Chapter 324

Joseph’s POV

I was in my office, between classes, when Tessa texted me about the banquet this weekend. It was the first time she had mentioned a banquet and I briefly wondered if she was planning on taking me as her plus one. It’s an event at her work, so it was likely that she was going to attend.

I glanced at my calendar; I had nothing important this weekend, so I was open for it. But I also didn’t want to impose. I know how important her career is and if I attended as her date, her coworkers, not to mention her boss, would be talking.

As soon as she mentioned that the band they booked bailed on the event, I already had Mulligan’s number up on my phone and I was pressing the call button.

“Did think I’d be hearing from you anytime soon,” Mulligan answered, his voice gruff and tired.

“Did I catch you at a bad time?”

“No, just got done with training,” he answered. “Everything okay?”

“Yeah, I need a favor.”

“It’s always a favor,” he murmured. “What do you need now?”

Mulligan and I have an unspoken agreement about things; it’s an “I scratch your back if you scratch mine” kind of situation. I have helped him out more times than I could count when it comes to missions. Not to mention I have saved his life numerous times, along with the lives of his officers. He quite literally owes me his life, but he slowly repays me with favors, and he gets them done quickly.

“You still in touch with Ronnie from Magenta’s Ink?”

Ronnie used to be a local musician; he and Mulligan were friends at one point growing up. Then Ronnie got big after he started his band and Mulligan went off to the special force academy where he trained to be a Nightwalker police officer. I knew life took them in different directions, but I remembered at one point when I went drinking with Mulligan that he mentioned that they still meet up once in a while and catch up.

Magenta’s Ink became the most popular band in the country. They were extremely difficult to book though, and they charge an insane amount of money per hour to perform for events.

“Yeah, we still talk,” Mulligan answered. “Actually, we are planning on meeting up soon for some drinks. You should join us if you want to meet him.”

“Actually, I’m calling to see if you can get him to perform for a banquet held by the CEO of Fable Magazine,” I told him.

He was quiet for a moment as he processed that.

“Isn’t that the place Tessa works?”

“Sure is,” I answered.

“So, the favor is for Tessa?” He asked.

“Is that a problem?” I countered.

“No, just want to know who I’m actually helping out,” he states. “Let me give him a call and see what I can do.”

“Thanks,” I said.

We hung up without another word. I continued doing my computer work before I packed everything up in my briefcase and headed out of my office.

As I walked outside, someone grabbed my arm, making me whip around to face them. Ruby startled, throwing her hands up in the air like she was fending off a wild animal.

I relaxed and sighed.

“Don’t sneak up on me like that,” I scolded, narrowing my eyes at her.

“Sorry, if I knew you’d react like that, I wouldn’t have done it,” she said, folding her arms across her chest.

Ruby had always been snarky and outspoken, but she grew edgier since coming to this school.

“Have you figured out anything yet? Is Tessa’s dad somewhere safe?” She asked as she followed me towards one of the school buildings.

“Her dad won’t listen to reason,” I said over my shoulder. “For right now we just need to monitor Penny.”

“Monitor her?” She gasped. “That’s not going to do shit, Joseph. You didn’t see what I saw. It was ruthless. She was deadly and terrifying. There was no speaking to her. She wanted blood and she set out to get it. His blood.”

“I understand that,” I told her, trying not to lose my temper. “We are doing what we can.”

“Unless he’s out of that house and somewhere super safe, it’s not enough,” she said, shaking her head; her brunette ponytail bouncing around her face. “He needs to be protected. I don’t want Tessa to lose him. It would destroy him.”

I paused and turned to face her.

“I know that,” I told her calmly. “As I said, I’m doing what I can. It’s not that simple.”

Her lips pressed in a thin line as she glared up at me.

“What do you mean it’s not that simple?” She asked.

I sighed and grabbed her arm, pulling her along with me. She didn’t fight me; she just went along with me until we were around the corner of the building I was about to enter. I didn’t want to risk anyone seeing or hearing us speaking. It was safer to stay hidden.

“We think he’s under a spell,” I confessed.

Her eyes grew large.

“A spell?”

I nodded.

“Yes,” I answered. “Esme said this type of spelling is controlled by an object. This means he’s being mind-controlled by someone who has this object. Presumably Penny.”

“I don’t get it,” she said, her brows pinched together. “I thought she was a vampire… now you’re saying she's a witch?”

“She had help,” I stated. “Lucias. We think Lucias put him under this spell a long time ago. This type of spell can’t be broken simply. Not even his death was enough to break the spell. As I said, we are trying to figure it out, but it’s not simple.”

“So, you need to get that item she’s using to control him?” She asked, meeting my eyes. “It sounds simple enough to me. Leave me in a room with her and I’ll have the item in 5 minutes.”

Her eyes glow red as she thinks about the blood she could drink from Penny and the powers that course through her veins. She could probably make anyone do anything; I certainly didn’t doubt that.

“Calm yourself, Ruby. We don’t need any incidents,” I warn her. She’s in good standing at this school and at the rate she’s going, she’ll graduate early, as will her roommate Lucy. But if she fucks up at all, she could kiss being released anytime soon goodbye.

She sighed and rubbed her face with the palms of her hands.

“I’m just frustrated,” she muttered. “Why can’t you get the item from her?”

“Well, for starters, we don’t even know what the item is,” I tell her. “And secondly, she’s not in this country. She’s halfway across the world, supposedly seeing family. But we know that’s a lie. She doesn’t come back until this weekend.”

“That doesn’t leave us a lot of room,” she said, worrying her bottom lip between her teeth. “I saw the date and time, Joseph. She kills him on Monday.”

“I know,” I said. “We will figure it out. But for right now, I need to get to class.”

She sighed and nodded, still looking worried.

“Okay. But keep me updated.”

“Will do.”

I turned and walked away, just as my phone went off. I grab it and look at the screen.

Mulligan: Send me the details of the event. He said he will make it happen.

I smile and send over the information on the banquet. A minute later he texts again.

Mulligan: All set. I’ll text Tessa too and let her know who saved her ass.

I let out a low laugh and shoved my phone back into my pocket before walking into the building to start my 2(nd) class of the day.

….

Tessa’s POV

“Oh, my god!! How the hell did you manage to get Magenta’s Ink to perform at my banquet?” Megan all but yelled.

She had us gathered around the conference table to talk about the upcoming banquet and how we were all expected to be there and dressed properly. I figured now would be a good time to bring up the band. I printed out the contract as proof and showed it to Megan for her to sign so I could send it to them right away.

The nasty and jealous looks I was getting from everyone else did not go missed but I ignored them.

“I know some people in the industry,” I told her, shrugging. “They owed me a favor. It was no big deal.”

“Not a big deal? You saved my ass,” Megan said, a large smile spread across her lips.

“That’s not all Tessa did,” Morgana said, folding her arms across her chest and leaning back in her seat.

I narrowed my eyes at her wondering what she was up to now.

“What?” Megan asked, looking between the two of us. “What’s she talking about?”

“Rumor has it, she also got Joseph Evergreen to make a guest appearance at the banquet,” Morgana said, a glimmer of humor in her eyes. “Seeming they are oh so close and all.”