Claimed by the Prince of Darkness

Chapter 9: A price to pay

Once Ruelle had secured the syllabus, her next destination was Sexton's grand library. She and Hailey made their way up the winding staircase at the far end of the corridor to the designated floor. The corridors were dimly lit with flickering lanterns, casting shadows on the stone walls.

Upon reaching the entrance, Ruelle caught the faint, musty scent of old books wafting through the air, mingling with the slightly damp chill of the library. The quiet ambiance was occasionally punctuated by the distant echo of footsteps on the stone floor.

Two classmates stood whispering to each other with anxious expressions, their voices hushed and tense as Ruelle and Hailey approached the towering double doors. Just as they were about to step inside, a figure emerged to block them. His greasy hair was slicked back, and his spectacles perched precariously on the bridge of his nose.

"And where do you think you're going?" His voice was smooth but laced with contempt, dripping with a superiority that made Ruelle clench her fists reflexively.

"To fetch books for the syllabus listed for our year..." Ruelle replied, holding up the scroll as if showing him evidence that she was a student here. Hailey nodded beside her.

"Did you bring the fee?" he asked, arching a thin eyebrow. The curve of his lips suggested he already knew the answer.

"The fee?" Ruelle echoed, her voice filled with confusion. At her naivety, the man chuckled—the sound was as condescending as it was dismissive.

"Everyone who wants to access the library needs to pay a fee of fifteen shillings," the caretaker explained with a scornful flick of his fingers. "If you don't have it, move aside and don't crowd the entrance."

Ruelle found the demand absurd. Wasn't an academy established for teaching supposed to provide books to read for free? Her heart sank at the thought of failing her classes because of such a barrier.

As an Elite vampiress swept through the doors unhindered, her lofty gaze not even acknowledging them, Hailey asked, "Is it because we're humans?"

"This applies to every student," the caretaker remarked, looking her up and down. "The difference is, the Elites' families have already paid their share, unlike you Groundlings."

"Maybe we can borrow the books from others," Ruelle suggested, a note of desperation creeping into her voice as she tried to grasp at solutions.

But the caretaker was quick to extinguish any hope. "Groundlings are not permitted to leave the library with books. If you wish to do so, it will cost you twenty gold coins," he declared, his words cold and definitive.

"...!" This left the two girls in shock.

The sum was more than their families could conjure up at once. Images flashed through Ruelle's mind—of chains, oppressive shadows, and an endless cycle of submission. Her fingers tightened around the scroll.

To witness the ease with which the privileged glided through life was to understand a devastating truth—the burden of suffering disproportionately weighed upon the shoulders of the less fortunate.

"We don't have the money now, but we could pay after the weekend," Ruelle proposed, her voice wavering yet defiant.

"No," he interjected bluntly, his refusal like a door slamming shut.

"How are we going to study then? Only rely on the classes?" Hailey's eyes brimmed with worry.

"If you want access here, you should start working," came the curt reply from the vampire. "And by work, I mean for the Elites, as they are the ones with the resources. You can ask anyone and they'll tell you the same."

With that, he turned to stop another human student, dismissing their plight as if it were of no consequence. Ruelle's thoughts whirled with uncertainty as she considered their limited options. Sensing a gaze upon her, she turned to glance into the library, her heart quickening as she spotted a silhouette slipping behind a tall rack of books.

"I could ask my roommate if she needs any help. She might have something for us," Hailey suggested.

"That would be helpful," Ruelle said, though doubt tinged her words. Could a vampiress have any work for two humans? "We can also see what others plan to do."

"That sounds like a good idea," Hailey agreed.

During dinner at the Groundlings' table, the air was thick with unease. Ruelle observed her fellow students, their faces painted with worry. Their gazes flickered toward the Elite and Halfbloods' tables, eyes assessing, as if weighing which vampire appeared least intimidating to approach.

