“Hugo,” she said softly, feeling herself going into seduction mode. She looked up at him for a moment and then turned away. No, she didn’t want to seduce him. She just wanted him to stay.
He kissed her on the top of the head. “I’ll see you in the morning.”
She stared at her hands and heard the apartment door open and close, and then burst into tears. Part of her understood why he left, but the other, larger, part of her felt rejected and lonely.
She looked at her watch. It was eleven-thirty. She wanted to call Wilhelm. It was, what...nine hours difference between them? It was early but not too early...
She got her phone out of her purse and made the call.
“Anna?” his voice was very gravelly. “What is wrong?”
“Wilhelm,” she said softly. “I’m sorry to wake you so early, but I...just wanted to hear your voice.”
“Liebling, I do not mind you calling, but I am much better at conversations that do not occur in the middle of the night.”
“Middle of the night? Isn’t it six there?”
Wilhelm paused and then laughed. “Anna, you are in New York, not San Francisco. It is three in the morning.”
“Oh, God! Oh, Wilhelm, I’m so sorry! I forgot.” This night was not improving. “I’ll call you later then. I’m sorry.”
“Nein, Anna. It was important enough for you to call. Hang on a moment and I will go in the sitting room.” She heard him speaking in German, assumingly to Ilsa. “All right, Liebling,” he said a few minutes later. “What happened?”
The tears began to flow and Anna told him what had happened between Hugo and herself. When she was finished, he was quiet for a while. She knew he was thinking and respected his silence.
“It sounds like he is an honorable man, Anna. He left because he respects you and cares for you. Do you remember how long it took for Alex to make love to you?”
“Yes,” she sniffed. Months! And why did he have to bring up Alex?
“Do not be angry with him for waiting, Anna. Most men do not take the time to rein in their desires without thinking about how it will affect the woman he is with.”
“But what do I do now?”
“Is Aaron there?”
“No. He went to California for Jenna’s funeral.... Did you hear about that?”
“I did. I meant to call but...things have been very busy here the last week. I’m so sorry, Liebling. I should have remembered.”
Wilhelm knew and he hadn’t called her? That hurt worse than Hugo’s rejection. “It’s okay.” She said softly. “I’ll let you get back to sleep. Thank you for listening to me. Good night.” She pressed ‘end’ on the phone before he could say anything else. She went into her room, put her pajamas on and lay down in bed. Well, her hurt had dissipated her need for sex. At least she’d be able to sleep now.
*****
Wilhelm stared at his phone in disbelief. Anna had hung up on him. Not that he blamed her. He should have called her and he was properly rebuked. Things had just gotten...crazy here all of a sudden. She would forgive him once she found out what happened. He hoped.
*****
“I’m sorry I left like that last night, Katrina.” Hugo sat down on the floor next to Anna the next morning and spoke softly. “I didn’t want to hurt you, but I probably did anyway, didn’t I?”
Anna looked up from her stretch and gave him an understanding smile. “It’s okay. I understand. I...appreciate what you were trying to do.”
Hugo let out a deep breath. “I was afraid you’d be angry with me.”
She shook her head. “I’m not.” She smiled. “But I’m not as delicate as you may think I am.” She grinned mischievously, with a hint of seduction, at him.
His eyes widened for a split second and then he shook his head and laughed. “Not nice to look at a man like that before dance class.”
Anna giggled. “Sorry.”
He smiled, his dimples deepening. “I am determined to remain a gentleman,” he said quietly. “If that’s okay with you, I’d like to take you out again tonight.”
Anna nodded. “I’d like that.”
*****
Aaron returned Sunday night and Anna greeted him at the door with a passionate kiss.
“Are you okay, Anna?” he asked taking a step back, surprise evident on his face.
“Please don’t reject me, Aaron. I...I just need you to fuck me.”
Aaron grinned. “That’s what every man wants to hear when they walk in the door.” He kissed her back and they undressed as they kissed their way to his bedroom. They fell naked into his bed and Anna rolled on top of him, straddled his hips and impaled herself on him.
