Claimed by the Prince of Darkness

Chapter 40: The mix to run and prey

"Feigned innocence."

Lucian’s words replayed in Ruelle’s mind, echoing with an intensity that lingered long after they had left his lips. The rest of the dinner hour had drifted past in a fog, with Hailey and Kevin animatedly discussing their latest class, their voices faint against her thoughts.

She couldn’t help but question how Lucian knew. Who had seen them? Had someone told him? And if they had, could they be sitting here now? Her gaze flitted around the wide dining room, scanning familiar faces that now seemed unfamiliar, cloaked in possible judgement. Two students looked at her as she passed, their glances brief yet lingering just enough to send a chill down her spine.

"You may have fooled others... but not me."

Ruelle wished she knew why Lucian despised her. Beneath the table, her fingers twisted together, tense at the memory of his rejection. She had reached out before she had even realised it—a reflexive gesture—only to be scorched in return. His response had burnt her like an open flame, leaving her raw and blistered.

Her gaze drifted across the dining hall again, and her eyes caught on a figure seated at the Elite table. Alanna. She was watching her with an unnervingly twisted smile, and Ruelle quickly looked back at her friends. She hadn’t forgotten the vampiress she had stabbed, who was waiting for her chance for revenge.

"...next week, and I’m already stressing," Hailey said, breaking through Ruelle’s haze, her chin resting on the table.

"Clever timing, if you ask me," Kevin sighed, pushing his plate aside. "They had never scheduled this kind of thing in winter before—but blood’s easier to store on ice. And you women are luckier than us men. It is just a heated needle through the lobe for you. We get the, uh,’direct extraction method.’" He grimaced, as though imagining it.

"Did you decide when or how you want to do it, Ruelle?" Hailey turned to ask her.

Ruelle shook her head and replied, "Not yet. I am not good with being pricked with needles." She loved knitting fabrics, but knowing something sharp was about to pierce her skin felt entirely different.

"Not exactly optional," Kevin muttered, leaning back in his chair, arms folded across his chest. "We are here to keep Elites and Halflings well-fed. Unless you are one of the few’lucky’ ones... you know, picked to become a Halfling."

"Right—bonded to a sire, blood-bound for life. I mean, I get why some of them want it, but I don’t know if that’s any better than being human," Hailey said, puffing one side of her cheek.

Ruelle wondered if becoming a Halfling was any better. She knew there were students who longed for it, seeing it as an escape or even an honour, a way to rise above the human ranks.

"Honestly, I’d take it," Kevin said, his voice almost wistful. "Being bonded comes with benefits—protection, privileges. Opportunities open up with the possibility of advancement through the ranks."

"Life as a Halfling..." Ruelle murmured. She noticed something caught Hailey’s attention, and she turned in the same direction.

"What is with all the whispering?" Hailey asked, craning her neck to look at the group of students murmuring with serious expressions.

One of the nearby humans turned towards them and whispered, "Word is that June Clifford from first year is missing."

"Missing?" Ruelle asked, her eyebrows furrowing.

"Her mother came by today, looking for her," the student explained. "Apparently, June hasn’t been seen since Saturday. Her family thought she had come back here early."

Hailey scoffed, muttering under her breath, "Probably ran into a bear on her way here." Ruelle wondered what might have happened to June.

Kevin’s eyes brightened with sudden curiosity, and he said, "Wait, if June’s really gone, then does that mean Ruelle might get her room back?" His voice held a hint of hope.

Hailey gave him a pointed look. "Have you forgotten about Alanna? It wouldn’t be safe for Ruelle to live alone with Alanna stalking the corridors. Blake even said it’s better Ruelle stays with Lucian for now. Alanna would never dare set foot near his door."

Because staying with Lucian is a real comfort," Kevin’s lips pressing into a thin line. "He has

is right..." Ruelle stated. Lucian’s words could cut deeply, but he kept his distance, barely acknowledging her presence. His mere existence seemed

of reds and purples. The grounds buzzed with students—some seated, others standing, all eyes fixed on the maze, waiting for the last game of the day. Three games had unfolded since morning, each one leaving traces of sweat, dirt, and bruises on those who

Kevin, who wore the fatigue of their own turns in earlier rounds. Hailey shifted uncomfortably, her gaze fixed on her bandaged

side do you think you’ll end up on?" Kevin asked

let out a soft sigh. "No clue..." The nerves were

as it sounds," Hailey muttered, her voice low and wary. She winced as

"Yeah, hunting’s no better with Elites across from you. They’re

thought we would get more practice before something like this..." The coming evening worried her—the darker it got,

expressions

subtly. He whispered, "Looks like

by the crowd or the tension. He looked as if he

the stakers will search the maze for a raven’s feather. The hunters will intercept, prevent, and, if necessary, bring the stakers down. No mercy, no hesitation." His words cut through the air like a blade. "This is your chance to prove yourselves, to showcase either your skill in combat

quickening as she listened to the

"Cecelia Moroi. Hunter."

"Michael Lennon. Staker."

"Lucian Slater. Staker."

to Lucian, who remained stone-faced. He didn’t look her way or even acknowledge

She felt a prickle of nerves, and finally,

forward. The odds didn’t seem in their favour—just a handful of humans against the Halflings and Elites surrounding

the students were sorted, the stakers were the first to step into the maze, their figures quickly swallowed by towering hedges and shadows cast by the low-hanging sun. Lucian was leading the

focused, and don’t get in each other’s way," Lucian said

stay out of trouble. There was something piercing in his look, a silent warning she couldn’t decipher. Without another word, he turned, blending into the shadows with practiced

a few times before, she had been prepared to face it confidently, yet with the sun

sound of her heartbeat in her ears. She didn’t let herself stop—pausing now meant becoming prey. She darted between trees, her focus sharp, her mind attuned to every faint rustle or

breath, counting her steps as she approached the tree, her hand reaching out as if the bird might somehow sense her

in

her stake raised and poised to strike. But her footing faltered, and she stumbled back, her heart freezing as she caught sight of the vampiress

cursed in

head in one quick, practiced motion. With a

die that easily, did they? Her mind raced, uncertain, until

he asked, his voice cool but laced with irritation, which only deepened the flush of

tripped," she managed, her voice wavering as she glanced back at the tree. The raven

gaze flickered to her ankle, assessing. "Perhaps sitting on the sidelines would be

his scrutiny. He thought she was weak. It was clear in every detached word he spoke. With the

she finally turned away. She wasn’t about to let

away, his voice followed her, calm and steady. "Not that it’s my concern," he began, his tone as flat as ever, "but you’re heading in

tightly, and she muttered, "I’ll find my

his voice remained smooth. "You’re heading towards the