Gabriel

Gladys takes me towards the back of the tent, and a petite girl kneels by a cabinet, restocking bandages. She has long, straight blonde hair. I try not to read people's minds unless necessary, but she's shouting. There are so many different voices coming from her mind. It is almost troubling to witness. As I try to probe further, I get an instant intense feeling of another supernatural being close by and getting closer. Gladys is talking to me, but I block her and everything else out.

"Please be cautious, Upyr. Intruding into someone's thoughts is impolite and offensive. Since you hold authority here, I deem it appropriate to offer you a warning on this occasion."

A tall, fair-skinned young man with icy blue eyes and long blonde hair tied back neatly, he wears a long white surgical tunic, which only makes him appear paler. As he walks in, several nurses greet him as Dr. Petrov, as they think many inappropriate things about themselves with the doctor. I walk towards the doctor as if I recognize him, signaling him to step outside the tent with me. As he and I walk out of the medical tent, a very tall, blonde woman walks into the tent, whom I assume to be his nurse.

"Excuse me, Gladys, I must talk with Dr. Petrov."

Stepping outside, away from the tent, I introduce myself.

"Dr. Petrov, I am Lieutenant General Gabriel Dăscalu. I wasn't aware of Kolduny (witches) here at my camp."

"After the new year, my team and I arrived at this expansive camp. I must admit, I have never encountered an Upyr as formidable and ancient as yourself. May I inquire about your age? Three hundred years, perhaps?"

"We can utilize skilled surgeons such as yourself, Dr. Petrov, particularly those proficient in the mystical arts. I've been referred to as Upir, Strzyga, Vrykolakas, Vampire, Strigoi, or Upyr, as the Russians like yourself term it, for the past 628 years. Dr. Petrov, purely in an official capacity, I am no threat to anyone here, and I can say the same for you."

"Without a doubt, Lieutenant General Dăscalu. My sole purpose here is to serve and contribute to any potential victory in this war. Sadly, many of my fellow Russians and young, latent Ved'ma have fallen victim to the Nazi regime. I'm unsure if you know that pure-born Ved'ma are dwindling in numbers." I have found something magical hiding in the young Polish lady working with Dr. Willard, but sadly, I cannot speak her language."

"Well, Dr. Petrov, I may be able to assist you with this. I have been asked to come translate for her."

The witch raises an eyebrow, smiles, and speaks. "Undoubtedly, I should have known that someone who has witnessed the rise and fall of empires would be quite proficient in many languages. However, I am fascinated by the abilities you possess. I would like to learn more about them when we have the time."

"Indeed, Dr. Petrov, it would be my pleasure. I will allow you to speak with the girl once I have the chance to introduce myself and learn a little about her and how she ended up in the middle of a road, willing to be run down to get help. With her apparent struggles and her obvious signs of distress and nightmares, I'll proceed cautiously for the time being. Now I have to return before I risk not making it to 629 years due to the wrath of Nurse Gladys."

Both of us chuckle at this realization, fully aware that she would undoubtedly attempt it, especially considering her fiery temper when she gets worked up.

As I follow behind Dr. Petrov, Gladys is walking from the tent with the petite young lady.

"Gabriel, this here is Ava."

"Ava, sweetie, this is Lieutenant General Gabriel Dăscalu, or just call him Gabriel."

Gladys forces a smile at me and a look that communicates, "Help her," and she walks back into the tent. The girl's head is down, and she does not look up towards me until after I speak to her.

"Witaj Ava, nazywam się Gabriel, miło mi cię poznać."

(Hello Ava, my name is Gabriel; it's nice to meet you.)

She looks up, and suddenly, my world stands still, and I have to fight back tears and the urge to grab her and hold her till my pain heals and vanishes. It's her, it's my...oh, the realization this is not Ana hits me, but it is her, just a new her, a different her, but I see her, and I see our soul, and it shines through her sad and frightened eyes. I want to take all her pain away. I send a powerful burst of calming energy that fills the entire space around us. Ava feels this calming wave and looks at me; she says, "Witaj, Gabrielu, bardzo miło znów usłyszeć mój język. Mam tyle pytań."

"Hello, Gabriel. It is very nice to hear my language again. I have so many questions.

