Claimed by the Prince of Darkness

A price to pay

With that, he turned to stop another human student, dismissing their plight as if it were of no consequence. Ruelle's thoughts whirled with uncertainty as she considered their limited options. Sensing a gaze upon her, she turned to glance into the library, her heart quickening as she spotted a silhouette slipping behind a tall rack of books.

"I could ask my roommate if she needs any help. She might have something for us," Hailey suggested.

"That would be helpful," Ruelle said, though doubt tinged her words. Could a vampiress have any work for two humans? "We can also see what others plan to do."

"That sounds like a good idea," Hailey agreed.

During dinner at the Groundlings table, the air was thick with unease. Ruelle observed her fellow students, their faces painted with worry. Their gazes flickered toward the Elite and Halfbloods tables, eyes assessing, as if weighing which vampire appeared least intimidating to approach.

To think one's life could get better upon arriving at this place was a folly. The vampires sat at the top pedestal, while the humans sat on the lowest ground.

The human families had either sent their golden child to achieve greatness, or used this as a convenient place to offload the less favoured. It was a cruel system designed to break and mould individuals to serve the needs of vampires.

Over the clinking of silverware, Ruelle overheard June's complaint. "If I knew I'd need money, I would have brought more with me. Now I'm short!"

"Look there! Briony is approaching the Elites' table!" whispered a voice in awe.

"Of course, she's fearless. She's from a higher social standing, unlike us," a boy remarked.

Ruelle, along with the others, turned their eyes towards the spectacle unfolding at the Elites' table—a sea of masked vampires and vampiresses. Just in time, she caught one of the masks changing, allowing the vampiress to eat while the upper half of the mask remained in place. Her eyes widened at the magic.

"You want to work for me?" an Elite vampire with striking grey hair asked, his tone laced with superiority as he regarded the human girl before him.

The girl bowed deeply. "I would be very fortunate to be able to do that."

"If you're so eager to be my servant, who am I to refuse?" said the Elite, a smirk playing on his lips. A glimmer of hope washed over the humans at the Groundling table, mirrored by the girl's triumphant smile. But then he added, "But I must ensure you're fit for the task."

The exchange sent a shiver through Ruelle, even though she wasn't the one standing before him. The smirk on the vampire's face filled her with dread.

​​The vampire picked up a bowl of soup and deliberately poured its contents onto the floor, causing the girl to instinctively step back. Heads turned, everyone's attention captured by the unfolding drama.

"Clean this. Lick it clean."

Ruelle's lips pressed into a firm line as everyone around her gripped their seats, suspended in a mix of horror.

"I need to know you're worth my money. Remember, you came to me," he taunted.

With no avenue for retreat, the girl knelt, shame blazing on her cheeks as she lowered herself to the ground, the murmurs of her peers rippling through the hall.

"Why aren't the staff intervening?" Ruelle asked, a frown creasing her brow. The indifference around her was unsettling.

A second-year student shrugged. "Why would they intervene? She asked for this herself. Wanted the job and the money. It is better to bow your head now than later," she said dismissively. "You should consider finding work too, or risk falling behind."