In Her Keep 1: There She Is
In Her Keep, chapter one, is finally here!!!!!
TW: Kidnapping, restraints, emotional abuse/manipulation, infantilization, religious trauma/themes, noncon dressing, escape attempt, failed escape, vampires, blood, biting, confinement, injury, blood. (I think that's all, but if I missed anything, let me know!)
Masterlist
-----------------------
Consciousness returned slowly, bit by bit. The first thing that caught Amelia’s attention was the pain in her shoulders. Then, the chafing in her wrists. A soft, feminine voice hummed nearby, accompanied by the brush of fabric on fabric. “This was her favorite gown,” the voice whispered.
Amelia felt a light touch on her arm. So brief, so featherlight, that she wondered if she imagined it. Something tugged on her waist. After a beat, Amelia realized someone was clasping buttons up her back. She pried her eyes open, feeling as if her lids were weighed down. The light stung her honey-brown eyes, though she couldn’t even lift her head. It was so… So heavy.
As she adjusted to the brightness, Amelia was stunned by what she could see of the room. It was completely unfamiliar and made up of such jarring contrasts that it had to be a fever dream. The room looked as though someone had taken an old manor house and stuffed it full of modern life. Dark wood paneling climbed the walls, interrupted every few feet by ornate gold-framed paintings and sconces that looked old enough to belong in a museum. Heavy velvet curtains pooled against polished hardwood floors. An enormous fireplace dominated one wall, its carved mantle crowded with photographs in antique silver frames.
And then there was a massive TV that hung above the fireplace, like a technological parasite invading a cathedral. Nearby sat a velvet couch with elegant clawed feet and embroidered cushions, a phone charger trailing over one arm. A Kindle lay face down on one cushion beside a pair of reading glasses and what looked suspiciously like the remains of Chinese takeout.
The coffee table looked hand-carved, all twisting vines and polished oak, the sort of thing that belonged in a castle. Someone had abandoned a half-empty iced coffee on it beside a stack of mail and a glossy beauty magazine with Seraphina smiling from the cover. Amelia's eyes snagged on a smart speaker sitting beside a brass candelabra.
An Alexa, she thought numbly. She tried to move, tried to just lift her head again, with no luck. But she could look down at the bottom half of her body. Her jeans were gone, replaced by what appeared to be a vintage, light-blue gown. The dress was cinched at her waist and went all the way down to the floor. She couldn’t see her feet, but it felt like her sneakers were gone. What was happening? Where was she? The last thing Amelia remembered was leaving work. She stayed at the daycare late because a parent got a flat tire on their way to pick up the kid. By the time the mom got there, it was raining. Amelia planned to walk home despite the weather. It wasn’t far and wasn't worth calling an Uber. As Amelia set off down the sidewalk, a car slowed beside her with Seraphina inside.
Seraphina was super wealthy, gorgeous, and so far above spending time at a place like Sunshine Center Daycare. Heck, she was the founder and CEO of the multimillion-dollar beauty company, Forever Young! But they met six months ago, when one of Seraphina’s drivers almost ran Amelia over. The millionaire woman not only sent an entire box of luxury skin care products to Amelia’s house, she had been so involved at the daycare. Whenever they had a fundraiser, Seraphina was there, and she was always the biggest donor. She had promoted the daycare on her own platforms. Within a week of their chance meeting, Sunshine Center had enough funding to get better products for the kids. They could afford new toys and extra mats. Outdated supplies were replaced. These were little things that didn’t sound like a big deal, but to the underfunded daycare? It was a miracle, a dream come true.
When Seraphina offered to take Amelia home so she didn’t have to walk in the rain, she didn’t even hesitate before climbing into the backseat next to her. But then the driver didn’t make the correct turn out of the parking lot. Amelia had leaned forward, intending to correct him, when there was a sharp pain in her neck, and… Are you biting me?” Amelia demanded, eyes wide in shock. “Ow, what are you—that hurts!”But Seraphina didn’t stop. She grabbed the side of Amelia’s head and pulled her closer, digging her teeth into the soft flesh of Amelia’s throat. The longer she held on, the heavier Amelia felt…. Like her limbs were filled with concrete, or something…. The car didn’t stop. The driver didn’t even turn around.
