Malecia emerged from her abode into a dull gray hallway. Despite the muted colors, the gray stone shined with a healthy luster. Beautifully preserved. Malecia’s left hand extended to the side, her body moving without her attention from a deeply instilled routine. The handle of an umbrella met her hand gently and her fingers closed around it. She froze in surprise and looked at the figure hidden partially in the shadows of the hallway.
The male servant in question bowed slightly under her gaze. His skin was a slightly blue color, she could see discoloration hidden under the color of his male servant suit that had a bit of modern influence.
“Young Madam.”, he said in a light and respectful tone. Malecia nodded her head slightly and turned to the right and walked towards the end of the hallway that ended in marble stairs that led downward. The servant walked in step behind her in silence before opening his mouth once again.
“Young Madam, will you be with the Young Master of the Luccheses house today? Would you like me to post the Master’s misfortune at a different station for the day?” He spoke slowly and carefully.
She thought of the ‘Master’s misfortune’ and automatically tied the statement to the bug she had as a servant. ‘I need to keep a close eye on it … Can I trust you to do that?’ Yes, she needed to keep it close and out of trouble for Pa.
“Fetch it for me, dear.”, she responded ambiguously over her shoulder as she walked down the stairs. “At once, Young Madam.”, he said with another short bow. Malecia blinked and he was gone.
She held in the need to breathe in another breath and finished her descent of the stairs. She looked around the sitting room she had stepped into. There were two couches facing one another with a long glass coffee table. A fireplace with wood inside was built into the wall under the stairs. Two long expensive looking black lamps were put opposite ends of the two couches that cast a warm glow onto the room. She looked over the sitting room and to the big metal double doors that stood out more than anything in the room. She hummed and walked towards the double doors that most likely lead outside. The doors opened for her once she got close enough, she had to force herself to keep walking so as not to jump in surprise and embarrass herself. Malecia looked around the room she was in and realized she had thought wrong.
In front of her was a dining room with a very wide and extremely long dining table. To the far left, past the stone walls lined with burning candles and potted plants along the walls, was an empty plate sat in front of an unnecessarily tall arm chair at the head of the table. But a tall wine glass filled with a deep red, almost black, liquid caught her attention. She sniffed and almost sighed in ecstasy at the smell of pure bliss. She knew what was in the glass, she should be disgusted, but she was Malecia Morticia Von Serpens. And lord knows how many times she had already sipped from a glass containing this forbidden nectar. She walked along the dining table with quick steps and picked up the glass. It was warm to the touch, the blood swayed in the glass only a bit, it was highly viscous with some blood sticking to parts inside of the glass. She brought the glass towards her face, sniffing it through her face covering. “Mmmm.”. The smell was much stronger, richer now that it was right under her nose, as one would expect. She wondered if the reason the blood smelled so strong was because she couldn't smell much of anything else. Deciding that it would be best to hurry and drink before she wasted time on thoughts of how her body was even operating, she lifted her veil.
Bringing the glass to her lips and she sipped.
She was ashamed to admit she blacked out for a second. The euphoria she felt was unlike any other, two parts of her mind were firing dopamine into her brain at the same time. She didn't know if it was possible but here she was, feeling double the amount of delight she should. And even that felt like an understatement. Her body continued to drink the rest of the ichor without her awareness, the only thing left inside being the leftover blood that stuck to the glass. Her injured hand that held the umbrella tingled a bit, she had forgotten about it in all honesty. She held the glass in an iron grip so as not to drop it, cracks appeared on the outside as she tried to gather herself.
“Was the meal not to your liking, Young Madam?”, a voice to her right asked carefully. She turned her head stiffly.
A female servant dressed in chef's clothing greeted her flaring red eyes. Under her gaze the servant shuffled uncomfortably and bowed her head deeper.
“I-”, the servant cleared her throat. “I can make you another more to your tastes, Young Madam.”
The chef’s pale face seemed to get even paler when she still said nothing. Staring at her for a few more seconds Malecia sat the glass back onto the table, the clinking of the glass on the dining table made the servant flinch. Malecia heard the servant take a shaky breath before speaking.
“Young Madam, please allow me to make you another meal. Please, Young Madam.” The servant bowed from the waist deeply.
Malecia opened her mouth, but before she could speak the doors to the dining room flung open.
“Miss Serpens, don'tcha think it’s a bit sad of you to be bullying a servant?”. And in walked her Pa’s misfortune.
“What wrong, Miss Serpens?” her blood boiled at the way he said her name.”Surprised I have the guts to confront you or ashamed you got caught?”
