She stepped through. Nothing happened, which she took for a good thing. She put her shoes and jacket on as Seth went through the same motions that Greg had. Greg stood nearby and when she glanced at him, he smiled at her. She watched Seth talk to the agent and then he was able to get dressed.
“Ready?” Seth asked, straightening his tie.
She nodded silently. She hadn’t known they carried guns. It was kind of intimidating. Ian didn’t carry a gun. Why would they need to? Especially around her. She was nobody special. At least outside the Brotherhood.
Seth put his arm around her as they walked. “Anna, we have guns to protect you. There’s nothing to worry about.”
“Why would you need a gun to protect me?”
Seth shrugged. “Countless reasons. It’s always better to be prepared.”
“You carry them when you’re with Alex too?”
“Yup.”
“Why doesn’t Wilhelm have bodyguards?”
“He does when he needs one.”
“But Alex needs one all the time?”
Seth grimaced. “Anna, it’s better if you ask Alex these questions.”
Anna pulled away and looked at the ground as they walked. Sometimes she thought it would be better if she just didn’t think up so many questions.
They went to the First Class lounge. It was nicer than the one she had gone into with Devin. They walked to an area with comfortable looking leather chairs and Anna curled up in one of them.
“It’ll be about a half hour and then we’ll be able to board,” Greg said, settling into the chair across from her.
“Do you want something to eat, Anna?” Seth asked, setting her bag next to her. “You can put your passport away now.”
Anna put her passport in the outer pocket of her carry-on bag. She shook her head. “I’m not really hungry.” Her stomach was churning and the thought of food made her want to throw up.
“Did you eat dinner?”
Anna shook her head. “I wasn’t hungry.”
Seth sighed and stood up. He looked at Greg. “I’m going to go get her something to eat. You want something?”
“Coke?”
When Seth left, she looked at Greg. “I’m sorry I’ve been so difficult, Greg.”
He looked surprised, and then his face softened into an affectionate smile. “It’s all right, Anna. I know things have been tough for you lately. I’m sorry I wasn’t more sympathetic.”
Seth returned a few minutes later with a sandwich for Anna. She eyed it warily. Not because it didn’t look good, but because her stomach felt so queasy. She glanced at Seth and then took a bite for his sake. The taste somehow calmed her stomach and she finished it quickly. Seth watched her with an amused expression on his face.
They boarded the plane a half hour later and walked up a staircase to the first class section. The area was configured with one seat next to each of the windows and two in the middle. Anna sat in the first window seat, Seth sat across the aisle and Greg sat behind her. After she was situated, she curled her legs under her and stared out the window, blinking to try and stay awake.
The flight attendant came by and offered her a drink while they waited to depart. “I’ll be happy to turn down your bed as soon as we’re in the air,” she said with a pleasantly accented voice.
“That would be great,” Anna responded. “Thanks.”
Anna stood and looked around as people settled in. The flight attendants took coats and brought drinks.
“Anna, why don’t you sit down?” Seth suggested gently. “You can stand while the plane is in the air.”
“If I sit I’ll fall asleep,” she answered, then looked at him, wondering if he thought she was being stubborn. “Is it okay if I stand?” she asked humbly.
Seth nodded, concern in his eyes.
It seemed like forever before the fasten seatbelt light came on. Anna was feeling sick to her stomach again. She was nervous about flying and nervous about the trip.
“Are you all right?” The flight attendant asked. Her name tag read, “Inga.”
“My stomach’s a little upset,” she admitted.
“Have you flown before?”
“Only once.”
Inga smiled. “Let me see if I can find something to settle your stomach. I will be right back.”
She returned a few minutes later with a glass of water and a package of Alka-Seltzer. She also had some peppermints. “This should help. Peppermint is also good for nausea.”
Anna smiled gratefully at her. “Thank you,” she said.
“We will be leaving shortly.” She pointed to a white bag in the pocket next to her. “If you need to vomit, use that.”
