Yay we've reached 100 followers! Thank you so much to all those who constantly support and give this story views, reviews, follows, and favorites. Believe me, I was planning to update this story MUCH sooner but now that I've cleared off a good portion of my work and relaxed my mind a bit...

Warning: Rated M

Katniss Pov

"Katniss."

Someone's here. Someone's calling my name.

"Katniss?"

Someone's calling for me. Someone who has a soft sweet voice. Sort of like Prim's.

"Katniss..."

I try to answer. Why do I feel as if I'm lying underneath seven feet of snow?

"KATNISS!"

I let out a shriek as somebody ripped my covers off, exposing me to broad light. In return, the other person offered up a louder shriek of their own. She desperately tried to bury me back under the covers again. We got into a bit of a scramble before my body was under the covers and my head above.

"I'm so, SO sorry, Katniss!" wailed Lavinia, spinning to face the other way. "I had no idea...so sorry...most sincere apologies...I didn't..."

I was barely listening to her. I had managed to regain my breath, my body shaking underneath the covers. My head throbbed. Last night came flooding back like a storm. A dull pain ached between my thighs. Oh God, please, no...

I tried to sit up. The pain! It was all a dream-it was a nightmare-it was just a nightmare-just a nightmare. I repeated inside my head. I let out a cry as I feel a wave of agony spasm through me. No. Please no.

I fell back under the covers, my gut hammering away. Tears formed in my eyes as I see the velvet drapings for curtains, the polished mahogany ceiling of the canopy bed. I had vowed never to cry in front of an enemy, to never seem weak but none of that matters right now. The fucking monster. That motherfucking monster. That horrible, brutal, vicious, cruel, ever-so-malevolent monster.

"Katniss?"

I snap my head towards Lavinia and for a moment, imagine a long wooden arrow piercing through that tender neck. Like prey. I'll be the predator, and District 2 can be the prey. I'll shoot down every one of them. Every single last one of these heartless worms-

Guilt flashes through me as Lavinia sprang back, clearly alarmed by the expression that must be present in my eyes. I don't blame her too much, considering the horrible thoughts that had been going on through my head. What was wrong with me? I must have a clear mind. This wasn't Lavinia's fault. Not at all. No. It was his fault. Still doesn't mean I have to want to kill her. How could I? Ever since I've been captured, Lavinia was the one who treated me with the most kindness. There's more innocence in her that all of her district put together.

I daresay she actually saw me as a human being.

But I don't feel like one anymore. The war turned me into a monster. A darkness rested within my soul, and it grew last night, not because I was tortured but because I gave in to my torturer and that was what he wanted. That made it a hundred times worse. What I suffered through last night had not only took away part of my sanity, but also erased part of my existance.

Third Person Pov

"Can you give me a bath?"

Katniss was embarassed to exchange these words of greeting with Lavinia, but nonetheless it was what she needed the most at this moment. Her voice betrayed no emotion. A bath alone would not suffice for the treatment she received last night, but she wanted to feel as clean possible, because at the moment, she felt dirty.

Lavinia, being Lavinia, agreed immediately and turned on the tub without a second thought about Katniss's death glare, both of which Katniss felt guilty and thankful for.

The hot water sang lullabies to her aching body-particularly her muscles. Katniss scrubbed herself, hard, and then Lavinia decided to take the scrub brush away before Katniss scrubbed her skin off. Katniss hissed as the water ran harshly over her red, raw skin. Lavinia bit her lip. The poor child was suffering (His Majesty was always SO rough the first time). She decided to pour into the bath a skin-soothing foam that was normally only saved for the royalty of District 2. Well, what His Royal Majesty doesn't know won't hurt him. Right?

Katniss had to admit it felt nice having somebody take care of her, but she demanded to wash some parts of her by herself. She felt better about herself (at least a bit) as she cleaned the sticky substances between her legs.