“Argh!” she cried, not having expected it to hurt.
“Are you okay?” he asked.
Anna winced and nodded. “It’s been a few days.” She hung her head and tried to relax around him.
“We didn’t have to go so fast, hon,” Aaron said, pulling her hand and bringing his lips to hers. “I’m not in a hurry.” He held her as he rolled her to her back, still inside her, and kissed her neck.
Anna closed her eyes and relaxed as he kissed her. When the pain subsided, she moved her hips, wanting him to move.
“Better?” he asked, moving slowly inside her. She gasped and nodded. “Good.” He grinned. “You feel so amazing.”
*****
“How was the funeral?” Anna asked later as she ran her fingers over Aaron’s chest while they cuddled together.
“Sad.” He sighed. “Matt wasn’t taking it very well. He looked like he wanted to jump into the casket with her.”
Anna stopped moving her hand. “I feel awful for him...and guilty. First Ben’s death and now Jenna’s. Does he hate me?”
“No. He knows where the blame lies: with Devin. He did ask about you, though.”
Anna looked up at him, expectantly.
“I told him it was better if he didn’t know. He accepted that.”
“Did you see Devin?”
“Yes. He was there but, surprisingly, he kept to the background. He watched me a lot so I was careful about what I said and warned Justin to do the same.”
“What about Jenna’s family?”
Aaron shook his head. “Luke’s not well at all. He’s so angry and I don’t blame him. I saw him and Devin arguing. I assume it was about Jenna.”
Anna was quiet. So many people dead because of her. She hoped Tom knew how to stop Devin and would do it soon.
*****
“Have you found her yet?” Devin growled as Jack walked into his study at his house. Anna hadn’t taken the bait with taking and killing Jenna. He didn’t know what else to do. He supposed he could keep killing off her friends, but that would get messy. He wasn’t that desperate. Yet.
“No. She’s...disappeared into thin air.” Jack frowned. “There’s no trace of her anywhere.”
“That’s not possible!” Devin shouted. “She’s a fucking Immortal. She can’t just disappear.”
Devin stood and walked to the window. Fucking Ian. Devin would have gotten the information out of him if he hadn’t killed himself.
“They’ve run the security footage on all the airports in the area, Devin. She didn’t show up in any of them. Could she have teleported somewhere?”
Devin shook his head. “No. Not without an Immortal. Half-Immortals don't have that power.” He’d scoured his books, trying to find any sliver of information as to how she disappeared.
“What about the missing dancer. Justin? He didn’t have anything to do with it?”
Jack shook his head. “Isaak caught him smoking pot and fired him. He’s back home in New York.”
“Is he dancing?”
“I don't know. There’s no indication that he is.”
Devin growled and looked out his window to the street below. His powers were safe for now, but soon they would start failing without Anna to renew him.
“He’s from New York?” Devin asked thoughtfully.
�
��Who?”
“Justin.”
“Yes. Danced for the New York City Ballet until he came out here a few years ago. After Anna stopped dancing.”
“What about her other friend...Aaron? The one who was friends with Alex.”
“I believe that’s his name. Yes, he’s in New York.”
Something told him there was some connection, but he didn’t know what it was. She’d been invited to go to New York before. Maybe she ran away to there? But how the hell did she get there, if she was there? And why couldn’t he sense her?
Devin rubbed his eyes. This wasn’t supposed to happen.
“Did you check Germany? With Wilhelm?”
“Yes. There’s no trace of her there either.”
“Someone, somewhere has to know something,” he said more to himself. “She wouldn’t stop dancing. She has to be somewhere where there’s a dance company.” He turned around and looked at Jack. “You’ve checked security footage around New York?”
Jack nodded.
