Control

Chapter Ten

“Honey, I’m home,” Salem called walking in. Hope smiled at how Anabel’s face lit up when her mate entered the room. “How was your day, ladies?”

“Wonderful,” Anabel said standing and hugging him. Locke walked in and arched an eyebrow at the TV where Belle was dancing with her Beast.

“Good evening, dearest,” he said coming forward and kissing Hope on the cheek. Her cheeks colored becomingly.

“Hi,” Hope said.

“Let’s head home,” Salem told Anabel. He turned to Locke and Hope. “I’m sure you two have much to do.”

“Yes,” Locke nodded.

“Thank you for having me over, Locke,” Anabel smiled. “It was wonderful to meet you, Hope.”

“You too,” Hope said, meaning it.

“I’ll see you at the party,” Anabel told her coming forward to hug the younger girl.

“Good luck,” Salem said. Hope smiled as they left thankful that she’d at least have one friend at the party.

“So did you enjoy your introduction into cinema?” Locke asked Hope after they showed the other two out.

“It was wonderful,” Hope smiled.

“We can watch another if you’d like, after dinner and some more practice,” he offered.

“Okay.” They walked to the kitchen and made dinner. As it cooked he set the table and showed her what each piece of silverware was for. After dinner they practiced dancing for an hour.

“I think that’s enough for now.” On a whim, he took her hand as they walked to the den. She smiled shyly. “What’s your favorite book?”

“My favorite?” she asked. “I’ve never thought about that. I’d have to say Pride and Prejudice.”

“Have a seat,” he offered pointing to the loveseat. She sat down as he searched through the DVD’s before coming up with the one he wanted. He checked the curtains before joining her with a blanket.

“Thank you,” she smiled wrapping the throw blanket around herself.

After the movie had been on for a few minutes he swallowed and wrapped an arm around her shoulders. She looked up at him in surprise. “Is this okay?” he asked.

“Uh, sure,” she said. He smiled down at her and she gave him a hesitant smile back, relaxing against him. Hope now was now having trouble concentrating on them movie. Locke was beside her, his arm wrapped around her, and… encroaching was the best word. He encroached upon her space, her life, and even her mental health. How could she possibly keep her heart safe when he kept holding her, and making her feel so safe and wanted? Did she really have to?

When the movie was half over Locke stirred. “Would you mind if I stretched out?”

“No, I can go sit on the chair or-”

“You misunderstand,” he smiled. “Stand up for a moment.” She stood and he laid down, his back against the back of the couch. “Lay down in front of me, if you’d like.” She swallowed, her cheeks coloring slightly. “You don’t have to, dearest, I just want to hold you.” She laid down her, back to his front, and laid her head on his arm. He wrapped his other arm around her waist. “Comfortable?”

“Mmm hmm,” she said. He pulled the blanket up over both of them. He closed his eyes relishing the feeling of holding her. It felt as though she were made for him. Every time he held her he knew that it was going to be harder and harder to let her go. Soon he had drifted off to sleep. Hope laid with him until the movie ended.

She stirred, about to get up, but his arms tightened around her and he mumbled, “Stay.” She looked up at the window and saw that the curtains were the same type that he had in their rooms. She closed her eyes, it wouldn’t hurt to lay with him for a while.

Locke awoke the next evening still holding Hope against him. A faint smile touched his lips, although he hadn’t planned on this he certainly wasn’t complaining. Hope stirred, looking up at him. “Hi,” she said softly.

“Good evening, dearest,” he smiled. “I have to say, I could definitely get used to awaking like this.” She blushed. “I have a little paperwork to do this morning, go ahead and get yourself something to eat. Meet me in the library whenever you wish.”

“Okay,” she said. He leaned in and gave her a kiss on the forehead. She stood and walked into the kitchen.

“Excuse me?” a man asked coming in as she was washing her bowl after eating a bowl of cereal. Hope tensed, not turning around. “I’m sorry to barge in but I must speak to Locke Brennan.”

“I will go get my master,” Hope said turning and dropping into a quick bow and hurrying away. She went up to the library and knocked.

“Come in,” Locke called.

“Locke, there’s a man downstairs that wants to see you.”

“Did you get his name” Locke asked.

“No, I’m sorry, I was nervous. I just told him that I’d get you and ran.”

Locke tensed slightly, remembering what had happened the last time that she had been left alone with one of his kind. “That’s alright,” he assured her.

“I’m going to take a shower if you don’t need me.”

