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

Fang 23: A Touch of Silver

AN: The photo is what you're wearing, but with green accents instead of grey.

He cocked his head slowly, almost unnaturally so as he stared at you.

"You both appear troubled."

"No shit, Sherlock," Grim snapped, "how would you feel if your friends were harassed and killed in front of you, and to top it all off, you getting kidnapped?!"

His head quickly snapped upright again, which startled the both of you.

"I apologize. Regrettably, I'm not very good at reading a room," he said before closing his eyes, his features showing a hint of regret.

"Who are you," you asked after a pause, "and what does your master want with us?"

He opened his eyes and his face hardened again, though he stared away from you.

"My name is Silver, and as for what Lord Malleus wants with you...well, you'll find out at tonight's dinner."

"Dinner?" You mimicked in confusion.

And "Lord Malleus?" So there's someone that Lilia has to answer to?

That just meant another vampire to worry about, and if he was as strong as Lilia (which you guessed he'd have to be since he's the ruler of this mansion) then you'd have zero chance of getting out of this place.

He nodded.

"Did Fath- Master Lilia not inform you? After you bathe, you're to have dinner with the Lord of this house and their members."

You blinked at Silver's correction but opted not to say anything.

"Back to the topic before. You should give up on escape. Given that you're friends with a beastman, I'm sure his testament to our masters will make them reconsider any and all plans of a rescue, so don't hold your breath."

Your brows furrowed again.

"If you think that, you don't know my friends."

He turned to face you, his blue eyes cold as he stared into you.

"Then get used to a life of attending funerals."

Before you could retort, he disappeared.

You growled and stomped your foot before an image of Gwendolyn's smile flashed in your mind, followed by her grisly image in the abandoned cabin.

This was becoming too real; your options were to do as they say or either you or someone you loved was going to face the consequences.

It hadn't even been a whole day and already you wanted nothing to do with this place as you held yourself and sobbed in the corner, Grim silently accompanying you.

*******

Grim was the first to bathe, and as you sat outside the bathroom door, you could hear Grim's voice.

"Oi! That tickles! H-hey! W-what's that?! Argh!!?"

After they were done with him, Grim looked on par with a show cat- his claws nicely trimmed and the fur on his head curled and dyed blue.

Gone was that raggedy striped bow he sported and was replaced with a shiny black bow dotted with small green emeralds and black embroidery patterns.

He had a smaller bow tied to his tail, which had a dragon's eye in the middle.

He was far from thrilled.

"I look ridiculous."

You giggled as you moved to pat his head in reassurance, but your wrist was grabbed by a maid.

"Your turn, dear guest," she said gently.

You nodded unsmilingly as you were taken to the bathroom.

"Look out for when they brush your feet! It's a menace!" Grim yelled as the door was closed behind you.

As soon as it was just you and the maids, you were immediately stripped bare, to which you hurried to cover the parts you didn't want to be seen.

Wordlessly, one of the maids motioned you to head into the tub, and you took one step at a time inside the bubbly, sweet-smelling water.

You winced in pain as the water hit your aches and scrapes, but grew adjusted to it as you settled-though that feeling was short-lived as the maids scrubbed through your hair, face, and feet with the brush.

Once they got to your heels you couldn't help but squirm from it tickling.

Guess that's what Grim was talking about.

Once those were done they switched to sponges and washed the rest of you, making you stand up to finish the process.

Then they dried you down, trimmed your hair, and put on a corset.

The corset was snug at first, but once the maid tightened the strings, the top part dug into your stomach.

It felt like your waist was being squeezed like an orange.

Soon, they began to dress you.

"Oi, is everything okay in there?" Grim's worried voice called from the door.

"Everything is fine," you responded, "I think."

There was a pause before he answered again.

"Whaddya mean you think? Are they bushin' you again?!"

"They're dressing me-"

"Please, hold still," the maid pleaded without looking, trying to make sure the belt went into the proper loop.

You cleared your throat, trying not to let your annoyance show.

Once you were done, you went into the mirror to examine your new look:

Gone were your tattered shirt and jeans; you looked like a model for a boys' style magazine.

Your hair was braided in a fancy bun and you wore a greyish-black vest over a pale green shirt with a matching ruffled collar.

You also had a long, simple yet elegant dress coat that held the silver compass Ace gave you in place as a decoration.

The buttons on your dress shorts, tie holder, and coat were all shaped like a dragon's eyes.

Grim whistled proudly.

"You look good! Better than me at least."

You agreed that you looked amazing, the tight stiffness in your stomach threatening your ability to breathe.

"I feel like I'm getting squeezed to death..."