To think one's life could get better upon arriving at this place was a folly. The vampires sat at the top pedestal, while the humans sat on the lowest ground.

offload the less favoured. It was

of silverware, Ruelle overheard June's complaint. "If I knew I'd need money, I would have brought more with

Briony is approaching the Elites' table!" whispered a voice in

She's from a higher social standing, unlike us," a

caught one of the masks changing, allowing the vampiress to eat while the upper half of the mask remained in place. Her eyes

to work for me?" an Elite vampire with striking grey hair asked, his tone

deeply. "I would be very fortunate to be

Elite, a smirk playing on his lips. A glimmer of hope washed over the humans at the Groundling's table, mirrored by the girl's triumphant smile.

one standing before him. The smirk on the vampire's face filled

bowl of soup and deliberately poured its contents onto the floor, causing the girl to instinctively step back. Heads

this. Lick it

firm line as everyone around her gripped their

you're worth my money. Remember, you

knelt, shame blazing on her cheeks as she lowered herself to the ground, the murmurs of her peers rippling

aren't the staff intervening?" Ruelle asked, a frown creasing her

herself. Wanted the job and the money. It is better to bow your head now than later," she said dismissively. "You should consider finding

Sexton weighed heavily on Ruelle. It was nothing like her sister Caroline had envisioned. Each new revelation peeled back layers of her ignorance, revealing deeper layers of exploitation and cruelty. In the

that left her deeply unsettled, Ruelle returned to her room, her appetite lost to worry. As she placed the scroll on her desk, her roommate June burst through the door, her presence a whirlwind of

to be a partner of a duke, viscount, or earl—not a servant!" June fumed as she stormed into the room. She stopped, waving a piece of paper furiously.

replied, "I

so if you

think about than write whatever the girl had in her hand. When her eyes fell on her own bed, there lay a folded piece of paper. Frowning, she opened it: 'If

got it too? I should hurry and

Ruelle asked herself, staring

the maze, the night air thick with anticipation. They huddled together, voices low and tinged with curiosity, their breath forming tiny clouds in the cool dusk.

voice broke through the murmurs, disappointment lacing her words. "I asked Blake if she needed a servant, but she

here," Ruelle observed, a knot of unease tightening in her stomach. She needed the money like everyone else,

moonlight was suddenly overshadowed by the arrival of a vampiress draped in a flowing crimson robe, followed closely by three others clad in black. The

shoulders, addressed them in a voice that was both

much will we be paid?" demanded one girl, impatience

the harsh truth

came the collective outcry, a symphony

over Ruelle. Her face turned pale. The last thing she wanted was to strip in front of

the Halfblood snapped at them. "You will follow what Lady Alana says unless you

reach her eyes. "This is nothing you won't be doing in your future. Pleasing the Elites will be what you will be learning here anyway. Taking off your clothes will be the easiest of tasks. I'll give you a shilling if you do it right." As she spoke, she pulled out a pouch of coins, allowing the sound of jingling metal to hang

in our room," Ruelle muttered under her

the fear etched

take their place in the hierarchy. By doing this, they ensure we remain less valuable and stuck in

of others? Ruelle pondered, a knot of despair tightening around her chest. A thought flickered

there! Move your hands, or do you want me to help you?" barked a Halfblood, directing her frustration at one of the girls at

enthusiasm? Alright, let me be generous. The first one to strip down

as they weighed the cost of their dignity against the lure of coins. One of the girls reluctantly stripped down to her

your obedience," the Elite taunted,

instinctively moving toward the hem of her sweater. Panic surged through her as an overwhelming dread settled in. She had no desire to participate in this humiliation. As the Halfbloods and the Elites turned their attention to the other girls, revelling in their entertainment, Ruelle seized Hailey's hand, pressing

are leaving,' Ruelle mouthed silently to Hailey.

mind. And no one knew how much harder it would be to survive here, let alone

enjoyed the humiliation of a girl who trembled with tears streaming down her cheeks, while her underlings circled like vultures. In that moment of distraction, Ruelle clasped Hailey's

of the vultures, the tattletale parrot could not keep its beak shut. June, who was still deliberately fumbling with her second button, noticed the absence of the two girls. She exclaimed,