Malecia’s emotions bubbled to a breaking point. His patronizing tone only made it worse, even the ‘sane’ part of her mind got a little frustrated. Gripping the handle of the black umbrella, she raised it slightly and slammed the pointed end into the ground. The umbrella broke through the concrete floor and cracked the floor around it. Both the servant and Damien jumped in shock. Her hand stung from the knock back, the pain helping her rein in her emotions that threatened to go rampant.
“Quiet.” she hissed. Her eyes blazing with withheld fury.
Damien closed his mouth and stood silently holding her gaze. Malecia turned towards the servant that stood beside her.
“You may leave, dear.” Malecia lifted the umbrella from the hole she gouged in the poor floor. “And fetch someone to clean this mess.”
The servant's body seemed to sag in relief, “At once, Young Madam.”
The servant walked backward into an inconspicuous door that blended into the walls. Malecia looked towards Damien and walked towards him, her heels echoing in the spacious dining room. Damien stood stiffly in front of the door, alert and watching as she moved closer. His breath hitched as she walked past him and out of the dining room. He whirled around in confusion having expected the usual arguing and fighting. But no, Malecia just continued to walk down the dark hall that led to the entrance of the mansion. Damien stood, feeling a little lost.
“Follow.”, the words shook him out of his daze, the voice was demanding and demeaning, as if he were nothing more than a dog. He grit his teeth as his purple eyes gleamed with righteous fury, before he calmed himself down. He walked briskly, following his ‘madam’s’ path, his eyes burning a hole into her back. ‘This old bitch will get what's coming to her, I'll make sure of it.’
⇜⇝
Malecia finally used her brain and brought up the memory of where the front door was. She was beginning to regret coming out of her room without trying to absorb more memories. For some odd reason she felt a compulsion to leave her house today, at first it was her need to see the little wolf boy but when she had already bottled up the eruptive feelings she still felt the need to leave. Malecia gripped her umbrella handle in worry, she did not like the feeling of being forced to do things she didn't want to. Not at all.
Finally reaching the front doors of her mansion she put these thoughts to the far back of her mind. The doors opened for her and Damien who was following along. The sun hung high in the sky, giving its signature radiant greeting. It was truly a pity that she would never feel the gentle touch of the sun in her life. Opening her umbrella, Malecia let the handle rest on her shoulder and slowly walked out of the shadows of her home.
The heat was overbearing and fierce. She felt as if she was melting. Damien on the contrary stepped into the sun easily all while smiling cockily. Even if she couldn't see him she could feel his cockiness ooze off of him. Stepping on the clean concrete, walking down her beautiful front garden filled with Dahlias of all colors, all kept in pristine condition. She imagined it all smelt wonderfully.
Stolen from Royal Road, this story should be reported if encountered on Amazon.
Spotting a sports car beyond the metal gate that surrounded her courtyard she picked up her pace. A man leaned against the car that was a polished white color. He was wearing painfully tight skinny jeans that made his thighs pop, he had nothing on his upper body other than a leather bikers jacket. Tinted sunglasses were nestled on his clean-shaven face. His outfit screamed, ‘Look at me, I’m a bad boy.’ As Malecia neared she stopped in her tracks just a few feet from him, the metal gate having already opened to allow her passage.
The man looked at her and lifted his sunglasses from his face, his unusually golden colored eyes boring into her with barely concealed loathing. “What? Stunned by my good looks?”
Malecia gripped her umbrella tightly, this being one of the many, many, many times she has been on the verge of breaking her property since she had woken up. This boy had an intoxicating scent wafting off of him. She could hear the blood running through his veins, it sounded like literal music to her ears. Malecia could just imagine the taste of him. Her fangs peeked from under her top lip, she didn't bother trying to pull them back. Now she could partially understand the original Malecia’s obsession over this boy.
“Yes, yes, you are as fine as wine.” She walked past him with some difficulty and opened the passenger side door and sat down in her seat, forcing herself not to slouch. “Now, don't just stand there boy, get it rolling.” Jason stood, astounded at her audacity before he growled lowly.
“I’m not your fuckin’ chauffeur.”, He glared at her with hatred filling his eyes. The back of her mind seemed to be screaming at her to give in, apologize, make him happy, but she ignored it.
“Then why are you here, darling?”, she sighed with tiredness that didn't convey half of the amount of mental exhaustion she felt. “Come dear, end this farce. There is really no need to act like this. The sooner you get me to where I am needed the sooner you will be able to get rid of me.”, She needed to talk to her Pa about this engagement she apparently had with this little boy. Pa hated crossbreeding with a passion given his reaction to Damien, why would he agree to this arrangement?
