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.

her name on his lips

dismissal. And now, standing before her, Lucian did not look at

helpless sob escaped before she could stop it and tears followed faster than she

against Lucian’s chest as the weight of the day finally

Lucian went still.

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

uncertain, before placing it on the back of her head.

quiet again, she took a small step back, her lashes

His eyes flew to the bloodstained wall. "The wall is—Mr. Slater, what a p–pleasant surprise!" He bowed, before looking back

will have someone come to repair the damage,"

"That is very generous of you, sire." Then the man’s gaze shifted to the young woman and he instructed, "Go and fetch a cup of blood tea

"I would prefer she

blinked in confusion, clearly caught

appeared from the kitchen, took hold of his

minutes later, Ruelle and Lucian sat across from each other at the table. The inn turned completely empty, where the customers had quietly gathered their

rest on her lap, feeling Lucian’s intense stare that didn’t

know you worked here

today," Ruelle replied, her voice small. She looked at her hands on her

appeared on Lucian’s face as he watched her carefully. He then suddenly asked, "Was it your family

took a long pause before she gave him a nod.

followed was heavy as he continued

Caroline wore the earrings from Sexton." She paused before adding what he must have already known, "They wouldn’t come off. Mother said it was my

minutes, the innkeeper came out with the food

cooked meat, Miss Ruelle," before adding, "You should

bow and

to stand idly. The

movements stilled. His gaze lingered

of blood on her, blood that didn’t belong to

"There’s more," he murmured.

gaze to catch

else did he

like nothing less than baring her soul to him, things that she had hidden and kept away from

didn’t know how to answer it and replied,

turned to look outside the inn through the window, his expression eerily calm

food on her plate, Ruelle reached for the fork and knife. But when she tried to cut a piece, her hand trembled and the knife slipped. She tried again, but the knife sliped once again. Feeling

you force it, the worse it becomes. 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

will then head to Slater mansion," as though

in her mind. She refused right

subtly narrowed. He asked patiently, "Do you believe that it is wise

offered no comfort. She parted her lips and

am misfortunate myself," Lucian replied, his eyes

the back of Lucian’s carriage. She thanked the innkeeper and his wife with a polite bow. Then she climbed inside the carriage, the soft cushions welcoming her weary body. Lucian followed

Lucian and Ruelle

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