Chapter 115

Joseph’s POV

It took over an hour to get to the part of the forest, in the Northern Region, where I saw the new vampire awakening. I parked my car in a nearby lot and walked through the forest, finding the exact spot he was lying in.

I could still smell his potent scent, so I knew he wasn’t far from this area. I also knew he was still alive. My body would have told me if he was dead. It’s part of my ability so I don’t waste my time searching for a deceased vampire.

I sniffed the air. The scent grew stronger going into the forest. It was dark out now, so other creatures would be lurking around. Thankfully, I was trained to deal with the worst creatures, and I did not doubt that I could kill anything that came at me.

My weapons were made of silver and laced in wolf’s bane, just in case I needed something that could take down a beast.

My nose scrunched at the very thought of a werewolf. Those retched creatures: or mutts how I like to refer to them.

I continued to wander the forest grounds. It was easy for me to see in the darkness. It appeared to be daylight, except it wasn’t.

As I got further into the forest, the stench of this vampire became stronger, and I knew it wouldn’t be long before I captured him.

Unlike the other vampires I spent a lot of time tracking in the city for the Nightwalker Police, this vampire was alone and afraid.

The afraid ones that are alone, don’t usually trail from the place they woke from. They typically try to find a place to hide and maybe even attack an animal to drink its blood.

They have yet to discover human blood, but once they taste that sweet nectar, they will turn feral. Thankfully, we are far from a human city, so they haven’t encountered any humans yet.

I paused when I saw a small cave. Their scent was strong leading into the cave. I stepped inside the cave, and I didn’t get far before I stopped and saw a shivering and extremely frightened new vampire huddled against the cave wall.

He was completely naked and had blood on his body. It wasn’t his blood. I looked around and instantly found a dead carcass on the cave grounds. It came as a relief to me that it was only an animal and not a human.

“P…please….” The man shivered. “Don’t kill me….”

I looked down at him, trying to stifle a smirk and I stepped closer to him, causing him to flinch.

“Please….” He quivered.

His eyes were closed, and he was covering his face with his hands.

“I’m not here to kill you,” I finally said after a long silence.

He finally managed to look up at me, tears in his very bloodshot eyes.

“What’s happening to me?” He managed to whisper hoarsely.

I leaned down, so I was almost at eye level with him, and his eyes locked onto mine.

“You have been chosen by our goddess Nyx to fulfill your role as a vampire,” I began to tell him the same speech I gave them all. “With her strength, love, and courage, you will continue this change into a new being and conquer all that stands in your way. This is not the end for you, but only the beginning.”

When humans don’t die during the change, I like to think of them as chosen by the goddess herself. So, I make sure they know that their successful change is no accident.

His body trembled even more.

“Tell me your name,” I ordered, and because of my ability to manipulate minds, he answered right away.

“M… Myles Trinity…”

“Myles Trinity, under the protection of our Goddess Nyx, you will begin this new life with your head held high. I will take you to the vampire academy where you will learn all you need to learn about the life of a vampire.”

I leaned in closer to him, making sure my eyes were fixed on his and I saw his aura changing from frightened to curious in an instant.

“You will remain calm during our journey and know that your future awaits,” I said in a low and even tone.

His body relaxed as he wiped the tears that stained his face with the back of his hand and pulled himself to his feet. I stood as well. He was a bit shorter than me, but I could tell he worked out and he had a good head on his shoulders.

I was used to seeing people naked, typically when they are attacked by a vampire, their clothes are ripped off during the change. They are unable to control their urges and due to the pain, they feel, they shed themselves from anything on their bodies.

I didn’t see his clothing on the forest grounds, but I knew they probably weren’t far.

“Where are your clothes?” I demanded to know.

With a shaky hand, he pointed towards the cave entrance.

“Show me.”

He turned and went towards the forest. We walked for only a minute until we came across his clothing which was ripped and shredded on the ground. I picked them up, not wanting any other creature to have his scent to track him.

I turned to him.

“Follow me.”

He did so without resistance. He walked closely behind me with his head held down and I could feel his rising anxieties. It only took about 10 minutes before we broke through the barrier of the woods and the new got to my car, I went into my trunk to grab a change of clothes. I don’t usually bring them with me when I fetch them from their awakening hideouts because I want them to get used to being in their new bodies and flesh.

But I also don’t want them naked in my car.

“Put this on,” I said, throwing him the clothes.

He quickly put them on. They were a bit baggy on him, but they would do for now. The academy will provide him with a new wardrobe. The Elders at the school already knew we were on the way. That was part of their abilities.

“Get in,” I ordered as I got into the driver’s seat.

He scrambled into the passenger seat, and he sat beside me nervously. This was an easy transition. Even with my abilities forcing them to do as I asked, they would do it, but they would complain the entire time.

Myles remained quiet.

It took about an hour to get to the academy. Most of the drive was quiet. Though, Myles was comfortable enough to ask some questions along the way and I was happy to answer them. Usually, I would knock them out once we were in the car because abilities can only hold their minds for so long, but I didn’t have to in this case.

When we got to the school, a couple of the elders were waiting by the front entrance, which could only be seen by vampires who had been given permanent access.

“Elder Joseph,” one of the Elders greeted with a head nod.

Myles stood behind me, nervously.

“He should be easy to bring inside,” I told them. “He didn’t put up any fight getting here. But he’s afraid so go easy on him.”

The Elder nodded and swiped his hand in the air, a long purple string of light expanded from his fingers and wrapped around Myle’s wrist.

“What’s going on?!” Myles panicked, trying to get free from the purple string of light, but to no prevail.

It was protocol for them to restrain the new vampires.

“Trust them,” I told him, making him meet my eyes. He relaxed slightly and then began to follow the Elder who pulled him along and toward the front entrance, leaving me with the other Elder.

“Will you be returning to us soon? We could use the extra help around campus,” he asked.

“After this semester in the human school I’ll be returning full-time,” I assured him.

I turned away and went back toward my car without saying another word. Once I got back, I breathed out relieved, glad that I could return to my village. It’ll take roughly 30 minutes to get there, then I’ll have Tessa to myself again.

I grabbed my phone to text Carter, but my heart sank into my stomach when I looked at the screen.

15 missed calls

All from Tessa.