The Life of Anna, Part 5: Emerged (2 page)

Justin’s eyes widened for a moment before he
smiled at his dad. “Thanks, Dad.” He beamed and glanced at Anna,
who smiled encouragingly at him. She knew their relationship had
been difficult. Maybe this would be a new beginning for them.

They settled down in the comfortable seating
area in the living room. Anna curled up on the couch next to
Wilhelm.

“So, Anna,” Tom said with a sigh. “You’re
here. I’m so relieved. It’s been a stressful few days. We just got
back into town yesterday afternoon. Devin’s...not taking your
disappearance well.”

She chewed her lip. “Ian?” she asked
softly.

Tom’s face fell. “He took a cyanide pill
after he told Devin that he’d helped you escape. Devin....” He
paused and glanced at Wilhelm. “Devin was ready to kill him, butt
Ian knew that a quick death was preferable to the torture that
Devin would have put him through. He also didn’t want to risk
revealing any information about your whereabouts, even though he
didn’t
officially
know anything.”

Tears ran down Anna’s cheeks. At least he
hadn’t suffered.

“Anna’s face was all over Chicago’s news,”
Justin said. “Why isn’t it here?”

“I control the news here. Devin won’t know.”
He looked at Anna. “Anna, like I said, as long as you stay in
Manhattan, you are safe. Just don't go around telling people who
you are. Katrina is from California and was just accepted into the
New York City Ballet Company. You have no obligations to anyone
here like you did when you were Anna. You have a chance to make
your own life and do as you please. Just, please, be careful. New
York can be a dangerous place.”

Anna nodded.

“I have put a type of shield over the city,
with the help of several other Elders so that Devin can’t find you
here. He won’t know the shield is in place unless he were to try
and come here, but there’s no real reason for him to come, so it
won’t be an issue.” Tom smiled. “Technically he’s still your Master
and we won't be able to do anything about that until next year. We
just need to keep you safe until then. But Katrina is not a slave,
not a Mistress, not anything except a normal, beautiful young
woman.”

Anna liked the sound of that.

“You can call any of us, though it would
probably be safer if you had Aaron call,” Tom said. “But in an
emergency, don’t hesitate to call me. If you see something that
doesn’t look right, like someone you know from San Francisco, call
me immediately. Devin is the only one blocked from seeing you, but
I can put up temporary protections if needed.”

“So, I don’t have to go to your Manor?” Anna
asked softly.

Tom shook his head. “It wouldn’t be a good
idea if you did.”

“Aaron has a second bedroom in his apartment
that is set up for you, unless you want your own place,” Wilhelm
said. “Though I would prefer it if you stayed with him so you are
not alone. If something were to happen to you, he has the authority
to take care of things.” Wilhelm looked at Justin. “You are also
now a member of the ballet company. I know Aaron has a place for
you to stay as well. If there is anything you need, please let me
know. I would like to help you in any way I can as a thank you for
bringing Anna out here.”

Justin blinked. “Thank you. That’s really
nice of you.”

Tom smiled. “I’m sure you’ll do fine here,
Anna. Just be careful and remember to say no if you don’t want
someone’s advances.” He stood with Tommy and Wayne. “I’ll let
Wilhelm help you settle in. Vincent would like you both to stop by
the studio today so you can get a feel for it. Performances begin
at the end of the month and he would really like you to be able to
perform in the spring program.”

Anna gave him a hesitant smile and Justin
grinned.

“Cool,” Justin said, bringing his hands
together with enthusiastic force.

Justin went with his father so they could
spend time together, and he and Anna agreed to meet at the studio
at two.

Wilhelm took Anna to the apartment she’d be
sharing with Aaron. It was only two blocks from the theater on the
fortieth floor of a tall blue-glass building.

“There is a second master bedroom in here,
which is one of the reasons Aaron liked it,” Wilhelm said, leading
her to the back of the apartment. “I wanted to buy you a place, but
Aaron pointed out it would draw a lot of attention to you if you
showed up in the Company living in a multi-million dollar
penthouse.” He smiled. “You will be garnering enough attention once
you begin dancing, you do not need more due to where you live.”

