Page 168 of The Life of Anna, Tenth Anniversary Edition, Act 2

After a long lovemaking session, Anna rested her head on Alex’s bare chest, tracing the ridge of his pectoral muscles. “I missed kissing you... being with you.”

“I missed being with you, too.”

“Who were those women the other night?”

“The other guys picked them up. Even though I was angry at you, I have no desire for any woman except you.” He turned on his side and grinned. “You are very, very good at sex.”

Anna smiled. “I guess I don’t have to worry about you leaving me because I don’t satisfy you in bed.”

He chuckled. “Definitely not.” He leaned down and nibbled along the outside of her breast.

“Alex?” she asked after a few minutes.

“ Ja , Schatzi ?”

“Sebastian said that you... need me—need us —to help you defeat Devin.”

“ Ja , it’s true.”

She closed her eyes and took a breath. “I will do it whenever you want to.”

Alex cupped her cheek. “Anna, the way Devin did it to you... That is a cruel way to do it. I will try my best not to hurt you. And Sebastian will certainly not rape you.”

She searched his eyes. “It’s okay if you have to... hurt me.”

He shook his head. “ Nein , Anna. If I had to hurt you, I wouldn’t do it.” He kissed her gently and then smiled. “I just hope you don’t decide you like Sebastian better than me.”

“Why would I... Oh!” She would have to have sex with Sebastian so Alex could have them both. “Is there any other way to do it?”

Alex grimaced. “Yes, but I don’t need that much power. And I would risk taking control of you.” He traced her jaw with his finger. “What Devin did to you on the plane.”

“Oh.” Anna sighed in relief.

“Besides, I don’t think my father would approve of me having that much Immortal in me without being an Elder first.”

“Haven’t you had sex with Sebastian before, though?”

Alex nodded. “But it’s different when it’s just... sex. He wasn’t trying to ‘imbue’ me, it was just for enjoyment.”

“Oh.” She vaguely remembered Kaveh and Devin having sex just for enjoyment. “Will it bother you? I mean, me having sex with Sebastian?”

Alex was quiet for a moment. “In a perfect world, I wouldn’t have to share you with anyone, Schatzi . But unfortunately, we don’t live in a perfect world. After I deal with Devin, though, I will have more control over who I share you with. And it certainly won’t be with Devin’s friends.”

The idea of Devin not being in her life—of not being afraid anymore—was almost too wonderful a thought. But was it really possible that she would be free of the men who hurt her? Jack was already dead. Devin would be soon. What would her life be like when that was done? “Are we really going to Germany when all this is done?”

Alex sighed. “I don’t know. I know I said that, but I was angry and wanted you away from Hugo. Honestly, I don’t know how long Vati will let me stay away from Deutschland . Having been in Russia for so long... I have a lot of time to make up for.”

“Would I have to stop dancing?”

Alex turned onto his side and cradled her cheek in his hand. “Not until you’re ready to stop.” He smiled affectionately and moved his hand down to her stomach. “Although I would love to start our family soon.” His eyes turned sad. “I’m thirty-three and have no legitimate children. That is very unusual in my family. And in The Brotherhood.”

Sadness for Alex squeezed her heart. She hadn’t thought about that. He was eight years older than she was. Of course he needed to start his family. Their family. If he hadn’t been captured, perhaps they would have had a child already.

She put her hand on his. “If you want to return to Germany after Devin is taken care of, I will go willingly.”

His eyes brightened. “You would do that for me?”

Anna nodded. “I would miss dancing, but there are other things more important than that.” She didn’t mind the idea of living with Wilhelm and Ilsa. It would be nice to have a family around.

“Anna, we don’t necessarily have to live in Frankfurt. At least for a while. Stuttgart has a very good ballet company, and it’s a little over two-hundred kilometers away from Frankfurt.”

Anna looked at him blankly. “Kilometers?”

Alex smiled and then narrowed his eyes with a thoughtful expression. “About... a hundred-twenty-five miles. That would be close enough to make Vati happy.”

Anna nodded. “That wouldn’t be too bad.” She inhaled sharply. “What about Aaron?”

Alex’s eyes became sad again. “I’ve hardly seen him since you and I got back together,” he said softly. “I don’t know?—?”

“He’s not dancing tonight. Why don’t the two of you go out?”

Alex looked away. “He’s probably with Cameron.”

Anna giggled. “I’m sure Cameron wouldn’t mind seeing you.” She studied him. “Are you okay with Aaron having a boyfriend?”

He shrugged. “It’s kind of weird. I was the first guy he was ever with.”

“I didn’t know that.” That would explain the longing looks Aaron gave him when Aaron thought no one was looking. But Anna saw them.

“Maybe he’d want to move with us, if you’d be okay with that. After all, he is part of the German Brotherhood.”

“As a friend or as a lover?”

Alex’s eyes widened. “As a friend. Anna, you are my lover.”

“What about at a Gathering? Would you be with him there?”

Alex blinked. “I don’t know. It’s been so long since I’ve been to a Gathering.” He sighed. “Maybe. But the world of The Brotherhood is different from the normal world.”

“I know. I wasn’t trying to make you feel bad. I guess I was just curious.” The idea of the two of them being together intrigued Anna. And she’d much rather him be with another guy than one of the Elder-Mistresses.

“We have a while before we have to decide anything like that.” He gave her an affectionate look. “If you want, I will speak to him. I’m certain the Stuttgart Ballet would welcome both of you.”

Anna nodded and cuddled up next to him. They lay quietly together, Alex slowly stroking Anna’s back and arms.

“Anna, would you be willing to be with Sebastian today?” Alex asked in a soft voice.

“I . . . If you want me to.”

“He says that it wouldn’t be wise to wait much longer. What essence I have is fading, and it’s easier to do a refill than to start over.” He shuddered slightly. “The first time wasn’t very pleasant.”

“Why?”

“Well, first of all, I wasn’t with you. And secondly, it made me feel... weird. I felt out of control.” He gave her a sad look. “I didn’t plan on having sex with Irina. I didn’t want to. But I just... had to.”

Anna pressed her lips together and nodded. “As I understand it, it can be rather strong.” She looked up at the ceiling.

“When I become Elder, you will be the one up there with me.”

“Will someone tell me what to do?”

Alex nodded soberly. “ Ja , Anna. I will make sure you know everything that is happening.”