Stockholm Syndrome

"Audra," Ethan yanked me over by the arm, a fierce expression adorning his face.

I blinked indifferently up at him, "Yes?"

"You need to change out of those clothes," his eyes scanned me. "Go."

I rolled my eyes and opened my mouth to protest, but Ethan stopped me before I could begin. "If you try to refuse, I will personally change you myself."

"Fine," I pulled my arm from his death grip and raised my hands in surrender. "I'm going."

Ethan stalked off toward the front door and I made my way up to my room. I was already growing tired of listening to Ethan barking orders all day, making sure everything was immaculate. I assumed it was all for his mother, to impress her, but I hardly cared anymore. If I had been confident that Ethan wouldn't tear my throat out I would have told him to go "f" himself a long time ago, but seeing him in this frazzled state made me skeptical.

I pulled my shirt off once I was in my room and had the door locked. I walked over to a shopping bag and began tearing through it. I'd already forgotten what Hanna had picked out for me, and I was mentally cursing myself for procrastinating instead of hanging all of the garments in the closet. It would have been so much easier to find something to wear.

Finally I came to navy blue top with a wide neck line so it hung delicately on my shoulders. I pulled on a pair of skinny jeans and flats and went to the bathroom. I brushed through my hair and swept on another coat of mascara before heading back downstairs.

I could hear an unfamiliar voice coming from the foyer speaking with Ethan. I couldn't help but be intrigued by the ringing tone, and I soon found myself standing hesitantly in the hallway trying to seek out the voice's owner.

A woman with flowing golden hair stood directly in front of Ethan. Her pale skin shimmered under the light of the chandelier as she nodded in my direction. Ethan turned to me and without having to say a word I walked to his side, my eyes still stuck on the woman in front of me.

"Hello there," she greeted me with a smile, every tooth a perfect shape and size, bright white against her pink lips. "You must be Audra."

"Hi," I managed to get out. "That's me."

She chuckled softly and reached out for my hand, which I placed in her palm. She squeezed it gently, perhaps as to not hurt me, and smiled warmly. "How are you enjoying your stay with my son?"

It took me a moment to register her words. This was Ethan's mother? She hardly looked five years older than him. I wasn't sure how to answer her question so I quickly mumbled, "It's been alright."

"I know how difficult Ethan can be," she beamed at him.

"Would you like to sit down mother? Dinner should be announced shortly," Ethan changed the subject, reaching his elbow out for her to take.

"Mmm," she affirmed with a nod, linking her arm with his. "Will your newest house guest be joining us this evening?"

I wanted to laugh and explain to her how much I wasn't a "guest", but when Ethan shot me a stern look I kept my lips pursed. "If you wish it, then of course," he told her.

"I do," she smiled at me. "When will the others be arriving?" I raised my eyebrows.

"Very soon," he explained. "Within minutes." He ignored my curious stare boring holes into the side of his head.

She nodded her approval and Ethan wasted no time bringing her to the dining room. I followed them until they entered the room and instead went toward the kitchen to help Jacques with the food.

"Hey," I greeted him. "Need some help?"

He smiled at me, the stress of preparing a meal for a vampire queen and whoever else was in attendance clearly not a distraction for him. "I think I have it under control," he replied. There were a bunch of carrots sitting on the counter top next to a cutting board, so I took it upon myself to get cutting. However, when I reached into the drawer to grab a knife, Jacques stopped me with his hand on mine and a pointed look on his face.

"Please let me do something," I begged. "I feel so useless. I just want to help."

"Not tonight," I heard behind me, and I turned to see Ethan stalking past me.

"What do you mean, 'Not tonight'?" I asked, doing my best impression of Ethan's deep moody voice. He was checking over Jacques' work, though I doubted he was looking for (nor would he find) any flaws.

"I mean, you are not to report to the kitchen even once tonight. For some reason, my mother has requested your presence with us during dinner tonight, and you will honor that."

"Oh, will I?" I countered. "And who else is coming?"

He finally looked at me, staring at me so intently that I wanted to step away from him. "You had better be on your best behavior. I do not want to be embarrassed by a silly human girl in front of my family."

