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—"

wait for the rest. He strode past them at once, leaving the others staring after

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

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

carriage continued to roll through the mud before it entered the gates and moved through the cobblestones. When the vehicle

and just when they were about to step inside, they heard a loud

was that?" Ruelle

pain," the

will do," Hailey murmured but her words went unheard as the

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

sky had been stolen by the night, due to which they had to

her eyes fell on the room which was lit up by the light coming from the fireplace and the burning candles. A light smoke filled the air coming from cigars. The floor was

ground with a leather collar which had a chain attached to it. The vampiress went to place her hand on his head,

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

turned cold because none of the humans here appeared to be in favourable positions. Her fingernails

female human, where a vampire’s mouth was buried into her thigh as he

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

for it to be filled with fresh, warm blood. "How lovely to

had once served for a few

wanted my company," Hailey replied, though the stiffness in her

"I was beginning to think you were avoiding me. Your eyes seem very fond of the floor whenever I pass." She then

order right away as it seemed like

done bringing them here, Orpheus," another vampire remarked from the opposite end of the couch. His gaze remained fixed on the blonde human as though studying with curiosity. "I have been rather eager to see

he lifted a finger and

she crossed the room and came to stand before the vampire, whose eyes brightened at the sight

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

Yet none of the

vampire named Bowen spoke, not to Ruelle in particular. "Last week I went to the office to check your

one," a nearby vampiress stated. "They are likely waiting for the prince to place the first bid considering

him to turn to look at us, but annoyingly he has been hanging around a lowly human," the vampiress named Tess looked at

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

craning," Bowen ordered, and Ruelle stared

knowing the vampire had meant for her to sit next to him. Maybe the best way to deal with the situation was by playing dumb, she thought to herself. Her eyes fell on the platter of fruit and

game when it couldn’t be applied in real life? She thought to herself, while her eyes moved to the corner where the fruit platter sat untouched. But they were at a disadvantage. Not here, but because the Elites had connections outside these walls while she and the other humans were handicapped,

came another comment, which

position, as the next moment, the vampire

your voice for when you cry out in pleasure?" Bowen questioned, and his hand moved so close

her voice steady as she met his

She saw him bring his cigar to his lips, taking a long drag as he stared before blowing the smoke right into

His other hand moved to her neck, pushing her hair to view the mark. He said, "Prince Edward

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,

him?" the vampire

was Lucian," Ruelle revealed and her words seemed to work, as

room shifted their attention toward her, their

from his lips. "I thought it was rather odd for the

of them was bound to catch and drag her back. She crawled back, putting distance between them, while

lips. She said in amusement, "Perhaps you should choose another human tonight. If what she said is true, Lucian will not appreciate

Orpheus responded