Claimed by the Prince of Darkness

Chapter 49: When Chaos steps in

Every flicker of torchlight seemed to sharpen the planes of Lucian’s face, casting shadows that deepened the glint of red in his eyes. His irritation simmered beneath the surface, quiet but undeniably present.

"Lucian," Anthony stammered, his earlier confidence unraveling like loose threads. His hand twitched at his side—a small betrayal of his unease. "I didn’t realise you were acquainted with the lady. I meant no disrespect."

"Leave," Lucian commanded. The single word carried an authority, the kind that brooked no argument. His lips barely moved, but the weight of his presence seemed to deepen the dimness around them.

Ruelle’s breath hitched as she watched Anthony hesitate. The vampire’s earlier bravado dissolved entirely, leaving him pale. With a shallow bow, the person retreated into the ballroom. This was her chance, Ruelle thought, easing a step back. If she could just—

"Did I tell you to leave?"

The words cut through the air like a whip, stopping her mid-step. Her shoulders stiffened, and she forced herself to turn, meeting Lucian’s intense gaze.

"You have outdone yourself, Belmont," Lucian drawled, his tone deceptively casual. Each syllable was a razor, his sarcasm laced with an undercurrent of disapproval. "What is this? An excursion? Or have you decided that failure isn’t such a heavy burden after all?"

She winced inwardly at his words. But she lifted her chin, trying to summon her composure and began, "I wasn’t—"

"Save it," Lucian interrupted, his voice sharp enough to halt her excuses in their tracks. He stepped closer, his movements predatory, like a cat toying with its prey. "Tell me, Belmont," he continued, his voice lowering to something far more dangerous. "Do you make it a habit of ignoring advice? Or is this rebellion inspired by something new?"

Ruelle’s voice wavered, "It’s not rebellion. I’m not here to—"

Lucian moved abruptly, leaning in with a fluidity that stole the air from her lungs. The sudden closeness sent a shiver down her spine, and she instinctively pressed herself against the cool stone wall. Her heart hammered as his face hovered inches from hers.

"What are you doing?" she whispered, her voice trembling despite her best efforts.

"Quiet," Lucian murmured, his tone dark and commanding.

His head tilted slightly, and she froze as she felt his breath brush against her neck. The sensation was fleeting, yet it sent a chill skittering across her skin. Her fingers tightened their grip on her gown as if the fabric alone could tether her to sanity.

Then, he inhaled sharply.

The sound was soft, almost faint, but it sent an undeniable shiver through her. His expression darkened as he straightened, his eyes narrowing with irritation.

"The perfume," Lucian remarked, his voice laced with disdain. "Do you even know what you have done?"

"A perfume that wears off after three hours," Ruelle replied quickly, trying to salvage some dignity. "It’s harmless."

Lucian’s jaw tightened, and a muscle feathered in his cheek. "Harmless?" he repeated, his voice low but seething with restrained anger. "Let me enlighten you, Belmont. I am guessing it has been nearly two hours since you doused yourself in that concoction. Side effects—nausea, drowsiness and sometimes fits—will follow soon enough. In this environment, those symptoms might as well be an open invitation."

Ruelle paled. Hailey had never mentioned this—probably because she didn’t know.

hoping to be bitten? Or making... connections?" Lucian’s tone dripped with sarcasm, but the question lingered in the

like that," she murmured, her voice faltering. "I

way that was somehow more menacing. "Do they share your taste for trouble? Or

They’re not here for trouble," Ruelle said quickly, shaking her

this phrase, Belmont? Curiosity killed the cat?" Lucian

it back?" Ruelle replied innocently, which had a muscle tick

heavy and unreadable. The tension between them was thick. Finally, he sighed,

his breath, more to himself than to her. His

Both turned as Sawyer stepped into the

provocation. "What’s this? My dear friend Lucian, caught in a secret rendezvous? Now that’s

gaze turned glacial. "You assume

and turned his attention to Ruelle, his

her hands tightening around the fabric of her gown. "Claire," she said, the name slipping out before she had a chance to second-guess

rolling the name off his tongue as if tasting it.

staying," Lucian cut in, his

"Not staying? Already scaring

need to get my friends," Ruelle interrupted,

floor. Relief washed over her when she spotted her friends. They seemed to be enjoying themselves—at least Hailey was and they didn’t

suggested, his grin widening as he gestured toward the ballroom. "It would be terribly rude to leave you without company. Have

was beneath him. When he finally spoke, his tone was clipped, "If

daring her to fail. But

slightly, though the expression wasn’t one of amusement. "Of course

vampiress leaning over a human on the far side of the room. The man’s head lolled back, his face slack,

the air. Ruelle flinched, turning toward the far corner. A human girl writhed weakly as a vampire gripped her arms and buried his fangs deep

Blake observed from her seat nearby, her tone casual

fingers itched to grip the fabric of her gown again, but she kept her hands carefully at her sides. It wouldn’t

cascading like silk over her shoulder. "How quaint. Your family must stick to stored

forward with genuine perplexity before breaking into laughter. "You are missing out. A

voice steady despite the

laughter and voices from the other couches swirled around her like a distant

then his eyes met hers, his expression calm. The look in his eyes made her chest tighten. He wasn’t staring at her exactly. His eyes flickered briefly to the ballroom’s grand exit before returning to her and indication that it wasn’t late

enjoying their time, they were gaining attention. She doubted it was because they were turning back to humans. It was because with the way they danced, which wasn’t precise like

side of the couch, she turned to catch

the matter?" Ruelle asked, keeping her voice

tone soft and cool. "Your gown.

Ruelle