Once Ruelle had secured the syllabus, her next destination was Sexton's grand library. She and Hailey made their way up the winding staircase at the far end of the corridor to the designated floor. The corridors were dimly lit with flickering lanterns, casting shadows on the stone walls.
Upon reaching the entrance, Ruelle caught the faint, musty scent of old books wafting through the air, mingling with the slightly damp chill of the library. The quiet ambiance was occasionally punctuated by the distant echo of footsteps on the stone floor.
Two classmates stood whispering to each other with anxious expressions, their voices hushed and tense as Ruelle and Hailey approached the towering double doors. Just as they were about to step inside, a figure emerged to block them. His greasy hair was slicked back, and his spectacles perched precariously on the bridge of his nose.
"And where do you think you're going?" His voice was smooth but laced with contempt, dripping with a superiority that made Ruelle clench her fists reflexively.
"To fetch books for the syllabus listed for our year…" Ruelle replied, holding up the scroll as if showing him evidence that she was a student here. Hailey nodded beside her.
"Did you bring the fee?" he asked, arching a thin eyebrow. The curve of his lips suggested he already knew the answer.
"The fee?" Ruelle echoed, her voice filled with confusion. At her naivety, the man chuckled—the sound was as condescending as it was dismissive.
"Everyone who wants to access the library needs to pay a fee of fifteen shillings," the caretaker explained with a scornful flick of his fingers. "If you don't have it, move aside and don't crowd the entrance."
Ruelle found the demand absurd. Wasn't an academy established for teaching supposed to provide books to read for free? Her heart sank at the thought of failing her classes because of such a barrier.
As an Elite vampiress swept through the doors unhindered, her lofty gaze not even acknowledging them, Hailey asked, "Is it because we're humans?"
"This applies to every student," the caretaker remarked, looking her up and down. "The difference is, the Elites' families have already paid their share, unlike you Groundlings."
"Maybe we can borrow the books from others," Ruelle suggested, a note of desperation creeping into her voice as she tried to grasp at solutions.
But the caretaker was quick to extinguish any hope. "Groundlings are not permitted to leave the library with books. If you wish to do so, it will cost you twenty gold coins," he declared, his words cold and definitive.
"…!" This left the two girls in shock.
The sum was more than their families could conjure up at once. Images flashed through Ruelle's mind—of chains, oppressive shadows, and an endless cycle of submission. Her fingers tightened around the scroll.
To witness the ease with which the privileged glided through life was to understand a devastating truth—the burden of suffering disproportionately weighed upon the shoulders of the less fortunate.
"We don't have the money now, but we could pay after the weekend," Ruelle proposed, her voice wavering yet defiant.
"No," he interjected bluntly, his refusal like a door slamming shut.
"How are we going to study then? Only rely on the classes?" Hailey's eyes brimmed with worry.
"If you want access here, you should start working," came the curt reply from the vampire. "And by work, I mean for the Elites, as they are the ones with the resources. You can ask anyone and they'll tell you the same."
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's 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."
The harsh reality of Sexton weighed heavily on Ruelle. It was nothing like her sister Caroline had envisioned. Each new revelation peeled back layers of her ignorance, revealing deeper layers of exploitation and cruelty. In the grand design of power, humans were merely threads, pulled and twisted to form patterns dictated by those above.
After a dinner that left her deeply unsettled, Ruelle returned to her room, her appetite lost to worry. As she placed the scroll on her desk, her roommate June burst through the door, her presence a whirlwind of frustration.
"I can't believe this! I'm here to be a partner of a duke, viscount, or earl—not a servant!" June fumed as she stormed into the room. She stopped, waving a piece of paper furiously. "What's this?"
Ruelle turned and replied, "I don't know."
"You were the only one here, so if you wrote it, that isn't funny," June accused, eyes narrowing.
A sigh escaped from Ruelle's lips, simply because she had other things to think about than write whatever the girl had in her hand. When her eyes fell on her own bed, there lay a folded piece of paper. Frowning, she opened it: 'If you're looking for a job, there's one available. Meet at the edge of the maze at ten.'
June's tone turned dismissive. "Oh, you got it too? I should hurry and take the job."
Where did this come from? Ruelle asked herself, staring at the note.
Before the clock had a chance to strike ten, a cluster of Groundlings convened near the maze, the night air thick with anticipation. They huddled together, voices low and tinged with curiosity, their breath forming tiny clouds in the cool dusk. The soft rustling of leaves merged with their whispers.
Hailey's voice broke through the murmurs, disappointment lacing her words. "I asked Blake if she needed a servant, but she didn't." Her sigh seemed to dissipate into the crisp air. "Do you think the note came from an Elite?"
"Probably. There are only girls here," Ruelle observed, a knot of unease tightening in her stomach. She needed the money like everyone else, but part of her longed to retreat back to the safety of her room.
As they exchanged worried glances, the serene moonlight was suddenly overshadowed by the arrival of a vampiress draped in a flowing crimson robe, followed closely by three others clad in black. The vibrant fabric stood out sharply against the darkened landscape.
