Claimed by the Prince of Darkness

Chapter 148: The Summon

Ruelle’s heart dropped at the sound of the stick breaking and the man’s question. Even Hailey turned pale as though not expecting the stick to make that much sound.

"Our friends must have finally caught up!" Ruelle blurted before looking behind with a hopeful expression.

"Finally!" Hailey breathed, and this had the three men turn to look back. She quickly handed Ruelle the other half of the stick.

Ruelle shifted the wooden stick along her arm, steadying it in place, and at her slight nod, both women moved at once, stepping forward as they slipped free of their loosened coats in a single, swift motion.

The sudden weight in the men’s hands made them turn. In that same moment, Ruelle stepped in, driving the sharpened wood into the man’s side, the force pushing through into his abdomen.

On the other hand, Hailey jammed the broken stick into the man who reached for her, piercing into his open palm before he could grab hold of her.

"ARGHH!!!"

"You bitch—!" A string of curses left the men’s mouths. Ruelle kicked the man’s ankle before bolting.

The sudden yelp drew the bearded man’s attention at once, his head snapping up just in time to see the two women break free and run. His eyes went wide and he demanded in anger,

"How did you lose them? Two women—and you still could not hold them?!"

Ruelle and Hailey ran as fast as they could. With having left the alley behind, they didn’t have to worry about running into another dead end, but the frozen ground beneath their feet made every step uncertain, and they forced themselves to stay upright, knowing they would not be so fortunate a second time.

They ran past the row of houses, their steps uneven against the frozen ground, when Ruelle’s gaze caught one house that stood apart from the rest ahead of them.

Its iron gates hung rusted and crooked, half-open as though no one had bothered to close them in years. Dried shrubs had grown wild around the entrance, their brittle branches clawing at the iron.

The entrance doors looked broken along with the windows. The walls had long since faded, their colour drained to a dull, lifeless grey.

"Ru—elle... my legs are going to give way," Hailey said, her voice breaking as she struggled to keep pace.

"Just a little more. You can do it!" Ruelle encouraged, though a quiet guilt stirred within her, knowing Hailey had been pulled into trouble that was never hers.

A sudden crash sounded behind them, forcing their steps to halt. Ruelle turned and caught sight of Claude. He had thrown one of the men hard against the wall, leaving the human groaning.

"Who the hell are you?" the man with the broken nose demanded. "Leave. This does not concern you."

But Claude didn’t answer. His eyes moved to where Ruelle stood, quickly skimming for any injuries. He asked,

"Are you both alright, Miss Ruelle?" His voice was steady, though there was a trace of concern beneath it.

"We are alright," Ruelle assured him with a smile, her chest rising and falling as the tension left her all at once, leaving her momentarily unsteady. She was glad to see him.

Beside her, Hailey’s legs gave out and she sank onto the cold ground before the rusted gates. Her friend muttered faintly, "We... did it."

her, a figure jumped from above and landed between

told you it is far easier to spot people from

appearance. The same time, not far behind,

went to

and twisted it sharply, drawing a sharp yelp. He snapped with gritted teeth,

send the man to the ground, and he did not stop until the man lay unconscious at his

huffed, "I swear if I hear another person

with the rusted rod that he had plucked out from the gate next to them, driving it into Edward’s chest before it protruded from his back. But the prince didn’t flinch and only looked down at

"Your Highness!" Hermes shouted.

though he hadn’t been stabbed. He then caught the man’s hair before kicking the human’s stomach and punching him. When the man staggered backwards, Claude raised his hand and with one hit to the

Edward and Kevin went to check on his friends.

a woman..." Hailey replied, still seated on the ground, her breath uneven. When she shivered, she asked,

at once and

day. Quite an adventure, wouldn’t you say?" Edward said brightly, as though he had merely taken a stroll. His gaze flicked to

prince, his

the metal that pierced through him, her worry plain in her

she said, her voice softer now. "But

a dismissive wave of his hand. He responded, "I am perfectly fine. I am a pureblooded vampire, Ruelle. A very strong one, at that.

without warning. He murmured,

his expression tightening for a second moment before it smoothed into a smile. His voice was strained as he spoke, "See?

not look away. Blood continued to drip from his

too much blood—!" Hermes began, alarm rising in his voice, when Edward swayed from his spot. Claude moved at once, catching Edward and steadying

embarrassing," Edward

said immediately and he ran

and have the wound tended for now," Ruelle suggested, reaching for Edward’s arm out

her legs shaky from the way they had earlier run. While Claude remained where

inside the house with Edward and she said in concern, "Maybe you

prince knew he had to show he had

convinced. Edward looked far more tired now, but it was mostly because of the crowd at the fair and the fight he had just

waving her hand lightly in front of her face. "It does not look like

Ruelle had helped Edward sit on the dust-covered couch, she straightened and took in the room. Cobwebs clung to the corners and a fine layer of dust had settled over every surface. The windows stood

said, as she slowly explored the

paused at the walls that Hailey mentioned were dirty. Her brown eyes traced the

There was something very peculiar about the pot, which had her walk towards it

was filled with dry soil, long-barren and her eyebrows

this at home? Where else did I see

of the pot. She heard

It was a second later that she felt something shift beneath the mud. She quickly pulled her hand back while staring at the pot.

of the soil and when it pushed upward, Ruelle froze. A thin shoot broke through, rising slowly before her eyes. Leaves unfurled along its stem,

Her breath caught.

is this?" she whispered. The growth did not stop as buds formed before one of