Demeter didn't ever wake up naturally.

Every morning was the same – the other females would be moving about, gossiping and playing around. Sometimes the older toms would come in and take their pick, which usually caused a bit of a cat fight. Demeter usually woke up when a beaten queen was slammed into the side of a wall, or into a pile of rubbish. Ayamico was always protective of Demeter, curled around her when she slept, and fended the toms off when they came too close.

Almost every second day, Macavity would enter their den.

At first, he kept his distance from her – flirting with the other queens, prowling around and sneaking glances. As if it was all some game. Demeter was curious – Everlasting Cat, she was curious. He hadn't hurt her – hadn't let anyone hurt her. She was fed well, she had okay company. Sure, she was scared… but it wasn't that bad.

Her thoughts often turned to her family, of how they were, and how they were getting on without her… but they soon were replaced with memories of the other queens. Of Ayamico and Beylandella, the Texan Maine Coon.

Time passed slowly in the den, and Demeter watched herself grow lanky and pale, her black and yellow fur no longer moon-bleached. She was thin, too, from slight malnourishment. It wasn't mice and rats and fresh game, but usually scraps that the toms had brought back – licks of rice and toppings from discarded packaging.

Sometimes she went hungry, but it was something she adjusted to.

Routine was key in her new home, and she began to grow more and more comfortable with the other queens. Every few months, a new kitten would be brought in, and while she avoided becoming too friendly, she was still part of Ayamico's welcoming party.

She had also noticed a trend. Every few months, right around the time one of the kittens was nearing adolescence, they would be taken from the room. Queens like Ayamico and Beylandella had avoided it, she assumed, as they were adults.

"Where do they go?" Demeter asked slowly. She was stretched out on the dusty floor, sucking in the humid air. It was probably midday, but the Jellicles couldn't be sure. Without exposure to moonlight and sunlight, they had grown accustomed to sleeping whenever they felt like it.

"Who go, honey?" Beylandella asked, grooming behind her ears.

"The adolescents…" she said softly, "The toms come in and take them, and I've never seen them again…"

Ayamico and Beylandella exchanged glances, before the Maine Coon shrugged, "'Cavity takes them to his own room for some private entertainment…"

Demeter's eyes went wide, and Ayamico spluttered, "Beyla!" she scolded softly, "Don't frighten the poor thing…"

"Why not? It's true…" a low purr startled the queens, and Demeter stared up at Macavity with wide eyes.

She didn't know how he had snuck up on them so easily. Up close, he was terrifying, and huge – much bigger than any of the other toms, though surely he was only just nearing adulthood.

"Sir…" Beylandella purred back at him, her tail twitching restlessly, "It's a pleasure…"

"Shut it, Beyla…" he snapped his jaws at her, smirking as he watched Demeter shuffle closer to her protector, "Ayamico, are you trying to make my little pet scared of me?"

"You scare her all on your own… don't bring me into this…" the queen said, as respectfully as possible.

Macavity's lips twisted in a sneer, and he stalked around the curve of Ayamico's body, his tail flicking in her face until he was leaning over her, looming down over Demeter.

"You are a sweet thing, aren't you?" he asked, and suddenly she felt his power surging around them.

She was unable to move, her limbs constricted by his power in a vice-gripped hug.

"Come, sweet one," he purred, and Ayamico let out a quiet whine. Demeter had no choice, her limbs carrying her without her intention.

He took her through the maze of rooms and she followed, confined by his power. She gazed side to side, but beyond that, he controlled her. She couldn't even speak, her jaw clamped shut.

Finally, after too many twists and turns for Demeter to memorize, they reached a set of stairs, and Demeter climbed them, wishing she could make herself stop.

"Not enjoying yourself?" Macavity asked as they reached the top, gazing at her forlorn expression.

For a moment, he went silent and tense, his brow creased in concentration…and then Demeter felt… good?

She couldn't help the smile on her face – shy, and a little confused. This…wasn't so bad.

Satisfied, Macavity nodded, and she could feel his power slowly decrease around her. She could move on her own, and she happily followed him through a vent into the outside world.

The sunlight hit her like a brick wall and she hissed as the rays penetrated her eyelids. It was too hot, and too bright, and she stumbled around blindly until Macavity's power took a stronger hold of her once more – guiding her into a shady section of the street.

"Come, kit. You have much to see of my world," he smirked, stepping forward to briefly nuzzle her before leaping onto a nearby drainpipe.

She was confused by the affection, but it wasn't so bad. His power helped her to keep up, following him over the tops of buildings and under bridges. He took her through the scenic route, to the river and along the pipelines. Demeter didn't know if he had agenda in mind, but she didn't really care. The air was refreshing, and the sun on her back made her feel like she was glowing.

She didn't know how long she had been confined, but it made this day seem like heaven.

Demeter lounged on the end of a pier. Her belly was full of fresh fish, and she was lazy and content.

She hadn't thought of the Jellicles in hours, nor of her friends back at her new home. It was all Macavity, and everything about her overwhelmed her. His scent, his body language – the way his red eyes watched her. Even now, she could feel his crazy eyes.

"Enjoying yourself now?" the tom asked, sauntering up beside her, his legs brushing the fur on her back.

She hummed, arching into him and basking in the sunlight. While she was still young, she was growing into her limbs – turning into the beautiful queen her mother was.

There was a niggling feeling at the back of her mind – she should have been afraid of the tom. He was the height of evil – the killer, the one who had kidnapped her from the Jellicles. But… somehow she didn't care about that.

"Very much…" she purred softly.

"Good," he breathed, "I'd hate for you to suffocate in that den," he murmured, circling her once before settling on his belly opposite to her, cocking his head and inhaling her scent, "Would you like these outings more often?"

She considered, watching his whiskers twitch with curiosity, "Yeah," she whispered shyly, "It's been great."

"Then I expect a little something in return…" his voice turned, no longer indulgent or friendly, those green eyes now boring into the young kitten.

Demeter stared up with wide eyes, her mouth opening a little in confusion, "I-I…?"

"Don't worry, sweet thing…" he purred, "I don't expect repayment quite yet…"

Her eyebrows furrowed, and she didn't know what to say. What could he want?

"I… I don't have anything to give you…" she whispered, eyes growing wet with unshed tears, a little panicky.

His eyes immediately softened, crawling forward to nuzzle her cheek. She shivered at the proximity, feeling the power radiating from him, his scent so pure and intoxicating.

"You will," he smirked.