Claimed by the Prince of Darkness novel Chapter 147

Chapter 147: Caught!

Away from the centre of the fair, the little girl led them along a path between the stalls.

"This is away from the fair," Ruelle said, turning to look behind them. "Your mother would be looking for you there."

"I saw her go this way," the little girl said, pointing at the narrower alley.

"Are you sure?" Hailey asked, who was still holding the girl’s hand.

"Perhaps we should head back and wait for her at the fair," Ruelle suggested. When she turned to look behind her again, she caught sight of two familiar-looking men. They had visited her house the last time she had been there, demanding her father return the money.

"I must say, you’ve grown quite beautifully," the bearded man’s gaze lingering as he stepped closer.

"Where is my payment?"

Ruelle and Hailey heard a woman’s voice come from between them, and their eyes snapped towards the girl who was no longer trembling.

"Idiots," the little girl said, the childish tone gone. "Did you really think I was a child?" Then she pulled her hand free from Hailey’s grip and ran toward the men. The bearded man tossed a coin toward her without looking and she caught it easily before she was gone quickly.

Ruelle’s fingers curled slightly at her side. The men had used this person who looked like a little girl to lure them away from the crowd and others. It was not uncommon for debts to be settled through family, especially daughters. But who had told them she would be here?

"Ruelle... do you know these men?" Hailey asked as they edged backward.

The bearded man chuckled and he answered, "Of course she does. Her fa—"

Ruelle did not let him finish. She seized Hailey’s hand and said, "Run!"

"Catch them!" the man shouted as Ruelle and Hailey gathered their skirts and ran.

Hailey gasped, "Who are they?!"

"Men my father owes," Ruelle replied. "Don’t stop!"

Hailey stumbled slightly. "What do we do now?! They don’t look like they are ready to give up."

"We split."

"What? No—two is better than one! I hope others notice we are gone for a long time. This is a very good time for my rich man to—"

Think, Ruelle told herself. If they could reach the crowd, it would be easier. They had walked mostly straight and hadn’t taken any deviation earlier. As her eyes moved ahead at a narrow turn, cutting to the right.

"This way!" She pulled Hailey with her.

Fog escaped from their lips. Shouting would be useless. She had to make it back this time without a scratch! For a fleeting moment, she could already picture Lucian’s cold and disapproving expression.

Pushing the thought aside, she ran faster.

But before they could reach the end of the alley, a buff man stepped into their path. The two men behind them were still hot on their heels and one of the men snapped,

"How the fuck are these women so fast?"

That was all thanks to Mr Jinxy, who had made them run at every opportunity with the words ’A predator enjoys the chase.’

"How confident are you at fighting?" Ruelle asked as they neared the lone man ahead of them.

Hailey gave a breathless laugh. "We don’t have anything to stab him with. I can... poke?"

"Good enough," Ruelle said.

When they closed the distance, Hailey lunged forward, throwing herself at the man. But the height difference worked against her. Her hand that was meant to poke his eyes crashed into his chest and she swayed to the side.

The man did not even move. Ruelle snatched up the lid of a nearby can and swung it across the man’s face just as he reached for Hailey. The metal lid struck with a sharp sound and the man was thrown off by the sudden blow.

Before he could recover, Ruelle and Hailey ran past him.

But unfortunately, when they turned right, they stopped because not far from where they stood, there was a wall.

"Catch them, damn it!" the bearded man’s voice echoed behind them.

"Let us take this one," Hailey said quickly, though her voice wavered. She moved slightly in front of Ruelle without thinking, and they took the opposite path. "Where is everyone?! Help!"

But no one came. With the ground frozen in ice, it didn’t take long before Hailey’s foot slipped and she lost her balance and fell.

Ruelle’s footsteps paused and she turned back. She quickly reached for her friend, helping her Hailey up.

"I’m fine... just—" Hailey said, trying to steady herself.

But before they could take another step, a sudden force jerked them back as two of the men caught hold of their coats, stopping them in their tracks.

VERIFYCAPTCHA_LABELVerify