“HA! Acting all high n’ mighty today aren't we, you weren't all ‘adult-like’ a couple days ago.”, Jason said as he walked around the car to the driver’s side.
Malecia didn't say anything and glanced at Damien who had also invited himself into the car. Jason peered at him and their eyes met for a split second and they gave each other a ‘look’ before breaking eye contact. …Was she not here? Did they think they did that look of understanding quicker than her eyes could perceive? Malecia closed her umbrella and set it on her lap. Hanging her head just a little and closing her eyes she tried to rest her mind. She heard an almost inaudible sigh of relief from beside her. Wow.
⇜⇝
Even if she was already dead and would survive a car crash with no injuries whatsoever, that did not warrant the speeds at which she witnessed Jason drive at. She did say the faster she got to the university the faster he could get rid of her, but still. Her dead and dying heart almost gave out a second time.
Cleansing the dreadful experience from her mind, she stepped out of the car and looked up at the truly awe inspiring building in front of her. It looked more like a castle than a university. University V., named after Madame Vindictive, a primordial witch older than language itself, according to the rumors. No one has had the pleasure of meeting the founder face to face, only hearing her voice through the intercoms on campus from time to time. Malecia lifted her umbrella above her head, and walked towards the pearly gates of the school accompanied by other interesting figures, from walking talking animals to blobs of mysterious liquid that moved on their own. She was confused as to why she was at this school. Not to be rude to herself but she felt old, like a middle aged woman mingling with teenagers. A memory of her Pa talking to her appeared in her mind as she looked up at the school.
‘“Little Morticia, as I'm sure you know primordial beings, no matter what they are, are extremely powerful.” Her Father was sitting at the other end of the dining table, they had just finished a meal together. “Yes I do, Pa. Why do you ask?” she inquired. “I would like for you to attend University V., little one. I have come to believe that the primordial witches of this University are plotting something.” Her face scrunched up a bit in thought. “Do they accept ones as old as I, Pa?” The man's face became a little less blurry, just enough for her to see a hint of a smile on his lips. “From today onwards thou’ are 90 years of age.” A bit of Old English slipped onto his tongue. “This will allow for a smooth enrollment. I know you do not like to appear weak in the eyes of others, I understand this sentiment very well, but for this to work I implore you to appear weaker than you are. Determine how strong the other top students of this school are and make yourself tens of times weaker.” She nodded her head in understanding, “Yes, I understand, but what is this about really, Pa? Is there something you want from the Ancient witches that you can't get anywhere else?” he hummed in affirmation. “I don't want to purposely hide the fact that they have something special planned, but in order for you to find this item effectively I need you to be unaware of what exactly it is. You will know when you see what it is because it will be extremely out of place, peculiar. You will know when you feel it because it will invoke feelings you yourself can not understand. It can be anything and it can appear at any time. All I know is that it will appear at University V., and those witches are the cause.”
The rest of the memory slipped from her brain like water down a drain. The words echoing in her head. She was happy Pa had trusted her with this mission, but he had given her nothing to work with. How did he even know the witches were plotting something? It sounded like he just wanted her out of the house honestly. Damien had appeared beside her at some point during her trip down memory lane.
“Never took you for one to get motion sickness.” He said with a forced chuckle. Malecia ignored him and continued on her way.
“Malecia!”, she stopped walking and turned to Jason who had yelled her name. “...”, the boy just stared at her without saying anything. She turned again and continued walking. “Hey! I’m talkin’ to you!” he yelled after her retreating figure. She didn't want to entertain his absurd behavior.
‘What a nut.’
“Malecia!”, a sing-song voice called her name this time. A woman with lanky limbs and skin that glimmered in the light was waving Malecia over to her and two other figures next to her. Malecia changed her course for them. Damien looked between her and the school gate, before deciding on the latter and walking towards it.
“No.” Malecia said. He turned towards her incredulously. “Follow.”, she repeated her order from earlier and continued on her way. A huff of frustration came from behind her before stomps followed her light steps.
Getting closer to the woman that had called her over to the side of the gate outside, a name appeared in her mind to the glittering figure. ‘Cali’. Cali had no nose nor hair, beautiful dark blue scales that had a hint of gold that shimmered when the light hit it, peppered every inch of her skin. Her eyes were a murky gray and she had a lipless mouth that was pulled into a wide smile, her teeth ended in sharp, dangerous points. She was dressed in a loose tank top and very short shorts. She wore no shoes and her toenails were also very sharp. ‘Siren’ was what she was, and said siren was running towards her.