The lead vampiress, strikingly beautiful with long, sleek brown hair cascading over her shoulders, addressed them in a voice that was both captivating and commanding. "Welcome, dear juniors."
"What work do we need to do? How much will we be paid?" demanded one girl, impatience spilling from her lips. The sincerity of her question hung in the air, demanding answers.
"Work?" the Elite vampiress repeated, "You aren't here for that," a mocking smile flickering at the corners of her mouth. A murmur of realisation rippled through the group, the harsh truth dawning on them. They had been lured into a trap. "Now, I expect everyone to start removing your clothes—one by one. Let us see what Sexton has chosen this year."
"What?!" came the collective outcry, a symphony of shock and disbelief.
"No!" protests erupted among the humans as dread washed over Ruelle. Her face turned pale. The last thing she wanted was to strip in front of others, especially in the middle of the academy, where every shadow seemed to leer.
"Shut up!" the Halfblood snapped at them. "You will follow what Lady Alana says unless you want to be sucked dry."
The Elite's gaze sliced through the chaos like a blade, instantly imposing silence. Then, as if to soften the blow, she forced a smile that didn't reach her eyes. "This is nothing you won't be doing in your future. Pleasing the Elites will be what you will be learning here anyway. Taking off your clothes will be the easiest of tasks. I'll give you a shilling if you do it right." As she spoke, she pulled out a pouch of coins, allowing the sound of jingling metal to hang in the air.
"We should have stayed in our room," Ruelle muttered under her breath, her heart pounding against her ribs.
"I don't understand why they're doing this..." Hailey's voice quivered, mirroring the fear etched on the faces of the other humans around them.
"It's to eliminate competition," a voice whispered from behind, low and conspiratorial. "Any human who poses a threat could take their place in the hierarchy. By doing this, they ensure we remain less valuable and stuck in the lower class."
How insecure were these creatures that they felt the need to destroy the confidence of others? Ruelle pondered, a knot of despair tightening around her chest. A thought flickered through her mind—perhaps if she inched backward, she could slip into the shadows and avoid the spotlight.
"Hey! You there! Move your hands, or do you want me to help you?" barked a Halfblood, directing her frustration at one of the girls at the front.
"Where's the enthusiasm? Alright, let me be generous. The first one to strip down to your undergarments will earn a silver from me," the Elite vampiress announced.
This statement stirred a grim sense of encouragement among some of the girls, prompting a few to shuffle uncertainly as they weighed the cost of their dignity against the lure of coins. One of the girls reluctantly stripped down to her undergarments, exposing her skin to the biting cold air. The Elite vampiress, with a cruel smile, tossed her a silver coin. It fell on the floor, rolling away and out of reach.
"I'll consider turning you into a Halfblood for your obedience," the Elite taunted, her gaze sweeping the crowd as laughter bubbled among her companions.
Ruelle's hands trembled at her sides, instinctively moving toward the hem of her sweater. Panic surged through her as an overwhelming dread settled in. She had no desire to participate in this humiliation. As the Halfbloods and the Elites turned their attention to the other girls, revelling in their entertainment, Ruelle seized Hailey's hand, pressing her other hand over her lips.
'We are leaving,' Ruelle mouthed silently to Hailey. Hailey's eyes widened in alarm.
'They will catch us and punish us worse!' Hailey responded, her fear a silent echo in Ruelle's mind. And no one knew how much harder it would be to survive here, let alone earn any money.
Nearby, the Elite vampiress enjoyed the humiliation of a girl who trembled with tears streaming down her cheeks, while her underlings circled like vultures. In that moment of distraction, Ruelle clasped Hailey's hand tightly and pulled her towards and through the entrance of the maze.
And though Ruelle had momentarily slipped free from the clutches of the vultures, the tattletale parrot could not keep its beak shut. June, who was still deliberately fumbling with her second button, noticed the absence of the two girls. She exclaimed, "She ran away!"
The Elite spun around, fixing her gaze on June and demanded, "Who ran away?"
"Ruelle Belmont and another girl! One is my roommate with long blonde hair and the other short black hair," June supplied eagerly, offering information like a dutiful faux underling, desperate to curry favour.
"Wasn't she the one who spoke to Sawyer last evening?" one of the Halfbloods remarked, reminding everyone of the cunning way in which the human had tripped next to the Elite's table.
"Now that you mention it, she was the only one who caught the future duke's attention. And now she dares to escape?" Alana, the Elite vampiress, was far from pleased. A human trying to outwit her, the nerve! "Find her!" she commanded, her voice sharp with irritation.
Inside the twisting paths of the maze, Ruelle and Hailey moved with a silent urgency, their hearts pounding as they navigated the dimly lit labyrinth. The weight of her family's expectations pressed heavily upon Ruelle. As the eldest daughter, she felt a profound sense of obligation to carry out her responsibilities despite the growing urge to flee. But she wasn't ready to undress in front of other people.
The path before them was shrouded in darkness and a creeping mist. Suddenly, they heard a rustle from the other side of the maze wall.
'Is it them?' Hailey mouthed, her eyes wide with anxiety.
