Chapter 265

Joseph’s POV

My knuckles gripped the steering wheel tightly as I replayed Tessa’s question in my mind. I didn’t get a chance to answer her because Bernard walked in then. A few minutes later, Ruby was dressed and ready to go.

Most of the drive was quiet; I think we were all talked out for the evening. Ruby was still trying to process her reality, and I was stuck worrying about Tessa. I told Anna to keep an eye on her while I’m away dealing with the Ruby situation. I wouldn’t put it past Tessa to do something stupid and force me to turn her into a vampire. The thought made my stomach hurt and I had to shake my head to get it out of my mind.

I would never risk Tessa’s life, and I couldn’t believe that she’d think I would. Turning a human into a vampire purposely is very risky because the human has a high chance of dying. Only the strongest vampires are capable of it.

When I didn’t answer her, she looked crushed. I told her we would talk about this later and then I left. I felt bad about how I left things, but she had to know that I wouldn’t even attempt to try and turn her into a vampire.

“Are things ever going to be normal again?” Ruby asked as she leaned her head against the window.

“Normal? No,” I said with a low laugh. “But you’ll be able to live a regular life without anyone knowing the difference.”

“And I’ll see Tessa again?”

“Of course,” I answered. “You’ll definitely see her again.”

“Good.”

When we got to the school, one of the instructors was already waiting at the fence line. He had his arms folded across his chest and his lips were pressed. I knew they were going to be angry that we were showing up late.

I got out of the car and Carter helped Ruby out of the car.

“It isn’t like you to be untimely, Mr. Evergreen,” the instructor said, glaring at me.

“We ran a little bit behind,” I told him. “But what matters is she’s here now and she won’t cause you any issues.”

Ruby stepped beside me; her head low.

“Should we be expecting your return soon?” The instructor asked.

“Yes. I’m settling into a new place but once everything is all set, I’ll be returning regularly,” I answered.

Ruby looked up at me surprised.

“You’re a professor here?” She asked, her brows raised high.

I nodded.

“Yes. I teach bloodlust intolerance,” I answered.

Her eyes lit up.

“Oh, good. So, I’ll be seeing you,” she said, happily. Then she turned to Carter and wrapped her arms around him. He kissed her deeply. I turned my gaze to give them some privacy, but the instructor stared at them with his mouth gaping, shocked.

Once they finally pulled apart, breathless and grinning, Ruby waved goodbye before walking behind the instructor.

The drive back to the village was quiet. Both Carter and I were lost in thought. He about Ruby and me about Tessa.

Tessa was with Anna and Bernard in their home when we returned. Carter excused himself to return home and Tessa jumped up from her seat and ran into my arms when she saw me.

“Was she okay when you dropped her off?” Tessa asked, peeking up at me.

I nodded, and then I kissed her forehead tenderly.

“She was fine and she’s going to be all right. I’m going to resume my duties at that school, so, I’ll be there to keep an eye on her.”

“You are?” Tessa asked, seemingly surprised. “I didn’t know that. Will you be teaching at the school?”

I nodded.

“Bloodlust Intolerance,” I answered. “Once we get settled in New York I’ll return.”

“You still want to go to New York?” She asked, her brows pinched together.

“You don’t?”

“I want you to turn me into a vampire, Joseph,” she said, folding her arms across her chest. “I want to be like you and Ruby.”

“I’m not going to turn you into a vampire,” I said, staring down at her. “It could kill you.”

“I don’t want to lose you,” she said slowly. “It’s not fair that I’m going to get older, and you aren’t.”

I cupped her face in my hands and brought her lips to mine.

“Then your soul will find mine again,” I whispered. “But I’m not going to risk your life. I won’t risk your life.”

She sighed and pressed her forehead against my chest.

“I love you,” she murmured.

I held her tightly, kissing the top of her head.

“Joseph, come into my office,” Bernard called from down the hallway. He didn’t sound happy, and Tessa looked worried as she glanced up at me.

I gave her another kiss to calm her and then I went down the hallway and into Benard’s office.

He was sitting at his desk with his phone pressed to his cheek. His brows were crinkled together as he listened to whoever was on the other end.

“Yes, sir. Understood.”

Joseph sat in the chair in front of Bernard’s desk as he watched Bernard’s expression change.

“I will make sure he knows,” Bernard said. “Thank you, sir.”

Bernard hung up the phone and his eyes narrowed at me.

“The council is pissed about this, Joseph,” Bernard said through his teeth. “They want Carter punished for going under their nose. It’s out of my hands at this point.”

“I will go with him to meet with the council. Once we explain—”

“It won’t matter,” Bernard said, shaking his head with pity in his eyes. “The vampire law is strict. Once the council makes up their minds, it’s nearly impossible to change.”

Before I could say anything, Carter barged into the office.

“I’ll go to them willingly,” Carter said, looking between the two of us. “I take full responsibility for my actions. I’ll do whatever they want, even if it means death. Ruby was worth it.”

I stood when Carter walked in, and I could see the fire burning in his eyes. I grabbed his shoulder, squeezing it.

“It won’t come to that. We are going to figure this out,” I assured him.

Carter nodded and turned to Bernard.

“Do they want to meet with me?”

“Tomorrow at midnight,” Bernard answered.

“Then, we need to leave tonight,” I said, turning to Carter. “We will take the tribe plane.”

Carter nodded.

“I’ll return home and pack a small bag,” he said, turning and walking out of the office.

Bernard remained seated in his chair, glaring up at me.

“This will never work,” he said, shaking his head at me. “They are going to want his life.”

“I’ll make sure that doesn’t happen,” I said firmly. “I’m not letting my friend, my brother, die because he saved someone’s life. You did the same thing for your wife if you remember correctly. Hell, you did the same thing for most of this tribe. Including me.”

“The law was different then,” Bernard reminded me.

I shook my head.

“It doesn’t matter; it’s the same situation. I’m not afraid to go against the council. You don’t have to come, but I’m not letting Carter go alone.”

“I want to come too. I might be able to help fight his case on behalf of Ruby,” Tessa said, stepping into the office.

“Does everybody know about this already?” Benard growled through his teeth.

“Carter mentioned something about getting in trouble with the council on his way out,” Tessa explained, pointing over her shoulder and in the direction Carter went. “I came here to ask about it and heard Joseph saying he was going too. I want to be there.”

“It would be too dangerous to have you face the council,” I said, narrowing my eyes at her. “They would kill you on the spot.”

“They know I’m special because of my blood alone. They would be more curious of me than anything,” she told me, raising her brows. “You can’t keep me from them forever. You are marrying me, Joseph. Do you really think you’ll be able to hide me from them forever?”

“She’s right,” Bernard murmured. “They are probably already aware of her. It might be good to present her to the council so she can pledge her allegiance to the vampires. If you marry without her pledge and they already know about her, it could mean her death and they won’t go easy on her.”

“Pledge my allegiance?” She asked, staring at Bernard. “What do you mean by that?”

“You need to pledge your oath to them. Swear to them that you won’t tell anyone of our existence. They need to be able to trust you,” Bernard explained.

“I can do that,” she said, peering up at me. “Let me come with you so I can pledge my allegiance to the vampire council and speak on behalf of Carter.”

“They probably won’t listen to you either. But you can try,” Bernard said, shrugging.

I sighed and looked down at Tessa’s hopeful face. I kissed the bridge of her nose and pulled her into my body, wrapping my arms around her.

“Okay, fine,” I finally said. “You can come with us to the vampire council.”