Something greatly bugged Lavinia, and it wasn't just seeing Katniss's distress. She felt like she wanted to remember something, something very important, but no matter how hard she tried, she couldn't conjure it up. She kept unusually quiet as she drained the bathtub and helped Katniss into a luxurious robe of white fur.

"Only His Majesty's best for you." She was so engrossed within her thoughts that she didn't notice something passing through Katniss's eye.

Katniss was anguished. The robe was fluffy and cozy and warm and the bath may have improved her physically, but internally a fog of humiliation still hung about her, and don't even get her started on the thunderstorms of anger that crashed in her heart. How could she have so willingly gave in last night? Didn't she swore to always stand strong even at the most difficult times?

A groan rumbling from her stomach brushed her anger aside. She could not remember when she had last eaten or what she had last eaten. Her stomach was quivering and she felt nauseous and weak. If she didn't eat soon, she feared she'd fade away. But what about those poor other people? What about her sister? Was she being treated right?

"Lavinia," she croaked.

"Yes, Katniss?" Lavinia replied immediately. If she's gonna fall, I probably can catch her, she eyed Katniss warily. She doesn't look very heavy.

As much as she hated asking for favors, Katniss had no choice. "How is my sister? Do you know..."

"OH!" Lavinia clapped a hand to her forehead as if it were the most obvious thing in the world. "Katniss, I'm so, so sorry I forgot to mention this earlier, I kinda forgot, I know, how stupid, how careless, how irrational of me. I'm really, really sorry, and I don't know any other way to break it to you so I'm just going to state it bluntly...your sister and your mother are dying."

Katniss became immobilized.

"They're starving, like the other prisoners," Lavinia continued, "They need food..." And warm blankets. And medicine. And more space. But Lavinia didn't want to mention it anymore, for she was afraid Katniss was going to die of despair right in front of her.

Katniss's voice came out hollow and desperate. "Help them. Please."

It shocked Lavinia. Katniss had lost her attitude. "I would, Katniss, you know I would, oh, but His Royal Majesty..."

"Get him!" Katniss sounded lost and urgent. "Please! Hurry! There's not a moment to lose! GET HIM! Or I will myself!"

"You can't! I will!" He'd kill them all if Katniss stepped out of this room! Without another word, Lavinia hurried off with a desperate Katniss staring after her, longing to follow.

No matter how apologetic Lavinia's doe-eyes looked, Katniss was too busy staring at the six-foot-something of muscles standing next to her. A crown rested on top of its tousled blonde hair.

In his arms, King Cato carried, or rather cradled a tray piled with food. Katniss could feel herself drooling at the sight of it all. Soft rolls cut into the shape of flowers, sweet peas the size of tomatoes, a pheasant embedded with sapphires, parsley mashed potatoes, a creamy midnight-blue broth, a steak-and-mutton pie, and a bottle of something sparkling clear. It was more food that she had ever seen at one time. Considering she hadn't eaten for days, it looked more like heaven.

"You are to go," the king said carelessly to Lavinia, who bowed and reluctantly backed out. The minute she left the room, his tone grew an octave colder, if that were possible. "Now," he said, turning to Katniss, "I hear the District 12 maiden is starved. Would you like something to relinquish your hunger?"

Would she ever. But Katniss's pride had swung back up along with her anger. She would take nothing from this man. She simply turned her head to the side.

"A difficult guest makes for a difficult time." He set the tray on one fancy nightstand and came closer. Katniss found herself backing up towards the bed. To her (brief) relief, he passed her and instead flipped a couple of the sheets she had slept under. He frowned at what he saw. "You got blood and cum on my mattress."

Katniss had to dig her nails into her palms to keep her temper in check. "It was a team effort." She said through gritted teeth. She blinked in surprise. It wasn't in her nature to make vulgar jokes like this.

King Cato's lips curved into a smile. "I see that was your first time. You cannot deny that you enjoyed it."

"I couldn't help it! You manipulated me! You tricked me! You forced me to do those wrong things with you!"

"And you loved every second of it."

"I will always hate you."

