Seraphina Inferna
by Beetlebomb


My heart was pounding as the grand doors of the infernal mansion creaked open, revealing a foyer as vast and imposing as a cathedral. The air was heavy with the scent of wax and old books, the floor a glistening sea of marble that stretched out into corridors, each one guarded by towering, shadow-casting pillars.

"First day on the job, eh?" a voice resonated, startling me from my awe-stricken trance. I turned to see a tall, dignified butler approaching. His name was Mr. Caldwell, a seasoned servant in this colossal residence, tasked with guiding me, the newest addition to the staff.

I cleared my throat, mustering my courage. "Y-yes, sir. I am eager to learn my duties."

Mr. Caldwell's eyes, wise and slightly weary, studied me for a moment before he nodded approvingly. "Well then, follow me. There's much to learn and even more to see."

I fell into step behind him, each footfall echoing in the cavernous space, as we ventured deeper into the mansion. The sheer enormity of the place was overwhelming; every room was grander than the last, filled with treasures and art that I could only imagine had come from far and distant lands.

"So, what can you tell me about Lady Seraphina Inferna?" I asked, curiosity gnawing at me. Every soul in town whispered her name with a blend of awe and fear, yet no one seemed to know her.

Mr. Caldwell's expression tightened just a fraction, and his voice dropped to a hushed tone. "Lady Inferna is not to be trifled with. She is as gracious as she is demanding. Serve her well, and you'll have no reason to fear. Fail her, and, well... Let's not dwell on that."

We continued our tour, passing through kitchens where culinary artists worked their magic, gardens that seemed to stretch for miles, and libraries filled with ancient tomes. The staff greeted us with polite nods, their eyes reflecting a mix of curiosity and caution.

Finally, we reached the grand throne room. Its magnificence was unparalleled, with soaring ceilings adorned with intricate frescoes, and a throne that was nothing short of regal. I could feel the weight of history in this room, a room that had seen countless banquets, dances, and decisions.

"All the maids, servants, and butlers will gather here shortly," Mr. Caldwell explained. "Lady Inferna often addresses her staff here."

As if on cue, the servants began to file in, their faces pale but composed. The air grew thick with tension, each heartbeat echoing in my ears. Then, a silence fell, a silence so profound it seemed to chill the very air.

The grand doors swung open, and Lady Seraphina Inferna made her entrance.

Every eye was drawn to her, every breath held captive. Her silver hair cascaded like a silken waterfall, her body an intoxicating blend of grace and power. The room seemed to bend to her will, her presence commanding obedience without a word spoken.

The magnitude of Lady Seraphina's presence was not lost on me as she gracefully made her way across the room. Her heels clicked on the marble floor, echoing in the grand chamber. The staff around me seemed to melt into the shadows, their eyes downcast, their bodies frozen in reverence. I too was paralyzed, my gaze fixated on this otherworldly figure.

Her bat-like wings unfolded from her back, casting ominous shadows that danced across the walls. Her goat-like horns spiraled regally from her head, adding to her formidable height. But it was her tail, devilishly long and ending in a spade-like shape, that mesmerized me the most. It swayed with her movements, a symbol of her dominion, her power, her mystery.

My eyes traveled her form, coming to appreciate her ludicrously curvaceous figure. I'd never seen a woman so alluring, her body a masterful work of art, her chest an undeniable focal point of her physique. Yet, a sudden chill ran down my spine as my gaze met hers.

Her eyes, cold and yet somehow inviting, were locked onto mine. She had caught me staring, and now those eyes, those penetrating eyes, were boring into my soul. Panic welled within me as she began to approach, each step a graceful dance, each click of her heel a reminder of her authority.

She was coming directly towards me, her eyes never leaving mine. My breath caught in my throat, my heart pounding like a drum. The room seemed to shrink, the grandeur fading into insignificance as she drew near. I was nothing, a mere servant in her domain, yet her focus was unyielding.

Finally, she stood before me, her height towering over mine by several feet. Her voice, smooth and resonating, broke the silence. "Well, well, well. What a cute one. I haven't seen your face around here before."