We begin to walk, and she starts to talk. I ask her if she wants to go somewhere warmer, and she nods.

I walk back towards my side of camp as we speak.

"Are you from Poland, Gabriel?"

"No, I am Romanian, but I speak several languages and have visited the country many times."

"Really? Have you visited Legnica? My father speaks several languages as well. Dr. Jakub Frackowiak."

Her shoulders drop, and a breath hitches in her throat as she realizes the name she speaks is her father's name. I try to listen to her thoughts again, and the sheer noise and distressing thoughts are overwhelming. I recall Gladys saying they found her by the Karpacz border. That's a three-day walk from Legnica. I flood her with waves of calmness and speak to distract her. Legnica?

I have been to Legnica a few times. It's lovely there, and there is no better place to have Golabki and maybe Sernik."

"You have been there!"

She gives me the slightest smile, and my heart feels as if it will explode; her green eyes sparkle the same as Ana's did when she smiles. The similarities between her eyes and Ana's are uncanny. I wave off my quarter guards and welcome Ava into my tent. She is surprised by its size, which houses a war table, multiple chairs, a desk, and even a full-size bed. Despite my objections, such luxuries are standard for an officer's quarters. I believe I should be sleeping and eating in the same conditions as my men, yet since the Christmas attack, I have not slept, and my nourishment comes from the blood of vile men.

I sit at my desk and bring a chair next to me for her to join me. My heart wants to hold her in my arms against my chest until she feels our bond. I feel the connection the second our eyes meet, but this time, it is different. The first time we had met, there was so much confusion. I had so many various emotions swirling around my mind. Ana and I had little control over our thoughts or actions; we were controlled by emotions. We often talked about how we felt we were being pulled toward one another and how our desire for one another caused us to lack rational thoughts or actions. I call it our "soul bond," and when Ana was feeling naughty, she referred to it as our "soul bondage," always with a wicked, sexy grin.

Now that I am sitting here with Ava, I can think clearly, even though every part of my body craves her. My lips desire nothing more than to kiss her until the years of open wounds and pain, bit by bit, heal inside my heart; I have been alive all this time with nothing but the hope of finding her to keep me going. She has been sleeping, or whatever happens to us between our lives. I know I could scare her or, worse, lose her if I move too fast. I take a deep breath and calm my emotions.

"Gabriel? Is everything okay?"

"Yes, I apologize, Ava. Please feel free to speak freely, and I will do my best to answer any questions."

"Do you know anything about the citizens of Legnica? Have they been released or allowed to return to their homes?"

"No, I do not know the details, but I do know that the Nazis completely occupy Poland."

"Do you know why they were taken?"

"I understand that Hitler is a very sick and demented person, and no one is certain about what his intentions truly are, but we will stop him."

I can't lie to her, but without being able to hear her thoughts, I do not know how fragile her mental state is, and with all the other voices and noise in her thoughts, it is impossible to comprehend. I do not want to say anything that may cause her distress right now.

"You are a high official here, Gabriel?"

Every time she says my name, waves of relief sweep over me. The sheer energy of our soul's bond invigorates me, and being this close is like a euphoric high. It's been so long, and my heart has been shattered since losing her. How do I wait? How do I get her back? I am not one to be distracted, but my mind is everywhere at once, just being in her presence.

"Yes, I am in charge here as of right now."

"Can you please try to find out the news about Legnica and possibly my parents?"

"Yes, I will try my hardest to gather any information. Your family name is Frackowiak."

"Yes, my father is Jakub, and my mother is Magdalena. Should I write this for you? I'm sure you have so many things to do and remember."

"No, I will not forget. I never have. I mean, I never forget names. Is there anything you need that I can provide for you? Maybe a coat that fits."

The brilliance of her smile fills the room. I lose myself in the warmth of her presence. I am swept away by the realization that she alone is the very essence of my existence.

Smiling, she says, "I've grown to like this coat. It's very comfortable and warm but thank you. If possible, I would like to have some medical books and a translation book. I want to learn English as soon as possible."

"Oh yes, I will look into that first thing tomorrow. Wait, would you like me to teach you English? It would be my pleasure to teach you, maybe after you finish in the clinic each day, that you have a day off, correct?"

