Hunters and Beasts

extraction of secrets

Faith woke early to leave for training camp. She looked next to her to where Caleb still slept. She started gathering her duffle bag quietly, trying to avoid waking Caleb. She turned around and he was directly behind her.

“don’t tell me you really planned on leaving without saying anything to me.”

“i didn’t plan to.” she put down her bag and moved against him. “i just didn’t want to wake you.”

“you didn’t.” he wrapped his arms around her, squeezing tightly. “i don’t like you going away for an entire week.”

“i have too. I have responsibilities, and how else am I supposed to stay informed if I'm not leading the team?”

“i suppose you are right. But what am I supposed to do for an entire week without my new girlfriend?”

“i don’t know, work out? Look attractive?”

“i do that on a daily basis anyway.” faith purred in her throat and forced Caleb to bring his lips to hers.

“wait for me to get back.”

“that's a givin. I don’t want to be that far away from you, where are you going?”

“not sure. I will have my phone and I can text you a little.”

“promise?”

“promise.” Caleb released her and helped her finish packing. He dressed and walked with her to the front door.

“please be careful.”

“i will.” he pulled her in for another kiss, pressing her against the door frame and running his hand over her cheek. She could feel his heart hammer in his chest. She paused to breathe and nuzzled against him.

“i will come if you need me. No matter where you are.” Faith nodded softly and walked to her truck. She did not look back for fear she wouldn’t be able to leave.

The bus pulled up to the camp faith so often saw in her nightmares. They had raised security and now had it walled off and patrolled. They unloaded the bus and she made her way to her personal cabin. Everyone was in their own bunkhouse for this training. Faith sat down on her bunk and looked down at her phone.

“favorite food?” she smiled as she wrote her reply. Twenty questions is so childish, but I'm loving it. She had ben texting Caleb since she left. She put her phone down and picked up one of the journals she had brought along. She opened to the next page and started to read.

Its only been a few weeks, but it seems like a life time. I am holding the family together by mere strings as the days pass and they fall into their own personal darkness. I am doing well as a healing apprentice. My master has offered us a shack in the forest near his herbs. My siblings seem to be adjusting to our new life with indulging in crime. Johnathon has been stealing, openly, and has started a small gang of rascals. Emily has been sleeping around with older gentlemen for money. Mother would turn over in her grave if she knew her daughter has become a w***e. Sarah seems to be doing better than the others but has become delusional that she is someone else. I need guidance to return them to the right path.

Faith paused from reading to look down at her phone.

“what are you doing now?”

“reading some interesting books, you?” the reply was instant.

“thinking of a really attractive girl.”

“really? Do I know her?”

“i think so.”

“what are you thinking about?”

“how much I wish I could see her.”

“she’ll be back before you know it.”

“i sure hope so. I like looking at beauty.”

Faith heard a knock at the door and moved to open it. The camp instructor was waiting with a blind fold.

“time to start training.” faith followed the instructor, younger hunters whispering and pointing at her as she passed. Great they know who I am. She touched her ring and walked into the arena where her squad waited.

“welcome to camp, sixth division Spartans.” her team sounded off with a ‘rah’. “we are here to teach you the hunter way of extracting information and also how not to break under torture.” wait what? Hunters rushed them from the shadows and quickly subdued all but faith.

“easy with this one boys.” they brandished cattle prods. “this is the one they call ‘the Blood Bringer’” faith took up a fighting stance.

“if you want to make it realistic, then bring it on and try to take me.”

“if that’s how you want to play it.” they charged her and she started pummeling hunters left and right. She took a few hits, throwing hunters and rolling out of the way.

“Someone dart her.”

“What?” she heard a pop and a a dart sank into her neck. “f*****g bullshit.” her body went limp and she fell to her knees. She felt boots as they contacted her limping body.

“Easy fellas. Save some skin for the torture.” faith passed out, knowing she was already housing broken bones. 

Faith’s head rolled to the side as she came too. She was strapped to a chair under a harsh bright light.