Her room was beautifully decorated in purples
and creams and she had her own private bathroom. One wall had floor
to ceiling windows, and she had a beautiful view of the city and
the Hudson River.

Wilhelm stood behind her and put his arms
around her waist. So, since I cannot spoil you with a condo, I will
spoil you other ways.”

He kissed her neck and she turned and wrapped
her arms around his neck. His hands moved to cup her breasts and
kneaded them gently.

Anna pressed her lips against his and moaned
softly as he moved his hands down to cup her ass. It felt so good
to be in his arms again. Last night, she’d been reminded what an
incredible lover he was.

“Anna...,” he whispered, and picked her up
and carried her to her bed.

“So, what is your relation to Katrina?” Anna
asked as she and Wilhelm lay naked together in her new bed. She ran
her fingers through his white chest hair and across his chest.

“I have been trying to figure that out. I
will not be able to come out very often and see you, but I do not
want to hide it when I do.” He twirled her hair around his finger.
“I think a guardian of some sort. Or, perhaps we should just make
it simple, and I can be who I am, the father of your deceased
husband.”

“I don’t think people would approve of us
sleeping together.” She had learned enough when she’d been allowed
“out into the world” that most people would find the sexual
activities of those in the Brotherhood odd at best, and revolting
at worst.

Wilhelm tweaked her nipple. “Definitely not.
But I was not planning on revealing our sexual relationship to
anyone.” He grinned. “I do know how to play the part of a gentleman
in public.”

Anna smiled. “I know. You are the perfect
gentleman.”

“As I was brought up to be and brought my
sons up the same way.” He paused for a moment and continued to play
with her hair. “Anna, if you.... I am sorry for what I did to
you...with getting you pregnant. I should have asked, but I
thought—”

She gave him a warm smile. “Wilhelm, I would
have loved to have carried your child. I still would.”

He splayed his hands over her stomach. “We
will wait until you are ready to stop dancing for a while. I want
you to get used to being free before I put any burdens on you. And,
if that does happen, I would really prefer you to be in Germany
with me. But that cannot happen until your bond with Devin is
broken.”

“When I’m twenty-six?”

Wilhelm nodded. “Besides, you may decide you
want Kurt for a husband after all.”

Anna softened at the mention of Kurt’s name.
“It would be right for us to marry, wouldn’t it?”

He sighed. “
Ja
, Anna. It would. Kurt
still loves you, even though you tried to help him get over you.
You are an Elder-Mistress. It is good to marry an Elder-Son. But I
do not want you to think about that right now. I want you to enjoy
your freedom. Kurt can court you as any other man.” He chuckled.
“And probably will. You will have to learn how to say no, Anna.
Many men will want to date you. A benefit of being a half-Immortal.
You will attract attention from men. It cannot be helped. But Aaron
will help you if you ask.”

They dressed a while later and Wilhelm took
her shopping for electronics, toiletries, clothing, and of course,
dancewear. The highlight of the shopping trip was finding a dress
for the City Ballet’s Spring Gala. She picked out a strapless
lavender, silk taffeta gown with a sweetheart neckline and full
skirt. The fitted bodice was decorated with crystals.

Shortly before two o’clock, Anna waited for
Justin outside the studio. Wilhelm had dropped her off so she could
establish herself on her own, and they planned to meet for dinner
later. Justin came sauntering around the corner a few minutes
later.

“Aren’t you nervous?” Anna asked.

Justin shrugged. “A little. Just trying to
act brave.” He laughed.

Anna giggled as he opened the door.

Justin led her through a small lobby where
dancers were standing around chatting. The dancers glanced at them
as they walked by, but didn’t say anything.

Down a white hallway and around a corner,
Anna could hear piano music and a man speaking loudly.
“...Two...three...four...and up....yes, good...turn, turn,
turn....”

Anna’s stomach was in knots when they finally
walked through the door and stopped just inside the room. The music
finished and a dozen heads turned and looked at them. Anna flushed
and looked at the ground.

“Justin, Katrina, I’m so glad you came.” The
man Anna vaguely remembered as Vincent Marsellis approached them
with a big smile on his face.