“Malecia! It's so good to see you!”, Cali said as she jumped onto her, wrapped her arms around her torso, and buried her head into her bosom.
“...You as well, Cali.”, overcoming her split second shock, Malecia gently held Cali’s shoulder to ease her off.
One of the people in the group stepped up and grabbed Cali’s arm to pull her away all while sighing in annoyance.
“C’mon Cali, lay off her.”, the person in question that looked almost exactly like Cali, but his voice had a deeper tone to it which was enough to know that this was a male siren. He looked up at her with the same blurry gray eyes and apologized.
“M’sorry, Malecia. You know how Cali can be sometimes.” Malecia smiled and patted his head in comfort, his shoulder being too far down to reach easily.
“It's alright. I do not take any offense.” The boy, ‘Cal’, smiled up at her before a scoff from the side made his smile drop.
Cali shook her arm out of her brother's grip and looked towards Damien who was the culprit. “What's so funny?” Cali asked while looking at Damien. He responded with only an eye roll.
“I asked you a question you little-” Before Cali could continue, a hand landed on her shoulder to stop her.
“That's enough.”, Pepp said, its hand resting lightly on Cali's shoulder. Malecia looked up at Pepp who she had just noticed was here. “It is nice to see you are doing good, Damien. Please excuse Cali, she gets a bit too hyper on sunny days.” Cali gasped in vexation, “I soooo do not!” Damien only gave a slight nod in response.
Pepp turned to Malecia and spoke, “You as well Malecia, you hung up in such a hurry I was worried something had happened.” Pepp said plainly.
“I do apologize, Pepp.” Her rude behavior was unwarranted. “I have not forgotten my promise to give you ‘treats’, do look forward to that.”
Pepp’s attitude shifted to a pleased one. Cali and Cal perked up at the mention of ‘treats’, Damien on the other hand looked uncomfortable. “Treats?! Omigosh Pepp you have to share, pleeeeease? I will do your homework for a week!” Cali promised, hopping in place. Pepp seemed to think for a moment before shaking its head. “Awww, no fair! Treats are so rare these days most people can only taste one in their lifetimes.” Cali pouted and Cal’s demeanor also deflated.
Pepp just smiled and turned its attention to Malecia once again. “Now, before our conversation was interrupted on the phone, I have to tell you about the interesting events that happened when I was attending night school last night. It was-” “Omigosh, yeah! One of my friends that goes to night school said there were barely any teachers there. And there was a HUGE earthquake on campus, with all kinds of weird chanting and it felt like they were in the middle of a tornado with how strong the wind was and there was other stuff too but he said he got knocked out by a bench that came outta nowhere. But I think-” Cal put a hand over her mouth to stop her from continuing. “Sorry.” he said, “Go ahead, Pepp.”
“Thank you.” Pepp said holding in its irritation, “As I was saying, it was refreshing for something interesting to happen at this old school. I felt… mixed fluctuations of witchcraft from one of the rooms in the school. I went to look for it but I didn't find anything, even though I was in the exact room where it happened.” Pepp scratched its head, “I think that the room was fake, like a projection, but I didn't want to dig any deeper because I knew I would get in trouble with the elders.” If you didn't know what it looked like you would think it was a kindergartner who worried about making their teachers angry.
‘What even is Pepp?’ Malecia asked herself. Nothing appeared as an answer.
“Anyway,” Pepp resumed its recount of events. “Something has entered this school.” Its voice sounded like a kid trying to sound serious but it worked to get the other fours full attention. “What do you mean?” Cal urged Pepp to elaborate.
“I don't know exactly what has entered, but I can feel it here. And I can feel that it has brought something with it. Something-”
Gasps and shouts came from inside of the gates of the school. Some monsters ran to the gate to see what was happening, others stood back at a safe distance. Malecia stepped closer to the gate as well, along with her group.
A shrill voice sounded from the middle of the group of horrors that had gathered around the university gate. “What the fuck?! Don't touch me! Where the hell am I?! I swear to god I will fucking sue you people! This is going too far for a prank- get away from me!!!” Malecia’s ears hurt from the torture of the high pitched voice she was being subjected to.
A figure of a truly tiny woman appeared as she reached the end of the crowd, her extremely long blonde hair flowed behind her as she ran, her doe eyes that looked too big for her head, were wide in terror and confusion.
As Malecia laid her eyes on the little woman, she had one thought.
‘She is wrong.’