Innocence

Chapter Five

Ethan glanced at the ground before finally looking up at me, making direct contact with my eyes.

"This, this is what I do. I didn't sign up for it. Every year, I am forced to go kidnapp some poor innocent girl, even a child, from her home and return her here to be bought and sold, like a pet. I did not sign up for this. I never wanted it, but you can't say no to the High One. Or death is the penalty. Mikeala, I know you must hate me, but I swear, I will never let my leech of a brother hurt you again."

"Why do you care about me so much? What about those other girls? Do you protect them? Do they not matter?" I said, being to tremble from anger.

"Of course I care! But those girls belong to someone else, once they are sold. I cannot stop my brother from hurting them. But you, you are his...property. And I, as his brother, have half ownership over you. Mikeala, I have watched you for months, and you are not just a ordinary girl. I believe it is you that can make a difference. These last few days I have felt something never known to me before. I want you. I understand if you hate me, but trust me, I am forced to do what I do." Ethan stared down at me amd his eyes glistened with tears that could not be shed.

"But why? Why would you want me?" I asked, feeling a tightening in my chest. "I mean, I'm just a human, a pet. Why would you, a vampire, want a human?" I felt a tear fall down my cheek and Ethan's gaze softened. He gently wiped off the tear and cupped my face in his hands.

"From the first day I saw you, I've felt nothing but love for you. The way you looked, the way you smelled, the way you slept, peacefully and as delicate as a flower. I knew you had to be the one. The one I have waited 200 years for, was right in front of me. And she was my captive. Ha, how ironic, I finally find you, but it's for the wrong reason." Ethan laughed quietly. He softly stroked my cheek and I felt a shiver go down my spine.

"Kiss me." I whispered. Ethan looked up at me, startled. His eyes softened and he slowly cupped my face in his hands, bringing my lips up to his. Our mouths connected and Ethan kissed me softly and gently. He pulled away and dug his face into my hair.

"I love you, my little lamb." he whispered into my hair. The sun slowly lowered and disappeared into the horizon behind us and Ethan took my hand.

"Come, you can sleep in my bed. No harm will ever come to you."

I followed behind him but I couldn't see any thing. I kicked a dead log and tripped, falling to my knees. My hand jerked out of Ethan's and I stumbled, trying to stand. I reached out for Ethan but he was gone.

"Ethan?" I called. "Ethan!" I screamed, panicking as I tried to stumble through the woods. I began to run as the night became darker and darker. "Ethan!" I screamed. I heard growling behind me and spun around. I squinted my eyes but it was to dark to see. "Help me!" I yelled, racing through the woods. "Ethan!!!" I screamed as I stumbled over something and fell to the ground. I curled up in a ball and shut my eyes. Suddenly I heard rustling next to my head. I opened my eyes and let out a shreik. Ethan's dead body lay spread out on the ground beside me, his lips twisted in an evil grin as his face changed to Damon's.