Chapter 108

Tessa’s POV

We sat in the living room of Bernard and Anna’s living room while Anna made tea for everybody. Joseph, Carter, and I sat on the sofa which was big enough for like 10 people while Bernard sat in the giant reclining chair that I could tell he favored.

There was a wooden coffee table in front of us with a beautiful vase of assorted flowers that I knew came from Anna’s bright and colorful garden I saw outside. There were also a bunch of candles around the living room, and something told me that Anna collected them.

After a little while, she returned to the living room with a platter of tea and 5 small mugs. She sat the platter and mugs on the coffee table before disappearing into the kitchen again. She returned only seconds later with another platter of assorted cheeses and crackers, along with a small tray of sweeteners and milk.

We all sat quietly as she worked to pour each of us a cup and as she handed us each the mug of tea she prepared, we said thank you with as much kindness as we could muster. Once she was all situated and had her own mug of tea, she sat down on the loveseat nearby.

“So, where she we begin first?” She finally said, looking at me curiously.

They were all looking at me and realized quickly they were waiting for me to ask them questions. But I wasn’t really sure what questions to ask in the first place.

I looked up at Joseph and he gave me a nod of encouragement so I turned back to Bernard and Anna, taking a deep breath, I began to talk and once I started, I couldn’t stop.

“Rankings. What exactly are your rankings? Do all vampires have the same abilities? I know Joseph has some crazy powers that I’ve witnessed myself and I wonder if all vampires have his powers as well. Did you build this village from scratch? It’s quite lovely but how do you know it’s completely safe from humans? Speaking of humans, I had no idea you had humans living here. Joseph mentioned that they are basically slaves though, however, it’s in exchange for immortality. Are they happy here?...”

Joseph’s hand covered mine and he squeezed it gently, causing me to stop to take a breath and then I met his eyes.

“Slow down and breathe,” he said, but I saw the humor in his eyes.

My face reddened and I murmured an apology.

“How about we start with rankings.” It was Bernard who spoke that time, causing everyone to look at him.

“I agree,” Anna said kindly.

”The oldest in a vampire tribe are considered the Eldest. Then the three oldest afterward are considered Elders. Nyx gifts the Eldest and Elders with abilities that keep them, and their tribes protected. Each gift helps the Elders fulfill their daily duties,” Bernard explains. “But sometimes the Goddess can gift a vampire a special ability without them being an Elder. Like Anastasia for instance.”

I sat frozen, staring at him in disbelief. He paused for a moment so I could gather my thoughts.

“So, you each have different abilities? Including Anna?” I asked, meeting her eyes from across the coffee table.

Bernard nodded.

“That is correct,” Bernard answered. “Being one of the oldest vampires, I am the Eldest. Nyx had gifted me generously. Not only do I have the powers of all the Elders, but I also have the ability to read the minds of other vampires, and humans.”

I gasped loudly. Bernard can read minds?! Has he been able to read mine this entire time? I suddenly felt extremely embarrassed, and I just wanted to hide. What kind of things have I been thinking lately?

“You don’t need to worry,” Joseph said, calmly from beside me. “He can’t read yours.”

I rose my brows, unsure of what he meant.

“What do you mean? He just said he can read the minds of humans and vampires,” I said narrowing my eyes at him.

“Except for yours,” Joseph said again, slowly.

He can’t read my mind? Why? I wanted to ask but I couldn’t get the question to form on my lips.

“I think it has something to do with why your blood smells the way it does,” Joseph said from beside me, reading the look on your face.

My heart suddenly felt like it weighed a thousand pounds. I didn’t have an explanation as to why my blood was so attractive to vampires or why Bernard couldn’t read my mind.

Looking at Bernard, he looked back at me perplexed, but not angry.

“I supposed there’s a lot for us to discover as well,” Bernard said after a long silence and I’m not sure what that meant, but I didn’t say anything in return.

“What other powers are there?” I decided to ask, changing the subject.

“As the Eldest who harvests all the powers, of my Elders, I am considered the Overseer of the village. I’m in charge of all of it and I see all of it.”

“And what about you?” I asked, looking up at Joseph. “What’s your position?”

“I’m the Retriever,” he answered, which was a term I heard him using with the Nightwalkers before. “My role is to care for the new vampires and make sure they get the help they need so they don’t terrorize humans and compromise everything we work hard for. When a new vampire is created, or if a naturally born vampire turns 18, it’s my job to bring them to the vampire academy. I also help them adjust to their new life once they leave the academy as well. I was given the ability to not only manipulate minds, which makes it easy for me to get the new vampires to come along with me once I capture them, but I also have the ability to know when a new vampire has woken and what area around the world, they are in. I can also reach out through a mindlink to other retrievers regardless of how far they are.”

I rose my brows in surprise.

“Most of the time I’m working at the academy, aiding in the training of these new vampires,” he further explained. It suddenly made sense as to why he chose to go undercover as a teacher. He’s always been a teacher.

I looked at Carter who sat on the far end of the same couch I was on.

“What about Carter?” I asked.

Carter leaned back in his seat and grinned.

“I’m in charge of the warriors,” he said, folding his arms across his chest. “I was blessed with the ability to kick ass. Not to mention I’m super strong and my senses are much stronger than an average vampire.”

Now that mentioned it, Carter did have insanely large biceps. I could imagine him on the battlegrounds. So, he’s in charge of keeping this village protected?

I was impressed by that, and I couldn’t hide it on my face because he laughed when he looked at it.

“And you already know that Nathanial is in charge of the villagers basically. He makes sure they have everything they need. Including food and water,” Joseph explained.

“And his power to calm those in distress?” I asked.

Joseph nodded.

“Yes. People often feel relaxed around him, and it makes it easier for them to open up to him. He can turn the ability on and off,” Joseph answered.

“He’s a workaholic and wasn’t able to make it this evening,” Anna said with a frown. “I always tell him that even Elders need to take some time off or they will burn themselves out. But he never listens.”

She sounded genuinely worried. I could tell she’s like the group mother and that made me smile.

“What about you, Anna?” I asked. “Bernard mentioned you have abilities too, but you aren’t an elder.”

“I’m something different,” she said, glancing at Bernard who gave her a loving smile before she turned back to me. I stayed silent eagerly waiting for her explanation. “You are right. I’m not an Elder. I’ve only lived through one lifetime. But still, Nyx gifted me with the power of sight. I’m a prophet. I can see into the future.”