Chapter 3 - The Interview Of Teeth And Silk

The grand foyer swallowed Mira whole, marble floors that gleamed like still water, black chandeliers dripping crystal tears, endless staircases spiraling into the gloom above.

Lady Selene descended the staircase like she had all the time in the world. Her skirts whispered against the stone, her bare arms pale as moonlight under the flickering candles.

Selene: "My, my. Look at you."

Mira stood frozen, clutching her backpack like a lifeline.

Mira: "H-Hello... Lady Selene, right?"

Selene reached the bottom step, stopping just close enough for Mira to catch the intoxicating scent of her, roses, wine... and something metallic.

Selene: "So polite. I was expecting a little more whimpering."

Mira: "Uh... I can scream if you prefer?"

Selene laughed, a low, velvet sound that sent a chill down Mira’s spine.

Selene: "Adorable. Keep that spirit. I'll enjoy breaking it."

Mira’s throat tightened. Before she could stammer another word, four young women appeared from the side hall, all dressed in crisp black-and-white maid uniforms, faces curious and sharp.

It was Adeline, Clara, Lys, and Margot, the four apprentice maids she had spoken to earlier.

Selene: "Girls, meet your new little sister."

The maids exchanged glances.

Adeline, the tallest and most confident, stepped forward first, her raven-black hair tied in a sleek bun, lips curled into a sly smirk.

Adeline: "So this is the little stray you fished out."

Selene: "Be nice, Adeline. We don’t want her running before I even have the chance to... play."

Clara, the blonde girl with sleepy, sharp eyes, leaned lazily against the banister.

Clara: "She’s cute. I call first dibs."

Lys: "You’re not supposed to scare her right away, Clara..."

Margot: "We’ll get along great! If you survive the first week, that is."

Mira blinked rapidly, overwhelmed.

Mira: "What did I just sign up for...?"

Selene clapped her hands once, the sound sharp as a blade.

Selene: "Formalities first."

She gestured elegantly to a dark doorway off the foyer.

Selene: "Interview room. Come, little lamb."

Mira obeyed numbly, the maids giggling quietly as they drifted back to their duties. The "interview room" was just as dramatic, walls lined with red velvet, a single massive chair like a throne set behind an old carved desk.

Selene swept into the throne with a flourish, crossing one long leg over the other.

Selene: Rests her chin on her hand. "Strip."

Mira’s brain short-circuited.

Mira: "WHAT?!"

Selene burst into laughter, throwing her head back.

Selene: She winks. "Joking. Mostly."

Mira: "Th-that's not funny!"

Selene: "Oh, it's delicious."

She leaned forward, voice dipping into something darker.

Selene: "Trust me, little Mira. If I wanted you naked... you'd already be."

Mira swallowed hard, every instinct screaming danger. Selene reached into a drawer, producing a thin, silver contract.

Selene: "Let’s keep this simple. Serve me loyally. Obey without hesitation. Accept all... peculiarities of the household."

She slid the paper across the desk.

Selene: "In return, you will be housed, fed, and compensated more handsomely than you can imagine."

Mira stared down at the contract. No fine print. No hidden clauses. Just her name and a blank line waiting for her signature.

Mira: "What’s the catch?"

Selene stood slowly, circling the desk until she was right behind Mira. Her breath brushed Mira’s ear, cold as the grave.

Selene: "The catch, sweetling, is me."

Mira turned slightly, heart racing.

Mira: "Are you... dangerous?"

Selene’s fingers skimmed Mira’s shoulder, feather-light.

Selene: "Do you want me to be?"

Mira’s knees nearly buckled. This was madness. All of it. And yet... something inside her, some wild reckless part, whispered yes.

Mira: "I need the money."

Selene chuckled, the sound vibrating straight through Mira’s bones.

Selene: "You’ll get it. And so much more."

Mira picked up the pen with shaking fingers.

Mira: "If I sign this... there’s no backing out, is there?"

Selene: "Oh, you’re catching on fast."

Her sparkling gray eyes burned into Mira’s soul,

hungry. Possessive. And something else, something frighteningly tender.

Mira pressed the pen to the paper.

Signed.

The air shifted instantly, heavier. Almost electric. Selene purred with satisfaction.

Selene: "Welcome to Whitcroft Manor... pet."

Before Mira could react, Selene moved, too fast for human eyes. A cold hand gripped Mira’s chin, tilting her head up. Selene’s face was inches from hers, beautiful, inhuman, terrible.

Her lips brushed Mira’s forehead, a kiss that left Mira trembling.

Selene: "Mine."

The candles flickered violently. Outside, the wind howled like a dying thing. And Mira knew, deep in her gut, She had just sold her soul to a monster.

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