Free Sinners and Saints by Ambear Shellea

better.”
    “ It would.”
    She cocked her eyebrow. “Subject change, then?”
    Looking at Dorrian, t he relief was not just written on his face, but throughout his entire body. His face and shoulders seemed to relax with the exhale of a large a breath.
    “ Please.”
    “ Okay, how's this...When does my training start?”
    “ Tomorrow morning, 8:00 a.m. sharp. You need to be in the training room and dressed in something tight enough it doesn't fall off, but loose enough you can move.”
    “ Great. I’m excited.”
    “ Good...Oh, and Vylette, be ready to get your ass handed to you.”
    Narrowing her eyes, she replied, “What does that mean?”
    “ It means, training is not easy. The instructors are ruthless and uncaring and they should be because out there in the field, the world is too and you need to be able to handle it.”
    “ Okay. I will see you in the morning.”
    She noticed a troubled expression cross his face before he clarified.
    “Actually, no you won't. I won’t be here. I have errands to attend to. Plus I don't usually attend training classes with the recruits.”
    “ Oh…”
    “ Come, let's go. I'll walk you back to your room.”
    As he turned to walk away, she fell in step beside him, thinking of the day to come and what it would bring. She was unaware if it was the memory of his kiss and lingering gaze or the thought of beginning her new life, or both, but her stomach was both in knots and churning. Her head was spinning, life had changed so much in just a few days time.
    The elevator d oors closed and she turned to him.
    “ What will happen now? I mean what will my days be like?”
    “ Well, you will be given a schedule when you arrive at training in the morning. Most likely, it will be Monday, Wednesday and Friday. You will have physical training, combat skills and field training. Tuesday and Thursday you will have languages, culture and etiquette and dress...”
    “ Sounds like college.”
    His laugh always made her smile. “Well, it kind of is. Granted this is more extreme classes and lessons, but it's something you need to learn none the less. How else do you expect to be taught what you need to know?”
    Shrugging, Vylette replied, “I don't know...I just didn't think it would be like school. I guess it makes sense. As you said, it is what I need to know.”
    “ It is, and it takes time. Don't worry, Vylette, you will not, I repeat, will not, go into the field until you know it all and pass several mock missions. The last thing we want is to lose agents. I mean it happens, because we can't control everything, but we do put as much in place as possible to ensure the safe return of not only the people we are trying to save, but the agents themselves.”
    “ Sounds reasonable and well thought out.”
    “ Good.”
    The door of the elevator opened and they were facing the west side of Mr. Buchanan's office, her uncle's loud laughter billowing from behind the closed door.
    “ Well, sounds like your... Mr. Blackstone, is in a good mood.”
    “ I have never seen him, with the exception of earlier when he found out I was missing, to be anything but in a good mood.”
    Passing the closing doors, she followed him toward his office.
    “You two are very close aren't you?”
    “ Yes, since I was little. I’ve always spent a lot of time with him.”
    “ I have always known he was a family man, it's just nice to see. In this business you learn to really appreciate the easy happy things in life since they are few and far between sometimes.”
    “ I can only imagine.”
    “ Save your imagination. With the decision you made, in about two years, you are going to more than understand...”
    She stooped and stared at him, he grabbed her hand and halted their advance.
    “Vylette, are you sure this is what you want?”
    Nodding, Vylette assured, “Yes, I am sure. Given who my family is, I knew deep down that I would eventually end up in this lifestyle. I tried to deny it and pretend otherwise,