When Seraphina finally pulled away, there was blood smeared across her lips. Her bared teeth—were her teeth pointed? Sharp?—were covered in a red as bright as her hair. Amelia tried to move, to scream, but couldn’t. Her vision blurred as Seraphina leaned down to press a kiss to Amelia’s forehead. “Shh… Hush now. We’ll be home soon, and I’ll explain everything, little one.”And then nothing.
Amelia’s heart raced. Had Seraphina kidnapped her? No way. No, no, Amelia was a nobody. She was a 20-year-old nothing who worked at a daycare, and couldn’t even afford to pay rent by herself! She tried to move in her bindings, tried to scream, but all she could manage was to look around wildly as her breathing turned ragged. The person behind her stirred. A telltale click-clacking of high heels announced the woman’s approach, and then a soft, cold hand was grabbing her chin.
None other than Seraphina, CEO of Forever Young, stood before her. Her mesmerizing, fiery hair was let loose today, going all the way down to her waist. Pale, flawless skin, blood-red lips, and hazel eyes accentuated by insanely long eyelashes. Already tall, Seraphina’s imposing figure was even more exaggerated by the high heels she never seemed to be without.
“Good morning, baby!” Seraphina squealed, booping Amelia’s nose with her free hand. “I was beginning to get worried. You must have been really tired, sleepyhead.” Her Cheshire-cat grin spread ear to ear, and, before Amelia’s very eyes, she saw it. Canine teeth slowly extending into razor-sharp points. Her eyes must have widened because Seraphina gave a cheery laugh. “Oh, don’t you worry, I won’t bite! I had to last night, just so you didn’t fight. But so long as you’re a good little pet, we will be just fine.” She dropped Amelia’s chin, giving her cheek an affectionate pat. Vampire. A vampire…. Some people talked about them, but vampires were always a rumor. A conspiracy, like aliens, or claims that man never walked on the moon. More than once, Amelia and Emily—her roommate—had talked about them. Emily was a huge conspiracy theorist; she even had a blog about her beliefs. She would sometimes share her theories with an entire slideshow presentation that Amelia would sit through, and then they’d discuss it. Most of the theories Amelia didn’t buy. Some, Emily would admit, were far-fetched, but she always thought vampires were out there.
You can doubt, but there’s no harm in being prepared. What if they ARE real, and one day, you come in contact with one? What would you do?
I think I’d admit myself to a mental institution, Emily. If I’m seeing vampires, I have bigger things to worry about than whether or not I have a wooden stake with me.
Now here she was, face to face with a vampire. No wooden stake. No silver dagger, garlic, or a crucifix to wave in the air.
She finally managed to lift her head and saw the cause of the massive ache in her shoulders. Her arms were tied above her to a ceiling fan by rope. Seraphina was humming again as she marched purposefully to a bookshelf, where she grabbed a hairbrush that looked like it should be in a museum. It was just…. Weird, seeing Seraphina in a business suit and black stilettos in this contradiction of a living room, holding that ancient-looking brush.
“You are almost done, love, I just…” The vampire walked behind her again, shaking Amelia out of her stunned thoughts. This time, the faint tugging was on her hair. Seraphina gently undid her French braid, then brushed out her wavy ebony strands. Her hair stopped just past her shoulders. Seraphina made a tsking sound. “Your hair is a little bit shorter, but I suppose times have changed, haven’t they? And with the times, so has style.” Sighing mournfully, Seraphina arranged Amelia’s hair so that it draped over her shoulders. Her footsteps faded slightly as she hurried to the other side of the room. A heartbeat later, Seraphina had carried a full-body mirror to position right in front of Amelia.
Amelia’s eyes widened. Now that she could see the entire dress, it… It froze her. Shock and horror battling for attention at the forefront of her mind. Amelia was dolled up in a gown that looked straight out of some old-time film. Weird, puffed sleeves, and lace around the collar. A flipping brooch was clasped onto the front of the dress! Her lips parted in a silent O.