"Now, Katniss, is that any way to speak to your king?"

Katniss's head jerked up. King Cato had walked back to the food and hovered there as if he were guarding it. There was something about his voice. It had grown...sweeter. More coy. More manipulative. This was the first sign that something bad was about to happen, and Katniss didn't miss any of it.

"You've fought bravely. You should be proud." She shivered at his sudden syrupiness. He wasn't genuinely complimenting her with that tone of his, the tone that seemed so unlike his usual iciness. He was up to something else. "That is why," he continued, "I have brought this feast for you. I understand how hungry you must be. I brought it just for you."

She was hungry. She was so hungry that she was blindly rushing towards him out of instinct, saliva dripping from her mouth. He lifted the tray above her head out of her reach.

"I'll make a deal with you, Katniss," he said, smiling softly.

Katniss's heart clenched. Here was the catch-why didn't she see it in the first place? She must've looked so stupid running up to him like that, just like he wanted, he was such a jackass, how she would love to give him a good slap or if only she had her arrows-

"You do me a little favor with those lips of yours, and in return I'll give you food. How does that sound?"

Katniss bit her lip. Did he want a kiss? If he did, why didn't he just force her in the first place? He could've if he wanted to. Not that she cared what assholes like him had going on in their heads, she thought to herself. Then she realized he didn't want a kiss. At least not just a kiss.

"NO!" Katniss screamed, louder than she meant to. "No way!"

The king's eyes glittered in malicious excitement. "But Katniss, do you not want to satisfy your agonizing hunger? Are you so foolish as to choose the most painful and long path as possible?" She tried to back away, but she was against the wall now, and he was too close to her, and she could feel his warm breath tickling her ear as he whispered, "And about your sister..."

"What about her?" She snapped, forgetting her reign of silence for a moment.

"She's seen better days, hasn't she?"

Katniss gnashed her teeth.

"Oh, no need to get all flared up, sweetheart. Some things can be changed very easily."

How I wish, Katniss thought as she imagined herself towering over him.

"You'll find that a man's generosity can run out very quickly if you disregard him," he said in a tone without a trace of smile.

"What generosity? The monster I stand before is brutal, callous, and heartless!" cried an indignant Katniss. That did it. His blow left a handprint on her face and her head turned sideways, pulsing from the sharpness.

"That's it. Your friends, family, sister. You can say goodbye to them forever," he growled.

"No...don't hurt them...I'm...sorry..."

"I'm sure you are," he said in a cold and pitiless tone.

Mockery was more than Katniss could take. "What do you want from me?! I'm tired of playing your cocky mind games! Just tell me what you want from me and my people!" she screamed.

"I believe I already made of clear what is it that I want. However, since you insist, I can make you an impartial deal, perhaps a bit more long-lasting than our last one, because I am that generous. You be a decent little guest, my decent little guest, and I will ensure the survival and safety of your family and friends as long as they follow the laws that fall under my kingdom. That goes for you as well, the law applies to everyone. How does that sound?"

Katniss very much wanted to be sure that her family and friends could survive at least without being harmed. But still..."What do you mean, your decent little guest?"

A twinkle gleamed in Cato's eye. "You will treat me as your king"-maybe something more-"you will obey my commands, do what I tell you to, eat what I bring you..." He gently brought a hand onto Katniss's thigh. "And wear what I tell you to wear."

Katniss flinched. Her heart pounded steadily in her ears even though her mind was anything but steady. It ran with all kinds of questions and concerns. A lump of fear arose in her stomach, right beside the hunger. Should she accept his deal, to protect her loved ones? Could she?

"I forgot to mention," added Cato, his hand tracing invisible patterns up and down Katniss's upper thigh, "Refusal of the deal means punishment for both you and your family and friends. My guards know perhaps dozens of ways you can drive a person insane. They know where to cut to make it hurt."