I didn't reply fast enough for him and he ducked out of the kitchen as quickly as he'd shown up.

"I think you had better listen to him, mon cheri," Jacques advised quietly once Ethan was gone.

"I know," I sighed. "I just hate playing his stupid games."

"Ah," he smiled, "but you still play, huh?"

I narrowed my eyes at him, "You're supposed to be on my side."

He laughed, "I am, I am. Now get in there before someone comes to drag you out."

Deciding I would play the part of Ethan's obedient and polite "house guest", I went into the dining room and was surprised to see three new stunning faces. Upon my entrance the conversation died down and everyone's eyes fell on me. I smiled shyly, not sure how to react under the intent stares of such beautiful beings.

A blonde haired man spoke up, his eyes shining brightly, "Well hello." His grin was practically glowing.

"Hello," I replied.

"I was unaware that by 'dinner' you meant this delicious morsel," he smirked to Ethan. I stayed quiet despite being tempted to do otherwise. Ethan spoke up first.

"She is not on the menu, Armand," he explained firmly, standing from his chair at the head of the table. He stood beside me, his hand coming to rest on my lower back as he presented me to everyone. I knew he could feel me quiver in silent fury. "I would like to introduce Audra. She is my guest."

I waved feebly and repeated my, "Hello," from earlier, my gaze sweeping over each individually radiant face.

"Please, sit," Ethan's mother smiled. To my surprise, Ethan pulled a vacant chair from the table and motioned for me to sit. I eyed him suspiciously, wondering whether or not I could trust him not to pull the chair from beneath me as I went to sit down. He ignored me and went to take his seat again. "My name is Ophelia," the beautiful blonde explained to me. "I know we weren't properly introduced," she flashed her eyes toward Ethan, who sat looking the most expressionless I'd ever seen. "This is Armand, my oldest son."

The blonde man again grinned so brightly that I almost had to squint to see his face. His facial structure was nothing like Ethan's, not that I expected it to be; it was made up of sharp angles and a broad jaw line. I noticed his eyes were a very light gold color and I realized he must have fed before arriving tonight. "A pleasure," he drawled, holding his hand out across the table to me. I let him take my hand and he squeezed it once tightly before letting me take it back. I had to massage it under the table, noting that he clearly did not have the same consideration his mother did when it came to their super strength.

"This," Ophelia continued, "is Vivienne. She and her brother have been friends of the family for centuries now." I followed to where she was motioning at her side and my gaze fell upon a striking blonde. Her hair was so blonde that it was almost white except around her shoulders where the light wasn't bouncing off of it. I noticed that her dark brown eyes were exceptionally large under her full black lashes. Despite that she wore close to no makeup she was still absolutely stunning and I felt the sharp stab of my self-esteem dying. She was smiling kindly though, so I smiled back and said, "Hello."

"It's nice to meet you, Audra," she finally spoke, and her soothing voice in contrast making mine sound like nails screeching on a chalk board.

"Likewise," I replied, glad that she didn't reach out for my hand, which was still tingling under the table.

"This is my brother," she smiled at the person next to me, "Isaac."

I immediately felt silly for ignoring him the entire time, but I'd been so focused on Ethan's unenthusiastic stares that I hadn't found the time. Again, this vampire looked nothing like his "sibling", as his hair was a stark, chestnut contrast to his sister's platinum. His eyes were dark too, though smaller and set deeply under raised brows. His full lips were set in a small smile, borderline smirk, and he seemed as though he was waiting for me to say something first.

"Hi," I smiled, my hands clasped in my lap as I was unsure what to do with them. He simply nodded at me, his light eyes glittering with amusement. I fought the blush and tucked a strand of my hair behind my ears while turning back to the others.

"Let us learn about you," Ophelia invited warmly. "Tell us, where do you come from?"

I was suddenly nervous under the focused gazes of five vampires. "Um," I faltered, "Well, I come from Chicago. I only lived in the city for a year though; I was born in the suburbs."

"How old are you?" Vivienne questioned.

"I'm twenty," I answered, to which more than one vampire chuckled.

Vivienne sighed, looking sad, and said, "So young."

"You have been gone from home for close to a month," Armand observed. "Your parents aren't concerned?"