Anna hoped she wouldn’t need it. She had only thrown up a few times in her life and it had never been pleasant. As the plane backed away from the terminal she dumped the tablets into the water and watched them dissolve. She was so tired, the bubbles floating to the surface mesmerized her.
Through the overhead speakers came the muffled voice of the pilot, speaking first in German, then in English. They would be arriving in Frankfurt at eight twenty-seven Monday night. Anna’s stomach lurched as the plane moved. She took a drink of the fizzy water and grimaced.
“It will help your stomach, Anna,” Seth said, giving her a sympathetic look. “Just drink it fast.”
Anna nodded, took a deep breath and downed the drink in several big gulps. Seth was right. By the time the plane rose into the air, she wasn’t feeling nauseous anymore. She still felt nervous, but didn’t think she’d need that little white bag any time soon.
Once they were airborne, the flight attendants set to work adjusting people’s seats so they could sleep. Inga came over to Anna’s seat and Anna stood while her seat was changed into a bed.
“Are you feeling better?” Inga asked as she placed the pillow and duvet on Anna’s seat-turned-bed.
“Yes, thank you. The drink helped immensely.”
Inga smiled. “Good. If you need another one, just ask.”
Anna snuggled into her “bed” and closed her eyes. She was asleep within seconds.
Chapter Twenty-Five
Alex tapped his foot impatiently as the limo sped along the highway towards Frankfurt.
“Alex, tapping your foot will not make the car go any faster,” his father said, looking amused.
“I can’t help it, Vati. I’m nervous.”
Vati chuckled. “I’ve not seen you nervous like this in a very long time.”
“What if she’s still angry with me? What if she takes one look at me and gets back on the plane?”
Vati outright laughed this time. “I don't think that’s legal, son.”
Alex gave him an exasperated look. “You know what I mean, Vati.”
“Didn’t Seth say that she wasn’t angry anymore? His presence seemed to soften her up a little. I’m sure it’s still working. And if she is still angry, then you’ll just have to work harder to win her over.”
“You’ve never had a problem winning a woman over, Alex,” his mother said with a smile.
“Anna’s never been angry before,” Alex said, leaning his head back and looking at the roof. “You said yourself that she was different, Vati. But how different? What if she never forgives me for leaving her?”
“I think you’re being a bit melodramatic, Alex,” Mutti said. “If she didn’t care about you, she wouldn’t be angry. People don’t get angry at people they don't care about.”
Alex sighed and ran his hands through his hair. Greg had commented on the change in Anna from Seth being there. Alex knew that Anna adored Seth, and Alex was glad that he had sent him to attend to her. Especially now that she had stopped resisting the travel.
And the three of them were safely on the plane and would be arriving within the hour. Alex’s heart pounded in his chest as he anticipated seeing Anna again for the first time since August. This time he would be able to tell her everything.
*****
Anna’s eyes shot op
en and she grabbed her stomach. She reached around for the bag that Inga had pointed to the night before and barely got it open before the contents of her stomach lurched up into her mouth. Seth jumped out of his seat and was next to her in an instant. He pushed the call button and helped Anna hold the bag as she coughed and threw up again.
Inga saw what was going on and brought Anna some cool towels to wipe her face after she was finished. The bag was taken away and Seth held her while he wiped her face and neck and hands.
“You okay?” Seth asked gently.
Anna nodded. “I feel much better,” she said with a weak smile. She glanced up at Seth. “I’m sorry. Did I wake you?”
Seth shook his head. “I’ve been up for a while. We’ll be landing soon and I was contemplating waking you anyways. I guess your stomach did it for me.”
“Is she okay?” Greg asked from behind.
“Yeah,” Seth said, without looking at him.
Anna felt shaky, but she felt better rested than she had in weeks. It amazed her how well she had slept on an airplane.
“There are toothbrushes in the bathroom if you would like to brush your teeth,” Inga said softly.
Anna looked up and gave her a grateful smile. “Yeah. I think that would be good.”
