Control

Chapter Two

Hope woke up what felt like only moments later. She sat up tentatively and looked out the basement window. It was still light out so she got to her feet and walked up the stairs and entered the house. She searched every room, not finding anything, until she came to the master bedroom. She quietly snuck in and almost gasped seeing the box sitting on the floor at the foot of the bed.

She tiptoed to it and quietly sorted through the books until she finally found the battered copy of Romeo and Juliet. She took the picture out and stood. Her eyes were drawn to the bed, this time she did gasp. He was naked. He was stretched out on his back, his blond hair was fanned out over his pillow. His arms held enough muscle to tell her that this man was a warrior. His chest and abs were sculpted as though from marble. His legs were long and looked powerful and his…

Stop it, she told herself harshly. Of course he’s amazing looking. They all are. She made it to the door when it swung shut.

“Leaving so soon?” the man asked sitting up calmly.

“Oh, no,” she murmured rushing to the door and trying to pull it open.

“Now, stop that,” Locke said getting lazily to his feet and putting on a robe. She rushed to the window. She didn’t know what she’d do when she got onto the roof, but she knew she had to escape somehow. He tackled her before she could open the drapes.

“Let go!” she exclaimed. She fought like a wildcat even going as far as to bite him.

“Hasn’t anyone ever told you that biting a vampire is a huge turn on?” he inquired mildly. Her eyes widened and her struggles increased. He finally succeeded in restraining her.

“Let me go, please.”

“Why would I do that when you were just trying to kill me?” he asked. Her eyes widened as she realized that if she had managed to get the drapes open that he would have died. “Now, settle down.”

“Are you serious?”

“I’m glad that you came here, actually. I was quite curious about a couple of things.”

“And why would I answer any of your questions?” she demanded her eyes huge as she stared up at him.

“Because I have you all helpless under me,” he pointed out with a smirk. She tried to struggle again. “Now I told you to stop that. Why are you here? You were free.”

“I-” she stopped looking away. “How do you know who I am? I could be one of your enemy’s slaves.”

“Who says I have enemies?” he said with an amused smile. Her eyes widened as she realized that he had the sexiest dimples that she had ever seen.

“Just a guess,” she said softly. “Doesn’t everyone?”

“Even a pretty little thing like you?”

“Says the man who has me pinned to the floor.”

He laughed his fangs flashing. “Slaves wear collars.”

“If I were coming to kill you do you think my master would have left it on?”

“You’re good,” he grinned. “But I recognized your scent.”

“I bathe,” she said offended.

“I didn’t say it was a bad smell. Now, why are you here?”

“This.” She reluctantly pointed to the picture beside her.

He looked at the picture then back at her. “What is it?” he asked perplexed.

“My mom and I,” she explained. “She’s dead.” His eyes softened.

“If I release you I want you to go to that chair and sit down. Okay?”

“Yes.” He stood and despite her better judgment she obeyed and walked over to the chair sitting down.

“Good. I have to ask this, why were you carrying so many books? What use could they have possibly been for you?”

“Reading is an escape,” she shrugged. Her expression said that there was more to it than that. “If more humans knew how to read…” She stopped, looking down.

He smirked. “I’m sure that you can imagine why we discourage that.”

“Discourage?” she demanded incredulously. “It isn’t discouraged, it’s forbidden! If I had been caught with my books I would have been killed.”

“How do you know so much?” he demanded.

“I- I simply guessed.”

He crossed his arms glaring at her. “I’m not stupid.”

“I never said you were,” she stammered. He scented her fear and smiled, so the girl had some sense.

“I believe I’m being very understanding, considering that you broke into my home and nearly fried me.”

“I’m sorry,” she said softly.

“If you cooperate I plan to release you.”

“Really?”

“If at all possible, yes. Now, how do you know so much?”

“My mother was a slave. Her master wanted to turn her. He’s the one who taught her to read.”

“What happened?”

“When they discovered what he had done they sent people to kill her. Her master got word and set her free.”

“He must have loved her very much.” She looked confused. “He was undoubtedly killed when they realized that she was gone. So she ran, I suppose that she fell in love again since you’re here.”

“She never talked about my father,” she confessed. “I don’t know who he is.”

“What’s your name?” She looked at him clearly surprised. “You have a name, right?”

“Hope. Can I ask yours?”

“My name is Locke Brennan.”

“I’d say that it’s nice to meet you but…”

“I understand,” he smiled. “So your mother explained everything?” A banging on the door made him jump.

“What is it?” Hope asked.

“Locke open up!”

“What do you want, Salem?” Locke looked at the window, the sun wasn’t completely down yet, but it was down enough apparently for Salem to go outside.

“Anabel said there was someone in your house this morning. Let me in!”

“Hold on. I need to get dressed.” He turned to a terrified Hope. “Here.” He grabbed a box out of his dresser and pulled a collar out of it.

“No,” she whispered.

“Put it on if you want to make it out of here alive.” She shook her head standing and backing away. “Hope, I won’t die for you, but I will protect you if I can.” Biting back tears she took the collar and put it on. “Now take off your shirt and climb into bed. Pretend to be asleep.” Her green eyes were huge as she gaped at him. “Please, just trust me.”

He left and she took a deep shuddering breath knowing that he was trusting her not to betray him. She climbed into the bed taking her shirt off and tossing it on the floor carelessly. She laid down ruffling her red hair. She smelled him on the pillows, he smelled faintly of sandalwood. One thing that she was sure of, beds were really comfortable.