Claimed by the Prince of Darkness

Chapter 182: Interrogating the Dead

Lucian’s gaze stayed on Harold Belmont. As the human spoke to his wife, every mannerism and word that left his lips was the same. Yet the wounds inflicted upon him a few nights ago were gone. The longer the pureblooded vampire watched him, the less he understood.

Because dead people didn’t come back.

"Contrary to what I came to hear, you seem to be in good health, Mr. Belmont," Minister Carnifex remarked after giving a quick sweep at the human. There had been information on how Lucian Slater had something to do with Harold Belmont’s broken hands, but it didn’t seem to be the case. It seemed that people were trying to actively null the treaty, thought the elder minister to himself.

"H—Harold has very good health," Mrs. Belmont uttered before her husband. "Why wouldn’t he be in good health?" she laughed in the end.

"That’s good to hear. It would have been a headache if it weren’t so," Minister Carnifex murmured the last words under his breath.

Mrs. Belmont smiled, trying to keep a sound mind as she was in the presence of too many pureblooded vampires. She replied, "It is very kind of you to worry about it."

"It is strange, though. I thought the Belmont had only one daughter," one of the ministers commented with a thoughtful expression.

"Mrs. Belmont," Lucian interrupted when Mrs. Belmont’s eyes widened. "We will inform you if we hear anything about Mrs. Henley."

Mrs. Belmont nodded. "Thank you. I pray all of this is resolved quickly."

"Then we will take our leave," Mr. Belmont murmured as if he had somewhere else to be than in the courthouse.

But Minister Sylvan had other ideas as he stopped the human by saying, "I believe Mr. Slater would like to interrogate you before you leave, is that not right?"

Mr. Belmont’s eyebrows furrowed and he asked, "What for?"

Minister Sylvan turned amused at the question. Lucian then spoke, "Mr. Belmont, we need to discuss the murder case your daughter has been accused of. Your wife has already given her statement and we would like to hear from you."

"Okay. Anything that will help Caroline," Mr. Belmont nodded.

"Issac, lead Mr. Belmont to the assigned room," Lucian ordered and the officer behind him gave a firm nod.

Mrs. Belmont was right on her heel, following her husband and disappeared at the end of the corridor.

"Has there been any progress on yesterday’s mishap?" Minister Carnifex asked the people around him.

"We are still looking for answers, Sire," one of the men informed.

Minister Carnifex’s tongue clicked in faint annoyance. "One would think the courthouse capable of guarding its own prisoners."

"Word has already been sent to the fortress to send men who will be replacing the current guards to enforce security," Sawyer informed what his father had told him.

nod, while his expression

behind as he walked

and in Lucian’s officer room, Ruelle had finally woken. The pounding behind her eyes had dulled into

turn of a page

Ruelle looked up and saw Lucian step inside. A soft smile found its way onto her lips before she

"You are back."

the room

his cool palm press

Lucian began to pull away, Ruelle found herself leaning after the touch. Only when his hand slid from her

flew open. She immediately straightened before her eyes fell

in the book," Dane remarked without

way, your parents are here,"

in Ruelle’s

Ruelle said, her eyes lowered. Things were happening to Caroline continuously, and it wasn’t something

after five seconds of what Lucian

their company?" Lucian asked Ruelle. "It is going to be a short investigation. But you don’t have to if you aren’t up for

wasn’t scared of them, but they did make her

Did you find anything about Caroline?" Pushing

was one of the humans. Most likely the one who occupied the cell opposite

feared. "What

at least someone must spot her somewhere," Lucian explained, while there was a slight frown on his face. "But that depends on how the prisoners plan to hide and if they move farther

soon to know what had happened. They walked out of the room, following by Dane, who said, "A little break would

he will fetch Caroline’s things so that we can track her. He will return after making a trip to the

Zhenya?" Ruelle asked with a

him. He has

when Ruelle disappeared to make use of the powder room, Lucian and Dane stood out in

be here," Dane laughed, his

not a scratch on him," Lucian slipped his hand in his coat pocket. "It isn’t making sense," there was a sliver of irritation under

see the person I buried. He was a human, wasn’t he?" he questioned in doubt, and Lucian gave a

lips twisted in

had done to her father. He found it strange that the last time he had broken

But not right now." Lucian didn’t feel it was the right time to dig it out when

twice. Twice the joy," Dane’s

The moment the door opened, she recognised the familiar tightness in her chest. Her parents sat at the

lips were set in a thin line of displeasure. Ruelle

being interrogated?" Mr. Belmont questioned

of the chair. But he didn’t take a seat and instead only pulled it back and looked at Ruelle. She walked towards him and