Claimed by the Prince of Darkness novel Chapter 33

Chapter 33: Under The Same Roof As Him

Though it was the middle of the day, Mr. Mortis’s office continued to say slightly dim. A faint smell of old parchment and candle wax hung in the air, along with the scent of dust that never seemed to settle. Behind his large, aged desk sat Mr. Mortis, his hollow gaze resting on Ezekiel, who stood before him, his expression tightly controlled.

"It was a little stab. Nothing an Elite vampiress couldn’t handle," Mr. Mortis said, his tone as dry as the ancient walls around him.

Ezekiel’s polite smile strained at the edges, a flicker of frustration passing beneath the calm exterior. His voice, though measured, carried an edge of insistence, "But Mr. Mortis, a Groundling raising a hand against an Elite—it sends the wrong message, don’t you think? It undermines the hierarchy that maintains order at Sexton."

"Elites here are taught better than to become baits, Mr. Henley. Sexton’s rules may appear harsh, but they are balanced. Elites, Halflings and the Groundlings cause trouble every once in a while, doesn’t mean it warrants an expulsion," Mr. Mortis replied, leaning back slightly in his chair, as he regarded Ezekiel with a gaze that betrayed nothing.

Ezekiel’s jaw tightened, but he quickly composed himself and stated, "I think of the establishment, Mr. Mortis, of the greater order. It is just that allowing a Groundling to remain after such a bold act might cause disruption. And now she’s rooming with an Elite vampire. Surely, you see how this could create complications?"

Mr. Mortis’s face remained impassive. He remarked, "Miss Belmont chose her arrangement. She is aware of the consequences. Unless there are further instances of misconduct, I see no reason to alter the decision."

Chose her arrangement? Innocent and sweet Ruelle would never do something like that unless she was coaxed! Ezekiel’s fingers twitched at his sides. He had expected compliance, but Mr. Mortis had proven more difficult to manipulate than anticipated. Still, he held his smile. He softly replied,

"No. No further complaints."

"Then I believe we are finished here. Good day, Mr. Henley," Mr. Mortis returned his attention to the papers in front of him.

Bowing stiffly, Ezekiel’s nails bit into his palms as he turned to leave. His thoughts churned as he exited the room. He couldn’t bear the thought of Ruelle slipping further from his grasp, especially now that she was staying under the same roof as another male.

The very image of her in another man’s room gnawed at him, and he would not rest until he found a way to remove her from such a dangerous proximity.

By the time Ruelle had finished her evening classes, she could feel the weight of eyes on her—more than usual. Their gazes followed her with whispers and their murmurings.

The fabric of her dress clung tightly to her, its collar feeling too constricting against her throat. Her fingers instinctively reached up, slipping beneath the edge of the collar in an attempt to loosen the fabric. But it didn’t help.

Her footsteps were soft as she made her way along the cobblestone paths lined by trees. As she approached a large tree, her stomach knotted. Standing beneath its shadow was Gwendolyn Bloom, the Elite vampiress she had been sent to serve. The vampiress carried herself with an air of privilege that was impossible to ignore, and everything about her screamed superiority.

"Well, well, the little Groundling finally arrives," Gwendolyn purred. "You are late."

Ruelle lowered her head, the humility in her voice soft but sincere. "I apologise, milady, I didn’t mean to—"

"I didn’t ask for an explanation," Gwendolyn interrupted, her lips curving into the ghost of a mocking smile. Her gaze swept over Ruelle, taking in every detail, every flaw. "So, you’re the one who’s moved into Lucian’s room."

Was that why the vampiress had hired her? Ruelle asked herself.

Gwendolyn’s gaze travelled down Ruelle’s form, and she spoke loudly, "Patchwork clothes, torn shoes.You must have trouble finding food outside of Sexton," she added.

Ruelle’s cheeks flushed with embarrassment, and she instinctively tried to hide her worn shoes beneath the hem of her dress, though it wasn’t long enough to fully cover them.

"Perhaps there’s something about your looks... something beneath all that dirt," Gwendolyn continued, her tone indifferent yet piercing. "But I still don’t understand why Lucian would tolerate a human in his space. How did you manage that?"

"I didn’t do anything," Ruelle replied. "He hates me—"

Gwendolyn laughed before replying, "Of course he does. I had bet the chances of him running a stake through your heart while you sleep are higher than him ever letting you stay willingly."

The blood drained from Ruelle’s face, her heart skipping a beat. Would he do that? Her voice wavered as she replied, "Mr. Slater—Dane Slater—helped me. It’s temporary. A roof over my head, nothing more."

Gwendolyn’s interest waned, her fingers tapping idly against her arm as she grew bored with the conversation. Her detachment was evident, the kind of indifference that only those born into endless privilege could exude. She declared,

"I’m bored. Dance for me."

Ruelle blinked, startled by the demand. "Dance?" she repeated. She had never learned to dance—there had never been time or opportunity for such luxuries in her village, where survival was all that mattered. "I don’t know how to..."

"It is precisely why you will now," Gwendolyn said, her voice flat, as though the request were as simple as asking for water. "I suppose if you can’t, you won’t be earning a penny."

Desperation tightened around Ruelle’s chest. She needed this job, needed the money. Swallowing her pride, she nodded and began to move, her limbs stiff and awkward as she tried to mimic the few dancers she had seen from a distance. Laughter erupted from her and the nearby students who had gathered to watch the spectacle.

"Is that what she calls dancing?" a voice jeered from the crowd.

Another joined in, mocking, "I’ve seen better moves from a puppet!"

The heat of humiliation crept up Ruelle’s neck, spreading across her cheeks. Her movements faltered under the weight of their laughter, and her heart pounded in her chest. But her mother’s words rang in her ears, urging her forward despite the shame that gripped her.

To get your work done, sometimes you have to hold a donkey’s feet and praise it. _{freewēbnoveℓ.com}

When Gwendolyn finally seemed satisfied, she turned away, leading Ruelle through the forest with casual indifference. The sky had grown dark, and the unfamiliarity of the path filled Ruelle with a sense of unease.

They arrived at the bank of a river, the water glittering under the faint starlight. Gwendolyn stopped, a wicked glint sparking in her eyes. She said,

"Since dancing is clearly beyond your abilities, let’s see how you fare with something you’re already used to. Washing clothes."

Ruelle nodded, relieved to be given a task she knew well. She replied, "Yes, Lady Gwendolyn."

But her relief was short-lived as Gwendolyn motioned towards a large wicker basket, overflowing with clothes. The sheer volume of garments made her stomach drop. It was far more than she had expected, a mountain of fine, delicate fabrics and heavy cloaks that would take hours to clean.