I slowly lowered my head and moved back to my knees. I couldn't fight back my feelings of shock and anger. My mind went a mile a minute, contemplating different ways to get out of this situation. Different scenarios, all ending badly, raced through my vampire brain. I got lost in an elaborate plan to jump out his window and make a run for it when his cool voice interrupted my thoughts.

"Whatever you are thinking about, stop it now and pay attention," he shouted.

Violet had moved back into her original kneeling position, but her demeanor had changed. Her eyes held a sadness that was almost crippling to be in the presence of. I could not understand her acceptance of the treatment that she is receiving. Why did she not leave? My mind began tinkering again but this time I was factoring Violet into my plans to leave.

"This is the last time I will warn you Shayla. Stop what you are trying to plan, it won't work and you will be punished severely if you try," the Major growled as he moved back behind the desk and sat back in his chair.

His piercing red eyes were shifting between the two of us. Even though his face was emotionless, I could tell that he was deep in thought, calculating. It seemed like ages before he spoke again, but I'm sure it was only minutes.

"Violet, do you have anything else you wish to say?"

"Just that I'm sorry major and I well do better next time," she whispered.

"Fine. Go back to your quarters and do not leave until I give you permission."

With that she sped out of the door, closing it gently on her way out. Nothing was making any sense to me. I had such a mixture of emotions going on in my body that I feared were not my own since the Major could control them. My body was going through information overload, but the silence between the Major was slowly was driving my mind mad while the growing thirst was taking over my body. Out of the quiet broke a low chuckle that caused my head to snap up and to see the Major's beautiful smile.

"You are a very complex woman Miss Shayla," he drawled.

If I could have blushed, I would have, but I would not let him see this softer side. I had to be on guard.

"Don't patronize me, you wish to turn me into a slave. Let me go and I will tell no one of this Army you have created," I spoke strongly.

The smile never left his smug face. It made me furious.

"Dear girl, I will not be letting you go and as far as telling people goes…ha-ha…Sweetheart everyone who matters already knows," he chuckled.

"I can tell you are thirsty little one," he said bending down and shuffling through a drawer, "…so this is what I have for you."

I looked at the crystal carafe that was set on top of the mahogany desk. The red fluid made my mouth water and I wanted nothing more then to chug the rest of the bottle.

"Now my dear, drink this and listen," he whispered as he removed the cork from the bottle.

My senses were expecting the sweet nectar but instead were slapped by the unappetizing bitter stench.

"I'm not drinking that," I said with a sneer.

"Then you clearly are not thirsty enough," he said coolly.

No sooner had the words left his luscious lips did my thirst multiple ten folds. The fire in my throat scorched my marble throat. I tried to maintain control of my instincts but failed. A feral snarl escaped my mouth as I sprung toward the fragile container. Everything around me disappeared. At that moment I couldn't even comprehend what was happening. One minute I was fingertips away from relief and the next I was on my back with a very smug and gorgeous man on top of me. I became angry; he was interfering with my meal. I started to claw and growl trying to get him off of me but he wouldn't budge. He just sat there, smirking.

"Why are you torturing me like this?" I growled

"If you are going to kill me then just get it over with."

I felt a calm overtake my body. I relaxed under the pressure of the Major's weight.

"Darlin', I don't want to destroy you. I don't want any discomfort to come to you," he drawled sweetly.

"I will provide for you whatever you need, but you must recognize me as your leader. There are rules that have reasons behind them and punishments if they are disobeyed," he purred, getting closer to my face.

I got lost in his gaze; my body began to react to his strength. A shock radiated through my body and I felt a bond being formed between the Major and I. Acceptance flooded my brain, but I was not sure on what I was accepting. He slowly rose off of me and I was slightly saddened by the loss of contact.

"Now my sweet Shayla, I am going to pour you a glass of this animal blood. You are quite weak, but it isn't time to go hunting for our natural food source. You will drink all of it from the glass like a lady, and not a feral animal. Is this understood?" he commanded.

If I had to be completely honest, I hadn't heard most of what he had said. All I could focus on was his gorgeous body. He had well defined muscles hidden under his white linen shirt, and I could think of several different things to do with those confederate gray suspenders. His golden curls looked like fields of wheat, while his lips…Oh lord the things I could do with those lips. I found myself getting extremely turned on by the thoughts when he snapped me out of it.

"Miss Shayla?" he questioned with an eyebrow raised.

"Yes, sir?" I stammered.

"Do you understand what I'm telling you?

"I…um…yes sir, I understand." I peeped. Even though I had no idea. It was something about being a lady and drinking from a glass.

I sat down in the chair and picked up the crystal glass. This was going to be disgusting. I put the glass to my lips and let the bitter liquid go down my throat. It soothed but it did not cure the burn. I continued to drink until the glass was emptied, but it didn't stay that way for long. The Major was quick to refill, but he said nothing. He made me very uneasy with his quiet demeanor, like he was waiting for me to mess up. After the fourth cup I was full and sloshy. I really just wanted to get out of the office so I could think about what had transpired.

"So… this is delicious, really it is, but I think Violet needs me," I spoke kindly. He didn't move an inch, just stared.

"Okay then, goodnight Major," I said as I started walking to the door.

"Oh Shayla, we are gonna have trouble with you," he chuckled darkly.

I turned around to face him but he was gone. I let out a heavy sigh when I heard him directly behind me.

"However, I believe you will be the best of them all," he chuckled again while opening the door.

"As you said, Violet is waiting for you. Goodnight miss Shayla," he said with a bow as I exited the room.

This didn't make sense, why was this happening? As I walked away from the office I felt the pull in my chest grow stronger. My heart ached for a connection again and sadness began to take over. I thought about how much I missed having connections with other people. Hell, other creatures in general. A starving dog wouldn't take a scrap from me now. I made my way down the hall, following Violet's peach scent. I had so much I wanted to ask her that I didn't even bother knocking on the door. What I saw when I opened the door however, was something that I didn't expect…

Reviews are fun and motivating…

Oh, and I have decided to go a different route as far as the darkness factor…I don't condone the abuse of women or that women aren't equal to men, but I do like to write according to the times.