Unbeknownst to them, this maze was merely the beginning of a larger puzzle, leading them toward an almost infinite expanse of forest—a bewildering realm of endless possibilities and looming dangers.
"RUELLE! COME OUT BEFORE YOU MAKE US ANGRY!" shouted one of the Halfbloods who had just entered the maze, the female's voice echoing ominously through the twisting passages.
Ruelle's heart pounded harder, each beat threatening to betray her hiding place. A chill of doubt crept over her as the reality of her impulsive decision began to sink in. Her hands clenched into fists, a futile attempt to quell the tremor of fear.
The Elite vampiress's taunting voice followed, smooth as silk but edged with menace. "I know where you are hiding. I can hear your hearts racing."
Panic surged again as Ruelle realised they needed to keep moving. But in their desperate attempt to escape, they found themselves facing a solid wall—a dead end.
"RUELLE BELMONT!" The vampiress's voice boomed, lingering in the air like a dark cloud. Ruelle's stress climbed higher with each shouted syllable. "I will count to ten, and you better come out and kneel down before me before I'm done or you'll wish you had obeyed."
Ruelle had tried to be brave but it was futile. She slowly made her way to where she could hear the voices of the vampiresses with Hailey.
"…seven…eight…NINE!" The Elite vampiress then shouted, "Rue—eek!!" An arrow whistled through the air, aiming dangerously close to her mouth, forcing her to stagger back. "What the hell?!"
Ruelle was about to step in the path when she saw something fly past her and her feet paused. She took a peek and her eyes widened.
Out of the shadows emerged Lucian, his presence commanding, the kind that left whispers trailing in his wake. He wore a different attire from the evening, gloves covered his hands, and a sheen of sweat gleamed on his forehead. His cold and dark brooding eyes glinted with a mixture of disdain and authority that silenced the maze.
"Lucian…" The Elite vampiress's displeasure quickly dissolved into a mix of fear and awe, her posture shrinking under Lucian's piercing gaze. "Thankfully, you have good aim with arrows," she said, though her smile wavered.
"What are you saying? I missed," Lucian remarked calmly, standing tall, his presence demanding attention. "If you want to scream, do it in the dungeon. The maze is not your playground unless you want to be staked," he glared, each word crisp with irritation as more vampires who had been practising in nearby alcoves approached to witness the exchange.
"Yes, of course," the vampiress stammered, her bravado reduced to meek compliance. "Forgive me for interrupting all of you," she mumbled before retreating with her entourage trailing behind.
As they returned to the maze's entrance, a Halfblood turned to the Elite vampiress and asked, "What about those two Groundlings?"
"We don't need to bother ourselves with them," the Elite sneered, adjusting her expression back to its usual superiority. "Lucian will take care of them. If there's one thing people need to know, it's that Lucian despises the very existence of humans," she chuckled.
Inside the maze, as the rustling and murmuring footsteps of retreating vampires echoed around them, Ruelle and Hailey allowed themselves a breath of relief. It felt as though they might finally be able to slip back to their rooms unnoticed.
However, as they emerged, they were met by the intense gaze of Lucian, who hadn't left. His piercing eyes landed on Ruelle, and she felt her heart skip a beat, the intensity of his gaze pinning her in place. A lump formed in her throat, and she swallowed hard, wishing she could shrink into invisibility.
But just as quickly as his eyes settled on her, his attention seemed to shift to look at Hailey disapprovingly—who stood beside Ruelle, looking equally frozen and wide-eyed.
"Lucian, you coming?" A voice called out from behind, breaking the tense silence. It was Sawyer, who appeared with his usual charismatic air. Upon noticing Ruelle, he flashed a bright smile and waved.
Not eager to linger for conversation, Ruelle offered a small, respectful bow, and, with a gentle tug on Hailey's arm, began to make her quiet escape. But just as they turned to leave, a cold, commanding voice halted them in their tracks.
"You." Lucian's voice carried an authority that had the girls freeze in place. Ruelle squeezed her eyes shut, nervous about what he wanted. When they turned, the intensity in his glare hadn't dropped and it was directed at Hailey. "Change your name," he ordered, the unexpected demand taking both young women by surprise.
Fifteen minutes later, Ruelle found herself back in her room, still reeling from the encounter with the senior vampires in the maze. As she prepared for bed, a heavy cloud of worry lingered above her, the tyrannical-like atmosphere of Sexton gnawing at her thoughts.
"I wonder what you would have thought, Mother," Ruelle whispered, her voice barely more than a breath as she clutched her pendant tightly in her hand. The cool metal pressed against her palm, a small comfort in the dark. "I am scared…" she admitted softly.
Pulling back the covers, she slipped beneath them, seeking solace in their warmth. Exhaustion washed over her, and despite the turmoil swirling in her mind, she quickly fell asleep.
After thirty minutes, June returned to the room, her demeanour crackling with humiliation and frustration. The sight of Ruelle sleeping soundly in her bed only deepened her anger, and she shot a glare at the girl, but then an idea flickered to life in her mind, and a cunning smile spread across her lips.