Claimed by the Prince of Darkness

Chapter 99: Hand that Held her

Hearing the bone crack, Ruelle’s heart pounded louder than before, her vision blurring with anxiety. For a fleeting second, she wondered if coming here had been a terrible mistake.

Gasps escaped from the other customers, yet no one dared to move after what just happened.

The vampire who had touched Ruelle before, now had his cheek pressed hard against the wall. He struggled to pull free but the hand holding him did not budge.

"Unhand me this instant! How dare you put your hands on me?" the vampire hissed, trying to gather his remaining dignity.

Slowly, Ruelle turned her gaze to the person and her breath caught.

Lucian.

For a moment she could only stare at him, her thoughts scattering like frightened birds. What was he doing here?

When Lucian’s gaze found hers, Ruelle stared right back at him with wide eyes, unable to form a single word. But then his attention shifted to the faint bruise shadowing her face and something in his expression hardened.

"Do you have any idea who I am?" the vampire snarled, "I–"

Without a word, Ruelle watched as Lucian pulled the vampire’s head back before driving it into the wall with ruthless force and then again. A chill ran down her spine. The vampire collapsed instantly, sliding to the floor in a limp heap, blood dripping down against the white wall.

The two companions of the fallen vampire, seeing him unconscious, stood up at once, their chairs scraping against the floor.

"You are going to regret this," one of them warned, though his voice wavered. "You—"

"Step out," Lucian warned, his voice devoid of emotion. "Unless you wish to join him."

Before either man could reply, one of them caught sight of an officer entering the inn and seized the chance.

"Officer!" he called out hurriedly. "This person attacked our friend for no reason and tried to kill him. You must charge him for it!"

Lucian did not so much as glance in their direction as he took a step closer towards Ruelle, his eyes smouldering.

The officer who had just entered paused. He was the same person who had accompanied Lucian into the town earlier that morning, before the pureblooded vampire had abruptly disappeared from his side.

"You seem to have caused a ruckus here. Come out. Also, someone get that fallen one too," the officer ordered, ushering the two men outside and within moments the inn was almost empty again.

Inside the inn, Ruelle didn’t meet Lucian’s eyes out of shame as she looked at the side even though he stood in front of her.

She wished he hadn’t seen her in this dishevelled and pitiful state. She hid her trembling hands behind her.

When Lucian’s hand moved to her face, Ruelle flinched with the instinctive fear of being struck again surfacing before she could stop it. His hand halted midair, his jaw clenching.

"Who did this to you?" Lucian asked, his voice hardened.

Ruelle forced herself to meet his gaze and the moment she did, the fragile composure she had clung to all day shattered. A tear slipped down her cheek.

"Ruelle..." Lucian said, his eyes softening.

sound of her name on

been spoken to with anger and dismissal. And now, standing before her, Lucian did not look

A small, helpless sob

Ruelle stepped forward and her forehead pressed against Lucian’s chest as the weight of the day finally released. She had

Lucian went still.

all, his hands hovering uncertainly at his sides. He felt her tremble as she cried

rose, careful and almost uncertain, before placing it on the back of her head.

grew quiet again, she took

onions clutched in his arms. His eyes flew to the

the damage," Lucian stated, offering compensation

of you, sire." Then the man’s gaze shifted to the young woman

look back at Ruelle and remarked, "I would prefer she sit with me at the table. And bring something

in confusion,

kitchen, took hold of his sleeve and dragged him back inside to explain what had truly taken

empty, where the customers had quietly gathered their things and

on her lap, feeling Lucian’s intense stare that didn’t leave her. She

worked here

replied, her voice small. She looked at her hands

subtle frown appeared on Lucian’s face as he watched her carefully. He then suddenly

a long pause before she gave

very quiet and the silence that followed was heavy as he continued

didn’t have money. Then... Caroline wore the earrings from Sexton." She paused before adding what he must have already known, "They

came out with the food for Ruelle and placed it before

"You should have told me you were acquainted with

bow and reached for the

Lucian’s gaze shifted to the innkeeper, who continued to stand idly. The man felt it immediately and bowed once more

stilled. His gaze lingered on her discoloured

was also when he caught the faint scent of blood on her, blood that

"There’s more," he murmured.

catch Lucian’s eyes that had

did he

out. The moment felt like nothing less than baring her soul to him, things

to answer it

he turned to look outside the inn through the window,

piece, her hand trembled and the knife slipped. She tried again, but the knife sliped once again. Feeling mortified, she

Some things are better to be taken care by someone else," Lucian stated, taking the knife and fork from her. He cut the meat into small, even pieces before nudging the

Slater mansion," as though the matter were

echoed in her mind. She refused right

He asked patiently, "Do you believe that it is wise in your current

comfort. She parted her lips and let him know, "You don’t know... I

myself," Lucian replied, his

the innkeeper and his wife with a polite bow. Then she climbed inside the carriage, the soft cushions welcoming her weary body. Lucian followed shortly after handing the inn couple a pouch of

and Ruelle left the town

the front of the Slater mansion, Maude appeared at once, offering