Sinners and Saints

by Ambear Shellea

  Vylette felt bad for them.

  “Well, I don't know about the rest of them, but I will...”

  “She is really good too, she helped me. Maybe the issue is not that they are not cut out for it, maybe they are just overwhelmed. I mean there is a lot to learn at once,” Jazmin said.

  “You said that this class is full of people who had been rescued, maybe it is just that they are so used to be told what to do that now that they have a choice they are just a little freaked out by it,” Mike pointed out.

  “I agree with Mike, when my uncle retired from the military, the first few months were really chaotic. He was so used to being told what to do, when and how to do it, it took a bit before he got back into the swing of things,” Jared explained.

  Travine smiled and shook her head.

  “Sounds like all of you are in, yes?”

  “Of course,” they all said in answer to her question.

  “Great, I will let Vallmore know.”

  Happy she could help, and her friends were going to also, she asked the only question left. “When do we need to be there?”

  “This class meets for field training at 0700 Monday, Wednesday and Friday. So, you will show up then and also to your regular class that afternoon.”

  “Awesome. That gives me the rest of the weekend to finish studying.

  The loud speaker overhead went off.

  Mrs. Travine you are needed in the foyer please.

  “Sounds like my cue to get back to my studies. I am going to grab my shake and head back to my room.”

  She waited for Travine to rise from her chair and followed her toward the exit. When she reached the buffet, she took a detour and headed into the kitchen in search of Chef and her Vanilla shake. He stood, washing some dishes with his back to her.

  “Hey, Chef, is my shake close? I’m going to take it to my room, I have a ton of work to do.”

  When he turned he wore that same wonderful smile he always wore.

  “I do apologize, Vylette. My assistant must have misunderstood and taken it to your room instead of the table. If it’s not in your room, buzz me and I'll bring you one right away.”

  “Okay, no problem. Have a great weekend, Chef.”

  “You too, Vylette.”

  She waved good bye and rushed back to her room and her waiting mountain of work. She grabbed the rail and raced up the steps in a hurry to be done with her work and get some much needed sleep. She reached the top level and noticed that her door was cracked open, a sliver of candlelight displayed across the hall floor.

  Kitchen staff must have just gotten here.

  Opening the door, she paid little attention.

  “Just set the shake on the stand. Thank you.”

  She walked past her bed and into the bathing room to wash her hands and face of the sweaty disaster they had become. Glancing in the mirror, she noticed her hair stuck to head, drenched in sweat slowly dripping down her face. Soap in hand, she turned on the water and scrubbed her face. Towel drying her skin, she decides to brush away the hot mess in her mouth.

  Back in her main room, she walked to the decanter of ice and ran the cube over her neck and chest, trying to cool the humidity off her skin. With her eyes closed, she dropped her head back and to the side, gliding the melting water along her collar bone and around.

  Oh, that feels nice.

  “It's so damn hot.”

  She jumped when a voice confirmed her statement.

  “I'll say. Oh, you meant the temperature not the show I am viewing.”

  She opened her eyes and smiled. There sitting on her bed, with his legs crossed at the ankles, kicked back, was Dorrian Buchanan. The man who had stolen her heart, her sanity and all rational thought when he was around.

  “Dorrian! When did you get back? How long have you been here?”

  “I arrived a little while ago. I brought you a Vanilla milkshake.”

  She followed his gaze, and he was still holding it.

  “Wait, you brought the shake?”

  “Yes, you walked right past me just a moment ago. You look confused, let me explain. I was coming in from my trip and spotted you heading to the dining hall. When I got in there you were sitting at the table with your friends and I didn’t want to disturb you, but Chef spotted me and guessed what, or rather, who I was watching and handed me this shake and sent me up here.”

  “He is a sneaky one. He told me one of his assistant misunderstood and brought it up here. I saw your shadow standing by the bed and I just assumed it was one of them and I wanted to wash off some of this sweat.”

  “I figured. So, are you going to drink this shake?”

  “Yes, thank you.”

  Crossing the room to the bed, she took a seat next to him and the shake. The straw between her lips she took a big draw and her mouth filled with an explosion of coolness and she moaned, it was so refreshing. After a few more drinks, and she could feel the cool vapors on her lips when she spoke. Her attention turned to Dorrian.

  “How was your trip? Successful?”

  “Yes, very. I am glad to be home. This was a very hard rescue.”

  Gathering her books, one handed, she collected her work and notes and set them on the table, clearing off her bed. Once she had them stacked and put in place, she climbed on the bed, resting her back on the pillows and the wall, Dorrian followed suit.

  Crossing her ankles, she asked, “Why was this one a hard rescue?”

  “Well, for one, this guy and his clients are sadistic bastards. It was hard to see the condition of these men and women and not lose my control and beat the holy hell out of them. I just reminded myself that once I got them they would never have to endure such things and I got through it. However, I shot the entire organization twice, just because.”

  She offered him some of her shake.

  “I am sorry to hear that, but you have them now and as you said, they will be much better off here.” She leaned over and gave him a peck on the cheek. “I have missed you while you've been away.”