“Welcome back. Only took you ten minutes to fight off the tranquilizer.” the hunter marked on a clipboard. “that blood of yours is very impressive.” faith pulled at her bonds, noticing a central line running into her vein.

“Sedatives hmm?”

“just trying to make sure you get the full lesson. That is, after all the point of this training.” she heard a cart being wheeled over and tools rattling around. “Lets get started shall we?”

“sure. Bring it on.” the hunter laughed as he grabbed a knife and cut her shirt without cutting her skin. He removed all of her clothing and looked for a place to start.

“so, we have a list of desired question from the General.”

“of course, you do.” the hunter drew a knife and pressed it against her thigh. 

“Let’s get started.” the corners of faiths mouth twitched as he started cutting her flesh. "what information are you withholding involving the vampires and wolves?"

"none." faith answered coldly." the hunter punched her in the gut making her grunt. 

"you are lying."

"no i am not." 

"well see. i have plenty of ways to make you talk." faith sighed and let her mind recede. i wont tell them a thing. 

Faith limped up to her porch, dropping her duffle bag so she could open the door. It was Sunday night; she was just now returning from the week long training camp. She pulled her key and unlocked her door. She opened it a soft glow catching her eyes.

“What the...?” she couldn’t finish her sentence before she was scooped up and kiss planted on her lips. She stiffened and squirmed.

“Stop moving so much and kiss me back!”

“Caleb! How did you even get in here?!?”

“Doggy door.”

“i don’t have a dog door!” she smacked him in the chest, and he released her.

“okay fine, you need a new back door, that one doesn’t lock.” Caleb grabbed her hand, leading into her house. He had dinner set out on the table and fresh flowers placed in a vase. “You would have won our football game, so I owed you dinner.” he looked down. “i hope you like it.”

“Baby I love it. You didn’t have to do this for me!” she tried to hide a pained expression, but Caleb caught it.

“What happened at camp? You didn’t message me as much as I expected.”

“It was uh... information extraction camp.”

“Is that all?” he poked her ribs and she winced.

“no. It was also a training camp for retaining information.”

“Torture? They tortured you?” his face grew colder. She slid into his arms and took a deep breath in.

“I'm okay, I know you can take care of the pain for me.”

“I always will. Here, let me start now.” Caleb put his hands on her hips and pulled her against his lips. He started gently and slowly ran his hands over her body. She filled with warmth as he healed her. Her face was red as she ran her hands over hard abs and onto his back. “mmmm” he growled in his throat and pushed her against her wall. She was shaking from the intensity from the make out and breathing heavily. “There. All healed.” faith was dazed and trying to slow her breathing. A shutter ran across her body. “Are you ready to eat?”

 “i would be but, my appetite craves something else right now.”

“Oh? Oh.” Caleb smirked as Faiths hands slid over him. She kissed him hungrily. “Easy baby.” his breath was heavy as her hands slipped under his shirt.

“why?” she smirked before biting his lip. He groaned, gripping her thighs and pulling her off the ground. She giggled and wrapped her legs around his waist. He gripped her buttock to keep her upright.

“I told you that you are hard to resist.”

“So why resist? What if I told you, I was ready?” Caleb froze, his eyes piercing into her own.

“I what?” she leaned into Caleb and kissed his jaw. “What happened on that trip?!?”

“Take me to my room, big boy.” Caleb groaned into her neck. She ran her hand down the front of his pants. Oh my. She bit her lip. He smiled and started walking towards the stairs with her around his waist.

“If you want me to stop at any time, tell me.” he carefully walked up the stairs. He pushed her up against her closed bedroom door. He slipped his hands under her shirt sliding them across her abdominals.

“mmmm I don’t think that is going to be an issue.” she leaned her head back to breathe and Caleb kissed her neck. He pulled at her shirt, getting it off over her head. He kissed on her newly exposed skin, humming in his throat.