"Yes, I do have a day off from work, but I do not know when. I would absolutely love English lessons. Gabriel, aren't you too busy with your work?"

"I have ten other officers under me who are very capable of covering for me a few hours each night."

We continue talking, and I completely lose track of time. Then I hear, "Well, you can either shoot my ass or kiss it, but I'm going in that damn tent, soldier!"

"Private Phillips, she's welcome in because it's easier than rebuilding the base."

Phillips brings Gladys inside.

Glady struts into my tent with Phillips right behind her; she looks around and exclaims, "I'll be a son of a bitch! This is luxury living here, Gabriel. You can take our small excuse of a tent, and Ava and I will happily move our things over tonight."

Phillips follows Gladys as she moves closer to me, and she whips around and says, "Phillips, you can now kiss my ass while you get the hell off it." She motions for him to back off.

"Don't threaten him with a good time. Gladys Phillips is a wild man, Red."

Private Phillips, who is as mild-mannered as they come, raises both eyebrows, and his face flushes. He thinks, "I've never been wild before, but I'd quack like a duck for that ass." Phillips's thoughts catch me off guard, and I now loudly laugh and fight the urge to yell, "Quack, Quack, Phillips!" This is a downfall to mind reading, but to be fair, I didn't pry his thoughts; they shouted out loud!

"God damn it, Gabriel, I need my beauty sleep, and you got me traipsing all over this damn camp trying to make sure Ava is not lost somewhere."

"Well, I do apologize, Miss Hastings. I will have to make it up to you. How does a bottle of Glenfiddich sound?"

"Hell, for Glenfiddich, it sounds like my ass will be walking around this base as much as you want it to."

"Well, I'll look into acquiring you a bottle of the finest Scottish spirits and a few books for Ava to read. I reassure you that I will walk her back to her tent each night. I would never have her walk alone on this camp. But can I ask a small favor? Please do not assault Private Philips when he comes to escort her to my tent tomorrow evening; she and I will have English classes nightly."

Ava is looking at the maps on my desk; she doesn't see Gladys give me the accusatory look and mouth, "English lessons, my ass!" I couldn't help but smile at that, which sends her into a fit.

"Gabriel, you dog, did you even ask her how old she is?"

"No. We have not spoken of our ages, but Ava did tell me she works with her father as a medical assistant, attends the Hebrew school with her cousins, and hopes to become a doctor after she finishes school."

"Hebrew school, is that like high school? You found all this information out this quickly, damn Gabriel. Did you interrogate her? Hell, Gabriel, she's just a baby. I realize you're young; wait, how old is that ass of yours?"

I mock being offended.

"Gabriel, you forget that you and I drank at the same bar every night for nearly two weeks. All we did was drink and bed women—well, me more than you, but who's counting? Do you think I never heard the stories about the reticulated python you have between your legs? We were a block from the University of Hamburg's, a damn all-women's school, but it was easy to spot the ones you'd bedded; they were the ones with the big smiles and were moving around like they'd tried to fit a watermelon into a lemon squeezer.

My face fills with heat, embarrassment, and guilt.

"Look at her; she is tiny, so don't be getting any ideas, Don Juan."

I look at her very sincerely in a way that she knows I'm being very truthful.

"I'm not exactly sure what kind of magic is at play here, but I can tell you have absolutely nothing to worry about right now. I could never hurt her. I already feel so protective over her."

Gladys sighs and slaps my arm for good measure, then looks me in the eyes, and when she sees I am not lying, she relaxes a bit and whispers, "Yeah, she has that effect on everybody. I think it's her eyes; they are just so haunting. I never wanted a child, but if I did, I think this is how I'd feel about something that was my own. Gabriel should find out if she wants anything and tell her anything she needs. I'll make sure she gets it. Oh, and Gabriel, tell her I'm so sorry for the snoring and sleeping like a brick."

I turn to Ava; she is looking at the both of us, and she asks me.

"Is Gladys your girlfriend?"

She bites her bottom lip as she waits for my answer. The act is so innocent, yet it sends lustful memories flooding my mind. I hear her heartbeat speed up as she waits for my answer.

