Twisted Tales: Vampire Bites By Midnight (Malleus x Reader)

Fang 8: Malicious Embers

Gwendolyn's Pov:

I tried my best to hold my breath to keep from breathing in the strange fog but that fell through almost immediately; I couldn't hold my breath for more than 1 minute before the fog pounced onto me.

Oh shit.

I nearly choked as I broke into a coughing fit, the rank odor of death assaulting my senses.

The stench was so overwhelming I was surprised I didn't pass out or throw up, though if this kept up, I just might end up doing both.

The sudden disembodied laughter didn't help.

Before my mind and body could give into unconsciousness, the talisman I hid under my dress collar started to glow a radiant whitish gold.

The glow seemed to dispel the foul odor of death, and as its glow grew fiercer, the fog almost completely dissipated, along with the mad cackles.

Despite the intensity of the glow, the talisman didn't burn me at all, though it did create a thin sheet of light around my skin.

Once the light died down I realized I was tensing my muscles, so I tried to relax before my eyes went wide.

I could feel whatever was in my stomach desperately making its way up to my throat.

I quickly went to the nearest bush and unloaded my entire stomach, afterward leaving a stinging in my eyes and a burning in my throat.

I wobbled back towards the bus stop only for the bus to finally make its way towards me.

"Took you long enough," I muttered bitterly as I shot a glare at it.

I was feeling a mix of emotions--most of it anger--but also relief at the fact I could finally go home.

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Gwendolyn's POV:

I was finally close to home.

Even though it didn't take many steps to go from the bus stop to my block, my legs felt heavier than usual.

On top of that, I still couldn't shake the idea I was being watched.

Whether it was human or not was hard to discern.

Though I didn't want to dwell on it; my body was already sore from my upheaving and the fact that it was late didn't ease my exhaustion any.

I sauntered up the steps of my house and raised a hand to the knob of the door before I realized it was hanging off its bolted center.

Not only that, but all the lights were off, even though I left some on before I left this morning.

My eyes widened as the tiredness in my muscles hardened in alarm as I pieced together why it was broken in the first place.

Obviously, it was because someone wanted to break in but why?

I didn't have anything valuable for someone to steal.

So what could be–

The sound of someone's choked breaths and the shuffling of unfamiliar footsteps coming from behind my door snapped me away from my thoughts.

I hurried in there as fast as I could, climbing up the steps that lead into my living room, though what I saw made me stop in my tracks:

My cousin Preston was being held against the living room wall by his throat by a man I didn't recognize.

Why was he here?

More importantly, why was this...this bastard choking him?

I could feel my anger and fear rumbling in my stomach.

My whole body stiffened for just a second before I took one step toward them–

"Uh-uh," the man menaced without turning his head, his grip tightened around Preston's neck.

Preston's hands struggled to hold as the skin on his neck and face blued from the lack of oxygen.

I paused before I spoke.

"What do you want from me? Money?" I tried to make my voice steady, but the nervousness succeeded in showing itself, much to my agitation.

The man finally turned his head to me, a calm smile plastered over his face.

He quirked a honey-blonde brow.

"Come with me," he spoke lowly.

My brows pinched involuntarily; I wasn't exactly thrilled to go on a trip with this crazy POS, even if it meant the safety of my cousin.

After a minute, I nodded quickly, again letting my fear for my cousin get the better of me.

"Just let him go," I said in an almost whisper as my fists bawled, backing away a little.

I blinked back tears as those creepy red eyes stayed on me as he slowly turned.

His grip on Preston's neck loosened, and his body fell on the floor with a thud and a pained groan coming from him.

Don't worry, Prez, I thought, hoping it would calm my fast-beating heart, I'll get us out of this somehow.

I felt my breath hitch as the distance between the guy and me closed almost immediately, noting that there was something...inhuman about him.

I mean, the red eyes were a dead giveaway, but the way he moved felt unnatural– the way his designer shoes didn't so much as click as he stomped over to me as well as his bleached complexion made my mouth dry.

That wasn't all–it didn't seem like he was breathing.

Even through the darkness, what little light that came from the streetlights made it easier to see when he walked towards me into the light.

His chest didn't rise even once.

His smile vanished completely, those red eyes now widened with an expression I couldn't recognize, and his figure on top of me in the blink of an eye.