Chapter 104

Tessa’s POV

We got into a freaking elevator.

Joseph typed in some kind of code and the elevator door opened, allowing us access. Once we were inside, he pressed number two and it started to move upward. I noticed that the elevator only had four buttons. One, two, three, and ground floor.

But there were definitely a lot more floors than that.

“Why are there only four buttons?” I asked, peering up at him.

“This takes us to the elder levels,” he explained. “The grand stairs you saw in the main foyer only go up to a certain level. But once it reaches the elder levels, the stairs stop, denying access to anyone who doesn’t have the code for the elevator.”

“The elevator is the only way we can get to those floors?” I asked with raised brows. I could already imagine all the issues that could pose.

“There’s an emergency staircase behind a door that’s password-protected,” he explained. But villagers aren’t allowed on our level unless granted special permission. They don’t need to be there. Those who live in the Vamp House have their own rooms in their sections.”

“So, the elders have their sections of the Vamp house and their own houses?” I asked.

He nodded but said nothing as the elevator came to a stop and opened.

Stepping out of the elevator, I was shocked by how incredible and huge the area was. We were standing in the middle of a giant living room with rose-gold marble flooring and pure white walls. It was like I died and took an elevator to heaven.

There was a large white sofa in the middle of the living room with a glass coffee table and a big fireplace and roaring fire warming up the room. Above the fireplace hung the biggest TV I had ever seen. There was also a mini bar on the far side of the room with every alcohol imaginable sitting on shelves against the wall. There were a bunch of bookshelves as well, which didn’t surprise me in the least.

Attached to the living room in a big open space was the kitchen with a window counter that overlooked the living room. The kitchen was huge, and all the appliances looked brand new.

On the far side of the living room was a door that I assumed led to the bathroom and there were a couple of other doors that I assumed were maybe bedrooms.

Then, I noticed a large spiral staircase leading up to the second floor, which was a loft! Without even going upstairs, I could see that it was a bedroom. Most likely Joseph’s bedroom.

Of course, I noticed the giant windows against the wall that overlooked the mountain edge. He had a gorgeous view of the valley, including the other mountains in the distance and the river down below that led straight to the ocean. There were big curtains as well but I was surprised to see them open.

Against the window was a glass desk with a very expensive-looking desktop computer with two monitors. I noticed a house phone also sitting on the desk which made a smile tug at my lips. That proved Joseph’s true age.

Looking around in astonishment, I had no idea how he didn’t live here full time and why he chose to live in a simple house.

“Why don’t you live here all the time?” I ended up asking him in a breathless tone.

“I like the privacy of my house,” he said with a shrug. “I enjoy living in the wooded neighborhood. We have a few different neighborhoods in this village. I live in the North neighborhood with Bernard, Anna, and other vampire villagers.”

Carter and Nate live in the East neighborhood, also with other vampire villagers. Then we have the South neighborhood where most of the humans live. We find them to feel more comfortable if they stick together, so we gave them a section of the village for themselves to do whatever they want when they aren’t working,” Joseph continued explaining.

“Is there a West and South neighborhood?” I asked, raising my brows.

He nodded.

“Resided by other vampire villagers,” he answered. “Then there are a bunch who live in the Vamp house. The warriors all live in the vamp house because it’s closer to their posts and their jobs aren’t ever over. Most of the Vamp house workers and other commoners who can’t afford their own homes live in the Vamp House. There are hundreds of rooms here and a few grand apartments. There are also some mini apartments for those who don’t have a family.”

“Wow,” I breathed. “This place is truly incredible.”

I went to sit down on his couch and instantly melted into the soft and comfortable cushions.

“Holy hell,” I said breathlessly.

He smirked and sat down beside me.

“I know it’s a lot to take in,” he said slowly. “I didn’t want to throw everything at you at once.”

“No, it’s not that,” I said, trying to give him a reassuring smile. “It’s amazing here. I can’t shake the feeling that Bernard hates me though…”

“He will come around,” Joseph said, seemingly unbothered. “He’s been through a lot throughout his lifetimes, so I don’t blame him for being a little skeptical.”

“What kind of things?” I asked, curiously.

“It’s not my story to tell,” Joseph said, meeting my eyes. “But I will say that Bernard is a great guy. He will warm up to you and you’ll soon see it too.”

“If someone like Anna can love him, then I’m sure he’s a great guy. She’s so sweet,” I said, a smile tugging at my lips.

“Yeah, she’s wonderful,” Joseph agreed. “They are both kind of like parents to me in a way.”

“I got that vibe right away,” I said in return. “I’m glad you have them.”

“Bernard, Anna, Carter, and Nate have been the only family I’ve known for a long time,” he explained. “I don’t know what I’d do without them.”

I smiled at that fact. I loved that he was surrounded by those who love and care about him so deeply.

“And they are all elders?” I asked.

He nodded his head once.

“Are the elders the only ones who can access the elevator?” I asked.

“And the maids,” he said in return. “We have them clean our apartments a couple times a week.”

“And are these maids humans?” I found myself asking, biting my lip, and worried about the answer.

He raised his brows in surprise at my question.

“Some of them. Not all,” he answered.

“So, why do you have humans here? And why didn’t you tell me about them?” I asked, furrowing my brows together as the questions came out as word vomit. “If you already had humans living in your village, then why didn’t you want me to come here initially?”

“The humans aren’t what you think,” he said, fixing his eyes on mine. “They are nothing more than workers. Like maids and servants. They are compelled to keep quiet about us. I didn’t tell you because it’s not a life I want to subject you to.”

“So, you keep the humans here as prisoners?” I asked, raising my brows as I stared around his serious face.

I could see the trouble in his eyes, and it made my heart skip a beat. I would be seriously sick if I was turned on by this.

“Not entirely. We get their permission first. It’s their choice to stay with us. Once they choose to live here, we compel them to keep quiet.”

“I don’t understand,” I said, struggling against my thoughts. “Why would anyone want to live in a vampire village as a slave?”

“Because we pay them with something they can’t get in the human world,” he answered simply.

“What’s that?” I asked, genuinely interested in his answer.

“Life,” he answered. When he looked around my confused face, he leaned in closer to me and whispered, “Immortality.”