Claimed by the Prince of Darkness

Chapter 163: Before the End

"NO!" came Caroline’s raw scream, ripping through the main hall. She began to spiral, "I am a married woman! I will NOT be going with that old man!" the last words coming out as a sob.

The Elites watched Caroline’s breakdown with the same mild disinterest one might give a fly buzzing against a window. An older vampiress in the front row, who wore a mink’s coat, clicked her tongue in distaste,

"I thought Sexton made sure to teach the humans their places. It seems it has fallen slack."

Beside her, another vampiress agreed with a sigh, "Looks like it needs stricter teachings. I am sure by the time Mr. Eustace is done with her, he will teach her well," as if the young human were an animal that hadn’t been properly trained.

Soon, Mr. Mortis moved to the dais to regain control of the situation, and he informed,

"We will be taking a small break before continuing the bidding. The refreshments are being provided in the next room, while we sort the ones who have been bought."

The Elites stood up and stepped out of the room, while leaving most of the humans behind.

Ruelle noticed two guards of Sexton dragged Caroline by the arms while her sister fought to free herself. But she was too weak to escape.

"Let me go! This wasn’t how it was supposed to go," Caroline choked on her words, "Ezekiel, HELP ME!"

Ruelle watched Caroline’s eyes desperately move through the room and when their eyes met, her sister began to sob.

"Please...I don’t want to go!" Caroline continued to struggle when the vampire who had bought her appeared in front of her with a frown. The next second, he slapped right across her face, silencing her immediately.

The slap was hard and loud, and Caroline’s face was turned to the side at the impact. Ruelle’s hands clenched at the sight of it.

"What are you doing?!" Mrs. Belmont questioned in horror, who had stood up from her seat.

"Shut your mouth, human," Mr. Eustace snapped in annoyance. "I am paying six thousand gold coins for her. She’s my slave and she better behave."

Ruelle watched Caroline being dragged out of the main hall with Mr. Eustace following right behind them.

Caroline had always lived in her own world. She was naive. Self-centred enough to wear the earrings given to her to flaunt them. To fill in the insecurity, even though, ironically, she was the doted-upon daughter.

But did anyone warrant a lifetime of punishment like this?

Caroline had never stepped between her father and her, never spoken up. But...she had broken bread into pieces small enough for a beaten girl to chew. It wasn’t enough and even though dim, it had still been something.

"Ruelle Belmont."

Ruelle tensed at the voice of her father and she turned to look at him standing next to her chair. She carefully stood up to face him, noticing the hardened expression on his face.

"Follow me outside," it wasn’t a request but an order from Mr. Belmont, the same authority he had used her entire life.

If it were her in the past, she would have followed. But she wasn’t that person anymore. She asked, "Why?"

Mr. Belmont’s eyebrows rose in surprise as if the family dog he had beaten had suddenly spoken. And he couldn’t quite fathom how, before his expression turned to a scowl.

if telling her not to test his

think we can talk later. You should go see how Caroline is doing,"

asked in shock, "What did you just say? You dare speak back while colluding with a man who tried to

lips pursed before questioning, "What

The action had Mr. Belmont take a step back.

finger, which was crooked towards the pureblooded vampire. He then turned back to Ruelle and showed his deformed

expression. Burning

when? Come with me," Mr.

Mr. Belmont could pull her away, Lucian caught his wrist. His grip tightened just enough

go. I won’t ask twice," Lucian’s voice dropped

hand released Ruelle’s wrist as if he’d been burned. She noticed fear in her father’s face which was impossible to hide even after Lucian

his eyes darting to Lucian before settling on Ruelle and he accused as if

you’ve been

at her father before she questioned, "Why do you care about whom I associate myself with,

of madness he carries within him?" His voice rose, not quite shouting but there. "Why don’t you ask him what he did! Ask your mother—she

Belmont flinched as her attention was split. On one side, their daughter had been bought and dragged away, and on the other side, her husband was locking

react. To demand answers from the pureblooded vampire,

must have had his reasons

"Ruelle, how

you didn’t want me near the family. That I brought misfortune. But now

speechless because the truth wasn’t far from it. Once Ruelle had left the house for good

is speaking the truth. This person tried to kill us—It was the day

low. "You mean the day you told

paled and nodded. "Yes—yes,"

as the pieces fell into place. He asked the pureblooded vampire, "You did it because of her?! Do

darkened like a candle being snuffed. He

lost the privilege of calling her your daughter long ago, Harold Belmont. It is better to be an orphan than have a spineless father

turned rigid. Unlike before where he had the habit of lashing out he couldn’t

Harold glared at Ruelle, like an old reflex and

with that and I will gouge out your eyes," Lucian’s

he gritted his teeth. She heard him ask,

this, Harold. We need to go see Caroline," Mrs.

him for two seconds and then stepped away, walking

the answer were obvious. "She was always going to be the one." He turned to look at Ruelle, and in that moment—the glimmer of predator in his

replaced by something cold and calculating, quietly entertained. "You were the one who handed her to me. Have you

eyes swept the room as if searching. Since his wife had been sold to Mr. Eustace, he was already rehearsing his next step. The poor husband. The man

blinked. "What? When did I do that?" He noticed one corner of the pureblooded’s lips

document a

Belmont remembered it. "Yes, it was so that I wouldn’t be punished for not—" his words faltered as he realised and asked, "What—who are you?" the question

"Lucian Slater."

saucers as if he had just seen

"You—H—How is it possible?"

shock. The violence and fear he had instilled on her, everything seemed to pale in the presence of Lucian. She wondered if