  Oh, how can he see so much darkness and maintain such light in his eyes. That smile...

  “I have missed you too, Vylette.”

  She smiled back at him and met him half way when he moved in for another kiss.

  “Oh! That is cold!” she screamed when a bit f her shake spilled from the glass, running down her chest.

  “Here let me get that.”

  The feel of his tongue sliding across her skin as he scooped up the vanilla droplets had her squirming beneath him. It was heaven, but it was cut short.

  “There, I think I got it all.”

  She looked down and sure enough all traces of the shake were gone, but the lingering feelings his tongue left were not. “That was nice.”

  “Oh, really...” he asked.

  Before she could say anything else, Dorrian had pulled the straw, dripping bits of shake on various parts of her skin, quickly followed by the feel of his soft warm lips. A few minutes more and her shirt was gone and he ventured a little further, to her chest and stomach.

  Vylette moaned against the sensation of freezing drops of vanilla ice mixed with heat of her skin and the wetness of his tongue, as he made his way from her belly button back to her ear.

  Her excitement and pleasure through the roof, she didn’t know how long this had gone on, but when saw Dorrian set the empty glass on the table, she was surprised.

  “How about a cool shower to wash off all that stickiness from your skin?”

  Eyes glazed over from several inner explosions, she looked at him. His eyes on fire, full of desire and need.

  She reached out and pulled him close, kissing him hard and heavy. Still locked onto his mouth, she reached down and ripped open his button up shirt, pushing it off his arms, running her hands over his stomach and chest. Her hands wandered further, past the seam of his boxers. When he moaned with her, almost to the point of ecstasy, she smiled and pulled away.

  “Now, we can have a shower. I am not the
only one going in half crazed.”

  “Funny, I was half crazed when I was watching the cube of ice make love to your skin.”

  She took her time getting off the bed, kissing his exposed skin on her way. Once her feet were on the floor, she grabbed his hand and pulled him with her, leading him to the shower he promised.

  Chapter 23

  The next few days went by in a blur, between the bedroom workouts, the studying and just all around time she spent with Dorrian. Although, she never expected to be in this life, and the horrifying event that led to it, at this moment she was very happy with the way things turned out. It was late into early Monday morning and she knew she was going to get her ass kicked come 7:00 a.m., but looking over and seeing the man of her dreams sleeping next to her, she didn't care. The room, still only lit by candles despite the fact the power was back on, left Dorrian's face illuminated like the angel he was. She rolled toward him, curled up and closed her eyes, dreaming of what life could be like with him in the future.

  She snuggled closer into him, when he wrapped his arm around her, pulling her closer and the next instant her life changed. It both scared her and excited her. The words, “I love you, Vylette,” were said in a sleepy voice were still very audible.

  Her heart raced with eager excitement.

  Did he mean to say that? Do I say it back? He is still asleep?

  She held her breath and just stared at him. His eyes were closed, the look on his face was a peaceful one. A tear fell down her cheek as she laid her head on his chest.

  Is it too much to hope for?

  She moved slightly when he stirred beneath her, his eyes upon her now.

  “Are you crying, Vylette?”

  She sniffled and tried to cover it with a cough. “No, I’m fine.”

  He didn't buy it for a second. His thumb ran over her cheek, pushing the tears from her skin and he sat up. All she could do was stare. Now she had done it. She would have to tell him what he said and of her fear. This was the first time she had ever heard him talk to her in a stern voice.

  “Vylette, do not lie to me. Did I hurt you in my sleep or something? Did you have a bad dream? No! Do not tell me you are not crying. The tears in the palm of my hand are proof.”

  Sighing, she sat up and confessed.

  “Fine. I was sitting here just thinking about things and when I snuggled up with you, you pulled me closer and...”

  “And what?”

  “You said something.”

  “Okay. What did I say? Was I talking about a mission?”

  “No no, nothing like that.”

  She found herself trapped in his embrace, his hands holding her face, his eyes burned with intensity.

  “Please, Vylette. Tell me. I can't imagine what I could have said that would bring you to tears. I love you so much, I could never hurt you.”

  She jumped and pulled back. “That right there, what you just said! Did you mean it? Do you love me?”

  “Yes, I do, very much. Did I say something different in my sleep?”

  “No, you said, I love you, Vylette.”

  She noticed the look of confusion on his face.

  “I don’t understand. Was this a surprise to you?”

  Sheepishly, she answered, “Well, yes. Kind of.”

  “Why? I have spent every day with you, well that I have been here and not on missions. I practically live in here with you. Do you realize I haven't slept in my own bed in almost a year? Between you and the missions, I have only walked into my room to change clothes. I even shower here...Which I greatly enjoy.”

  “I know...I don't know, I guess...I mean I have known how I felt about you since that day you showed me the command center. It hit me when you were talking to me about Happy Fantasy.”

  “I’m lost. If you love me and I love you, what's the problem here?”