Seth helped her to her feet and made sure she made it to the bathroom. When Anna emerged fifteen minutes later, she felt human again. She had even put on some makeup that had been in a little kit she’d received after boarding the plane.
Seth looked up and smiled when he saw her. “There’s my pretty girl. You look much better.”
Anna blushed. “I feel much better.” She walked back to her seat, which had been brought back to the seated position.
“Would you like something to eat?” Inga asked after Anna sat down.
Anna nodded. “Yes, please. I’m hungry.” For the first time in a long while.
*****
Alex jumped as his phone buzzed in his pocket. It was a text from Greg. He hurriedly pushed the screen to read the message.
Anna’s sick. She threw up, but seems okay now.
Alex frowned at his phone. “Vati, can half-Immortals get sick?” He looked at his father.
Vati looked thoughtful for a moment. “Not that I’m aware. Unless they’re away from their home for too long. Why?”
“Seth told me that Anna hadn’t been feeling well and not eating. I just got a text from Greg saying that she got sick on the plane. I didn’t think they got sick either.”
Vati frowned. “That is odd. She’s only been gone for less than a day and she’s coming to you. She shouldn’t be vulnerable. But she’s been under an enormous amount of stress lately. Maybe the human part of her is succumbing to the stress. I can have Heinrich come take a look at her if she’s still not feeling well tomorrow.” Heinrich was Alex’s uncle and a doctor.
“All right.” Alex stared out into the dark night. Poor Anna. Being sick was no fun. He hoped that she would let him comfort her.
*****
After Anna ate, she felt better. The plane began to descend and she gripped her armrests. Seth reached over and patted her hand, but she didn’t relax until they were on the ground and moving at a much slower pace. When the plane came to a stop, she looked out the window.
“Where’s the terminal?” she asked Seth.
Seth looked out the window. “Looks like we’re deplaning out here. There aren’t that many gates at this airport. Don't worry. We’ll take a nice van to the terminal. I think it’s actually faster to do it this way.”
The moment Anna stepped out into the open air, she shrieked. “Omigod! It’s so cold!” She hugged her coat around her and hunched over.
Seth chuckled. “Thirty seconds Anna, then we’ll be in a nice warm van.”
Greg climbed into the van first and Anna followed him to the back and sat next to him. Seth sat on the other side of her. When all the seats were full, the van drove off towards the large, lit building that Anna supposed was the terminal.
Anna’s nausea returned as she realized she was minutes away from seeing Alex. She swallowed several times and tried to breathe deeply.
*****
Alex paced as his parents watched him. He knew they found him amusing tonight, but he didn’t care. The flight had arrived and now it was just a matter of the travelers getting through Customs.
He ignored the women who tried to get his attention. He and his family were well known here; women practically threw themselves at him. A few years ago, he loved it. Now it just irritated him. He only wanted one woman and she was finally in the same building he was.
Tony stood nearby, his posture that of an intimidating watcher, but Alex could see the amusement in his eyes.
“I’m glad I’m so entertaining tonight,” he commented dryly to Tony and his parents.
“Oh, Alex, I think it’s adorable,” his mother said with a smile.
Alex rolled his eyes and sighed.
“Alex.”
Alex turned to see Tony nodding toward the opening across the walkway.
Greg and Seth stood there looking around, with Anna in between them. She looked so small and delicate in between their large frames. A man in an airport uniform waited behind them with a trolley full of luggage. Anna’s mostly, he assumed. Matching blue luggage.
Greg and Seth saw him at the same time and nodded. Seth bent down to say something to Anna. She looked across to where Alex stood and her eyes widened. Alex’s shoulders slumped as she stepped behind Seth to hide.
“Give her a minute, Alex,” Vati said softly, coming to his side. “She’s frightened, not angry. Be gentle.”
Seth put his arm around Anna’s shoulders, and the three of them made their way through the crowd to where Alex and his family waited.
