Claimed by the Prince of Darkness

Chapter 78: Between them

A wide smile broke on Ruelle's face the moment she caught sight of her sister, as several weeks had passed since she had last seen her. Within a few seconds, the Belmont sisters closed the distance between them with a warm hug.

While joy warmed Ruelle's chest, Caroline's smile wavered when her gaze drifted past Ruelle's shoulder and caught sight of three men standing not far behind her sister.

"How have you been, Caroline?" Ruelle asked when they pulled away, her voice bright with unbridled happiness. "I am so glad to see you."

"I have been well," Caroline replied, before her smile reappeared and she turned to look back. "Ezekiel. See? Coming into town was a good idea after all."

Ruelle offered a polite bow to Mr. Henley.

Ezekiel, who was momentarily caught off guard, had surprise flicker across his features before he mirrored the gesture. The smile he offered was strained which he tried to hide.

"Ezekiel Henley?" Sawyer exclaimed, loud enough to turn heads. "Our instructor at Sexton? I had no idea you were Ruelle's brother-in-law."

Dane grinned at this new information, stepping forward as if the tension amused him. He remarked, "Nor did we know you were married, Henley. Or that Ruelle had a sister," his gaze lingered briefly on Caroline and he said, "especially one so lovely."

Caroline involuntarily blushed at the words of the handsome, blond vampire.

Dane offered a courteous practised bow to Caroline and introduced himself smoothly, "Dane Slater. Your husband's colleague and your sister's instructor."

Caroline hesitated for a second before returning the bow, her movements polite but hesitant. She mumbled, "Caroline Henley. I–I would like to speak a word with my sister."

Ruelle gently pulled Caroline away from there and stopped near the edge of the street, where the noise of passing carriages dulled and the men's voices blurred into the town's background.

"What are you doing, Ruelle?" Caroline whispered in disbelief.

mean?" Ruelle asked with

toward the group behind them before returning,

three men. Vampires. And I believe you are sharing a room with

sister could have heard about it was from her husband. Her eyes moved to look at Ezekiel, who looked in their direction even though he was talking

other way to protect myself." She hesitated, then added, "The person I room with doesn't want my

situations like this, Ruelle. Things happen to you, and yet you never think to involve the right people.

the sisters stood, Lucian stood with his hands tucked into the pockets of his coat. His posture and presence were refined enough to catch looks from the people

Maxine stood beside him, watching Ruelle and Caroline with a thoughtful expression. She spoke in a lowe voice which was meant

mentioned her last name until we were about to head out of the mansion." She paused, her eyes narrowing slightly in recollection. "Belmont. I recall only one family

react, her eyes moved to

"And it is

lips, touched with amusement. She was aware of

she murmured, more to herself than to him, as the young woman appeared to be close to Ruelle's

moment, she asked, "Has Ruelle worked in any household

Ruelle, who was smiling more brightly than

"Why do

shrug. "It felt

met briefly

assure you." He gestured lazily in the vampiress's direction. "So there's no need to worry about your sister being alone in the company of

turning red as she realised how much of

sorry," she apologised quickly. "I didn't

we heard it?" Sawyer

"I was only concerned

who might wring her dry and leave her abandoned in an alley." He laughed at his