Movement caught Anna’s eye in the corner and
she saw Aaron with his hand on another man’s arm, holding him in
place and whispering to him. The man looked directly at her and she
found herself lost in a pair of whiskey-brown eyes.
Nate?
He was older now, but still had the same warm eyes. Anna didn’t
have a chance to reflect on much more because Vincent blocked her
view of him.

Vincent shook hands with Justin and gave him
a knowing smile. He kissed Anna’s cheek and gave her a fatherly
smile. “I’m so glad you are both here.” He turned around and spoke
loudly to the dancers in the room. “I’m sure some of you remember
Justin Sawyer, who has returned to dance with us.” Vincent put his
arm around Anna. “And this is Katrina Engel,” he introduced with a
smile. “I’ve been trying to get her out here for years,” he added
in a slightly softer voice.

Anna looked at him wide-eyed and then
blushed, which made his smile grow even wider.

“I wanted them to come and see a rehearsal
before they begin dancing tomorrow. Yes,” he said over mumbles
around the room. “They will be dancing with us in the spring
program and I expect you all to help them as much as you can.”

“Are they principals?” a Spanish-looking
woman asked.

“Yes,” Vincent affirmed. “From San
Francisco.”

Anna glanced at Aaron, who nodded in
assurance. She didn’t know if she was supposed to be from San
Francisco or not. Tom had only said California.

She could feel Nate’s gaze on her, and tried
to avoid looking in his direction, but she succumbed to temptation
and found her eyes locked onto his. She hadn’t seen him since the
evening of their student performance, so many years ago.

Justin pulled at her arm and led her to the
side of the room where they sat along the wall and watched
rehearsal progress. The dancers were mesmerizing. Some had better
technique than others, though the ones with lesser technique danced
with a heart that she could almost feel.

Nate had gotten even better since she’d last
seen him. His jumps were magnificent and she loved watching him
soar across the room. He and Aaron danced a bit together and they
were both amazing.

When Nate wasn’t dancing, he was watching
Anna. She tried not to look at him, but would inevitably look up
and find herself lost in his brown eyes.

Watching him dance with one of the women
brought so many memories floating to the forefront of her mind. Oh,
he was still so handsome! She wondered what he had been doing all
these years, aside from dancing. Had he thought of her at all? Was
he dating anyone? She didn’t see a wedding ring on his hand, so she
assumed he wasn’t married.

When rehearsal was over, she stood nervously
next to Justin as Vincent gave the dancers last minute
instructions. Vincent dismissed the dancers and several of them
hurried over to her and Justin. They seemed happy to see Justin;
two girls in particular were not subtle when flirting with him. He
grinned sheepishly at Anna, who smiled back.

“Justin, I arranged for you to stay with Dave
and Kris for now,” Aaron said. “They have a three-bedroom and just
lost a roommate.”

Dave and Kris seemed to know Justin and there
was much hugging and backslapping.

Anna stepped away slightly and backed into
something solid. A man. She swallowed nervously, turned around and
found herself looking up into Nate’s eyes again.

“I can’t believe you’re here,” he said
softly. His hand twitched at his side, as if he wanted to reach out
to her. “How did you get here?”

“I ran away with some help,” she said with a
shy smile.

“Aaron?”

She nodded. “And Justin and a bunch of
others.”

He stared at her for a long minute. “It’s
been so long,” he whispered, his eyes filling with longing. He had
lifted his hand slightly when someone called out to him.

“Nate, man. C’mon, I’m starving.”

Anna turned to see one of the dancers with
his arms crossed and making a face at him.

“That’s Lance, my roommate,” Nate explained.
“Okay, man. Just hang on a sec.”

Lance walked over to them. “Katrina, right?”
he asked with a seductive grin.

Anna briefly wondered who Katrina was, before
she remembered
she
was Katrina. She nodded and gave a
hesitant smile.

Lance glanced at Nate with a grin. “You know
her or just making fast moves?”

“Yeah, I’m so like that,” Nate said, rolling
his eyes. “Yeah, I know her. I’m from San Francisco too,
remember?”

“Oh, yeah. I forgot.” Lance grinned and
looked at Anna. “Wanna join us for dinner?”