When Seraphina stepped back to look at her, she pressed a hand over her mouth. Something like a sob seemed to escape her, before she composed herself. “There you are,” she whispered. Stepping forward again, her hand trembling, Seraphina cupped Amelia’s cheek.
But Amelia could move now, at least a little. Her head and lips obeyed her. Whipping her head to the side, Amelia tried to bite Seraphina’s finger. Seraphina snapped her hand away just in time. “What are you doing? Why am I here?!” She screamed.
A flicker of pain seemed to cross the woman’s face. She bared her teeth, caught herself, and straightened. Her face settled into a mask of composure. “Those are rather big questions, and it would take some time to answer them,” she said lowly. “But we don’t have to figure everything out right now, my love.” She took a small step forward, then traced her finger down the side of Amelia’s neck. The bound girl winced when Seraphina’s nail circled the bite mark. “You have spent all your life caring for others. I’ve seen you at that daycare; you run yourself ragged. It is your turn to be cared for now. That’s all you need to know for the time being.” Seraphina’s hand drifted down to her waist, making Amelia whimper. “Hm. You’re still spooked.” Leaning forward, her nose teased the side of Amelia’s neck, where her pulse thumped rapidly. “You are scared. Aren’t you, love?” “Yes,” Amelia whispered, squeezing her eyes shut. Her arms twitched above her, desperate to pull away but unable to.
“Will it help if you’re untied?” Seraphina offered, eyes glinting with pleasure as Amelia nodded rapidly. Humming faintly, the vampire’s gaze drifted to the ropes. “If you promise to be a very good girl, I’ll let you down. We can get you changed into more comfortable clothes, and I have human food for you. How does that sound?” Silence grew, tense and heavy. After a long moment, Amelia realized that Seraphina expected a verbal answer. She swallowed. “That…. That sounds good?”
"Great!" Seraphina clapped excitedly, bouncing back on her heels. "I knew you would be good; I'm so proud of you."
Amelia barely had time to process the words before Seraphina reached upward. The knot had looked impossible from below; a tangle of loops and twists that belonged on a ship. Yet the vampire slipped one finger beneath a strand of rope and tugged. Just like that, the entire thing unraveled, and Amelia dropped.
Cold hands caught her around the waist before her knees could hit the floor.
"Easy, darling,” Seraphina soothed.
Amelia jerked away from the touch on instinct. Pins and needles exploded through her arms as blood rushed back into muscles that had hung uselessly for God knew how long. Her knees buckled, and Seraphina steadied her again. "There now."
Every instinct screamed at Amelia to pull away, but disorientation made her limp. By the time feeling returned to her fingers, Seraphina had guided her onto the ancient velvet couch.
Amelia sat stiffly on the edge of the cushion, wary eyes darting around the room. The distance to the door seemed to stretch for miles, but windows… There must be windows behind those thick, dark curtains. Those were maybe ten feet away.
Seraphina bent to press a kiss to Amelia's forehead, and Amelia flinched. The vampire either failed to notice or didn’t care about Amelia’s disgust.
"I'll be right back," Seraphina said brightly, turning to walk towards the doorway. Her heels clicked along the polished wooden floor. "I have some things that will be more comfortable for you."
As her manicured fingers wrapped around the doorknob, she paused.
Amelia tensed. But all Seraphina did was say, "Stay here and wait for me, alright?"
Not a question. Amelia swallowed. "Okay."
Seraphina beamed. "Good girl." She blew a kiss, then she was gone, the door thudding softly behind her.
Silence settled over the room as Amelia stared at the doorway, her ears strained for any sound. Nothing.
No footsteps. No humming. No click of heels against hardwood.
Slowly, she stood. Her legs trembled a little beneath her, but Amelia herself couldn’t tell if it was from her former bindings, or the adrenaline rushing through her veins. She took one step. The floor creaked, and it felt like a gunshot firing in the silence.
