Chapter 317

Tessa’s POV

“When does this happen? Did you get a date and a time?” I asked, looking back at Ruby. If she truly was the prophet of Saving Grace, that meant we could still save my father.

Ruby nodded, much to my relief.

“A week from now; next Monday at 10 pm,” she answered, chewing on her bottom lip. “Where is Penny, or whatever her real name is, now?”

I looked at Joseph and I could see the wheels turning in his mind.

“She’s supposed to be visiting relatives. At least according to my father she was,” I answered. “Obviously that wasn’t the truth.”

“I don’t think your father knows,” Joseph was quick to say. “How could he? She probably told him she was visiting family, but in reality, she went to find that elixir, only to be turned away and desperate.”

I felt sick to my stomach at the very thought. I instinctively put my hands on my belly, trying to keep the nausea at bay the more I thought about how my father could potentially die because of someone he loved. Or thinks he loves.

Josephs caressed my back gently, rubbing small and comforting circles along my spine, trying to get me to relax, but I was too wound up. I needed to see my father and warn him about this.

“I’m sure you’ll be able to save him, Tess,” Ruby said softly. “I have faith in you both.”

I nodded, wanting to believe her.

“And to think we came here to share good news with you,” I said, shaking my head as I got lost in thought.

Her brows raised as she took me in.

“What good news?”

I bit my lower lip, not sure if this was the right time or not. But I supposed now was a better time than any, especially because we could use some good news.

“I’m pregnant,” I blurted.

Ruby jumped from her seat and squealed loudly.

“What?!” She gasped. “Oh, my goddess!! I can’t believe this! I’m so happy for you, Tessa!!”

Without warning, she jumped over the table and wrapped me in her arms, completely forgetting about my scent. It didn’t matter at the moment; she was so happy, and the bloodlust didn’t bother her.

“I’m going to be an auntie!” she said, clapping her hands together.

“You are going to be the best auntie,” I corrected, a large smile spread across my lips.

“I’m so happy,” Ruby breathed, pulling away from me and I could see the tears welling in her eyes. “Do you think I’ll ever have kids?”

My heart swelled for my friend.

“I’m sure Carter would be happy to knock you up,” I teased, giving her a gentle nudge.

Her cheeks flared red, and her eyes grew large.

“It’s too soon to even think about kids with Carter,” she said, her voice dropping to a whisper like she was afraid Carter would appear at any moment. “Our relationship hardly had time to grow. We only speak once a week on the phone and we haven’t even been on a first date yet. At least not since we got back together.”

She wrapped her arms around her body like she was trying to hold herself together.

“He loves you, Ruby. Anyone with eyes can see it,” I told her, my voice soft and filled with compassion.

Her face grew even redder, and she let out an awkward laugh.

“Maybe,” she said, running her fingers through her hair. “I hope things work out with us. I really do… I guess I’m just scared.”

I wrapped an arm around her shoulders and pulled her close.

“I know you are,” I told her. “I’m sorry.”

“Don’t be,” she said, giving me a bright smile. “But I should be going back to my dorm. I have homework and I kind of left Lucy there alone. She’s probably worried.”

Headmaster Williams stepped forward, making his presence known for the first time since we arrived. I completely forgot he was there and I completely forgot at first.

“She’s right, it’s probably best if I got her back to her dorm,” the headmaster said, nodding his head at Ruby.

“Okay, but we will keep in touch,” I said to her, hugging her tightly, not wanting to let her go just yet.

“And I’ll come back to see you soon,” Joseph assured her. “Probably tomorrow seeming it’s Monday and I’ll be on the campus.”

She nodded.

“If you have any updates on Penny and your dad, let me know,” she told me.

“I will,” I said.

“Love you, Tess,” Ruby said.

“Love you too, Rubes,” I said.

We hugged one last time before Ruby left the visitor center with Headmaster Prescott. I wrapped my arms around my body and stared at the now-closed door. I felt like I just visited someone at a prison, and I felt sick to my stomach from the thought.

“What is it?” Joseph asked, wrapping me in his arms as I continued to stare at the door Ruby had just walked through.

I shrugged.

“It feels like a prison,” I murmured.

A light chuckle escaped Joseph’s lips and I glanced up at him, a bit annoyed that he’d laugh at me right now.

