Copyright – 'Trust Me' belongs to Undercover Blonde (this is my alias on ). This is an entirely original story and has not been based on any previous published novels.

Chapter 20

We were in some kind of cave. There were stalactites hanging from the ceiling of the cave, some almost touched the stalagmites and some didn't, but that was the end to the similarities to a normal cave. The stalactites were dagger sharp, they had a slight reddish tinge, I didn't want to think what it was because of. Then I felt the lurch. When I opened my eyes again we were in a room, it was dark. The colour scheme was dark reds and black. I think I'm loosing my mind, thinking of the colour scheme while my life is in question! But then again I must have lost my mind for here I am in a world of vampires and, I was brought back to reality with a jolt with Con talking,

"Right here we are, I'm starved, we are going out Cat, I trust you won't go wondering, some vampires aren't as gentle as Zev and I." With that and a couple of dreadful laughs they walked out. I heard a door close. I was alone, not that that made me feel any better. All I wanted to do was curl up in a ball and go to sleep and only wake up when everything is normal again. No, I must pull myself together, I must know my surroundings. Shaking with fear, I started to look around. There were no windows that I could see, there was a chair in the corner, it was black, the carpets were blood red and soft, almost springy. There was a maroon couch, this was also plush and soft, following what I gather is a passage I found three rooms, each room was a different shade of red, each had a bed, a comfortable chair both in black, the carpet was the same through the whole place. At the end of the passage was the bathroom. There was a staircase going up, I started to climb up but I was stopped by a gate. This gate was made of what looked like wrought iron. There was a design on the gate; it looked vaguely familiar. It took me another second and then it hit me; the design was the same wolf and plant as on the book Con had shown me! I looked closer and found that the lock was the red drop. By this time my heart was beating so hard I was sure anyone could hear it. I looked around me suddenly conscious of someone, something watching me. I took one more look at the gate and ran down the stairs and passage until I got back to the room where Con had left me.

I sat on the couch, thinking on what to do next, fatigue overcame me, I reasoned if I ever had a chance to escape I would need all my strength so I slept. When I woke I heard voices, they were lowered, as to not wake me. I squinted so it still looked like my eyes were closed. I saw Con and Zev heads lowered together talking, I closed my eyes and listened,

"Constantine, our game was fun but do you think this will work?" This is the first time I had heard Zev fearful.

"Where's your courage? Just think of what we are going to do! She is a human, we have complete power over her!" I squinted again, Zev seemed to get his confidence back, he looked over to me,

"Just look at her, yes complete power, we are the first ones to bring one back alive to play with. I'm with you." I shuddered, to play with, those words weren't very comforting. I stirred and got up, I looked defiantly at them.

"Now now Cat, that attitude won't do at all, it will need to change." I couldn't believe Con was talking to me like that,

"It's never going to change, so get used to it, you, you despicable creature!" I spat at him. He leapt at me in rage, pinning me under him on the floor; his hand gripped my forehead, he smashed my head against the floor about three times before I felt a wet substance trickling down my neck. He slammed my head again, I screamed out in pain, I don't know what did it but he stopped. He got off me and stood up,

"That's a taste of the treatment you'll get if you ever do that to me again!" I sat up slowly, tears stinging in my eyes as I looked up at the man I used to love. I felt the back of my head, it was healing but my hand still came away wet with blood.

Con picked me up and took me to the third room and put me on the bed,

"Stay there until I come back, your head will heal fine." I curled up on the bed and fell asleep again. When I woke up my throat was parched, I was so thirsty and not to mention hungry. The door opened and a woman came in with a tray,

"Bread and water, Constantine says you must eat it." She shoved it at me. I sat up and felt my head, it was healed, the girl watched me intently as I felt my head. I took the tray and started eating, the water was horrid and the bread dry, but it was better than nothing.

She had sat in the chair and was staring at me; then in a horrid mocking voice she spoke, "So you actually thought Constantine was in love with you? Constantine doesn't love, none of us do, we feel lust, but never love. Poor little thing, I can only begin to imagine what Constantine and Zev have planned for you, and it's not going to be pleasant!" And laughing a horrible hollow laugh she left. I finished the water but left half the bread. I got off the bed and stretched, at that moment the door opened and Con came in. His blue eyes took in the scene starting with me and ending on the plate of unfinished food. He shook his head,

"You must eat all the food, you will need your strength, but perhaps when you are hungry enough you will eat.'' He threw a box on the bed,

"The bathroom is at the end of the passage, put that on." With that he turned and left. I crept out the room and into the bathroom. When I got back to my room I opened the box, in it was a dress and lingerie. I was unlike any dress I have ever seen, it was a peacock blue, come to think of it almost like Con's eyes, it was figure hugging going into a flowing skirt. The top had spaghetti straps and went in a low cut neck, it was silky to the touch. The lingerie was black, the same silky material as the dress, but edged with lace. I wasn't wild about wearing it, but my head still ached from last night; so I got dressed, it all fitted perfectly. Now I was wondering why Con wanted me dressed up, what was I supposed to do? I had just finished running my fingers through my hair when the door opened again; does anyone know how to knock in this place? It was the girl,

"I guess I should tell you what to call me because Constantine doesn't want you to know us as master and mistress yet, though I think that is a perfect way for you to address us by. My name is Elna." I just stared at her, who did she think she was? Mistress? I was about to show her what us human do to sort out a little snob like her. My fist was ready and about to fly when Con came into the room.

"Now Cat, is this the way to treat the people that are looking after you.'' I couldn't stand it any longer,

"Looking after me? You took me away from my home I have no clue what you intend doing with me, you have conned me and tricked me and hurt me, what am I supposed to believe and do!" I was close to tears again, but I bit them back, there was no way I was going to let him see me cry!