Katniss's mouth dried up. Her heart squeezed itself, twisting and wrenching her pride...it was worth it, she decided. No matter what she had to do, she had to do it to protect her loved ones. It was her top priority in life. And life can't live without food. She took a deep breath. She'll never be emotionally prepared for this. She'd try to not think as much.

It surprised both of them and took away much of her dignity when she tentatively wrapped her arms around him, breathing rapidly. She tried not to think about how big or toned or warm he felt against her bare skin...I won't ever let anyone hurt Prim. If this is what I have to do...so be it.

He wrapped his arms around her and then crashed his lips onto hers. "Knew you'd come to your senses eventually," he said when they paused for a breath. Indeed, Katniss had come to her senses. Anything was worth it if it meant having a chance of seeing her Prim again. And maybe some food. She just remembered how starved she was.

King Cato disrobed quickly. He made Katniss help him, and chuckled when her cheeks flamed a light shade of red as he ripped off her robe in one swift movement. He brought her down on her knees and grabbing her hand, made her feel him. "Do you feel this? This is how much I want you."

Katniss was feeling embarassed and ashamed and humiliated and many other emotions as her hand trembled up and down. He was big, and she had a rather small mouth, and she had never done this before, and he was huge-

Cato's eyes gleamed. She was going to need some help. That was okay. He'd enjoy giving it.

He grabbed her raven hair and forced himself into her mouth. She nearly choked, her mouth was so full. He leaned down and hissed into her ear, "Here's where you start sucking, darling."

Against every nerve in her body, she closed her eyes and began to suck. Warm tears rained down her cheeks. He saw them and then looked away, angry at the small flicker of emotion that had flared temporarily inside him. Why should he care for anything about her when she was nothing more than a new slave and the common dirt from District 12? Why should he care how she was feeling as long as he, royalty, was feeling good? He'd done this so many times before. And it felt so good for him, he could hardly believe she'd never done this before. She could be awkward and very clumsy, but she was pleasuring him.

He yanked on her hair, making her head bob between his thighs, controlling the speed. Katniss opened her eyes and looked up at him through her lashes. He found the wide-eyed expression on her face adorable and innocent, and that turned him on even more. "Good girl," he muttered between heavy breathing. He threw his head back, noises escaping his lips as he felt himself getting closer and closer...

Katniss was trembling; she was trying to pull away when she felt something thick and warm down her throat. She nearly choked as he pulled out, and started to spit out her mouthful when she felt strong hands grab her hair.

"Swallow," he demanded.

She swallowed, tears streaming down her cheeks. Katniss felt the area between her legs moistening all this time. She'd felt filthy plenty of times before, but this, this was a whole other level. A pair of arms scooped her up and carried her bridal-style to the bed, dumping her on the mattress. She had to resist every strong impulse warning her to escape, to fight against this. Prim. Katniss didn't even know where she was. How could she be sure that her baby sister was safe?

He startled her by setting the tray next to her. "Much deserved for a great performance," he said with a smile.

Katniss stared at him as if she couldn't believe he was being real, and then her eyes downcasted at the food and she'd forgotten everything else. She forgot that she didn't like eating in front of strangers (particularly enemies who are considered traitors). She forgot that there was this thing called manners. Voraciously she began gobbling everything in sight-the supple mutton pie, the moist, creamy potatoes, the greasy pheasant with the sapphires she tried not to break her teeth on (this could feed so many people in District 12 for months, she thought angrily). It was still lukewarm and it was all so good and so tasty and felt so hearty going down, oh she hadn't eaten this much in months, maybe even years, and it even washed away the salty tase of him...

He sat by, watching her eat with his expression of indifference and a hunger of his own. When her famined vanished, Katniss tried to eat more politely, ashamed of her previous manners and then she remembered who this was, and she started pigging down all over again.

When she had had enough, something suddenly registered in her mind.

"Hey, erm, uh, Cato, do you think you can send my family some of this..."

