Claimed by the Prince of Darkness

Chapter 10: Owned by it

The following morning, as the sun's gentle light filtered through the curtains, Ruelle woke with a lingering sense of unease. Memories of last night clung to her like morning mist, reminding her to tread carefully and keep a wary eye out for the vampiresses she had cleverly yet recklessly deceived. She knew it was best to dress quickly and make her way to class before trouble had a chance to find her.

A soft yawn broke the silence from across the room, drawing Ruelle's attention. June stirred slowly, stretching as if she were used to mornings that promised more rest and less haste.

"Morning," June greeted, her tone surprisingly soft.

"Morning..." Ruelle replied, wondering how June was coping with the humiliation she had endured the day before.

June hesitated, a thoughtful expression crossing her face. "I... want to apologise for the last time with the sweaters. I didn't realise how hard things could be for us humans until last night," she confessed, fidgeting slightly. "We really need to support one another."

Ruelle considered her words carefully before offering a reassuring smile. "We should. Let bygones be bygones, right?"

June nodded, relief softening her features. "You are kind. I was thinking, if your family sells sweaters, maybe I could help. We could find ways to make things better for both of us."

The suggestion sparked an idea in Ruelle, lighting up her face with a bright smile. "The sweaters... That's it! I could actually earn some money by selling them."

June noticed the shift in Ruelle's voice, her relief evident, which seemed to affect her own guarded demeanour for a moment. "Also from now on, I'll be quick when it's my turn for the bath. This way, you will have enough time, so you won't have to rush so much."

"That would be great..." Ruelle replied.

As June gathered her clothes and prepared to head to the bath, she paused, turning back to Ruelle. "You know what? You should go first today. I've left my bed a mess anyway."

"Really?" Ruelle asked, her tone laced with uncertainty, unsure if this was truly a gesture of goodwill or if there was something else behind it.

June shrugged casually. "It's only fair, considering I went first yesterday. Plus, it'll give me some time to sort my things out," she added with a light wave of her hand.

Ruelle stepped into the bathroom, closing the door with a soft click that resonated in the quiet space. She unbuttoned her nightgown, allowing the fabric to drift gracefully to the floor. Preparing herself for the familiar, sharp chill of the morning bath, she lowered herself into the tub.

However, as she turned the faucet, she was met with a cascade of murky water, its surface swirling with dark tendrils of grime. Her eyes widened in shock as she quickly stepped out, reaching for a towel and wrapping it tightly around herself. With the dirty water still pouring into the tub, she hurriedly exited the bathroom, driven by a mix of confusion and anger.

"Oh, good, you are done with your bath—" June began, her voice dripping with faux-pleasantness, but her eyes widened theatrically as Ruelle re-entered the room, clearly dishevelled. "What happened to you?"

Ruelle stared at the June. "Is this your doing? Is that why you let me take a bath first?"

"What? Me? I wasn't even in the bathroom, Ruelle. How would I know what happened?" June feigned innocence and a look of hurt crossed her features. "It must have been the senior vampiress! They were very mad at you yesterday, remember? They must have sneaked in while we were asleep."

For a moment, doubt flickered in Ruelle's mind. It was possible, given what occurred last night. However, she caught a fleeting smirk tugging at the corners of June's lips—a silent confession of her trickery. "It wasn't them—it was you! I knew your kindness was too good to be true. I haven't wronged you, so why are you trying to sabotage my life here?"

June sighed dramatically, her performance skilful and seemingly heartfelt. "I don't know what you're talking about. It's very rude of you to blame me, Ruelle. I thought we could leave the past behind, but clearly, you don't want to," she shot back, her tone dripping with faux sincerity. Before Ruelle could respond, June added, "I'm going to get ready now. Excuse me."

left her stunned. She pursed her

there, still damp and covered with remnants of grime, Ruelle realised she had no choice but to find a way to wash it off her

darted out of the room. In her hurry, as she pulled the door closed behind her, the hem of her dress snagged on the latch, inadvertently clicking it into a locked position. Oblivious to the

students, their laughter echoing in the hallway only adding to her mortification. She finally reached Hailey's room and knocked on the

Hailey's eyes widened in surprise

Ruelle asked, her voice mingling hope with a hint of pleading. She cast a

in. "Blake had some classwork and left early, so it's just me. My things

"I think she tampered with the faucet or the pipes. She won't admit it, of course." She couldn't help but think that rooming with a

smile. "Let me go get something for you to eat while you shower.

felt a sense of gratitude at Hailey's

into the bathroom, Ruelle hurriedly peeled off her clothes, the fabric clinging to her skin where the grimy water had left its mark.

she imagined leaving this place behind. She could return to the simplicity of previous life rather than compete in this toxic race where everyone

of escape. After thoroughly rinsing, she wrapped her hair in the towel, squeezing out the excess water before

tall, dark silhouette against the glow of the morning

books. His movements were precise and indifferent, as if she wasn't present.

is the girls' room! You shouldn't be here!" Ruelle's voice trembled. But Lucian didn't so much as flinch, his long fingers continuing to flip through the pages of a book as though she hadn't spoken at all. "Did you hear

and cold. He didn't bother turning to look at her, his disinterest

some control, but the words faltered in her throat. She had to

leave?" she stammered, her voice shaky yet louder this time, "I—I can't get ready with you

interest in what a human like you does." His voice was like silk, deceptively gentle but dripping with the same icy detachment as

bothering who? Gathering her courage, she asked, "Do you

He turned slowly, each movement deliberate and exacting. When his eyes finally locked onto hers, they were as sharp and cold as ice—piercing, detached, and utterly devoid of even the slightest

leaving doors unlocked?" His voice was soft, laced with a patronising undertone that sent a

as she watched him casually resume his search through the cupboard. "The one you told to change her name. Acting mighty as if they have a hold on people's names," she

faint glow around him, highlighting his dark, tousled hair

voice barely audible yet laced with an unspoken

forced herself to speak. "You have no right to demand

a flicker of something dangerous flashing across his face. He stepped toward her, each movement deliberate

he said, his voice barely above a whisper. "And you, human, would do

breath hitched, her hands trembling. "You don't have to say it like that," she

air around her almost felt suffocating. His

attention to you? Do you think you're different from the rest of the pathetic, desperate humans who crawl their way here, grovelling for a

soon as I can." It was something she decided while in the bath. She

her and

he echoed, his voice soft, almost indulgent. "You won't." There was a dark certainty in his words that

but the intensity of his gaze left her utterly speechless. She could feel her resolve crumbling under the force of his words, her confidence slipping away like sand through her fingers. But what slipped first was the dress clutched so desperately in an attempt to hide her shoulders, fell softly to the ground with

wildly in her chest. Every instinct screamed at her to move, to do something, but