Chapter 3

(Prisoner)

Katie's point of view

I opened my eyes and was surprised at the feel of satin. It took me a moment to realize I was lying in a bed. Slowly I sat up and looked around me. The room was dark for the most part but not pitch black. Looking to my left I saw what looked like a lamp. Reaching over I turned on a small light.

I gasped as I realized I was in a very large bed. I looked to my right and was relieved to find I was alone. Looking down I found I was still in my pink gown from my date with Sam. "Sam!" I said as a memory of him being attacked returned to me. Throwing the red satin comforter off of me I ran for the door.

"Oh no," I said finding it locked. Panic began to grip me and I turned back to face into the room. There were two windows both tall and skinny y window standards. I ran to the window on the right and flew open the dark draperies. I was relieved to see sunlight. I quickly tried to unlock the windows but they wouldn't budge.

"It would be a rather long way down."

Chills raced down my back at the sound of a familiar voice. I recognized it from last night. Slowly I dropped the curtain and turned to see a man by the door. He had shoulder length curly brown hair and dark eyes. I couldn't tell what color they actually were. From where I stood they looked black. He was dressed in black pants and a black shirt. Black boots covered his feet.

"Who are you?" I asked. My heart raced at the sight of him and it wasn't because I was happy. "Why have you brought me here? Where's Sam?"

The strange man looked at me very calmly and said, "Your questions will be answered Katie."

"How do you know my name?" I asked as I hugged myself. I couldn't stop the fear that seemed to keep increasing with each passing second.

He gave me an amused half smile before he said, "I never do anything without watching first." As he spoke I listened carefully. Something told me it would be dangerous to not pay attention to his words.

"Sam?" I inquired.

"Is no longer your concern," He said in a calm but firm voice. "You belong to me."

"No I don't!" I said adamantly. "I don't even know who you are!"

The stranger took on an even more amused expression before walking further into the room. He clasped his hands behind his back and somehow he seemed even more imposing. "I am Vlad Tepes, thought in your world I believe you would know me best as Count Dracula."

I stepped back pressing my back into the window. 'He's crazy!' I screamed internally. 'He thinks he's a vampire!'

The man who called himself Dracula allowed an amused chuckle to escape him. "I imagine it is rather difficult for you to believe this. Given all the tales of my kind this world has become fascinated by."

My body began to shake uncontrollably as he began walking closer to me. I'd never felt so scared in my life. I flinched as he reached his hand out to me and closed my eyes completely.

A cold finger grazed along my cheek gently. Slowly I opened my eyes to see him admiring my face. Now close I could see his eyes were a dark shade of brown. "It is not time for you to become like me just yet my dear. Soon but not yet. I will give you a little time to adjust to the idea of becoming my bride."

"Bride?" I asked. I began shaking my head as I tried to lean further back against the window to no avail. I had already pinned my body against it. I suppose in a way I hoped I'd fall out. "Please let me go," I pleaded.

Dracula looked at me and for a moment I thought I saw sympathy in his eyes but it was quickly replaced with cold indifference. He leaned toward me and whispered into my ear, "Never." I closed my eyes and two tears of fear ran down my cheeks.

The air suddenly felt different and I looked to see my kidnapper by the door once more. "The bathroom is in there. Bath and then dress, you will find suitable gowns in the wardrobe. When you have finished knock and a servant will escort you downstairs."

"Why would I do…"

"Hold your tongue," He said in a calm but firm manner. I'm not sure why but I obeyed. "You will do as I have said or I will return and bath you myself." I swallowed hard as I watched him trail his eyes over my currently covered body. "I have no aversion to doing so but I do not believe you are ready yet. I will be obeyed Katie." Without another word he left closing the door behind him. A moment later I heard the click of the lock. I was a prisoner to one of the most evil men that had ever walked the earth.

I collapsed to the ground and began crying once again. 'Why have I been forsaken?'

Dracula's point of view

I had barely closed the door when I heard my new bride begin to cry once more. A sigh escaped me. This wasn't something new mind you. All but one of my brides had cried after I'd taken them. Yet Katie's tears were the only ones that had ever affected me. Perhaps I was getting a little soft as I aged.

I scoffed at the thought as I walked away from Katie's door. She would cry but eventually she would accept her new life. Though hers would be far better than others from my past or that still remained. I would treat Katie like a queen. My bride would be treated as such by all my subjects or I would dispose of them.

