah. Well, he will be there.”

“Okay.” She really didn’t care, except that she’d have to spend time with him, and she wasn’t looking forward to that. “Is that all?”

“ Nein . There—?” Wilhelm paused. “There was another shooting this morning.”

Anna stopped in the middle of the sidewalk. “Another one? Who?”

“Joel.”

“Marcus’ son? From Chicago?”

“ Ja .”

Anna couldn’t say she was sad about the news. She had no fond feelings for the man. “Was it... the same as last time?”

“We believe so.”

“Oh, Wilhelm. Why . . . why is this happening?”

“Perhaps someone is taking advantage of Devin’s weakening power in your absence.”

“Will he come here? Devin, I mean.”

“I do not believe so. If he does, Tom will be in touch with you. Chicago is far enough away for you to be safe.”

“Thank you for letting me know.”

Aaron looked at her curiously as she put her phone in her pocket. “What happened?”

“Do you know who Marcus is?” She glanced at Stef, hoping Aaron would understand her vagueness.

“Chicago?”

Anna nodded. “His son was killed this morning.”

“Holy shit.” He grinned. “Maybe they’ll take out Devin and you’ll be free.”

A smile tugged at her mouth. “That’d be nice.”

Devin stared in disbelief at Tom. “You’re kidding, right?”

Tom shook his head. “I was just a few feet behind him when it happened.”

Another Elder killed. This time, Marcus. The same way Chris and Connor had been. “What the fuck is going on? Who the hell is trying to take out the American Elders?” It was forbidden to take out Elders without a good reason, and only an Elder could order it. None of the American Elders would dare try, so was a foreign Elder trying to take over the country?

He didn’t want to think about the idea that he might be on that kill list. But no one would dare try to kill him... would they? It hadn’t worked when Wilhelm tried. Would he be so lucky again?

He’d borrowed Irina, the Russian Elder-Mistress, at Connor’s funeral, and was able to gain some of his powers back. It wasn’t the same as having it from Anna, but it was enough to help him. He’d had a firm discussion with the president earlier in the month.

But the ability to recharge without Anna didn’t ease his mind. He was mortal and growing more so every day Anna was missing.