Cato filled up the glass with the sparkling clear liquid and put it to her lips. It tasted bitter and dry and expensive, and that was when Katniss registered this was something known as wine, also known as the everyday drink of the wealthy, and then decided not to take another sip. She tried to end it with a burp (maybe even in his face), but all she managed to do was get a brief case of hiccups instead. And then she could feel something heavy seeping across her mind, but oddly enough, it was making her feel light and a little dizzy...she lied down to cool off her head.

Cato moved the tray and quickly clambered on top of her, straddling her legs. "Time for round two. And yes, of course. It's part of our deal."

Katniss whimpered. She couldn't seem to find her voice. She wondered if she still had one. Or was that taken away from her too?

"P-P-Prim."

"What was that?"

She flinched at his sharp tone. "H-how d-do I know if I can b-believe you about my sister?"

His expression hardened into something that made the area between her legs dampen. "You will just have to my word for it, as your king."

"I-"

"Shut up and spread your legs." He didn't have time for so many changing emotions. Women.

"But-"

"Now."

She did so, knowing that he meant business. He smirked to himself; if only all his enemies had a little sister.

He kissed and touched and stroked her until they both panted heavily and she was throbbing with need. He felt himself harden all over again as moans and slobbery sucks and whimpers echoed off the walls of the room.

She screamed just as loud as last time when he took her, and a sense of pride washed over him, knowing he was her first and her second...she was clean and pure and absolutely his for claim. Just like she devoured the food, he was now devouring her. They drowned in their sensation. Katniss hadn't expected her second time to hurt this much. And even though she was being torn into two, there was a part of her that deeply wished he'd go faster, hold her tighter, be a little rougher...

She shouldn't be doing this. What the hell was he doing here when he should be saving her sister?! This doesn't feel good. You're doing this for Prim. Don't forget that...oh my God!

He couldn't read minds, but he had one of his own. Looking at her bouncing breasts gave him the idea. He sped up his face, making her moans louder. All sorts of noises escaped her little lips, and he couldn't deny his enjoyment. But he didn't stop when she came, in fact, he picked up his pace even more. He took her in different positions, which was very fortunate that she was so thin and flexible. The expressionless guards outside heard pounding. Backs arching, chests touching, grunts of bliss, and screams of ecstasy. It was a wonder they remained expressionless.

Her screams were music to his ears. He reveled in their intensity, a rhythm of its own. He lost himself inside her, bending her to his will.

Lavinia was bringing to him a glass of wine when she heard the noise. She stopped near the door that opened to his chambers. She heard the noises coming from inside, the moans, his heavy grunting, her ear-split screaming.

She turn around and ran away as fast as she could. The glass of wine was thrusted into one guard's hands. He blinked stupidly. And then for the first time in ages, his face formed an expression and he drained the glass empty in one gulp.

Katniss uttered one last shrill scream before collasping into the messy mattress. She didn't know which one this was or how many times she had came. She was near unconsciousness as she felt thick warmness enter her. Cato dropped down beside her and then the last thought she had before blacking out was that she hoped he'd feed her sister as quickly as possible.

After all, she had just sold her soul to the devil.

Breathing heavily, Lavinia threw herself inside the random room and slammed the door. A sob escaped from her lips.

"Oh!" she gasped as a figure emerged from behind one of the bookshelves. "Sorry! Didn't know you were here!"

"That's okay," it said quite kindly, smiling at her. "What brings you here?"

Lavinia looked at the rows and rows of bookshelves, the heavy books that seemed ancient and all the Gothic-style armchairs sitting by an unlit fireplace. She bit her lip.

"His Majesty's about to be in a very bad mood again," she said, sighing. She picked up a random red book and tossed it. "And I had grown rather attached to this one."

"Oh? What made this one different?"

Was it her imagination, or did the figure's voice just grow colder on her? "She was different. She had...fire. Like a fiery attitude that I've never seen before. I think she would dare to challenge our king." She chuckled! Oh, how ridiculous. Who could ever challenge her beloved king?

There was a pregnant pause. And then the figure said, "This captive...she is from District 12, yes?"