“you are so beautiful.” he opened the door and pushed her down on the bed. He pulled his own shirt off and her face lit up. She ran her hands over the muscle, purring. Caleb flexed and she dug her fingertips into him. He still had holes in his chest from where I shot him. Faith paused over one. “They are okay. I healed instantly, some wounds just take longer to disappear.” she sat up, legs going over the side of the bed. Her face was level with his navel. She leaned forward and kissed him while she undid his pants. His stomach tightened as her fingers traveled over it. Am I really doing this? God damnit I want this man, but I’m nervous. Faith’s face was red and she was flustered. She pulled on his pants, dropping them to the floor.

“your turn.” she giggled leaning back. He fumbled with her pants. Are his hands shaking? Faith arched, helping him pull off her pants. He paused and kissed her thigh making her squirm.

“i might be a little nervous.” Caleb admitted, his hands hovering over underwear.

“then start here.” she lifted herself from the bed and planted him on it. She slipped on top of him, readjusting him so that she could sit comfortably. That is... impressive... she lingered only a moment before moving her hands and settling down. She brought his hands to her bra. “Take it off.” he fumbled with it before feeling it pop. He slowly pulled the straps down her shoulders, and she pulled it off.

“These are... perfect.” he fondled her exposed breasts. “Would you believe me if I said this was my first time too?”

“I’m not sure. But you are playing the part well.” she let out a soft gasp as he gently pinched her n****e. Faith heard a soft knocking coming from the door downstairs. Caleb looked, questioningly. “Ignore it.” she growled dropping her head to kiss him. She slowly started grinding on top of him making him shutter.

“you know how to make a man suffer.”

“oh?” she slid back and kissed down his chest to his boxer line. “do tell?” she started pulling them down, leaving a trail of kisses in her wake. He gripped the bed on either side on him groaning. She pulled off his boxers the rest of the way biting her lip. Oh f**k.

“Is this still okay?” they heard another knock on the door, louder this time. “i can get that if you want?”

“no.” faith slid back up his body. “i don’t want to be interrupted.” Caleb smiled softly before he flipped on top of her. She let out a soft moan as he kissed her chest. He rubbed a hand along her thigh, grazing past her. Oh god. I want it. I WANT IT. She grabbed his hand and pushed it against her. “take them off.” her breath was heavy. “please.” she got chills as he pulled her last garment off and tossed it aside. He gently kissed her thigh.

“This is the last chance to stop. Are you okay with this? It isn’t always pleasurable the first time.”

“i want it. I want you. Now.” he raised up to position himself, she could feel him against her. The door thudded once more, so hard the hinges creaked.  “GOD DAMNIT.” faith pushed Caleb away slightly. “I’m killing whoever the f**k that is.” she gave Caleb a soft smile. “Ill be right back.” she snatched her underwear and his shirt and shrugged them on as she stormed down the stairs. She was fuming. She reached the door, throwing it open. “What the f**k DO YOU WANT....” she was face to face with a ghost. Sam...

“i need your help...” Sam fell into her doorway and into her arms, passing out. She was wearing a blood red dress stained with darker blood. Her face was scratched and bruised from a fight. There was blood in hear hair from an unknow wound.

“CALEB!” she heard his feet hit the floor and he was almost immediately behind her.

“What has happened are you hurt?!”

“Not me...” Caleb looked at the figure in Faith’s arms.

“Vampire?”

“What?!?”

“That is a vampire.”

“no, she’s not. She can’t be.”

“I'm sorry faith, but she is a vampire, a Vladimir clan vampire.” faith dropped her head into Sam’s shoulder, tears rolling out. “I I can heal her if you wish...” Caleb dropped to his knees behind faith. “i don’t know what’s going on, I would give anything for you not to feel like this.” Faith hoisted Sam up in her arms, cradling her close. Sam... my Sam... she walked her to the couch and deposited her gently, sliding under her head.

“please Caleb. Heal her.” Caleb sat down, placing a hand lightly on Sam’s arm.

“This might take awhile, but ill do whatever I can.”

“Thank you.” faith touched his arm gently. “Ill explain everything latter. I'm sorry... I'm so sorry.”

“no. You don’t have to rush an explanation. And you don’t have to be sorry.” Caleb touched her with his free hand. “You can tell me when you are ready, but I can see the pain in your eyes now.”

“she... she's the only person who has ever loved me...” and now she's a monster just like me.

