Hello,

This story takes place in the XVIII-XIX centuries. I might make mistakes because I don't really know what existed and what didn't during this time but I choose this period because there was a lot of slavery at that moment in history. In this story, Caroline is human and Klaus is a hybrid, he broke the curse with Katherine in 1492.

I'm French so I make mistakes and my English is not perfect, that's why I won't post any chapter before they have been edited by a beta. I want to thank Erica (MidnightAngel30) and Erin (DangerTaylor) who helped me for this chapter and edited it for me. Thanks to both of you.

Chapter 1

Here she was, in the castle of Lord Richard Lockwood and his wife and son, Carol and Tyler Lockwood. It's been seven months now that she has had to do all of Tyler's chores. For his 21st birthday his parents had the good idea of offering their only child a slave just for himself.

These were hard time in the small village of Mystic Falls, no more so than for Caroline's parents who had lived in poverty for years. Their only chance at survival was to sell their only daughter into a life of service. On the eve of her eighteenth birthday she had been prepared for transfer into His Lordship's care.

This decision did not come lightly to the Forbes family; but the treat of eviction and being on the brink of starvation, they felt they had no other choice. With Caroline's commission, she knew her family would be taken care of. So with a heavy heart Caroline kiss both of her parents and made the short journey across town to the Lockwood estate.

Caroline found the work uninspiring. Having helped her Mama with chores growing up, she quickly fell into a routine. The first week was uneventful and she started to feel safe in her new situation.

What she was not prepared for was when she unfortunately forgot one, little thing. That's when he hit her for the first time. He punched her in the face so hard that red welts were left on her cheek, and that just because she forgot to bring him his pants. That's also when she decided that she was not going to be an easy slave. She was going to fight.

Ever since she was a little girl, Caroline's Mama had told her that Forbes women are strong and can handle anything that is thrown at them. So even though she was stuck in this unfortunate situation, she would not give up or back down from the strong woman she knew she had become.

And so now, after seven months of constant defiance of Tyler's outlandish demands and childish attitude, Caroline was set to be publicly humiliated as punishment for her failure to serve the little Lord Lockwood. This was to take place in the neighbouring village. A lot of Lords would be there, watching the slaves get whipped, beaten, and in some cases, killed.

As a young girl Caroline had witnessed many of the Lockwood slaves be publicly whipped for failure to perform their duties, but she had no idea what awaited her up on the old wooden stage in the center of town. The only comfort that she could keep was that she would not be sentenced to death, having already been told she would be attending to the auction that will follow the punishment and be sold to another family and all, but she shook with fear of her master's whip.

She also wonders about this new family. Will they be as cruel as the Lockwoods? Would she be in the service of a woman this time around? All she did know is that her new home was over a days journey from her village and her family.

She was waiting in the hall for her departure when Tyler appeared around a corner; rope in his hands and a smirk on his face. She was dressed only with a piece of old brown fabric and bare feet. Her hair was fastened with an elastic band as usual.

"Give me your hands, girl!" Tyler ordered, trying to grab her left hand.

"What are you doing?" she asked.

"Give me your hands, I've got to tie you up for the trip," Tyler said calmly.

"You will not touch me," Caroline sneered as she pulled her hands out of his reach.

"Oh yes I will," Tyler said,eventually gripping his long fingers around her slender wrist and encircling her wrist with the rope, then grabbing her right hand and doing the same. Next, he encircled her ankles, letting enough space between the two so she could at least walk."Don't need you getting any ideas about running away."

"You have no need to tie me up. I am all too happy to escape this place…and you. I won't fight! Just thinking about the fact that I won't have to see your disgusting face every morning when I wake up makes me smile," Caroline said, smiling and looking into Tyler's murderous glare. She would not have shown it, but she actually was frightened by the glare Tyler gave her at that very moment. Caroline knew that she should hold her tongue, but she could not help herself.

It only took Tyler a few seconds before his anger turned physical, like it always had, and he slapped her hard across the cheek. Caroline lost her balance for only a moment, steadying herself against the wall. She looked back at his dark brown eyes, not showing him for a second how much it hurt, defying him with her intense stare. Her cheek reddened from the slap and she knew that if he hadn't punched her as usual, it was just to avoid bruises on her face to try to have more offers from the other Lords at the auction.

