Claimed by the Prince of Darkness

Chapter 29

Chapter 29: Roommate Options

Music Recommendation: Postcards - Alexandre Desplat

—

Not just an Elite, but a man as a roommate.

"Lady Blake... a man and a woman cannot share a room," Ruelle frowned, her voice faltering at the scandalous implication. "That—that is improper. It’s—"

"Scandalous?" Blake finished for her, raising an eyebrow as though the very idea amused her. "In your society, yes. But Sexton isn’t exactly bound by such rules. There have been exceptions for those with special arrangements, especially when they are requested by an Elite."

Ruelle’s face flushed with heat as her friend shifted uncomfortably beside her.

Her mind spun with thoughts of societal rules, of decency, and reputations that were so carefully built, yet could so easily crumble. In her world, unmarried men and women did not share living quarters. Ever. If word got out, it wouldn’t just be her reputation on the line—it could ruin everything.

"I—I can’t," Ruelle stammered.

"You shouldn’t trouble yourself with the thought. It’s not as if he would agree to it either," Blake said matter-of-factly, shrugging off her robe and tossed it over a chair. "He’d rather burn down the room than let a human live with him."

Hailey, still wide-eyed, asked curiously, "Who are you talking about, milady?"

"Lucian Slater," Blake replied calmly.

Ruelle’s heart seemed to stop for a moment as the realisation sank in. Her pulse quickened; she hadn’t forgotten his cold gaze on her. The dark-haired Elite, who had already dismissed her as insignificant, the one who had looked at her with barely concealed contempt.

"If you’re hoping for a different roommate, you’ll have to check with the office," Blake added, eyeing Ruelle with a trace of pity. "But don’t get your hopes up."

Ruelle nodded weakly, her pulse quickening as dread settled over her. She knew the odds were slim. In a faint voice, she said, "I’ll check with the office."

"I’ll come with you," Hailey offered, but Ruelle quickly shook her head.

"No, Hailey. Stay here." Ruelle’s eyes darted nervously to the shadows cast by the flickering lanterns in the hallway. "I don’t want you getting caught up in this if Alanna finds you with me."

Blake’s presence was enough to keep Alanna at bay for now, and Ruelle didn’t want to endanger her friend. She offered a grateful bow to the vampiress. "Thank you for listening to us, Lady Blake."

Without another word, Ruelle slipped into the vast, cold corridors of Sexton. The sound of her footsteps echoed off the cold stone walls, and the faint, wavering light of the lanterns did little to chase away the creeping unease growing in the pit of her stomach.

often, she glanced over her shoulder, her skin prickling with the sensation of being watched. The few Elites that crossed her path didn’t hide their disdainful stares, their pale faces illuminated by the dim

as she neared the worn door of the administration office. It creaked ominously as it opened, and inside, Mr. Mortis sat hunched over his desk, his skeletal

him with a respectful bow,

replied without looking up, his voice dry as parchment. "You aren’t here to request to leave Sexton again, I hope. Two students tried

chill of his words, Ruelle quickly replied, "No, I’m not here to leave. I... I wanted to see the list

a brow, clearly unamused. "To switch rooms? We

clarified, her

parchment, he laid it on the desk before her, and Ruelle stepped closer. She skimmed through

names—and

she could process the implications, a familiar voice broke the silence.

gleaming under the lantern’s light, his lips

S," she greeted quickly,

but with that ever-present edge of mischief. His eyes

something of mine and gave

hummed thoughtfully, nodding as if the story were only mildly entertaining. He took the parchment from her hand, scanning

his human roommates. The last one... his roommate didn’t leave the room the same way he entered. Volunteered, he said." His lips quirked up in amusement

Ruelle’s stomach churned.

human roommates." Dane smirked, his eyes gleaming

each name bringing her a step closer to a nightmare. None of

were Elites—all dangerous vampires. She muttered anxiously,

his eyes flicked to the last name

heart faltered, and she asked, "Lucian? Hasn’t he... killed people before? It

is it?" His tone was teasing, but something cold lurked beneath his words. "No one will bother you

parted to respond, but before she could, Dane turned on his heel.

panic bubbling up in her chest. "Isn’t

forward as he led her deeper into the twisting halls of

corridors grew quieter, the

his voice

the cold lanterns above. He knocked twice, and the door creaked open. And though she couldn’t see him,

wide and began, "A student needs a

response

though Lucian’s

made others flinch and the temperature drop. He

as if feigning disappointment. "That’s not very nice, Lucian. The instructor for Interspecies Coexistence might be less than pleased to

The Novel will be updated daily. Come back and continue reading tomorrow, everyone!

Comments ()

0/255