Claimed by the Prince of Darkness

Chapter 126: A Den of Wolves

The coachman stepped forward and bent slightly, offering his hand. Ruelle watched as the vampiress placed her foot upon his hand and was assisted into the carriage before comfortably sitting inside.

"It would be improper for us to share the same seat as you." Ruelle politely tried to keep distance. "We will sit at the back."

"That is a fitting place for groundlings," the vampiress replied with a smirk. Her gaze flickered to Hailey and the brief relief that crossed the girl’s face did not escape her notice. "If either of you are thinking of leaping out along the way, I would advise against it. You wouldn’t wish for the puppy to suffer on your account, would you?"

Turning away as if the matter were settled, she gave a brief nod to the coachman. The coachman quickly shut the carriage door.

Ruelle and Hailey moved to the back of the carriage and took their seats. When the vehicle moved forward, they gripped the wooden sides. Within minutes, the buildings of Sexton faded behind the trees, swallowed by the darkening distance.

A moment later, Ruelle felt a gentle tug at her sleeve. Turning, she met Hailey’s anxious gaze as her friend silently mouthed, I am sorry.

Ruelle gave a small shake of her head. The Elites had used Hailey to lure them both, and Kevin had been dragged into it too. Reaching across, she squeezed her friend’s hand and offered a reassuring smile, though a quiet unease stirred beneath the calm she tried to show.

All she could do now was hope that the note would reach the person it was meant for. Because if it didn’t, she and the others were going to be in bigger trouble.

Back in Sexton, Leslie clutched the note in her hand while she searched for the pureblooded vampire it was addressed to. Finally, she caught him standing in the middle of the corridor on the lower ground while surrounded by his friends.

The young woman was nervous to approach Lucian Slater, mostly because of his reputation and the way he looked at people as if they were mere insects he wouldn’t think twice before trampling on. And maybe if she had mustered courage a second sooner, she would have begun walking before another final-year student came to stand before her.

"Have you turned deaf?" It was one of Alanna’s minions, a Halfling, whose bright red eyes narrowed at Leslie. "You were sent to pick up her satchel. No one gave you permission to loiter about the corridors."

The note crumpled slightly in Leslie’s trembling hand. She quickly shook her head and stammered,

"I was going—but I was given instruction from the instructor to—"

"What will you do when Alanna drains the last drop of blood from you, Les?" the Halfling vampiress asked, raising a brow in mock curiosity.

Right now, if she handed the note to Lucian or even to anyone standing near him, Alanna would surely hear of it. And the vampiress despised any female who dared approach him.

And it wasn’t like Leslie wanted to... but she had felt guilty over what had happened in the past and she wanted to be of use to Ruelle at least once.

"Start walking now," the Halfling instructed, and Leslie began to walk in the direction where Lucian stood.

When she came near where Lucian and others stood, her heart pounded in her head and her hands shook. This resulted in the note slipping out of her hand and falling to the ground. Her eyes widened and her footsteps paused. She noticed the halfling’s eyes fall on the folded piece of paper.

Before Leslie could reach for the note, the Halfling grabbed it and asked, "What is this?"

"It is nothing," Leslie smiled, trying to take it back but the Halfling turned and unfolded the note.

The Halfling began to read aloud, "The broken sculpture has been invited to a private tea evening. To—" Her voice stopped there. She lifted her eyes from the paper and stared at Leslie. Only then did she feel the weight of a pureblood’s gaze upon them.

"Where is she?"

The voice was cold and unmistakable, while Lucian’s eyes had narrowed.

"W–what? Who?" The Halfling stuttered in confusion, clearly unaware of the meaning behind the note or the question itself.

"T–the sculpture—" Leslie forced herself to speak, summoning what little courage she could. "The first-year Elites took, but I don’t know whe—"

strode past them at

bought already," Sawyer commented, before adding, "Does Lucian want

but before more could be pondered, the human uttered, "I will go visit the staffroom," and she hurried out

from Sexton, the carriage continued to roll through the mud before it entered the gates and moved through the cobblestones. When the vehicle finally came to a stop, Ruelle’s feet touched

old mansion looked abandoned from outside and just when they were about to step inside, they heard a loud scream echo

that?" Ruelle questioned

pain,"

don’t enjoy pain. Just tea will do," Hailey murmured but her words went unheard as the vampiress continued to walk

hand to her lips, signing Hailey to stay quiet. Because something about the vampiress didn’t sit right. As if their

been stolen by the night, due to which they had to rely on their ears to follow the vampiress. When they finally arrived at the double doors, Ruelle

fireplace and the burning candles. A light smoke filled the air

got the leash already," the vampiress remarked as she moved towards Kevin, who was seated on the ground with a leather collar which had a chain attached to it.

vampiress’ fingers found his hair and she gripped it tightly, making

to be in favourable positions. Her fingernails dug into her palms to keep herself calm and not fall apart

human, where a vampire’s

corner, a couple were stuck to each other, and Ruelle looked away, not wanting to see and questioning if the vampires didn’t know

comfortably with an empty glass in her hand as though waiting for it to be filled with

Hailey had once served

had known you wanted my company," Hailey replied, though the stiffness in

with a faint, amused smile. "I was beginning to think you were avoiding me. Your eyes seem very fond of the floor whenever I

away as it

opposite end of the couch. His gaze remained fixed on the blonde human

lifted a finger and pointed toward her, ordering, "Come

to stand before the vampire, whose eyes brightened at the

the evening," someone remarked with a chuckle from one corner of

Yet none of the humans present could worry about such things as

office to check your price. But they wouldn’t disclose

vampiress stated. "They are likely waiting for the prince to place the first bid considering how he has been hovering

around a lowly human," the vampiress named Tess looked at Ruelle. "But then again, mistress

too intent on dissecting Ruelle with their eyes and words, but she tried to stay quiet. She didn’t mind if it was

Bowen ordered, and Ruelle stared

next to him. Maybe the best way to deal with the situation

the fruit platter sat untouched. But they were at a

knows her place," came another comment, which

didn’t change her position, as the next moment, the vampire left the

uttered a word. Saving your voice for when you cry out in pleasure?" Bowen questioned, and his hand moved so close to her face that, out of reflex, Ruelle swatted it away, turning the room dead silent while the vampire

steady as she met his gaze. "We have not

of pain through her arm. She saw him bring his cigar to his lips, taking a

are the same as us," the vampire said coldly. His other hand moved to her neck, pushing her hair to view the mark. He

in Ruelle’s head as the vampire leaned closer. From somewhere across the room came the sharp rattle of chains. Before the vampire could bite her with his fangs bared, she blurted,

the vampire murmured,

seemed to work, as the vampire pulled

vampires in the room shifted their

and a chuckle escaped from his lips. "I thought

her hand free. The urge to bolt was high, but with these many vampires, one of them was bound to catch and drag her back. She crawled back, putting distance between them, while inching closer to the nearby

"Perhaps you should choose another human tonight. If what

responded with a roll of his