Calmly I walked down to the first floor of my European 2 story vacation home. The curtains were all closed and no sunlight penetrated into my home. I calmly made my way toward my Office. I opened the dark wood French doors and entered leaving the doors wide opened. I did not want the heavy dark wood to intimidate young Katie when she was brought o me.

There was no question in my mind that the mortal woman would do as I had instructed. My threat to bath the woman had made sure that the dark haired girl would obey. Katie was not yet ready to have me look at her body much less touch her. I wasn't upset though. In fact if she'd have jumped at the chance I'd have been disappointed in her. Katie might know the feel of a man but she was clearly no whore.

I went to my desk and looking over the schedule I had already established for the coming week I sighed. Katie would not have a lot of time to adjust before I would be taking her with me to my next destination. My new bride would simple have to cope.

Katie's point of view

I didn't want to obey the count but I didn't doubt he'd go through with his threat. I bathed as he said and then approached the wardrobe with a towel still wrapped around me. I opened the large piece of furniture and gasped at the sight before me. There were dresses of black, red, and white.

I looked at the white dresses and his word's that I would be his bride came back to me. Not wanting to allow him to think I was accepting I turned my gaze to the remaining dresses. I considered wearing a black dress. Black was for mourning and at the moment it was how I felt. Still I didn't want him to think I was accepting defeat either. 'He hasn't won,' I thought to myself and pulled out a burgundy formal gown. I rolled my blue eyes at the fact every gown in there was formal. 'I guess movie or real life vampires have a thing for formals.'

Grudgingly I got dressed. The count had even provided new panties which really kind of disturbed me but I could at least pretend he'd sent a woman to buy them. I wasn't about to even try to guess how he knew my size. I really didn't want to know.

It wasn't long and I was standing in a long satin burgundy strapless gown with a small train. There was embroidery on the bodice and at the end of the train. I hated to admit it but the count had good taste.

I didn't pull my hair up choosing to leave my hair down. I didn't want to leave my neck exposed around a vampire. I may be a lot of things but dumb isn't one of them.

"I knew that alleyway was a bad idea," I complained walking over to the door. "Sam should've…" My voice trailed off as I remembered my boyfriend. I needed to know what happened to my boyfriend and one way or another Dracula was going to answer me! I took a deep breath and knocked on the door.

Dracula's point of view

I was looking over my travel arrangements when I heard the sound of clicking across the mansions hard wood floors. A smile crossed my face. Katie was headed my way. I closed the burgundy leather binder in front of me and looked up just as she stepped inside with Sedrick.

"You may go," I told my blonde male servant. He bowed as always and quickly left closing the doors to give me privacy with my new bride.

My brown eyes traveled over the dress Sedrick had bought for Katie on my behalf. I silently groaned feeling myself become aroused. The gown fit Katie like a glove. It took all my effort not to get up and grab the woman and ravish her. Burgundy was a fitting color next to her skin tone. She was even more beautiful now. I was about to tell her so when she ruined it by opening her mouth.

"Where is Sam?" She demanded.

I blinked at her. I was certain I'd already told her she no longer needed to concern herself with her former beau. "Sam as you call him no longer matters."

"Where is he?" She demanded with narrowed blue eyes.

For the first time in centuries I wasn't sure how to react. Part of me wanted to smack her to the ground and remind her who she was dealing with. Yet another part of me wanted to kiss her for showing such strength. 'Such strength,' I silently complimented. I internally smiled knowing I had been right about my new beauty. Katie was strong. Still I was the Master. She could raise her voice and be demanding with anyone but me. I ruled her.

"While I am pleased to see you have strength my young bride but do not forget your place," I stated in a clear calm but firm voice. 'You shall be the Mistress of the castle but it is I who am the Master."

"You don't rule me!" She said firmly.

"Are being defiant?" I questioned cocking my head to the side. I watched as she stood unwavering. "Answer me," I said slowly bringing my head up again. "I would hate to have to punish you already."

"I won't roll over for you," She said with clear defiance.

"So be it." Before she could react I had her by her brown hair and was pulling her down the hall. If she was so determined to defy me I'd teach her what pain was. When I was done, Katie would bare a mark that would identify her as mine.

Author's Note: Okay everyone I'm headed out of town on my first cruise. I will be gone the 13th – 23rd. So there won't be any updates again before at least the 24th.