Chapter 112

Joseph’s POV

I quickly got out of bed. It was still fairly light outside, within the hour it should be dark enough to travel outside, but that also meant other creatures and rogues would be out as well, which puts this new vampire in danger.

This wasn’t a vampire that was born a vampire, he was turned into one most likely from a rogue that started to crave blood again. Sometimes being a rogue helps a vampire to sneak around alone and drink blood without getting caught. However, blood is like drug, and they will always get caught again after they indulged themselves too much. Telling from his state, I don’t think it was on purpose. I noticed some blood on his mouth when he woke, he most likely struggled against this rogue and bit him, obtaining some of his blood. The vampire must have thought this person was dead and left him to rot. Depending on the strength of human, they can awaken at different times. Some awaken instantly, and others can take days.

If a human dies with vampire blood in their system, they have a chance of becoming a vampire. Though, usually humans die before the change. Sometimes, they die during the change. It happens when their bodies are too weak.

Vampires who were born vampires are referred to as fledglings during their childhood. They have heightened senses, but they aren’t considered full vampires. They can’t suck blood and they don’t have any special abilities. They are practically humans with good hearing and sight. Once they turn 18, their bodies will start the change. It’s incredibly painful for them. Their hearts have to stop and then restart in order for the change to complete.

They have a 95% chance of surviving.

Eventually, their hearts will stop on their own during the process. But usually, parents of the fledgling would want to put them out of their misery and kill them sooner. Once they are dead, within a few minutes their hearts will start to beat again and they rise again as a new vampire.

They will feel out of control and crave blood. They will lose their humanity and only see red. That’s when a retriever tracks them down and brings them to the academy for 4 years so they can gain their humanity back and learn everything about being an adult vampire. They will learn to control themselves around humans and not crave blood. They will learn to control their abilities and how to use them properly.

Then they will go to their tribes. If it’s a new vampire that wasn’t born a vampire, they will get an invite to join a tribe. Usually, the nearest tribe to the school.

I was the only retriever in our region, so this particular job was mine and mine alone.

I put on my gear, which included armor with the same symbols as the warrior's armor and I looked down at Tessa who remained in bed.

I didn’t want to wake her and risk worrying her, so I chose not to wake her. I leaned down and pressed my lips against her temple. I took in her scent and allowed it to calm and relax my body. I ran my fingers down her features and watched as she stirred comfortably in her sleep.

I couldn’t help but smile at her. She was so beautiful.

Pulling away, I looked at her one last time before leaving the room. I grabbed my phone off the kitchen counter before heading outside.

I brought up Carter’s name and pressed the phone to my ear.

“Hello…” Carter said, sleepily into the phone.

I ran through the neighborhood, trying my best to shield my skin from the scorching rays of the sun. I needed to get to my car which was parked just outside the neighborhood before the forest. When the sun is out, my abilities aren’t strong. I wouldn’t be able to teleport to that part of the region and even if I did, I would be exposed to the sun. My best bet was to drive, which was going to take at least an hour. I just hoped I didn’t make it there too late.

“A new vampire had woken,” I said quickly. “I’m going to the Northern region to get him. I need you to make sure Tessa is okay for the night.”

“You want me to babysit?” He asked, seemingly annoyed. “I have training today.”

“Take her with you,” I said through my teeth.

“To training?”

“I really need you to do this, Carter. I don’t want her alone for too long today.”

“When will you be back?” He asked, sighing.

“I’ll be back well before sunrise,” I answered, at least I hoped I would be. It all depended on this vampire and how easy he’d be to capture. But I didn’t need to say that out loud. Carter already knew.

“Fine…” he groaned. “I’ll babysit her.”

“Thanks, man,” I said in return before hanging up the phone.

I finally reached my car and slid into the driver’s seat.

As I pulled away, I sent a silent message to this new vampire knowing he won’t be able to hear me, but hoping he could still feel my energy.

I’m coming, buddy. You won’t be alone for long.

…

Tessa’s POV

When I woke up, I wasn’t expecting to be alone. Seeing the emptiness beside me in the bed left a heavy feeling in my chest. I frowned, looking around the room.

I’m not sure how I knew it, but he wasn’t in this house. Joseph left.

It was dark out currently, but it’s only been dark for a short period according to the clock that sat on the nightstand. So that meant he must have left recently.

I slid out of bed and groggily made it to the bedroom door. When I opened it, I nearly had a complete heart attack.

I was not expecting Carter to be standing before me, looking just as startled.

“Sorry!” He gasped, his eyes nearly popping out of his head. “I was coming to wake you and take you to breakfast.”

“What?” I asked, raising my brows, still not fully comprehending what was happening. “What are you doing here? Where’s Joseph?”

“He had to take care of some business today. But he asked me to keep watch over you.”

“Like a babysitter?” I asked, raising my brows.

What kind of business did Joseph have to do where he couldn’t wake me up and tell me about it? I wanted to ask, but the question refused to leave my lips.

Carter cracked a smile.

“That’s what I said too,” he said, shaking his head in annoyance. “I agreed to it though. I have a bunch to do today, so I guess I’ll just take you with me.”

“Take me with you?” I asked, raising my brows. “Where exactly are you taking me?”

“I have training later with my warriors. I also have to accompany some villagers into town later so they can do their shopping. Nate is going hunting this evening so I’m going with him as well. We don’t let our villagers leave our borders without a guard or an Elder. We’ve had some incidents in the past. When a vampire leaves their village borders, they are open to attacks. Though vampires aren’t helpless, if they aren’t properly trained for combat it could get messy.”

“Is Joseph trained?” I found myself asking, suddenly feeling extremely nervous.

“Of course, he is,” Carter said, narrowing his eyes at me. He sounded offended that I would even ask such a question. “Actually, he helped train me. He’s one of the best. I’m honestly surprised that he’s not the head warrior. But then again, he’s good at almost everything that teaching suits him well.”

I was relieved to hear that, and I couldn’t help the smile on my face.

“Put on some comfortable clothes and let’s go. I want breakfast before we do anything today.”

I nodded and shut the bedroom door, rushing to put on a tank top and yoga pants. I grabbed a sweater off the dresser and ran back out of the room to join Carter while throwing my hair up in a ponytail.

I was still curious about Joseph, but I was oddly excited to see something new with Carter.

“So, where exactly is Joseph?” I finally asked just as we left the house.

His next words made me stop in my tracks and my heart stop.

“He went to capture a new vampire.”