I shook my head, "No." I noticed Ethan staring at me, patiently awaiting the explanation he already knew. "My parents are dead."

"Do you attend school?" Isaac asked. I appreciated the change of subject.

"Yes," I smiled, and then realized my situation. "Well, not now. I was accepted into a University before I was brought here."

"And why is that?" Armand jumped in, looking from me to Ethan. "Why are you here?"

"That is hardly matter for discussion during dinner," Ethan dismissed, and apparently everyone knew to drop the subject. Ethan suddenly growled and snapped, "What is taking Jacques?"

"I'll check," I suggested, standing from my chair. Despite his threat from earlier, Ethan allowed me to go.

I pushed through the doors to the kitchen to find not only Jacques, but Hanna and Mary hurrying around the room as well. "Can I help?"

All three stopped in their tracks, staring at me like I had caught them doing something wrong. Mary smiled, "Oh no, dear. We have everything under control."

"C'mon, I'd rather be in here helping than out there," I shoved a thumb over my shoulder.

"Why, what happened?" Hanna asked, laying a line of fine china down along the counter.

I shrugged, "Nothing. It's just slightly awkward."

"Well I'm sure Ophelia has a reason for inviting you," Mary insisted. "She is very insightful."

I rolled my eyes, "Well, I'm actually here because Ethan is getting impatient, just a heads up."

"We are almost ready," Jacques called over his shoulder as he was facing a counter against the far wall. "Only a matter of minutes."

"Alright," I nodded, feeling out of place. I was supposed to be here helping them, not checking up on them to report their progress to the vampires. I was one of them!

"Just go back and try to enjoy yourself," Mary suggested, but when I sent her an unhappy look she chuckled. "They aren't all that bad."

Without another word, I obeyed Mary's command and left the kitchen. She was right after all, the vampires weren't nearly as bad as I had imagined. Not a single one had lunged at my throat yet.

"Jacques said it will be only a few more minutes," I reported to Ethan, who was looking grumpier with every second that passed.

"He knows that when I requested dinner I meant I wanted it tonight, correct?" He grumbled, his eyes flashing away from me.

"They're working their butts off in there," I glared. "Just relax."

It wasn't until Ethan's eyes darted back to mine that I realized I'd scolded him out loud in front of his family and friends. He looked beyond irritated with his mouth pulled down in an unpleasant frown and I noticed then how black his eyes were. The air seemed to grow thicker and it was harder to breath while I listened to the sound of my heartbeat resonating in my eardrums.

Before I could say anything, Ophelia replied first in her perpetually calm voice, "She's right, son. I'm sure your servants are doing their best to please you." She looked to me with an amused smile, "You are brazen, child. I suppose you must be to speak to a vampire in such a manner."

I was slightly startled by her comment and unsure how to answer. Part of me felt like I should apologize to her and the other part wanted to tell her how annoyed I was with Ethan. He was acting like a child younger than I, yet he was at least 5 times my age. I opened my mouth and stuttered nervously under the careful stares of the visitors, "I... I didn't mean any disrespect."

"Not to us, I'm sure," Isaac smirked playfully, his eyes glinting humorously toward Ethan. "Are you not afraid of him?"

I looked between the faces of the vampires apprehensively. Ophelia and Isaac were clearly entertained while Vivienne and Armand seemed inquisitive and ready for my answer.

"Are you not afraid of what he is?"

The question seemed odd to me; what was he exactly? Yes, a vampire, a blood thirsty predator, but I wasn't concerned with his title. I wasn't frightened by his unusually temperamental personality or breathtaking beauty. His lightening quick speed and super strength had never made my heart race in fear.

Looking Ethan in the eyes with the most serious and yet calm demeanor I could muster, I shook my head. "No." His eyes blazed briefly and I could see the muscles of his jaw contracting beneath his marble skin.

"Curious," Ophelia murmured, her voice still light. Ethan looked to her and I noticed she was looking at him pointedly with a knowledgeable smile playing at her perfectly painted lips.

I stayed quiet once Jacques and Mary came out with the meals on sparkling silver platters. The vampires chattered cheerfully amongst each other but I kept my eyes focused on the gourmet masterpiece in front of me.