Amelia held her breath. Froze. Waited. After five seconds, she dared to move again. Her first few steps were slow and cautious. Then she surged towards the curtains, closing the distance in two long strides. She threw the velvet aside. Concealed behind the fabric was the most glorious sight Amelia had ever seen.
The sunrise. A window that she could open. Even better, this room was on the first floor. She paused only to look along the window pane for any hint of an alarm system, but there was none that she could see.
Her heart was in her throat as she unlocked the window and lifted it up. Kicking off the vintage heels, Amelia climbed outside. The layers of skirt on the dress got caught on the window pane, but she tore it free. No time to figure out how to take off this monstrosity. She landed on the damp grass outside and took off running.
The mansion was enormous.
Gardens blurred past in streaks of green and gold. Wooden paths twisted through hedges on either side. She barely saw any of it, all Amelia cared about was the road she could see through the front gates. It was so close.
She could make it. She just had to make it. She tripped on the skirt, almost fell but regained her footing. Amelia fisted the fabric of her absurd dress and hoisted it up, forcing her legs to move faster than she’d ever run before. The gate was close. Grass turned to pavement as she reached the driveway, and she picked up her pace. Was that a car coming down the road? Her lips parted, gasping, but she found enough air to scream, “Help! Help me!” Did they hear her? She was flying towards the gate. They would see her, they had to. She could make it, just had to—
A mountain slammed into her from behind. Amelia crashed to the driveway, her jaw skidding against the concrete. The cry that escaped her lips was more animal than human; a desperate, keening sound that tore from her throat.
The car drove by. Amelia sobbed, thrashing beneath the figure, but her arms were twisted behind her back. Whoever tackled her held her wrists in one huge hand. “Miss Seraphina will be worried about you,” came a male voice. “I don’t want to hurt you, but I will if I have to.” He hauled her to her feet. The grip on her wrists was cold, and when she turned to look at the towering figure, Amelia could see a hint of fangs. Vampire. Seraphina had vampires employed. She let her head fall forward in defeat. Blood trickled from her scraped chin, and the man just dragged her along.
It wasn’t until they reached the front door that Amelia tried to pull away. If she went back in there, would she ever walk out again? “Please,” she begged, straining to break his iron grip. “Please, just… Just say you didn’t catch me in time, please, please let me go you have to help me, please!” “If you’re good, Miss Seraphina will take care of you,” he said simply. When she didn’t go willingly, he gave a sharp tug on her arm to force her inside. “She cares for you. You’ll have a good life here, if you just play along.”
When the front door slammed shut, the foyer was shrouded in darkness. Amelia had the eerie sense of entering a waiting predator’s mouth. Swallowed whole. She should try to pay attention to where they were going, but now that she was inside again, she was crying. The salt of her tears stung the wound on her chin. What if she never got out of here? She was surrounded by vampires, how could she escape? They were faster than her, stronger than her, could paralyze her with a single bite.
What if this had been her one chance? If Amelia had just been faster, if she didn’t wait before running… Maybe she should have hid first, waited until the coast was clear before trying to run out. Maybe she should have tried to climb the fence. A million options, a thousand different outcomes, but Amelia had failed. She might never get another opportunity.
By the time Amelia was dragged back into that living room, she was a sobbing mess. Fear and self loathing had made a wreck of her. What did she do to deserve this? Why was this happening to her? It wasn’t fair, unless…
Was this a punishment? A divine retribution for her choices these last few years?
The thought sent an icy chill down her spine, but before she could explore the possibility, Seraphina was in front of her. Amelia expected screams. Pain. But instead, the ginger pulled her into a strong embrace. “Oh, you sweet, stupid thing… I should be furious with you. This was a very foolish choice, do you have any idea what could have happened?”
Between her own revelation and the shock over Seraphina’s reaction, Amelia was frozen. She tensed in the vampire’s arms until she was pulled at arms length. Tsking, Seraphina cupped Amelia’s bloody chin. “Look at this! You’re hurt! Amelia, you’re lucky this is all that happened.” Hazel eyes flashed darkly. The look Seraphina sent Amelia was scolding, but not mad. Almost… Disappointed.