Faith woke up slowly, her neck stiff. She touched her watch to silence her alarm. She looked down at her empty lap and frowned. Caleb was leaned back against her legs, sleeping in an upright position.

“Caleb.” Faith lightly tapped his shoulder and he groaned.

“hmmm?”

“when did she leave?”

“she's gone?” he rose to his feet and looked around. “I'm sorry. I didn’t notice. I was too exhausted.”

“its not your fault. Its okay.” she stood slowly and slipped into his arms. She looked at him again. “oh. Oh you are still...”

“mostly naked? Yeah. I was concerned. You had called out for me.”

“i guess I'm not much better.” she looked down at Caleb’s shirt around her. Caleb walked into the kitchen.

“she left you a note.” Caleb pulled a folded piece of paper from the fridge door. “Here.” he handed it to her softly. “I'm going to head home and get ready for school.”

“uh. Yeah okay.” she watched Caleb climb the stairs. His shoulders were tight and there was obviously something on his mind. This is going to be hard to solve. She looked down at her shaking hands.  Faith took a deep breath and unfolded the note.

 Faith,

I am so sorry I appeared at your home out of nowhere. It was not my intention. Im sorry that I left early but being around that wolf was out of the question. I’m sure you already know what I am just as I know what you are. We need to talk.

-Sam

Faith put down the letter and her heart became heavy. What the hell is going on?!? Faith saw Caleb come back down the stairs.

“Caleb?”

“Yes?”

“Please don’t leave on a bad note...” Faith looked at the ground, tears starting to flow.

“Faith.” Caleb pulled her chin up to look at him. “Nothing has changed. Nothing is wrong. I know you are hurting, and I also need a moment to process what happened or erm, what didn’t happen last night.” he pulled her close to his chest. “i know you need time to process and I'm giving you space.”

“i... I don’t think I need space...”

“Then I won’t give you space, I’m with you because I want to be with you, and all that comes along with it.” Faith’s tears flowed harder. “Shhhh now. Ill be right back at your side latter, I promise.” Caleb pulled her to his lips and kissed her gently. “Ill see you at school, okay?”

“Okay...” Caleb walked towards the door and paused to smile before leaving. What the f**k is happening! Faith’s world was spinning as the door closed behind Caleb.

Sam opened her eyes. The room was unfamiliar but inviting. She lifted her head slowly. Is that... faith. She could smell faith around her. Coconuts and the softest hint of oranges.  Her head had been laying on faith’s bare lap. her skin is so soft. She was passed out on the couch, wearing only a tee-shirt and panties. Faith’s hands were in her hair. Sam saw the large wolf-man laying against Faith’s legs. He was only wearing boxers. What the f**k were you two doing last night! Sam rose to her feet slowly. She moved silently on her feet towards the stairs. Sam climbed the stairs, holding the shreds of her dress in her hands. She entered the first door she came to and found herself in Faith’s bedroom. Same old faith. The room looked like it had moved forward in time from their childhood. The walls were a dark grey and absent any personalization. The sheets and blankets were black on black. Black isn’t a style faith. Sam could see men and women’s clothes tossed around the room. Were they? Noooo! Sam shook the thought from her head as she walked across the room to a desk. There was a file labeled ‘Vampires.’ Sam averted her eyes and looked at what else there was. Faith had a single picture on her desk. She still has it... Sam looked at the picture of them from the day they had met. The color was worn, and it was a well loved picture. Sam moved towards the closet to look for something to put on that was not ruined. Annand more black. Seriously Faith, you need help. Sam pulled out a soft tee-shirt and found some sweatpants throwing them on. She felt a pull and her feet moved back to the desk. She picked up the file, shaking, trying to resist. She opened it and it was blank. No information had been added to it. Thank God there is nothing to report. Sam felt a tug to return home. She walked back to the closet and grabbed one of faiths jackets before slipping back downstairs. Faith stirred and Sam froze. She looked at the woman she had once known her heart heavy. I wish I could stay here with you. Sam found some paper, writing a note for faith before slipping out the door and heading home to report to her master