Claimed by the Prince of Darkness

Chapter 49

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.

into a room full of vampires, hoping to be bitten? Or making... connections?" Lucian’s tone dripped with sarcasm, but the question lingered in

murmured, her voice faltering. "I will fetch my friends and leave this

was somehow more menacing. "Do they

not here for trouble," Ruelle said quickly, shaking her head.

you heard about this phrase, Belmont? Curiosity killed the cat?"

Ruelle replied innocently, which had a muscle tick in Lucian’s jaw

at her for a long moment, his gaze heavy and unreadable. The tension between them was thick. Finally,

breath, more to himself than to her. His red

a low whistle echoed from the ballroom doors. Both turned as Sawyer stepped into

dear friend Lucian, caught in a secret rendezvous? Now that’s something I

turned glacial.

to Ruelle, his expression softening into something bordering on charming. "And who might you

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

off his tongue as if tasting it. "A pleasure, Claire. You should join

in, his words clipped, as though sealing the

his smirk widening. "Not staying?

to get my friends," Ruelle interrupted, mimicking

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

a bit until your friends return?" Sawyer suggested, his grin widening as he gestured toward the ballroom. "It would be terribly rude to leave you without company. Have a drink! Enjoy the evening with us." He turned to Lucian with a

shift to Sawyer, as though the effort of entertaining the suggestion was

her to fail. But right now she was a

lips curved slightly, though the expression wasn’t one of amusement. "Of course you can," he

human on the far side of the room. The man’s

a scream split 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 into her

observed from her seat nearby,

Her fingers itched to grip the fabric of her gown again, but she kept her hands carefully

shoulder. "How quaint. Your family must stick

perplexity before breaking into laughter.

voice steady despite the unease twisting in her

her like a distant echo. She turned her gaze towards Lucian, who didn’t seem to bother

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

her friends, where she realised that even though they were 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

the other side of the couch, she turned to catch Angelina, Sawyer’s twin sister

matter?" Ruelle asked, keeping her

cool. "Your

you..." Ruelle replied

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

Comments ()

0/255