The logical place for her to go would be there, but Tom had said repeatedly that she wasn’t there. None of the Elders were sensing her in their areas and while there were a few that he didn’t completely trust, there was no reason Anna would go to LA or Houston. New York was the best option, but how the hell was he supposed to find her there? Someone had to be protecting her from him.
He looked at Jack. “Go to New York. Stake out the ballet companies. I want firsthand knowledge whether she’s there or not.”
Chapter Eight
The days flew by and before she knew it, opening night had arrived. Anna didn’t dance until the next night, so she was able to sit in some empty seats in the house and watch the performance. Both Hugo and Aaron were dancing and she was eager to watch them.
Just being in the audience was thrilling. She felt so elegant and was reminded of when she went to the ballet with Kurt in San Francisco. Alex and Wilhelm had been there, too, and she got lost in the memories, not noticing when someone sat down next to her.
“Hello, Anna,” the man said softly.
Anna opened her eyes in surprise. There were only a few people here that knew her real name. Anna’s heart pounded as she stared at the man next to her. “Jack?”
Her guardian gave her a wicked grin. “Surprised to see me?”
Anna didn’t know what to say. Devin couldn’t be far behind. Oh God, what was she going to do? “How did you find me?”
“Logical deduction. New York City Ballet. Not that hard to figure out where you would go.”
Anna started trembling. “Where’s Devin?”
Jack smiled. “At home. Waiting for my call to tell him I found you.” He put his hand on her leg and slid up her skirt. “He’s been awfully selfish with you, though. I thought I might have some fun with you before I called. For old time’s sake.”
Anna pushed his hand away. “Don’t touch me,” she snapped. She tried to stand but he held her wrist tightly and twisted, making her whimper.
“Oh, no you don’t. I’ve been here for weeks trying to find you. You’re not getting out of my sight so you can disappear again.” He stood and pulled her to her feet. “But I can have more fun with you in my hotel room rather than sitting and watching a ballet with you, so let’s go.” He twisted her wrist and she began making her way to the aisle. She looked around, desperate for a familiar face, but there was no one she recognized.
Jack pushed her up the aisle and into the promenade. Tons of people milled about, but she still didn’t see anyone she knew. He led her outside and down the stairs to a taxi.
“Mandarin,” he told the driver.
It was only a few blocks away and they arrived at the hotel within minutes. Jack paid the fare without letting go, then pushed her out of the taxi, into the hotel and up to his room.
Anna stood in the middle of the hotel room, watching Jack as he removed his tie and jacket. She wracked her brain, trying to figure out a way out of here. She glanced at the door, wondering if she’d make it before he could catch her, and Jack laughed.
“I’m not that stupid, Anna.” He strode across the room and pulled her further away from the door and pushed her to the bed. “Undress, unless you want me to rip that dress off of you.”
She blinked back tears as she stepped out of her shoes. With shaky hands, she unzipped her dress and removed it, laying it across the back of a chair. She looked back at Jack who raised his eyebrows at her. “All of it, Anna.”
She removed her panties and bra and lay them on her dress.
He walked over to her and ran his hands down her breasts and she shuddered. “You don’t like my touch anymore, Baby? I’m hurt.” He squeezed her nipples and she whimpered.
“Please let me go, Jack,” she whispered. She didn’t want to go back to Devin or her old life. She wanted to stay here. The last few weeks had solidified that. She and Hugo had grown very close and he had invited her over to his place after the show tonight.
She closed her eyes and tears burned behind the lids. She would never get to make love to him.
Jack pushed her onto the bed and held her hands above her head. She felt something around her wrists and she realized he had tied her to the bed. The ties were unyielding as she pulled against them.
A glimmer of hope poked a hole in the darkness of her heart. Devin didn’t know she was here. Maybe she could still get away before Jack told him.
Jack laughed and kneaded her breast. “Sweetheart, I know how to tie you. Though I’m kinda turned on that you’re trying to get away.” He arched his brow. “I have more where those came from if I need to tie your legs.” He grinned. “Maybe I should anyway.” He trailed his hand up her thigh. “Spread you open nice and wide.” He brushed over her pussy and she squeezed her legs together and kicked at him.