"Yes, indeed. We got a new shipment of prisoners just yesterday."

"Oh, I see. Are they imprisoned?"

"Yes. Except for the one woman we're talking about, dark hair, dark eyes, hmm, what was her name, Katrina...no...Kathleen...Katniss. Oh yeah, it was Katniss! Yep, yep. That's her. Fiesty and fiery. But really nice. I like talking to her. She actually knows what she's talking about, unlike many of the girls I talk to, oh my, you wouldn't believe how ditzy they are, or they appear to be, of course they think it attracts His Majesty...hello? You still there?"

In the dim light, Lavinia didn't see the figure's face turn sickly white. "She wasn't-she didn't-where is she now-"

"Oh, she was taken to His Majesty's chambers," Lavinia instinctively dusted a few books, "At first, we were all like oh my God, His Majesty's gone out of his mind, taking a girl from District 12. Of course, I trusted His Majesty's judgement. I knew he had good taste all along, and of course I was right: Katniss is really okay. Hey, are you even listening to me?!"

"What-oh, yes, sorry. I'm listening."

"Right, but I forgot what I was saying, so I'll just say something else instead. I'm kind of upset that Katniss...I mean, she was...you know, she...oh, I just can't believe she's going to move on!"

"What do you mean move on?"

"Well, you see, after His Majesty...spends some time, er, getting to meet girls...hey, wait a minute, you've worked here awhile, you're a part of the servants, how come you don't know?"

"Not everyone can have the honor of being as devoted as you are to His Majesty, Miss."

"Fair enough," Lavinia said with a giggle. "But," her tone suddenly turned serious, "You see, after His Majesty meets girls, it usually ends up with him in a bad temper and the girl...well, let's just say that they end up with some sort of unfortunate...accident."

The figure was at a loss for words.

"They're all ditzy, klutzy, foolish girls who throw themselves at His Majesty," Lavinia added quickly, but she sounded unsure herself, "They know the consequences. If His Majesty becomes angry, they have given him reason to be."

"Katniss-"

Lavinia couldn't help noticing it said Katniss's name like an old man crying out for his lover. "Yeah, well, he's met Katniss already...oh, the poor thing! I wish there was something I could do to help! I wish it didn't have to be this way, I want to-"

The doors suddenly burst open, startling both of them.

"His Royal Majesty requests to see Maid Lavinia immediately!" announced the Peacekeeper.

"As he wishes," Lavinia bowed apologetically and strolled out with a sad look on her face.

The figure waited for the doors to close. Then he got out from within his robes his hidden cloak. He hurried to the fireplace, and rested his palm upon one of the blocks of stone making up the nearby wall. A section of the wall rumbled as it slid open to reveal a dimly lit passageway. Once inside, he rested his palm upon another brick, and then the wall slid back into place.

Inside the passageway, the footsteps of Peeta Mellark were fueled by his determination to rescue somebody named Katniss before it was too late. Nobody in the castle of District 2 heard his panting in the cold air or the anxiety thudding away his heart.

Thank you my friends, if you support this story (by reviewing/reading) you're also supporting my writing and I really appreciate that :) Let me know if you like the Cato in Freedom of a Mockingjay (which will be updated soon) or if you like this Cato better! What do you think of Lavinia (so far)? What is Peeta up to? How come he is not a prisoner? Will Prim, Mrs. Everdeen, and Gale make it? Will King Cato keep his end of the deal? Coming up next chapter.

You're all super awesome, and big thank yous to this patient bunch: Lonespark088, Julie-Anna12, CatnipGirlonfire, dnnxjs, , Emm875love, Natalie M.R, Waterfreak201346, Inescapable void (COOL name, btw), thepinkmartini, dragonflame, Theflipside, rayleen14, dhjd, hdbzkw, youcan'tbandagethedamage, ms. BL, heyomyfellowreaders101, fishflapper, abigail25, guest, vampirebooklover09, and to those who have stuck by me all this time...