Eighteen-year-old Ruelle Belmont has learned to be useful and grateful, because in her family love is given only to those who earn it. When her father’s debts grow beyond saving, she is sent to Sexton, a prestigious vampire institution that accepts one human from every household.

But Sexton is no place for a human.

Inside its halls, humans are not students. They are Groundlings, valued for their blood and how easily they can be broken. Favour is currency and cruelty is entertainment. And failure means being sold.

Ruelle soon discovers that the cold and dangerous pureblood she once crossed paths with is here as well. Worse, she is forced to share a room with him when she is hunted by a couple of vampiresses. 

Lucian Slater watches her too closely for a man who claims to despise humans. Yet when Sexton’s predators begin to circle, he is the one who steps in to help her.

And for the first time in her life, Ruelle is learning something she was never meant to believe. That she may be worth wanting.

And in Sexton, being wanted is the most dangerous thing of all.

———————

The clock struck midnight when Ruelle heard the echo of footsteps. She tensed, the fine hairs on the back of her neck standing on end in the cool night air.

"You shouldn't be here," Ruelle whispered, her voice a breathless murmur. The silhouette finally came to stand under the moonlight, his dark red eyes watching her and his inky black hair ruffling.

"Shouldn't I?" His voice was a dark caress, and she stood there captivated by the danger he exuded like perfume.

"I haven’t seen you for the last two days," his tone low. His hand reached out, fingers brushing against the silk of her nightgown, tracing the trembling outline of her collarbone. "Tell me, were you avoiding me, or perhaps... entertaining other offers?"

Ruelle’s heart raced, her breaths shallow. She declared, "I don't belong to anyone.”

"A bold claim," he murmured, his breath a tantalising chill against her skin as he leaned in. "Yet here you are, pulse racing, your body tensed as if in anticipation of my touch."

His fingers gripped her chin, tilting her face towards his. The moonlight caught his eyes, revealing a glint of predatory intent. "Or must I remind you whose touch you truly crave?"

Ruelle's chest tightened. Lucian offered Edward a polite bow, his demeanour composed as ever, while the prince stared at the pureblooded vampire for a single beat before rage flooded his face. 


Edward strode forward, fists clenched. He looked one second away from throwing a punch, while Ruelle's heart leapt to her throat. 


"If Ruelle had not attended the celebration at the Slater Mansion," Lucian continued, "she wouldn't have crossed paths with Minister Maverick Griswold."


Ruelle's eyes snapped back at Lucian, his expression nonchalant compared to the furious prince. He had admitted his involvement, yet gently turned the blame toward the minister.


"Maverick Griswold?" Edward lowered his raised hand slightly, frowning. "Who is that?"


Hermes answered at once, "Minister Griswold is a first-rank minister of the Royal Courthouse, Your Highness. His position is overseeing civil enforcement and human registry matters."


Chapter 116 - Under His Roof