"No, Gladys and I are only friends. And can I tell you a secret? She likes girls, specifically girls of Latin, Italian, Irish, and Asain; well, she likes all girls." I wink at her and tell her, "Jest wielką flirciarką I bardzo kapryśną." (She is a big flirt and very fickle.)

Ava giggles and sighs in relief, and her heartbeat slows upon hearing me say Glady and I are not a couple. Maybe this is all just in my head because that's what I hope.

Gladys yawns, and I see she is ready to bed. I don't want Ava to go. I feel a tight, squeezing sensation in my chest just thinking about saying good night, but I understand I must. It dawns on me that it is fear and anxiety, something I have not felt since telling Ana my secret.

I reluctantly bid them good night and sent Philips to escort them back. When everyone leaves my tent, an overwhelming surge of emotions sweeps over me again. Part of me is happier than I've been in quite some time; the other part is terrified. We are in the middle of a battlefield, and so much could happen to her here.

That evening, I go through the snowy, shadowed landscape seeking blood, aware it would heighten my senses. About 25 miles north of our location, I come across a group of German soldiers on patrol. Pausing momentarily, I contemplate waiting until one of them steps away from the group. However, my plans shift upon overhearing their conversation about the atrocities they have committed earlier today. Without hesitation, I leap into their midst, casting a wave of calmness over the entire group as I land.

One by one, I drain each of them completely dry while the others watch as their fellow soldiers slowly die. The five are incredibly healthy; their blood nourishes my vampiric abilities and heightens my senses. Initially, I planned to take just enough blood to enhance my senses; this amount of blood makes me an unstoppable force.

With my enhanced hearing, I catch the rapid thumping of a snow hare's heart as it dashes through a field about 500 feet north. I continue my patrol along the German camps, a one-person army. I am hellbent on making sure I do everything in my power to end this war as swiftly as possible; thus, I begin taking out troops. I kill three dozen men that night, each of whose minds and souls are vile and pure evil.

However, I offer many men the option of surrendering their weapons and walking away from the battlefield. These are the ones whose thoughts are consumed by their loved ones, fear, or remorse for the things they've been forced to do and honestly didn't want to be there in the first place.

Rumors begin to spread from battlefield to battlefield about demons, Dybbuk, and even vampires targeting Nazi soldiers and slaughtering them in their sleep. I must admit, I have contributed to those whispers and fears each night since enlisting in this war. However, I cannot claim credit for all the havoc. I recognize that many other non-humans feel compelled to fight for the innocent. After all, just because someone is different does not render them a monster. Ana instilled that lesson in me.

That night, I posted myself on top of a truck next to the medical tent to be close to where Gladys and Ava were sleeping. Several times, Ava cries out in her sleep; a few times, she cries for her mother and father but falls asleep quickly right after the nightmarish moment passes. It breaks my heart to know that she is in pain and that any amount of calmness wouldn't reach her in her dream. Around 2:00 AM, I see Dr. Petrov walking towards Ava's tent. I didn't act until he entered their tents. Immediately, I dash into the tent; I have him by the throat, my fangs out. He speaks to me mentally, saying, "Forgive my ignorance; I hadn't realized Upyrs are territorial creatures. Would you be so kind as to release me? I wish to explain my purpose here in hopes of finding an amicable resolution."

Dipping into his mind, I see that he has no ill intentions, and I place him back on his feet, unwilling to apologize just yet.

"I must confide that distressing night terrors have afflicted Ava since she arrived. At times, they are so severe that she struggles to draw breath. She is often ensnared in the grip of hysterical crying, yet she remains sound asleep. In earnest endeavors to alleviate her suffering, I have been visiting her each night and performing a spell that imbues magic into her being, extracting her happiest and most cherished memories to supplant those that haunt her dreams."

This man has been helping her; he is speaking the truth, and I owe him my gratitude, but instead, I almost tried to kill him.

"I must apologize for my behavior, Dr. Petrov, and I can explain everything. However, if you would be willing to cast your spell, I would greatly appreciate it. Afterward, please accompany me on a walk; I believe I can shed light on the magic that resonates from Ava."

Doctor Petrov performs the magic, and I admit I've never seen such intense magical abilities from any other witch. I have heard of magic that draws its power directly from the energy and forces on Earth, but I have never seen it until now.

