Claimed by the Prince of Darkness novel Chapter 32

Chapter 32: Wildfire at the tables

At the other side of the Elites’ table, Lucian sipped his tea, his expression unreadable, seemingly unaffected by the growing commotion around him. Though the room buzzed with whispered gossip and students began casting furtive glances in his direction, he appeared seemingly uninterested in the growing whispers and speculation.

"Seems like everyone’s heard about your new roommate," Blake remarked casually, her tone light as she glanced around at the curious students.

Lucian gave no outward sign of acknowledgement, his face as impassive as ever.

Sawyer, seated beside Blake, clicked his tongue in exaggerated disappointment. He complained, "Of course, the one year I decide to have a roommate is the year I shouldn’t have one. So, does this mean... humans are o—Ow!" he yelped as Blake kicked him under the table.

Blake shot him a warning look.

"I was just asking!" Sawyer protested, rubbing his chin, though he quickly leaned back in his chair with a dramatic sigh. "But seriously, a human in Lucian’s room? It’s shocking."

No one had expected for Lucian to room with a human, and it would be a lie if Blake said she wasn’t shocked. She said, "Poor girl. I heard from my roommate that she worked hard for weeks to finish that scarf, and then it was stolen by Alanna. That’s how she ended up in this mess."

"Oh, the scarf! I remember it. I didn’t know Alanna was poor. Guess she should be sitting at the Groundlings’ table," Sawyer said in a thoughtful voice. "I would have thought they were fighting over Lucian’s attention. They always do."

"I wonder if she’s going to fail by not making it to the library on time," Blake remarked, before completely switching the subject.

As Blake and Sawyer continued their conversation, Lucian’s expression remained blank. But as he raised his cup to his lips, his eyes slowly flicked towards Alanna, catching the sight of the scarf around her neck.

Meanwhile, Ezekiel, who was sitting at the table with the staff of Sexton, picked up the faint words that continued to fill the dining room with chatter.

Ezekiel’s eyes scanned the hall, and they locked onto Ruelle instantly. His expression darkened, his jaw tightening as a rush of possessive jealousy surged through him. To think she had changed rooms overnight—with a male student—ignited rage inside him.

The corridors of Sexton Academy were unusually quiet for this time of day, as students buried themselves in preparation for the upcoming week of tests. Even the usual chatter that filled the halls seemed to have dwindled, giving the stone walls an almost hollow feel.

Hailey, walking beside Ruelle, was speaking animatedly as usual, her words a welcome distraction in the silence,

"... and then there’s Lady Norah. I know she already has a Groundling, but I heard she might be looking for another one. I can ask Tess if you want," Hailey offered, her voice lively despite the serious topic of finding work.

Ruelle, however, was only half-listening, glancing down at Hailey’s bandaged hand. She asked in concern, "How’s your hand doing?"

"Can barely feel a thing ha ha," Hailey laughed. She said, "I mean, it has—"

Her words were cut off abruptly as they nearly collided with someone rounding the corner of the narrow hallway. It was Ezekiel Henley.

"Good morning, Mr. Henley!" Hailey’s voice was bright and courteous as she dipped into a polite bow, Ruelle following her lead.

Ruelle’s mind instantly jumped to the incident with Alanna, the night she had accidentally stabbed the vampiress in self-defence. She stiffened, guilt tightening in her chest. "It wasn’t meant to happen," she whispered, her voice tinged with regret. "I didn’t mean to do that." _{fɾēewebnσveℓ.com}