  “Nothing. It's just that when I first heard you say it, you were sleeping. I didn't know if you meant it or if you would admit it while you were awake. Like you said, it's been almost a year of us being together and neither of us have said it. I was scared I would run you off if I said it. My tears came from the thought that maybe you didn't.”

  His warm laugh brought a smile to her face. “Look at us, Vylette. We’re a mess. I haven't said it before now, because I was afraid too. However, when I saw you crying...It broke my heart to know you were hurt and upset and I just didn't think about it. I want you to know, I was telling the truth, I do love you. I have known it from the moment I first laid eyes on you, and that baffled me because I do not, well did not, believe in love at first sight.”

  “Really? What did you see that you fell in love with? I was bound, bloody and scared to death.”

  “I know, but that is not what snared me. It was your fiery attitude, the brave facade you put off and most of all, the hope and vitality in your eyes. You were a breath of fresh air among the landfill of nastiness that day. Since then, the light in your eyes has only grown brighter. When I watch you in training, you are fascinating. I can't quite explain it, but you just...oh...Vylette everything about you spellbinds me. When I am gone on missions, I feel as if I am leaving a part of my soul behind and I’m okay with that because I understand why. I have not focused on whether or not there is a future for us, because I am so caught up in the present and I don't want to know. I’m happy now, and if that turns out to last forever, it would be a dream come true, but if it doesn’t, I refuse to waste a minute of this time I have with you. You have no idea, hell I had no idea what I was missing in my life until you came along.”

  She sat there listening to his words and to most they would have been just words, but the feelings in them, the part of himself he released when he spoke those words were like a seal around her heart, encompassing it completely filling it with love and chasing away any fear and doubt she may have had.

  She wrapped her arms tightly around his neck and hung on as if her life depended on it, and in a way it did. His arms held her just as tightly. Pulling away, she looked into his eyes now rimmed in tears, and touched his face. So much tenderness in those eyes looking at her. She only hoped that hers reflected all that and more.

  “You need sleep.”

  Glancing at the clock, she cursed.

  “You're right about that.”

  Crawling toward him, she snuggled once more in his arms and fell asleep with his hand stroking her hair.

  Chapter 24

  Groggy and half asleep, it took her forty-five minutes to get through her shower. She had very little sleep and a full day. The new recruits had been extremely appreciative with all their help and seemed to open up a bit and let themselves loosen up enough to think on their own. After two hours, most of them were able to make it through the house maze without having to have someone by their sides.

  It broke her heart to see them so confused, but also warmed her heart to see them so determined to fight back and become who they once were. It took a lot of courage to do what they have. The funniest part was that more than half of them had loved her humor so much they decided to adopted it for themselves.

  Yay! More weirdoes. The world better watch out, this group just may take over.

  Turning the shower off, she got out and climbed into her night clothes, fully planning to crawl in bed and sleep. After pulling a brush through her hair she shut off the light and headed back to the bedroom, yawning. It wasn't until she got comfortable that the lights went out and the sirens went off.

  What the...

  Instinct had her jumping out of bed and heading to the far nightstand to reach for her weapon. She’d just passed the center of the bed and three masked men burst into her room. With all the noise, she never even heard them just outside the door. Taking her stand, she kicked the gun out of the hands of the man closest to her, but his friends took advantage and grabbed her. She calmed her beating heart and focused on her training.

  She went still while her mind went into over drive. They had managed to get her out of her bedroom and
were heading down the hall. Her body went completely limp, catching them off guard, with her suddenly heavier weight, and one of them dropped her arm. She rolled out of the hold they had to the left and scrambled from the floor. Once on her feet, she turned to face them. They were not the least bit worried. They just pointed their guns and said nothing.

  She evaluated the situation. The two men were holding pistols, their fingers on the trigger, waiting. In the background, she heard people screaming and dashing from room to room, yelling orders and when she heard the gunshots, she made her decision.

  She brought her hands up as of to surrender and counted the seconds as they slowly went by. Just as the men looked to loosen up and lower their weapons, she sidekick the gun from the guy on the right, spun and snatched the gun from the guy on the left. Now that she was armed and they weren't, she pointed with the gun for them to move.

  “Get in that room.”

  Now that the tables were turned, they did what she said and walked into her room.

  “Now close the door.”

  Once the door was shut she turned the lock on the outside and went back to the empty hall. She went from door to door, checking each room to see if anyone was in there. All of the rooms had been evacuated or worse. Gun in hand, ready to fire, she quietly made her way down the stairs and into the main room. Bodies were scattered across the carpet, some dead, some half breathing, all bleeding from wounds inflicted from either guns or knives. She moved from one live person to another, checking vitals and gathering information.

  “Who did this?” she asked one of the girls laying in a pool of blood.

  “Don’t know...went toward...kitchen...They got Travine and Lissa.”

  “I will send someone as soon as I find them.”

  Carefully, she worked her way to the dining hall, keeping to the shadows as she went. When she got close, one of the doors was broken and lying on the ground, smoke filled the room and smelled of fire. Her back to the closed side of the double doors, she peered around the corner and saw Chef lying on the ground, coughing and sputtering.