"How dare you meet my eyes as if we are equals, slave." Tyler spat at her, but her pride would not allow her to drop his gaze. "It's a pity I can't keep you! I find it rather arousing when you resist me like this," Tyler brushed his rough thumb over her swollen cheek, "Unfortunately my dad said you are not worthy and that your sharp tongue and bad behavior were not accepted anymore. Oh, and one more thing. If you do anything to embarrass me or this family on our journey," Tyler's smile grew, "let's just say you may have a nasty fall that prevents you from ever reaching your futur Lord's estate."

Caroline finally looked away, disgusted by his comment and not wanting to show him the fear in her eyes. She had taken it too far and she knew that he had the capacity to kill, so even though every bone in her body wanted to show Tyler Lockwood for the coward he was, she lowered her head and answered, "Of course, Lord Lockwood."

With a satisfied smirk Tyler leaned in close to her again, breathing in the scent of the lavender that he knew she tucked in to her bun, "I'm going to prepare for our trip, be ready to depart in twenty minutes." He turned and headed for the stairs, once again leaving her alone in the marble covered hall.

During her time alone, Caroline thought about her parents. They would certainly never know she wasn't with the Lockwoods anymore. She was truly happy about that fact. The life with the Lockwoods had been hell, and now she would eventually be rid of them. But it also scared her because of the punishment she will have to go through before the auction. That caused her to think about the auction, she didn't know which Lord would buy her. She heard stories about some Lords you'd rather die than work for them. She didn't hear much, just about a family composed of four Lords and one Lady, all brothers and sister. The rumor said they have a terrible secret, but no one except the people who work for them knows what it is. They are bound to secrecy and would not dare say a word about it, too scared of the consequences. Close friends knew what this secret was. She also heard you'd rather not know about it.

Caroline's thoughts were interrupted when a maid came in her direction. When she reached her, she took the end of the ropes Caroline was tied with and began to walk along the hall to the front door.

"Good morning to you, too, Jane. Yes, I'm fine, thank you for asking. It shoots me straight in the heart that you worry over me, but no need to, of course," Caroline said, looking ahead as Jane continued to bring her outside. "Yes, I know, I'll miss you too. It's not like we've been friends for seven months now," Caroline continued. Jane finally turned around to take a look at Caroline.

"I'm sorry, Care. Of course I'll miss you, but I can't talk to you. They said if they caught us talking to you then we'll be treated as traitors. Please don't make me feel even worse about this," Jane said in almost a whisper to be sure no one would hear her talk to Caroline, even if no one was in the room. Caroline could see tears forming in Jane eyes and Caroline, being Caroline, felt badly about what she'd said.

"Oh, I'm sorry. I didn't know. It's ok. Just don't talk to me, I understand. I know you care about me. Don't cry, please. Plus, I'm sure I'll be fine with my future master. Just bring me outside like you are supposed to and don't talk to me," Caroline said. She didn't let it show, but she was a little hurt they forbade her friend to talk to her. She didn't want Jane to be punished because of her, though.

Jane turned around again without saying a word and brought Caroline outside where Tyler and Lord Lockwood were on horse back waiting for her.

"Tyler, my son, didn't you prepare a horse for Caroline?" Lord Lockwood asked Tyler.

"Well, Father, I thought a little walk would not hurt her," Tyler said, looking at Caroline's feet.

"But I'm bare foot and it's a one day walk Tyler. Are you crazy? Of course this 'little walk' will hurt me. I can't believe it! You really are the worst asshole I've ever seen in my life!" Caroline said angrily, looking at Tyler with a glare that could kill.

"Enough! Mind your tongue, Caroline! You are the slave here, not the other way around. You will behave for the rest of the time you are ours," Lord Lockwood said, outraged, but also used to it coming from Caroline. Tyler looked at her with a grin before grabbing the end of the ropes and tying it up on the horse to be sure Caroline was following.

And then, they began moving forward.

Chapter 2 and 3 are written but not edited yet. I'll try to update regularly.

Please leave reviews and tell me what you think (I accept criticizm that could help me for the next chapters) :)