Control

Chapter Four

She walked behind him as he entered the study. She sat at his feet when he sat down in a chair. Selena smiled at the two tossing her black hair over her shoulder. At her feet knelt two men, they were bother shirtless wearing only tight leather pants which left little to the imagination and dog collars rather than the chokers most vampires went with. They were twins, both were tan with long blond hair.

“How cute,” Selena said. “It figures that when you finally decide to join the rest of us you’d pick such an adorable child. And so… innocent.”

“I assure you,” Locke said his voice dripping with innuendo. “She is no child.” He stroked her hair and she forced herself to relax.

“Indeed,” Selena purred. “You cannot deny the innocent comment though. I can smell it on her. I don’t suppose you’d be willing to part with her for a few nights. My boys would love to have someone new to play with.” The two men looked at Hope hungrily and she couldn’t help but shrink against Locke. He continued stroking her hair. “Oh, how sweet, she’s shy.”

“Selena, I know you can’t play nice. I like her skin flawless.”

Selena laughed, a deep throaty sound. “Oh, come on, Locke. We won’t damage her too badly.”

“I don’t believe you, and I don’t care,” Locke said. “She is mine and you will not touch her unless you want to cross me.” Locke arched a brow at Selena. “You don’t want that, do you?”

“I suppose not,” Selena sighed running a hand down the chest of one of the men. Hope’s eyes widened as she noticed the crisscrossing scars on both of the men’s chests. “If you change your mind…”

“I won’t,” Locke said.

“Well, I’m starving.” Immediately one of the men went to her and tilted his head to the side. With a growl of approval, she bit down. He groaned but by the bulge in his pants it wasn’t from pain. Hope wanted to look away but couldn’t. She could see him get weaker and weaker but still didn’t struggle. When he lost consciousness she let him tumble onto the floor. Hope gaped at the display. “Don’t worry, sweetie, he’ll be fine in the morning. Besides, he enjoys it.” Lost, Hope looked up at Locke.

He was staring at Selena, his expression cold. “You’re going to ruin my rug,” he said finally.

“Hmm… I suppose I was a bit thoughtless. And to not offer you any, where are my manners?”

“I just fed, thank you,” Locke said his tone emotionless.

“Salem?” Selena asked. Hope had forgotten that they redheaded vampire was there. He was standing in the doorway and appeared disgusted by the display.

“No, thank you,” Salem said.

“Suit yourselves,” she shrugged. “I guess we should be going. Come.” She walked out. The man still left conscious lifted his brother into a fireman’s hold. He gave Hope one more longing glance before walking out. Hope shuddered.

“You did very well,” Locke told her.

“Yes, she did,” Salem said stretching lazily. “I’m going back home.”

“Thank you, Salem. For everything.” Salem nodded and left.

“So I guess you’re stuck with me, huh?” Hope asked timidly.

“I wouldn’t say stuck but, yes, it does appear that way. I’m very sorry about all of this.”

Hope made a small exasperated sound. “This is all my fault, not yours. I’m the one who risked her life for a picture.”

“How long have you been alone?” he asked gently.

“How do you know I’m alone?” she asked once again surprised by his intuitiveness.

“You would have tried harder to get away if you had someone waiting for you. Correct me if I’m mistaken.”

“Eight years,” she admitted grudgingly.

“Completely alone?” he asked

“I had my books.” It was a lame comparison and she knew it.

“Jesus, it must have been driving you crazy.”

“Being alone?”

“Both of our species are social creatures. Unless there’s a reason for doing with out we need the company of others.”

“I had a reason,” she said, her green eyes suddenly hard.

“What is it?”

“Nothing,” she murmured. At that moment he could have cheerfully throttled her.

“I need to go out for a while,” he announced.

“Will I have to be handcuffed?” she asked.

“Yes, but I’m sure it won’t be too bad.”

“Spoken by the person who won’t be handcuffed and alone.”

He winced. “Good point.”

“What if there’s a fire, or if someone breaks in?”

“I’m sorry,” he said. “I didn’t want this for either of us. But I need to follow the laws.”

“Salem said that you hate the idea of slaves,” she said as he led her down the hall.

“Not all of us have forgotten the old days,” he said. “Humans aren’t animals. Once upon a time you were the rulers of the Earth, every bit as intelligent as us.”

“Which side did you fight on?” she asked.

“I fought on the side of the vampires. I’m big on self preservation.” That was disappointing. He opened a set of double doors on the fourth floor. She gasped. “I guess we can forgo the cuffs if I just lock you in here.”

“It’s amazing,” Hope whispered. “It would take a lifetime to get through all of them.” The room was mammoth. High walls with a chandelier handing in the center of the room. Of course Hope’s attention was caught by the walls. On each of them were built in book shelves, two levels, a spiral staircase led to the second level. There were comfortable chairs throughout the room, a couple couches, and three desks.

“Thank you,” he nodded. “I’m going to lock the door. You won’t be able to get out but no one else can get in. There’s a bathroom through those doors. I’ll be back soon.”

“If there’s a fire?”

“I’d recommend breaking the window and jumping.” With that and a grin, he left. Hope crossed over to the window and looked down. It was a long way down, she supposed that if she jumped perfectly she might end up in the pool but she didn’t like those odds. She sat down and stared outside for what felt like hours.

With a sigh she got back up and started pacing. Tears filled her eyes as she walked. Things could be worse, she knew that. He was a good man for a vampire. He had not only not been angry about her breaking in and almost frying him but he had lied for her and protected her.

She sniffled going to one of the couches and curling up with a pillow clutched to her chest. She was sheltered, she knew that. Her mother had been very protective. After her mother’s murder, she had hidden herself away from people all together. Her sudden and powerful attraction to Locke floored her. She closed her eyes and drifted into an uneasy sleep.

Later

When Locke arrived back at the house he was amazed to find Hope asleep. He sighed seeing the tracks of her tears. He knew that there was something more going on here. She knew too much for a simple human and there had been something off about the taste of her blood. “What’s your secret, Hope?” he asked musingly.