He and I leave the tent with Ava, who is now sleeping soundly, and as we walk, I apologize to him again. I begin to recount my life with Ana and everything up until tonight.

"It appears to be magic, though perhaps not from Ava herself. Your narrative is truly poignant. I cannot fathom a life without Tatiana; we've been companions since childhood. Despite my being 60 years old and her being 58, magic has allowed us to slow down our aging. She is not just my nurse, wife, or even lover; Tatiana is my life. If anything were to happen to her, I would relinquish all spells and allow the ravages of time to consume me as I prepared to depart from this world in search of her in the next."

"I've never seen anyone with the amount of power you possess, and I've met my fair share of witches in my lifetime."

"My lineage traces back to one of the ancient families deeply intertwined with magic. For thousands of years, it has coursed through our bloodline. My grandmother possessed the remarkable ability to manipulate earth elements and emotions and craft her own spells—a rarity in today's world. I diligently devote myself to honing my spell-casting abilities each day. Though the journey has been difficult, the process of soothing emotions, bringing enlightenment, and healing has remained a constant natural gift from my grandmother."

"Absolutely fascinating; it's truly some magical intervention that has brought us together. Does Tatiana possess magical abilities?"

"She possesses some naturally but is only half-witch on her father's side. I have taught her so much over the years, and she has been an outstanding student and is very skilled as a healer and with potions."

"Do you know anything that could reverse this demon curse inflicted on our souls?"

"Sadly, I do not. The only thing that I understand is: Is it true that once it is made, only the demon who made it can remove it? Have you ever thought about making her Upyr like you?"

"I cannot risk causing something to happen to her. I just don't know enough about the curse, and I have heard stories where vampires have tried to turn someone and have killed them instead."

"I have been told about similar stories. I know you are quite powerful. Who is the one who turned you? That person surely has to be original."

"What is an original?" 

Dr. Petrov looks at me somewhat in disbelief. "You do not know the origin of your kind?"

"I have always avoided my kind. Sadly, I do not know much about who or what I am. Do you know anything you can share?"

"Yes, I am familiar with the tale as recounted in witch lore. Though the details are scarce, they are sufficient to provide some insight. Legend has it that the Mikaelsons are the progenitors of your kind, the inaugural vampires. Their story begins with their mother, Esther, a witch who, in her desperation to safeguard her kin from the looming werewolf menace, delved into the realm of dark magic. Utilizing this formidable power, Esther brought about a transformation in her offspring while killing each of them. She used dark magic to bring them back, rendering them beings of the night. And so, the siblings were reincarnated as immortals."

"Mikaelson, I know that name. I've heard it before; I have to remember where. Thank you, Dr. Petrov, not just for shedding light on my own story but for helping Ava. There is so much to think about. Again, thank you."

I extend my hand to him and shake his hand; when he touches me, his eyes become white, and he is frozen in time for a moment, and then he pulls away, gasping.

"Zarrah, this curse is the work of no ordinary demon. She is ancient; she was a witch who fell in love with Lucifer, and when he was cast from heaven, she was turned into a demon to punish him. This caused her to lose all aspects of humanity. She is a harbinger of suffering and pain for any she is called to curse."

"What just happened to you? Your eyes went white; you appeared frozen for a split second."

"I must confess, I don't have an explanation for what occurred. This has never happened before in my experience. I'll look into it closely and get back to you. Good evening, Lieutenant General."

"Good evening, Dr. Petrov."

***

Ava

I wake up feeling rested and better than I have in quite some time; it has been weeks since I've slept well. Gladys is not in her uniform; she wears jeans, boots, and a low-neckline blouse. She has done her hair in a ponytail, which looks stunning and voluptuous. She's what I envision when I think of a woman. I have to admit that I am envious of her curvy body.

"Hey, there, sunshine! You have a visitor, sleepyhead."

She grabs a deck of cards and a small purse, waves at me, and blows me a kiss. Then Gabriel walks into the tent with several books in his hand and a box. I'm mortified! He cannot see me looking like this. I'm a disaster in the mornings. I feel my face turning flaming hot; I hide under my blanket.

"Good morning, Ava. I hope you don't mind me just showing up like this. I have had success finding a few books for you to enjoy, but I found something else I'd like you to have."