“Go ahead,” he nodded. She walked away and Locke walked downstairs. “Jon?”

“Locke, it’s good to see you,” Jon said warmly. “So, that was your mate?”

“My companion for now, but she will be,” Locke said. “To what do I owe the pleasure?”

“I’m lobbying a bill, I want your support,” Jon said.

“What’s the bill?”

“I want to push a bill to stop the mistreatment of humans,” Jon announced.

“Oh, hell,” Locke murmured. “Jon, have you lost your mind? They’ll kill you before they let it pass.”

“We don’t allow this kind of treatment of any other creature,” Jon protested. “Locke, we treat animals better. This needs to stop!”

“I don’t disagree,” Locke said. “But this could very well be suicide. I can’t be part of it. If I die they’ll take Hope. I won’t allow her to fall into someone like Marius’ hands.”

Jon’s eyes narrowed at the mention of that name. “Marius? Locke why would he even care?”

“I found him and the other elders in the area down here touching her,” Locke snapped. “I got the impression that if I hadn’t appeared Marius wouldn’t have stopped at touching. He kept staring at her.”

Jon winced. “I understand. I’ll take my leave.”

“Wait,” Locke said slowly. “I can’t just throw my support in now. If you must continue this insanity, keep me posted. If you gain enough of a following I will back you in front of the council.”

“Thank you,” Jon said.

“I know you miss her, Jon, but please, consider what you’re doing.” Jon pulled out a folder packed with papers.

“This is a copy of the bill. Please look over it and call me with anything you want to add.”

“I will,” Locke nodded. “Be careful.”

“I will,” Jon said. “Thank you, Locke.” Jon left. Locke stood for a few moments before his eyes widened.

“There’s no way,” he muttered.

“What’s wrong?” Hope asked.

“Hope, what’s your name in French?”

Hope laughed. “I don’t know.”

“It’s Espoir,” he told her.

“Okay,” Hope said puzzled.

“Did you get a chance to eat?”

“Locke, what’s wrong?”

He shrugged with a nonchalance that didn’t show in his eyes. “I don’t know. Maybe nothing.”

“You’re scaring me. You look as though you’ve seen a ghost.”

“That’s fairly accurate,” Locke said. “Go ahead and eat.” He walked out going up to the library and staring up at that picture. “I knew you looked familiar…”

Flashback

Salem had come to his house that night looking pale and worried. “Locke,” he said, “we have a problem.”

“What now?” Locke asked already putting his coat on.

“It’s Jon,” Salem said sadly. “His slave… Locke, he taught her to read. They aren’t going to allow him to just turn her; they want to make an example of him.”

“Marius,” Locke guessed.

“Of course,” Salem said crossing his arms over his chest. “Our group was called in to take care of her.”

“One day I’m going to rip that bastard’s throat out,” Locke grumbled. “I didn’t even know that Jon had a slave.”

“Yes, well, he doesn’t call her a slave, he calls her his wife.” Locke winced. This just got better and better. “I was hoping that we could go over before the others. It might make it easier on him to have friends present.” They walked down the street in silence. When they finally arrived they found Jon sitting in front of a roaring fire. He was clutching a collar and there were tears in his eyes.

“You’re too late. I killed her,” Jon said his voice detached.

“Where’s the body?” Salem asked gently.

“I buried it,” Jon said. “I wasn’t going to let those bastards desecrate her body.” Jon looked up and Locke was struck by the pain in his gaze. He believed him. “That son of a bitch forced me to kill the woman I loved. I’ll see him taken down.”

“Don’t talk like that,” Locke said. “You’ll get yourself killed.”

Jon gave an incredulous laugh. “Do you think I care? Do you think my life means anything now?”

“Jon, you can’t do anything dead or incarcerated,” Salem pointed out.

“Fine,” Jon said lowering his gaze again. “I’ll keep quiet, for now. He will pay.”

“I truly hope that you’re right,” Locke said honestly. “Do you have any pictures of her?”

“Why?” Jon asked suspiciously.

“That’s good,” Salem said picking up on Locke’s plan right away. “We’ll tell them that we helped you bury her. That way they won’t doubt you or try to take the body. We need to know what she looks like though.”

“And how you killed her,” Locke added reluctantly.

“I snapped her neck,” Jon said before pointing them to the mantel. They walked over and studied the pictures. It was Hope’s mother, she was younger and better kempt but it was definitely her.

“For what it’s worth,” Locke said after a moment, “I am very sorry.”