Control

Chapter Eleven

“You were his mate,” Locke said to the smiling woman in the picture. “Why didn’t I realize it?” He shook his head in disbelief. Well, Salem didn’t figure it out either. Even Jon’s last name was Espoir- Hope’s name if translated to French. Could she be…? There was a knock on the door startling him out of his thoughts. “Come in, Hope.”

“Hi,” she said still looking concerned. “Can I ask what’s wrong now?”

“I told you, you can ask me anything you wish when we’re alone. I may not always answer but I’ll never be angry at you for asking a question.”

“Okay,” Hope nodded. “So, what happened that has you looking so upset?”

He gave her a grin. “Sorry, this is under the ‘I can’t answer’ category.”

She sighed rolling her eyes. He was oddly charmed by her sass. “Fine. I just figured that maybe if you talked about it you’d feel better. But if you want to be a stubborn macho man, that’s fine too.”

He arched an eyebrow. “One evening with Anabel and you’re already talking like her.”

She looked away. “Did I overstep?”

He reached down and cupped her chin tilting her face so she was looking up at him. “Dearest, we’re equals. You have nothing to fear from me. If you want to speak, do so. I am not easily offended or angered.”

“That’s just it though, we aren’t equals. You may look at us as equals but we aren’t. I am a human, you’re a vampire. We can’t be equals like this. You own me and deep down part of me can’t let go of that.” She saw the flash of hurt in his eyes before he wiped his face clear of all emotion. “I’m sorry. I’m being cruel. I know you’re trying, I am too. It’s just hard.”

“I know,” he said. “I could turn you. That would solve a lot of problems.”

“I guess it would,” she said. “We haven’t really discussed that possibility.”

“No. Would you like to talk about it?” he asked.

She thought about it for a moment. “I think that talk can wait.” Locke smiled and nodded. “So what’s on tonight’s agenda?”

“I still have to finish my work but after that I figured that we’d get some practice in.”

“Sounds good.”

“Tomorrow we need to go shopping. Or perhaps you’d rather go with Anabel?”

“What will I be shopping for?”

“A dress of course,” Locke said.

“Oh, I can go with Anabel then?”

“The collar comes with a tracking device so slaves can go out on their own in their masters allow it. Because you’re new you’ll need another slave to accompany you.”

“Oh, I guess I could go with her. I’ve read that shopping with girlfriends is fun.”

He laughed. “I guess it can be. Being a man, I wouldn’t know. Shall we?” He offered her his arm.”

Anabel came by at sunset the next day to pick Hope up. “We are going to have so much fun,” she gushed. “Come on, get your coat.”

“We forgot to get you a coat,” Locke said embarrassed. He grabbed one of his and helped her into it. “Buy yourself a coat while you’re out. Spend whatever you want.”

“Locke, I can’t-”

“Anabel, make sure she gets anything that she wants,” Locke said turning to the taller girl.

“Can do,” Anabel smiled.

Locke kissed Hope on the cheek. “Have fun, dearest.”

“Thank you,” she said giving a bright smile. He realized as he gazed down at her that he would kill just to see that smile. He watched her as she walked down the driveway in his coat arm-in-arm with Anabel. “Oh, hell,” he murmured. He was falling in love with her.

“It’s so sweet how he calls you dearest,” Anabel said. Hope smiled looking around at the town. There were still no cars on the road but plenty of people. “Let’s go to Lawrence’s. He’s always really nice to humans.” Hope followed her into the store in question.

“Good evening, ladies,” Lars said walking over.

“We’re here to get dresses for the ball,” Anabel said. “Locke said to make sure that Hope gets anything that she wants. No matter the cost.”

“I like that,” Lars said. “Well, let’s go look at the dresses. Every great work of art needs a good foundation.” He led them over and started grabbing dresses and handing them to the girls. “Try them on.” The girls spent an hour trying on dresses. It depressed Hope to think that once upon a time humans had passes hours like this for fun.

“That’s it!” Anabel exclaimed seeing the dress that Hope had put on. “Oh, Hope, it’s beautiful.”

“She’s right,” Lars said wondering back over. “You don’t even need to try anything else on. Now we need to accessorize.”

“It fits nicely,” Hope allowed. “But isn’t it a little low cut?”

“Locke will love it,” Anabel told her. “He won’t be able to keep his hands off of you.” She looked around to see if any of the other shoppers were listening. “That’s not a problem is it?”

“No,” Hope said slowly.

“It also shows off your neck really well,” Anabel said. “That’s always a turn on for vampires.”

“How are you in heels?” Lars asked retrieving a couple shoe boxes.

“I’ve never worn any,” Hope said.

“Flats it is,” he said pulling out a pair of black wrap around sandals. “Put these on.” Hope slid the shoes on. “Perfect. Now, onto jewelry.”

“I don’t need-”

“Honey, this isn’t about what you need. It’s about what will make my cousin fall over when he sees you,” Lars told her. He pulled her over to a counter. “Will you be okay, Ana?”

“Yeah, I haven’t made up my mind,” Anabel told them. Lars chose a simple gold bracelet and a pair of gold dangling earrings.

“The necklace is special,” he told her. “It belonged to my mother, I have no use for women’s jewelry and I want it to stay in the family. This does mean that if you and Locke end up not staying together, I want it back.” He pulled a jewelry box out and opened it.

“Okay,” Hope said.

“It’s our family crest,” Lars told her. “Take very good care of it; it’s been in our family for a very long time.” On the top of the crest was a helm facing to the left. Below it lay three red hands on the right and a red lion on the right. Below that lay a single blue fish. All around it were blue and white vines and leaves.

“I can’t take this,” Hope gasped.

“You can and I truly hope you will,” Lars said. “My mother would have wanted someone in the family to have it.” He stepped behind her and fastened the clasp.

“Don’t you want you mate to have it?” Hope asked.

Lars laughed. “Well, I offered it to my mate, but he said that he didn’t want to wear women’s jewelry.

Hope’s eyebrows shot up. “Oh.”

“Well, other than your hair, which we’ll do before the party-”

“You don’t have to do that,” Hope protested.

“I know,” he smiled. “May I be honest?”

“I’d hope you would be,” Hope said.

“We truly thought that Locke would never find someone,” Lars confessed. “I really want things to work out for the two of you.”

“So do I,” Hope surprised herself by meaning those words.

“What do you think?” Anabel asked walking over. She was wearing a silver strapless gown. It brushed the floor but had a slip up the side to her knee.

“Gorgeous,” Lars said. Anabel beamed at them twirling around in the dress to show it off. “I think that I have a pair of heels that will go perfect with that.”

“Great,” Anabel chirped. She slid her arm into Hope’s as they waited to Lars to get back with the shoes. “After this we should get something to eat.”

“Good, I’m starving,” Hope said. They chatted as they got dressed and Lars put their purchases in bags. This is what it felt like to have friends.