Chapter 4 - Stitches And Surrender

Mira barely remembered walking after signing the contract. It felt more like she floated, pulled along by invisible strings. Lady Selene led her deeper into Whitcroft Manor’s endless halls, walls lined with faded portraits of severe-looking ancestors and thick black curtains that devoured the light.

Selene: "You’re so quiet, Mira. Second thoughts already?"

Mira: "Too late for that... isn’t it?"

Selene laughed, not kindly. She stopped before a tall, ornate door and pushed it open with one delicate hand.

Inside, four familiar faces turned toward them. Adeline, Clara, Lys, and Margot, still in their sharp maid uniforms, lounging like feral cats in a dressing room lined with mirrors, wardrobes, and sewing kits.

Selene: Claps her hands. "Playtime, girls."

Adeline stood first, a slow smile curving her lips.

Adeline: "Time to make the new kitten presentable?"

Clara: "Can I measure her?"

Lys: "I-I’ll fetch the uniforms...!"

Margot: "I’ll find the cute ribbons!"

Mira stepped backward instinctively, bumping into Selene’s chest. The vampire lady didn’t move, she only leaned closer, her voice low and full of dark amusement.

Selene: "No escaping, pet. They bite too... if you’re lucky."

Mira's face flamed, but before she could sputter a protest, Adeline and Clara seized her arms, dragging her to the center of the room.

Adeline: "Arms up."

Mira: "W-Wait-!"

Clara already had the measuring tape around Mira’s waist, pulling it tight with an unnecessary smirk.

Clara: "17 inches. Fragile."

Margot: "Like a little doll!"

Lys: "Sh-should we... undress her?"

Mira: "I can change myself!!"

Selene laughed from the doorway, her sparkling gray eyes drinking in every moment like it was her personal opera.

Selene: "I don’t mind a show."

Mira: "No. Thank you."

The maids relented, barely, tossing a folded uniform at Mira and pointing to a curtained corner.

Mira ducked behind it, trembling.

As she changed, she heard the soft murmur of the maids, and Selene’s low, almost purring laughter.

Clara: "Think she’ll survive the month?"

Adeline: "Depends how often Selene plays with her."

Margot: "Or breaks her."

Lys: "Sh-she seems nice..."

Mira tugged the uniform into place, a heavy black dress with a white apron, snug around her chest and waist, the skirt flaring out mid-thigh.

She stared at herself in the mirror,

pale, wide-eyed, drowning in velvet and lace. She didn’t look like a maid. She looked like a lamb dressed for sacrifice.

Mira: "What have I done..."

She stepped out, cheeks burning. Instantly, all four maids whistled and clapped mockingly.

Margot: "She’s precious!"

Adeline: "Good thing Selene prefers them soft."

Selene strolled forward, circling Mira like a lioness sizing up prey.

Selene: "Perfect."

Her cold fingers brushed Mira’s chin, tilting her head side to side, inspecting.

Selene: "Perhaps a collar would complete the look..."

Mira jerked back instinctively, and Selene let her go with a dangerous smile.

Selene: "Later."

The maids dissolved into giggles.

Selene turned back to them, all amusement wiped clean from her face.

In its place was something sharper, something Mira recognized from animal documentaries. The moment before the predator struck.

Selene: "Listen well. Mira is mine."

The room fell deadly silent.

Selene: "Touch her without my permission... and I'll tear out your pretty throats."

The maids, even cocky Adeline, bowed their heads respectfully.

Adeline: "Of course, Lady Selene."

Clara: "As you wish."

Margot: "We wouldn't dream of it..."

Lys: "U-Understood."

Mira swallowed thickly.

Mine.

The word echoed in her head long after Selene had led her out of the dressing room and into another dark hallway.

She had a sinking feeling she wasn’t just a maid here. She was prey. Or worse... A pet.

Selene walked ahead, hips swaying lazily, speaking over her shoulder.

Selene: "Your duties will begin tomorrow at dawn. Cleaning. Serving. Attending to my... personal needs."

Mira’s stomach twisted.

Mira: "Personal needs?"

Selene stopped, turning slightly, her gray eyes gleaming with wicked promise.

Selene: "You’ll find out, little lamb."

Mira flinched as Selene reached for her.

But instead of grabbing her, Selene only tapped a slender finger against Mira’s racing pulse.

Selene: "I wonder... how long you’ll last before you start begging."

Mira stumbled backward, heart pounding. Selene only smiled. And the house swallowed them both.

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