Claimed by the Prince of Darkness

Chapter 114: What I Touch, I Keep

The last thing Ruelle had expected was for Lucian to walk into her class and ask her to step outside. But then again, she hadn’t expected him to bite her either.

Maybe classrooms weren’t as safe as she had once thought.

As Lucian turned and stepped out of the room, she felt several eyes land on her, which were half curious and half carried a look of pity, as if she were a lamb being led to be beheaded.

Rising from her seat with stiff legs, she stepped out into the corridor. Glancing back toward the door of the classroom, she took ten hurried steps before walking straight into Lucian’s back, his broad frame swallowing her from view. For a second, all she saw was dark fabric and felt the solid heat of him through it.

She was going to apologise, when she heard someone else’s voice—

"Lucian Slater," came the mock concern of a man. "Struggling, are we? First-year lessons must be more your level. Best master the basics before involving yourself in work meant for adults. Or, if you need help, you can ask me."

The person’s voice stirred an uneasy familiarity in Ruelle’s memory, even though she couldn’t see who it was.

Lucian stared at Minister Griswold, who walked to where he was with Mr. Mortis’ attendant. He agreed calmly,

"I am struggling with something."

When Ruelle shifted out of reflex, Lucian’s hand reached back and clasped around her wrist. "If Sexton ever introduces levels below first year, Minister, I’ll be sure to recommend you for placement."

face as he

a sneer threatened to

continuing. "The human Dane brought to Slater Mansion. Who was

stiffened and the realisation made her pulse thud painfully

has a habit of bringing several women to the mansion," Lucian replied, his tone almost bored. "You’ll have to

minister’s words, fury creeping into his voice. "But Alanna Beckett was someone else," he sneered,

to end the conversation and stepped forward,

slight shift of stance. It was subtle, as though he were merely

disappear into the classroom. Her

as Lucian’s grip on her wrist tightened and without a word, he turned and pulled her down the corridor. They passed two doors, then three. At the fourth,

she waited for him to reprimand her about how tiring it was

didn’t do anything to the minister," she murmured, before

said quietly, his gaze holding hers. "Don’t speak about another man when you’re standing this close to me." After a pause, he asked, "Why have you been

just like that, the minister’s threat dissolved, overtaken by the far more consuming awareness of

Her heart stumbled in her chest when his head

it might have

into fire and fall into ashes at the directness. She didn’t know what had

the door, she heard the footsteps and the grumbling voice of the minister. Once the footsteps faded, she cleared her

worth remembering. You shouldn’t too," she