Claimed by the Prince of Darkness

Chapter 75: The House and the Barn

Though Renard tried to appear calm and poised, it was obvious he was furious. His jaw tightened as he glared at Dane and he demanded in a low, strained voice,

"Do you have the slightest idea what wounding a human entails?"

"Of course," Dane replied pleasantly, tilting his head as though surprised the question even needed asking. "Drawing blood. And I did."

Angelina had walked towards Oliver. When she pulled the needle out, a drop of blood dripped down and she leaned forward to lick it clean. The vampiress then announced,

"It looks the hunt has finally come to an end. Oliver and I will be going ahead. Congratulations, Dane and Ruelle."

"Thanks, cousin," Dane chirped back.

"You Slater and Ravencroft colluded," Renard snapped in annoyance.

Dane's lips curved softly, almost foxlike as if he was enjoying himself. He feigned innocence, "I'm afraid I don't know what you mean."

When Renard's eyes fell on Ruelle she jolted from the adrenaline fog clinging to her. The arrow in Renard's collarbone gleamed under the rays of sun, and the sight made her breath falter. She couldn't believe how perfect the shot was, especially when she had missed so poorly before.

She could tell this pureblooded vampire wanted to drain her blood and her grip on the crossbow tightened. She had made an enemy and alarm bell rang in the back of her mind.

"There's no need to glare at Ruelle for your shortcomings," Dane remarked, before adding, "I trust you're not planning to embarrass yourself by attacking Ruelle. That would put you on our bad side and surely you don't want that."

And though Dane smiled, the warning behind his words was clear. Renard seemed to want to ignore the warning for a moment, but after a tense beat, he turned with a bitter swirl of his coat and disappeared through the trees.

Only when the sound of footsteps faded did Ruelle finally release her breath. The realisation that she had actually shot a pureblood landed like a physical blow.

Dane turned to her with a brighter smile with the corners of his eyes crinkling as he declared, "I'm very proud of you, Ruelle. I knew you could do it! I hope you didn't hurt yourself," he gave her a quick scan.

"I'm fine," she managed, though her voice wavered. "You?"

Dane's eyes softened, which wasn't entirely expected from someone who had just threatened another pureblood with deadly sweetness.

"Perfectly unscathed. But thank you for asking," he replied before a pause. "I believe this calls for celebration."

Ruelle's eyes widened and she shook her head. She blurted as they began to walk, "There is nothing to celebrate." A small laugh escaped from her lips, because she didn't want to end up in another hunt again.

"There's no need to be modest about it," Dane gave her a pat on the back which was far too enthusiastic that she nearly stumbled a little. Did he forget she was a human? She heard him ask, "Is there anything you want? A reward if not a celebration."

"There's nothing I need," she replied politely. "Really."

his back, "then I will. Let us

Ruelle and Dane reached the edge of the forest, the first thing her eyes did was search for Lucian. But he was nowhere to be seen. Before she

for the Slaters!" One

you have fun in there, Ruelle?" Sawyer asked

if I would categorise it as

Maybe next time we should let the humans hunt the vampires. What do

over the crowd again and this time she caught Lady Maxine watching her. She offered a slight bow to the woman, and the lady gave a nod.

to fall face-first onto the mattress. But her dress was streaked with dirt and her shoes were worse, she couldn't

cool beneath her back, and she let her aching body rest against it.

can't believe it is finally over," she muttered to herself while looking at the ceiling. "Mr. Jinxy would be

she closed her eyes, images of the unconscious woman flickered behind her eyelids. She did not know how long she remained like that until a shadow fell over her and

at the sight of Maude looming above her with an obvious look

not comfortable, Miss Ruelle?" Maude asked her, as if she genuinely couldn't decide why Ruelle had chosen to

want to dirty the bed. I didn't hear you enter the

there was no answer," Maude answered her. Then with a brief glance at the floor, she added, "You don't have to worry about the sheets being dirtied. They can always be replaced so it would be better if you didn't choose the floor rather

come and clean whatever mess she would make.

bath," Maude informed her, before making her way to the bathtub and running the water a little warm. She continued, "When people run

she watched the water fill and waited for

Maude frowned. "Are you

was then that Ruelle realised Maude was going to help her bathe. She said, "Please don't trouble yourself. I can manage on my

breeze might knock you unconscious right now," the older woman replied with her tone as dry as old parchment. "If you fall asleep in the bath it would be unfortunate. The young master

small laugh and said,

asleep on the floor," Maude reminded her. That

another word, she removed the rest of her clothes before stepping inside the

Ruelle's hair. The water felt good. The woman's hands were firm

else. Maybe she was going to fall asleep in

I may ask. How long have you

replied plainly, while her hands didn't pause.

of them?" Ruelle's eyebrows raised. That meant the woman had seen Lucian when he was a little boy and she smiled, wondering if he had been the same then as he was

Maude answered, rinsing the soap from the young woman's shoulders as she poured water on

longer than she had imagined, thought Ruelle to herself. She heard the woman

kept this house in order for as long as the records allow,"

wrapped a towel firmly around her shoulders before taking

manage

fresh clothes. One moment," Maude replied, already stepping

carrying a light blue dress