I awoke to the pitter-patter of rain. My half-open eyes scanned the vaguely familiar scene that was Tanner's room. To the right, the wall was nothing but a giant window overlooking the mountain's edge. The large curtains were pinned back, giving a great view of the overcast. Straight forward was a large television mounted on the wall above two large dressers. On the left was the large bathroom, a cherry oak desk in the very corner, and, most important, the door.

Tanner was nowhere to be found. I needed to escape. I focused on pulling my arm over my side. Doing so took all the brainpower- and energy- I had. I stared down at my arm and traced the shackle connected to it up to the headboard behind me. Smart man. He didn't trust me.

With a start, I heard the door nob start to rattle. Someone was unlocking the door. My head whipped to watch the door, intent on giving whoever entered a piece of my mind. A hefty young woman entered. She held a black gym bag and a black long-sleeved dress. The bag was packed so tight, that the objects in it were bulging out, exposing their shapes. "Oh, wonderful, you're awake. The initial shock of where you are is always the hardest part for servants." She heaved a sigh of relief. Her brown curls bounced up and down while she approached the bed and set her things down. "My name is Audrey. I will be helping you get ready for the party this evening."

I completely ignored what the woman had said. My mind was set on one thing, a key. She had to of had access. "You need to help me. I need to get out of here. I think I can break the headboard. All I need is the door key. Please, please help me," I pleaded.

The woman frowned and shook her head, "Oh honey, you're mistaken. I don't have a key. I was simply allowed in and then locked inside as well. The McClains' would never put such trust in humans. Even if I have been here for over six years." Was she lying to me? No. That sounded like something Tanner would do. All of my hate aside, I'd admit, he was a very clever man when he needed to be.

"You've spent six years here? How are you still alive?" I retorted. I would have killed myself within the first month.

Audrey shrugged, "it's not all that bad. That said, I'm not a servant like you are to be. I'm here as a Personal Stylist and Shopper for the McClains. I deal more with King Christopher, but I help the entire family and their staff for special events like today. They treat me very well."

I rolled my eyes. It was 2222, and history just had to circle back around to serventry of all things...

"Now enough questions. I need to get you ready before they return." She unzipped the bag to reveal an armada of hair and makeup products. "Can I trust you enough to unchain you while I get you ready, dear? Or will I have to straddle you the entire time?"

"Y-you have the keys to this?" I jingled the chains and Audrey nodded. "Yes, please unlock me from them. I would never hurt an innocent person." Tanner was another story.

We talked as Audrey did my makeup and curled my grown-out hair. It was almost enough to allow me to forget my predicament. She finished within an hour, and I tried on the dress. It was a black, lace, long-sleeved dress that came down to my mid-thigh. Audrey had good style. "How do I look?" I asked, twirling around for Audrey.

"Breathtaking, as always," a familiar voice cooed.

Oh, God, dammit. It was Tanner. We had been so busy talking, and we didn't realize people had entered the room. I whirled around to face the gawking vampire. He dressed professionally; sporting a tuxedo with his dirty blonde hair slicked up in the front. To his left was his best buddy, Jared. The two dressed exactly alike -- sharply dressed Satans.

"I wasn't asking you, your stalker-ness," I murmured a little too loud. 

"Is she serious? Don't think I won't beat you on your first night back!" Tanner took a step toward me, but Jared caught his shoulder. 

 I couldn't help but stare at Tanner's bulging bicep, and I hated to admit, he still looked great. Evil as ever, but great.

 "It's fine," Jared said through a clenched jaw. "She'll adjust or we will make her...later." The two had a minute of conversation with only eye contact before tension visibly dissipated. 

 "You're right. Why don't you let Audrey out and help her with her things? Jess and I can have a little chat while you're gone." Tanner's anger still seemed to flip faster than any vampire I had ever met.

Jared looked between the both of us. I couldn't tell who he distrusted with the situation more: Tanner and his anger or me and my mouth. He finished his contemplation with a scowl at me and let a low growl escape his mouth before listening to Tanner's wishes. 

Tanner had suddenly switched places with Audrey. He brushed my hair to one side of my neck, "you ought to be nicer to me you know. Not only did I do you the huge favor of purchasing you, but tonight is a huge night for me. Or have you forgotten that my birthday is today?" 

 A huge favor? Oh, please. He leaned down and planted a single kiss on my exposed shoulder blade. I shuddered at the feeling, but my focus was elsewhere. When they open that door for Audrey, I needed to be gone. 

"I know you know how to behave well. The man at the boarding house said you were at the top of your class in all subjects. You're a brilliant girl. I just wish you weren't so damn stubborn." Tanner said, roughly massaging my shoulders. 

My eyes darted between Jared and the door; they were about to open it. I was shaking, adrenaline coursing through every part of my body. This could be my only chance. I've got to go for it. No matter what they may do to me. 

Clueless about what was happening, Tanner kissed the top of my head. "Aww, are you scared, baby? I'm not going to hurt you, so long as you behave." 

Here goes nothing. 

Jared swung the door open, and I took off, running as fast as my legs would take me. I was pretty muscular for being a human servant. During my downtime in the boarding house, I would run the track for hours, practicing for this exact event. Don't look back, Jess, just run. You can rest later. 

Unfortunately, I only made it to the doorway before Jared grabbed me by the hair and yanked me back into the room. He slammed the door and locked it behind him. 

That was pretty awful, Jess. You didn't even make it outside the door. 

Jared threw me to the floor, and I skidded to a stop right next to the bed. "What did you expect, idiot," he scoffed. 

He stalked toward me, but Tanner had beat him to it, appearing in front of me with his muscular arms crossed. "Jared, leave us. We will be downstairs in a moment." He murmured. Thank god. I didn't want to be alone with Tanner right now- or ever- but I'd take him over Jared any day.

 "Have fun. I'll be right outside waiting," Jared snickered as he left the room.