Chapter 77

Joseph’s POV

Tessa sat up on the couch with her head resting on the back pillow and her journal still open on her lap. She had fallen asleep, and I wondered if she was waiting for me.

This feeling in my chest left me unsettled. How could something so small have such an effect on my heart in this way?

I admit that when I first met Tessa, I was drawn to her, and I don’t think it was just her blood that caused me to become curious. It was her aura and the look in her eyes when we passed one another. Her blood was scented strong, and I was intrigued by her, but there was something more at play that I couldn’t put my finger on.

However, Tessa is a brilliant young, 20-year-old, woman with an entire life laid out in front of her. She has goals and plans for her future. She’s a very talented writer and I knew she’d be going places. She deserved a luxurious life in the city, dining with publishers, and doing interviews.

A life with a vampire isn’t probable for her and I wouldn’t wish that on her.

In school we were student-teacher. Outside of school, we were old vampire-young human girl. We couldn’t be together.

I closed her journal and placed it on the coffee table before turning to her. She was in a deep sleep and seemingly dreamless, but I couldn’t be sure.

I wrapped my arm around her and lifted her off the couch. She sighed heavenly and rested her head on my chest as I cradled her in my arms. She weighed practically nothing, so I could hold her in my arms forever. She fit perfectly in them.

I went upstairs and into Tessa’s room. Her entire room was filled with her scent, and it made my mouth nearly water.

This girl made me want to lose control in the worst way possible. There was no way we could be together. But still, that feeling in my chest whenever I thought about not being with her, hurt.

When I thought, I was going to lose her, when those vampires got into her apartment and I couldn’t get in, a part of me was already dead. I felt my world crumbling down around me and I was on autopilot. I couldn’t breathe until I knew she was okay.

That relief I felt when I saw that she was okay, only a little bruised, was so overwhelming. The kiss came out of nowhere, but it brought me back to life.

I placed her in her bed, and she wiggled against the pillow as I put the blanket over her. I looked at her for a moment longer before turning away. But just as I took a step away from her, I felt her hand wrapping around my wrist, stopping me.

She was awake.

I turned to see her gorgeous eyes searching my face. I saw the worry in them and the tears that filled them, dripping off her lashes. Her body trembled slightly, and my heart squeezed painfully in my chest.

Her emotions were so raw right now. I wanted to wrap her back in my arms and comfort her, but I was frozen. Unable to move, and unable to walk away.

“Did you bring the vampires to the academy?” She asked, her voice coming out as a weak whisper.

I managed to nod.

“Yes,” I said, trying to keep my voice even. “The elders have them and will do what’s necessary to domesticate them.”

She looked relieved to hear that.

“Any word from Chief Mulligan?” She asked.

That time, I shook my head.

“Not yet. But I’ll let you know if I do,” I answered.

She dropped her hand from mine, and I saw the bruise on her hand from when that vampire stepped on her with her heel.

“How are you feeling?” I found myself asking.

“I’m in a little pain,” she admitted. “Mainly just distraught though, and tired.”

I nodded, understanding.

“I’ll get you some medicine to help with the pain,” I told her. “In the meantime, get some rest.”

She looked uncertain like there was something more she wanted to say, and I was praying to the gods that she didn’t bring up the kiss. At least not yet, I wasn’t sure what I wanted to say to her about it and needed some more time.

But she didn’t say anything. She just sighed and then nodded.

“Good night, Joseph,” she breathed sleepily as she closed her eyes.

I turned and left her room, my heart feeling heavy.

I went to my office and sat there for a long while, just staring at the many books that occupied the walls. Many of those books I have written. Mostly about my experiences as a vampire myself. Many secrets I have told. These books were proof that a relationship with a human girl wasn’t possible.

It couldn’t be possible.

Could it?

…

Tessa’s POV

My entire body ached when I woke up the next morning. With the adrenaline of everything yesterday, I hardly felt any pain until later in the evening and I remembered how that vampire's heel crushed my hand.

I sat up in bed, looking around confused.

I fell asleep on the couch while writing in my journal, and now I was suddenly in my bed.

The memory of last night began to resurface in my head soon after. Joseph carried me from the couch and placed me in bed. I vaguely remember waking up to him standing over my bed. Just before he was about to walk away, I grabbed his arm to stop him. I wanted to know about the new vampires and if they were taken to the vampire academy.

I wasn’t sure I’d be able to fall back to sleep if I didn’t know for sure that they’d been taken care of.

Once he confirmed that the vampires were safe at the academy, I felt sleep taking over. I had so many more things I wanted to say and talk to him about, but it was going to have to wait until I rested.

Now that I was awake and fully rested, I knew now was probably a good time to talk to him.

However, it was morning time, which meant Joseph was probably asleep. Just as I was getting out of bed, the door opened, and I froze when I saw Joseph entering my room.

He paused when he saw that I was awake and out of bed.

“Sorry, I thought you’d still be sleeping,” he said as he walked further into my room.

He was holding a little Dixie cup and a cup of water.

“I was just going to leave you some pain medicine before I went to bed,” he told me as he handed me both cups.

I smiled my thanks to him and took the medication right away.

“Are you going to bed right now?” I asked, meeting his eyes.

He nodded.

“Yes. It’s been a long night,” he told me tiredly. “Mulligan just called to tell me that the city is clear for right now and that you should be safe…”

Relief flooded over me.

“That’s incredible news,” I said with a wide grin. “Thank you for telling me.”

He nodded and turned away.

“Wait,” I said quickly, stepping toward him.

He paused and glanced back in my direction.

“I was hoping we could talk for a minute,” I said, biting my bottom lip nervously.

His eyes found my lips and then he turned fully around to face me.

“I wanted to talk to you about the other night and about—”

“I’ve been thinking a lot about it as well,” Joseph said, cutting off my words.

Warmth spread through my features as I stared up at him.

“You have?” I asked.

He nodded.

“Yes,” he answered.

“And?”

“And I think it’s probably better if you moved out.”

My eyes widened.