Claimed by the Prince of Darkness novel Chapter 21

Chapter 21: Riding with Elites

The sun had barely dipped below the horizon when Ruelle found herself standing in the middle of the forest, staring at the broken wheel of the carriage. The fading light cast long shadows across the dense trees, beginning to make the forest seem even more eerie.

The local coachman scratched his head nervously as he examined the damage. "Sorry, miss," he muttered, his voice laced with apprehension. "But it seems like I can’t take you any further," he said, while his eyes darted towards the thickening woods.

Suddenly a wolf’s howl pierced through the silent forest, sending a shiver down both their spines. Without warning, the coachman bolted in the direction they had come from, abandoning both the carriage and Ruelle without so much as a backward glance. She could only watch in disbelief as the man disappeared among the trees, leaving her stranded.

"He... left," Ruelle whispered to herself.

Ruelle had planned to escape to Sexton before the night deepened, desperate to avoid any confrontation with Ezekiel or her mother. The thought of him questioning her again, sent a wave of unease through her. But none of the carriages in the village had been willing to travel to the vampire territories at this hour. Fear held the human coachmen at bay, unwilling to set foot in this side of the woods after sunset.

Now she was left alone, with only the growing chill of the evening and the silence of the domineering forest for company.

Frustration simmered beneath her skin, her hands clenching into fists. The longer she stayed, the more vulnerable she would become. She couldn’t just stand here, waiting for something—or someone—worse to find her.

Searching for a shortcut, Ruelle began to walk, barely two minutes passing before the sound of hooves echoed through the trees. The rhythmic clatter grew louder, and a sleek black carriage emerged from the shadows, its polished wood glistening faintly in the dim light of dusk.

"An Elite’s carriage..." Ruelle murmured. The carriage slowed as it approached, drawing closer to where she stood on the edge of the path.

The window slid to the side smoothly, revealing a familiar face framed by dirty blond hair and a grin. It was Sawyer, who said, "If it isn’t the lovely Miss Belmont, stranded in the middle of nowhere. Need a ride?"

Ruelle hesitated, but she had little choice. She replied with a small smile, "I do... if it isn’t much trouble." Her options were limited, and staying alone in the forest wasn’t one of them.

Sawyer’s grin widened, and he called to the coachman, "Edmond, be a dear and pick up Miss Belmont’s luggage, won’t you?"

But the coachman, a pale vampire with a sullen expression, barely moved at first. Sawyer turned and muttered something that she couldn’t quite catch. The coachman then climbed down from his seat to retrieve Ruelle’s belongings, tying them securely to the back of the carriage.

"Hop in!" Sawyer’s voice was cheerful as always, waving her towards the open door.

Ruelle gathered her skirts and climbed into the carriage. The plush velvet seats and the warmth of the interior were a welcome contrast to the biting cold outside, but as she took her seat, her eyes fell on the other passengers.

To her left sat the vampiress—with dirty blonde hair cascading over her shoulders—the person who had dragged the chained human student through the halls of Sexton.