“What if you had reached the road, Amelia? You could have been hit. I told you to sit here and wait for me, but no. You had to be impatient.”
“You… You kidnapped me,” Amelia said bluntly. “Of course I tried to run.” The vampire rolled her eyes, thumb caressing the wound on her chin. Seraphina released her grip and licked the blood from her finger. “Kidnapped? That’s a very harsh word. I just want to spoil you, love, you’ll realize that one day.” Her head tilted as she hummed thoughtfully. “It’s already stopped bleeding. You’ll be alright, but after this little excursion of yours, you need some time to cool off and think. Let’s get you changed.”
Amelia’s lips parted to protest. Time to cool off? Kidnapping is too harsh? But one sharp look from Seraphina silenced her. The vampire gripped her by the shoulders and spun her slowly. Another tsking sound filled the room. “This was one of her favorites.”
Sharp claws pricked Amelia’s shoulder until she yelped. “You really should be more careful with other people’s things,” Seraphina scolded. “We’re going to have a talk about this after you have time to cool off, but I hope you know I expect a proper apology.” “An apology?” Amelia spat. “No! No, I’m not going to apologize for your hundred year old dress being torn up after you abducted me and dressed me up like a freaking doll! You’re in—” Seraphina’s expression darkened a split second before she moved.
A sharp slap across her cheek. The sound echoed through the room. Amelia’s ears rang, and she crashed to the floor from the impact. Tears pricked her eyes again. Through blurry vision, she saw Seraphina kneel in front of her. That fiery hair spilled over Seraphina’s shoulder as she grabbed Amelia by the chin with a shocking tenderness. “Don’t make this harder than it has to be,” she warned. “I’m going to take these clothes off of you. I will dress you. Then, you are going in time out for that little escape attempt of yours. Do you understand?” Amelia swallowed. There was so much wrong with this. So, so much wrong…. “I can get changed myself,” she whispered, her voice small. “I know.” Seraphina stroked her cheek, almost tenderly. “But you’re going to be a good little pet and let me.”
And Amelia did. Seraphina expertly stripped the layers of fabric off of her, undid the corset and whatever else. Amelia tried not to squirm when she was left standing naked. Since she woke up in these clothes, Seraphina had already seen her. That knowledge didn’t really help.
The vampire pulled a pair of panties up Amelia’s thighs. She strapped on a bra. Lifted an oversized sweater over Amelia’s head, and guided her into a pair of stretchy leggings.
By the time she was changed, Amelia was shaking so badly, she didn’t trust her ability to walk alone. Seraphina wrapped an arm around Amelia’s waist, and she didn’t pull away.
She was scared. She wanted to run, to scream, but didn’t dare.
Her cheek burned.
The guard’s strength as he dragged her body into the house.
She was surrounded by monsters. A sheep among wolves. No, not a sheep. Sheep had shepherds.
You did this to yourself, Amelia. You ran from the flock.
You rejected the shepherd.
Seraphina led her to a closet in a dark, secluded hallway. Amelia whimpered as the door was opened. “Pl-please…” “It’ll be alright,” Seraphina soothed, a hand combing through Amelia’s hair. “This is just time for you to calm down. You made a bad choice, and I need you to think about what you’ve done.”
A shiver ran down her spine, and she barely bit back a sob. Seraphina placed a gentle hand on her back, nudging Amelia inside. The space was small and completely bare. No shelves. Nothing on the floor. Not even a lightbulb overhead. “I’m going to lock the door so you can’t make another stupid choice, but I promise, love, I’ll be back.” Smiling sweetly, Seraphina patted Amelia on the head. “It will all be okay.” She blew a kiss. The door shut. There was a click, and the lock slid into place, leaving Amelia alone in the dark.
---------------------
Tag list: @yet-another-heathen, @veilofvoices, @watsonbee, @whump-slump, @3-2-whump, @oddsconvert