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.

you mean,’Why?’" His voice turned harsh, as if telling her not to test his patience. "I am your father. We need

Caroline is doing," Ruelle said calmly,

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

pursed before questioning, "What are

action had Mr. Belmont take a step

towards the pureblooded vampire. He then turned back to Ruelle and showed his deformed fingers, "Look at what

to look at Lucian’s calm expression. Burning

when? Come with me," Mr. Belmont

could pull her away, Lucian caught his wrist. His grip tightened just enough for the human

I won’t ask twice," Lucian’s voice

in her

Belmont recovered quickly, his eyes darting to Lucian before settling on Ruelle and

is the man you’ve been

"Why do you care about whom

Belmont’s expression flickered from surprise to irritation. He huffed, "Do you even know the kind of madness he carries within him?" His voice rose, not quite shouting but there. "Why don’t you

bought and dragged away, and on the other side, her husband was locking horns with someone who had almost burned

To demand answers

his

her mother asked, "Ruelle, how can you say that? We had nowhere

voice lay a sadness. She continued, "You said you didn’t want me near the family. That I brought misfortune. But now that

left speechless because the truth wasn’t far from it. Once Ruelle had left the house for good things hadn’t improved. They’d gotten

speaking the truth. This person tried to kill

voice was low. "You mean the day you told her never to come

paled and nodded. "Yes—yes," she corrected herself

widened as the pieces fell into place. He asked the

a candle being snuffed. He

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

Unlike before

Ruelle, like an old reflex

I will gouge out your eyes," Lucian’s voice hadn’t risen but something

as he gritted his teeth. She heard him

this, Harold. We need to go see Caroline," Mrs. Belmont tugged at her husband’s

stared at him for two seconds and then stepped

going to be the one." He turned to look at Ruelle, and in that moment—the glimmer of predator in his eyes softened. As if she

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

to Mr. Eustace, he was already rehearsing his

blinked. "What? When did I do that?" He noticed

signed the document

so that I wouldn’t be punished for not—" his words faltered as he realised and asked, "What—who are

"Lucian Slater."

eyes went wide as saucers as if he had just seen a ghost.

"You—H—How is it possible?"

in the presence of Lucian. She wondered if the parchment Lucian had mentioned was the same one that had been handed to the king last night.