I swallowed hard, struggling to find my voice. "I-I'm new, my lady. My name is T-Thomas," I stammered, my eyes wide, my body trembling. Her beauty was intoxicating, her power overwhelming, and the fear was real. Yet, beneath it all, excitement stirred within me, a thrill I had never known before.

She regarded me for a moment, her expression unreadable, then turned away.

The ominous click of Seraphina's heels continued as she moved past me, leaving me in a daze of confusion and awe. But she did not exit the grand chamber; instead, she stopped a few feet away, in front of a small, timid woman who seemed to be part of the cleaning crew. The room grew colder, the atmosphere thickening with tension.

Seraphina stood before the tiny woman, her hands on her hips, her eyes narrowed. "You think you can steal from me?" she asked, her voice dripping with contempt.

The servant's eyes widened, her body quaking. "N-No, my lady, I swear, I didn't—"

"Do not lie!" Seraphina's voice boomed, echoing throughout the chamber. "You took something that did not belong to you, something valuable. Did you think you could hide it from me?"

"I'm sorry, my lady, I didn't mean to—I just thought it was beautiful, and I wanted to look at it, just for a moment, I swear!" The servant's voice broke, tears streaming down her face.

Seraphina's face remained impassive, her eyes cold. "You have betrayed my trust, and now you will pay the price."

Without another word, Seraphina raised her hand, her fingers contorting into an unnatural position. Blood-red runes appeared around the servant, spiraling up her body and igniting into a pillar of fiery, evil light. The room fell into stunned silence, all eyes fixed on the unfolding horror.

The servant's screams filled the air, a haunting, desperate sound that would haunt my dreams for years to come. Her body seemed to grow emaciated, turning to mere skin and bones as the spell took its toll. Her eyes, once filled with fear and remorse, became vacant, lifeless.

Then, just as quickly as it had begun, it was over. The servant evaporated into ash, the pillar of light disappearing into the ceiling. Seraphina's tail momentarily glowed, and I watched, along with the rest of the chamber, as her height and beauty seemed to magnify.

No one dared to speak, to move, to breathe. The power of Seraphina Inferna was clear, her wrath a terrifying reality. She had made an example, a lesson in obedience and respect, a reminder of who we served.

With a final, dismissive glance at the pile of ash that had once been a living, breathing person, Seraphina continued out of the chambers. Her footsteps echoed long after she had gone, the silence oppressive, the fear palpable.

I was left to grapple with what I had just witnessed, the horrifying beauty of Seraphina's power, the cruelty and the allure. The grand chamber seemed to echo with a chilling silence, the very air charged with the residue of the demonic spell. The other servants and maids went back to their duties, but their movements were mechanical, their eyes haunted.

In my bewilderment, I turned to Mr. Caldwell, the seasoned butler who had been guiding me through this labyrinthine residence. His face was calm, but there was a glint in his eye that spoke of understanding, of shared experience.

He simply smiled warmly at me, a hand resting on my shoulder. "She called you cute," he stated bluntly. "Which means you'll be in her bedroom chambers tonight. I hope you've got the stamina!"

"W-What?!" I stammered, my mind racing, trying to process what he had just said.

"It happened to me too when I first joined," Mr. Caldwell continued, his voice light, almost teasing. "Consider it... a rite of passage." He twirled a pointed finger up in the air and spun on his heel with an amused expression. "Now come on. We must continue the tour. We are on a very strict schedule, after all!"

"B-B-But-- what am I to do in her bedroom?!" I blurted out, panic rising within me. The image of Seraphina's voluptuous form and devilish smile filled my mind, sending a shiver down my spine.

"You're a young lad. Figure it out yourself!" Mr. Caldwell replied, his laughter echoing down the marble corridor as he led me away from the grand chamber.

"You've got to be kidding me!!" I exclaimed, my voice filled with disbelief and a strange, bubbling excitement. The reality of my new life was beginning to sink in, and I knew that I had been thrust into a world of intrigue, power, and danger, all under the watchful eye of the enchanting and terrifying Seraphina Inferna. The adventure had only just begun, and I was both thrilled and terrified to see where it would lead.