“It’s not a prison, Tessa. It’s a school for new vampires and maturing vampires. They need to take precautions to ensure nobody gets hurt and everybody learns to control themselves before they are set free into the world.”

I nodded.

I understood that, but I didn’t like the fact that my best friend was here.

“Is she really happy here?” I asked him, knowing that Joseph had been keeping an eye on her.

“Yes,” he answered. “She’s very happy and making friends. She’s going to be okay. But I think for right now, we should focus on her newest vision.”

I gasped and spun around to face him.

“My father,” I said, tears brimming in the corner of my eyes. “We need to go see him while Penny is away. Can you take me to his farm?”

Joseph nodded, putting his hands on my shoulders and bending down to kiss my lips tenderly.

“Yes,” he whispered against my lips. “Let’s go see your father.”

…..

It took us several hours to reach my father’s farm. I was relieved to see his truck parked out front and Penny’s car gone, which meant Penny still hadn’t returned home and my father was somewhere else.

I was nervous about how this interaction was going to go. Thinking back to that phone call I had with my father not long ago, I knew there was a possibility that this conversation wouldn’t be any easier.

“Are you ready?” Joseph asked when I hadn’t made any moves to leave the car. I realized we had been parked outside of the rancher for several minutes. My father’s house was beautiful, and I knew he built it from the ground up for my mother. My heart swelled when I thought about how hard he worked on securing this home for his family and now he was sharing it with a woman who was only using him to get to me… or using him for blood. I honestly had no idea what Penny, or Eevee, was using my father for. But the thought pissed me off more than anything in this world.

“Tessa?” Joseph asked again, caressing my arm gently. “Are you ready?” He asked again.

I blinked a few times and nodded, forcing a smile as I followed Joseph out of the car.

He took hold of my hand and together we walked up the large porch steps and paused once we reached the front door. With a shaky hand, I knocked on the door, trying to be as loud as I could so he’d hear us.

When he didn’t answer, I decided to ring the doorbell.

“Tessa?” I heard my name from around the corner and I spun around to see my father walking up from the barnyard with a timid frown on his face. “Joseph,” he greeted, noticing Joseph by my side.

“Mr. Campbell,” Joseph greeted in return, giving him a simple head nod. “It’s good to see you again.”

“I was expecting either of you today; what are you doing here?”

I swallowed the lump in my throat; I could feel the hostility rolling off him in waves and I had a feeling it was because of our last conversation.

“We need to talk,” I said, stepping forward and closer to my father.

“Okay, how about you two come inside,” he said, motioning for us to follow him. “I was just about to heat up some stew if you’re hungry.”

My father was always a late eater, which I admired about him. We followed him into the house and made ourselves comfortable on the couch while he went into the kitchen to heat up some food. I was nervous as I sat beside Joseph, and I knew he could feel just how nervous I was.

He wrapped his arms around me and pulled me close to his side. My father returned several minutes later with some bowls, and he placed them on the coffee table. He left for another minute only to return with a giant pot and some spoons. He silently and carefully filled each bowl with stew and placed a spoon inside of them.

“Care for a beer or cola?” My father asked.

“Beer would be good,” Joseph answered.

“I’ll just take a water,” I answered.

He nodded and went back into the kitchen. He returned with two cans of beer and a bottle of water, handing me the water.

I smiled my thanks at him.

My father sat in his reclining seat and cracked open the beer, taking a long sip before grabbing the bowl of stew. I stared at the stew, unable to eat. I wasn’t sure my stomach could truly handle it.

“So, what’s on your mind?” My father asked once the silence became too much.

I swallowed the lump in my throat and looked up at my father who was watching me warily.

“Penny,” I answered. He paused with the spoon halfway to his mouth and I saw his eyes darken.

“What have I told you about—” He began, but I wouldn’t let him finish that sentence.

“I know what you said, Dad. But you need to listen to us,” I said sharply, no longer caring if I upset him or not. This was about his life, and I needed to protect him. “Penny isn’t who she claims to be… she’s dangerous and if you continue to be around her like this… you’ll be in danger too.”

He opened his mouth to say something, but I cut him off again.

“Please, Dad. I know you don’t want to hear this… but I need you to trust us.”