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looked up at the
ceiling. “Devin took her a few days ago and said if you didn’t come
home that he’d kill her.”
    Anna’s heart fell into her stomach. “A few
days ago? Why didn’t you tell me?”
    “Because you would have gone home or gotten
in touch with him,” Tom said, standing and walking over to her. “We
can’t let Devin have you back.”
    “Is she okay?” she asked, afraid she already
knew the answer.
    Tom shook his head. “No. He killed her.”
    Anna struggled for breath as she stared at
him. “You let him kill her?” She glowered at Aaron. “I could have
stopped him and you didn’t tell me!”
    “If I’d have told you, you would have made
contact with him,” Aaron said quickly, coming close and putting his
hand on her shoulders. “Anna, he would have found you.”
    “So what!” she yelled, backing away and
slapping his hands away. “She would still be alive. You should have
let me make the choice. It’s my life!” she shouted.
    “No, Anna, it’s not just about protecting
you,” Tom said calmly. “It’s much bigger than you. He’s using you
to take over the country. He’s eroding our democracy. He’s got
control of the president, for God’s sake. Even you should realize
that’s not good.”
    Anna turned to walk away but Tom grabbed her
by her shoulders. “He wants control of the country, Anna. If you
return to him, there is nothing we can do to stop him. He will
continue to grow more and more powerful and then he will control
everything. Freedom, what you’re just beginning to taste, will be
gone. Do you want everyone in this country to be Devin’s
slave?”
    Anna paused, chest heaving. “That’s what he
wants?”
    “Yes, Anna.”
    No
. Being Devin’s slave...she
wouldn’t wish that on anyone. She took in a shaky breath and turned
back around to look up at him. “Why didn’t you stop him earlier?”
she asked softly.
    “We didn’t realize what he was doing. I never
took his claims that seriously. We thought...we just thought he
knew better. He’s a smart guy and our politicians are pretty dumb.
But when he came back from Vitaly’s funeral, his plans escalated
and we saw he was trying to become Immortal. Yes, we should have
done something earlier. We know that now…should have listened to
the Germans.”
    “Can you still stop him?”
    “If you stay out of his reach, yes.”
    “Okay.” She walked slowly to her room and
closed the door.
    Poor Jenna...
poor Matt
! Matt had
lost two loved ones by Devin’s hand now.
    Anna closed her eyes and wept.
*****
    Anna stared out the window as she lay in her
bed in the dark room. She was angry. Angry at Devin. Angry at Tom
and Aaron for letting this happen. No, it wasn’t really their
fault, but...why did so many people have to die because of her?
    She sat up, grief consuming her. She was
half-tempted to call Hugo and ask him to come back, but she didn’t
think that would be appropriate. Instead, she got out of bed and
headed into Aaron’s room. The lights were out; it was after
midnight. But his head turned when she walked in.
    “Hey,” she said softly, walking across the
room and stopping by his bed.
    He looked up at her and sighed. “I can’t
believe she’s gone.” He pulled aside the blankets and she cuddled
in next to him.
    “I can’t believe it either,” she said, tears
running down her cheeks.
    “I called Justin. We’re going to fly out
tomorrow for the funeral.”
    Anna nodded. “I can’t go, can I?”
    “No.”
    Anna took in a shaky breath. She hoped that
Devin killed Jenna quickly, like he had with Ben. She was afraid to
ask. She wasn’t sure if she wanted to know.

Chapter Seven
     
     
    Hugo rushed over to Anna when she walked into
the studio the next morning. She was calm and trying not to think
about things too deeply. It had been a quiet morning in the
apartment. Aaron stayed home to pack and she fought the anger at
not being able to go with him.
    “Is everything okay?” Hugo asked as