He laughed and stood to finish undressing. “Oh, Anna. I always wondered what it would be like if you had more spirit in you.” He stroked his hard cock. “I guess I get to find out.”
He knelt on the bed and she kicked at him, but he grabbed her ankles and laughed again, spreading them apart. “Who’ve you been fucking since you got here Anna?” He bent down and kissed her pussy while he held her legs apart.
The feel of his mouth on her both sickened and aroused her, and she squirmed to try and get him off, but he just laughed. He pushed her knees into her chest and held her tight as he licked at her clit.
She bucked her hips, but her body was betraying her and she moaned softly. He locked his lips around her clit and sucked. Her legs relaxed and she closed her eyes as he lapped at her. She squirmed again, but this time to open her legs wider. He released her legs and they fell open on the bed. She arched her back as she felt the orgasm building. He slid his fingers inside her and she moaned loudly as her orgasm overtook her.
“Good girl,” he murmured as she came back down to earth.
Her body lay limp and she closed her eyes as shame filled her. She’d given in so easily. She deserved to go back to Devin.
Jack moved her legs and quickly tied them to the upper corners of the bed, spreading her legs into a V above her head.
“You’re so easy, Anna. Of course, we made you that way.” He kissed her swollen pussy again and then positioned his cock at her slit and pressed inside. Her eyes snapped open as he entered her body and she cried out in pain.
“How long’s it been since you’ve been fucked, Anna?” he asked, not stopping to allow her body to adjust to him. She whimpered and cried out as he rammed himself against her hips.
She pulled furiously against the ties, trying to get free. No! She wanted to go home to Aaron and Hugo, not be here with Jack. She didn’t want to go back to Devin.
Jack laughed and Anna looked up at him, suddenly angry.
Very angry.
“Get off me!” she screamed.
Anna pulled at the bindings that held her in place with all her strength and then screeched in fury when she couldn’t get free. Jack froze and looked down at her. She’d
never seen fear in his eyes before.
“You will not take me back to Devin!” she growled and a white-hot rage consumed her.
*****
A knock sounded on Aaron’s dressing room door.
“Come in,” he called.
Hugo opened the door and poked his head inside. “Have you heard from Katrina?”
Surprised, Aaron shook his head. “I thought you guys were going out tonight.”
Hugo nodded. “We are. She said she’d come backstage at intermission and she didn’t, and I haven’t seen her since the show ended.”
Aaron knew how much Anna had been looking forward to going out with Hugo tonight. She’d been anticipating staying the night with him for the first time since they’d started dating. It pained Aaron to, once again, see Anna happy with someone besides himself, but Hugo was good for her. He treated her like the princess she was without the baggage of her past.
Aaron glanced at his watch as nerves filled his stomach. The show had ended twenty minutes ago. Something was wrong. “Where was she supposed to meet you?”
“Back here. In my dressing room.”
Aaron rubbed his neck, not knowing what he should do. He couldn't risk Hugo finding out about Anna’s past. “Did you call her?”
Hugo made a face. “Of course. Several times, but it goes to voice mail.”
Aaron picked up his phone and dialed. It rang several times and then went to voice mail.
Stefanie walked past his door. She wasn’t dancing tonight, but she was here. Maybe she’d been in the audience. “Stef!” he called, pushing past Hugo. “Did you happen to see Katrina out in the audience tonight?”
Stefanie frowned. Aaron knew she wasn’t very fond of Anna, but when she glanced at Hugo with a hesitant expression, it made his heart rate triple. “Stef, please. Did you see her?”
She rolled her eyes and nodded. “I saw her get up and walk away with some older guy who was holding her hand.”
Alarm filled Aaron’s veins with ice. “What did he look like?” Maybe it was Wilhelm?
The Life of Anna, Part 5: Emerged Page 7