Alex greeted Greg and Seth and stood as patiently as he could, trying to decide the best way to approach Anna. He could see her clearly now. She was thinner than she’d been in August. Her face was pale beneath her lightly applied makeup. She fidgeted, twisting her fingers together, and stared at the ground.
Vati approached her first. “Hello, Anna,” he said in a soft voice.
Anna looked up at him and smiled. “Hello, Wilhelm,” she said quietly.
He opened his arms and Anna hugged him willingly.
Alex’s heart tightened in his chest.
“How was your flight?” Vati asked, holding her head to his chest. Alex glanced at his mother, who was studying Anna.
“I slept almost the whole way over. So I guess that’s a good thing.”
Vati chuckled and released her. “Anna, I would like to introduce you to my wife, Ilsa. Ilsa, this is Anna.”
Alex’s mother gave Anna a warm, friendly smile. Mutti was a tall, elegant woman with dark blonde hair and dove-gray eyes. She wore a simple black skirt, a red sweater, and knee-high black leather boots.
“Anna, it is wonderful to meet you at last,” she said in heavily accented English. “I have heard so many wonderful things about you.”
Anna gave her a timid smile. “Hello,” she said in a voice he could hardly hear.
Alex’s heart pounded as he stepped forward. “Hello, Schatzi,” he said in as gentle a voice as he could. He hoped his use of the endearment would help her not be frightened.
Chapter Twenty-Six
Anna turned to face Alex. Her breath caught in her throat as she looked up into his handsome face. Once again, she’d managed to forget how tall and broad he was. His hair looked like he’d just gotten it cut. She looked at his lips and remembered what it was like to kiss them. Firm, yet soft. They were upturned in a nervous smile. What could he possibly be nervous about?
He had called her Schatzi. His treasure. She searched his cobalt-blue eyes, but saw no trace of anger in them. Why wasn’t he angry with her for the way she had treated him? He had gotten angry with her the last time he’d called. Wouldn’t he punish her for her behavior?
“I’m sorry, Alex,” she said, and bowed her head in submissio
n.
He stepped forward and she winced in anticipation of some sort of punishment. He cupped her chin and lifted her face to his again.
“For what?” he asked softly.
“For being disrespectful and disobedient. I’m ready for my punishment.” Tears filled her eyes, but she was determined to be brave.
He grimaced and released her chin. But instead of hitting her, he took her hand and led her to a nearby bench.
“Lift up your hair.”
Anna did as he asked, confused. He reached behind her neck. His fingers tickled her neck as he moved them, and a moment later he moved his hands away. He had removed her necklace.
Her chin trembled and she bit her lip and tried not to cry. He was angry with her. She glanced at Wilhelm, who was watching impassively. She looked back at Alex with tears in her eyes.
He took off the bracelet he’d given her as well. He handed the jewelry to Tony who put it in a plastic box, which he then slid into his pocket.
Anna’s heart twisted in her chest and her nausea returned. He had removed her protection! He was leaving her vulnerable to anyone who wanted to hurt her. She looked down at her hands and tried to swallow over the lump in her throat.
“Anna, as long as you are here, I don’t want you to think of yourself as my slave,” Alex said in a quiet voice. “I want you to think of yourself simply as ‘Anna.’”
Anna looked at him, confused. He didn’t want her here as his slave? “Then why did you bring me here?”
His eyes grew sorrowful. “Because I missed you and I wanted to see you.” He smiled. “And I want you to see where I grew up.”
“You missed me?” She blinked in confusion.
“Terribly.” He took her hand and held it in his.
Gazing into his eyes reminded her of the last night they had spent together. And then he left her. Her fear gave way to deep sorrow.
“Why did you leave me?” she whispered, desperation filling her eyes with tears.
Alex pulled her close. “Oh, mein Schatzi. I regretted every day that I had to leave you.” He cupped her cheek. “But I had to do so. I had to learn how to be strong enough to fight for you.” Anna could see tears in his eyes that mirrored her own. He stroked her cheeks with his thumbs, wiping away the tears that fell.
The Life of Anna, Part 3: Embraced Page 12