I hear him approach the cot from under my blanket, and he sits down! He just walks in and sits down. I am so full of various emotions and feelings right now that I can't find words to describe them. I hear my inner voice say, "He's so handsome." I feel my face redden thinking about this. I am also taken aback by how forward he is. Maybe this is how all British people behave. I gulp as I realize I haven't said a word, and I'm still hiding under my blanket. I find the courage to say "Good morning, Sir." from the safety of my blanket fortress.

"Please call me Gabriel; everyone calls me Sir, and very few call me by my name. Besides, I enjoy the way you say my name."

My heart feels like it's about to bound out of my chest. All these feelings cannot be happening; there should not be butterflies in my stomach because he is near me, but this is precisely how I feel when I see Gabriel. He is a grown man who looks like a Hollywood movie star. When he smiled yesterday, my knees felt as if they would liquefy. My cousins are the boy-crazy ones, always talking about handsome boys. I am the academic and sensible one who gets embarrassed reading about the male reproductive system... I had to skip that part altogether; reading it was so embarrassing. "O Boże" before my brain has time to stop my mouth. I have already let the words slip out.

I hear Gabriel chuckle and say something to himself. I want to think he whispers, "I hope to have you saying that." I now know I have lost my mind. He says, "Ava, I prefer to go by Gabriel, not God." I peek out of the blankets, and his eyes meet mine; he smiles and winks at me! Dear God, this man is beautiful and funny, and he winked at me! I gather my nerve and say, "Thank you for the books, Gabriel."

***

Gabriel

"You're welcome, Ava. I came by early to see if you want to join me for breakfast. Gladys mentioned she's using her day off to meet with some people for cards and wants me to tell you she'll see you this evening. Would you like me to step out of the tent so you can prepare for breakfast? Only if you're willing to join me, of course. If so, please take a look in the box."

She remains silent, and I pause momentarily, noticing the rapid beating of her heart and the quickening of her breath. The last thing I want to do is upset her. I rise from my seat and make my way toward the door.

"I'm very sorry for the intrusion, Ava; please forgive me. I do hope you enjoy the books." Her heart races, and she peers out of her fortress, takes a deep breath, and says,

"Wait, Gabriel; yes, I want to join you for breakfast. I just need a few minutes to get ready."

Leaving the tent, I close it and stand with my back toward the opening. I can't help but smile; she's willing to join me. She's so shy, and I find it endearing. But then it strikes me—I will catch hell for this; my men will make a big show of it. They've never seen me with anyone on base in a social manner, especially not with a female.

***

Ava

It's incredible that I even found the courage to respond. I'm not accustomed to talking to anyone besides my parents or friends from school. Usually, I'm timid and quiet. And it's tough for me to look at, let alone talk to, men, specifically someone as handsome as Gabriel. My mind is racing a million miles a minute as I figure out what to do. Luckily, there's a mirror in here, thanks to Gladys. She insists on having one in the tent, saying he won't leave without knowing what her hair looks like in the mornings. My self-esteem plummets when I look in the mirror. I feel hideous in my oversized flannel pajamas. Glancing at my hair, I see it's a mess.

As I take in my clothes, I sigh. All I have is my uniform, and it's not very clean, but it's better than these flannel pajamas. Sitting on my cot, digging through my bag, I noticed the box Gabriel mentioned.

Inside the box is a dark blue dress. It might be military-issued and possibly British, but it's almost like a regular dress with no patches. It has half sleeves and a thin belt in the hoops at the waist. I'm thrilled at such a simple act of kindness. I wear the dress and shoes and look at myself in the mirror. Adjusting the belt, I find the dress fits perfectly, falling to my knees. I brush my hair. It's getting so long that it's now down my back, just above my waist. I decide to leave it down for the day. Pulling each side of my hair back behind my ears, I secure it in place with two small clips. Taking a deep breath, I study myself in the mirror and somehow find the nerve to leave the tent. Because I am lost in thought, I run into Gabriel just as he turns to greet me. My body collides with his, and he grabs me around the waist to keep me from falling backward. I feel my face growing red as heat spreads over my cheeks.

"The dress looks very lovely on you. I thought it would be a nice change of pace other than your work uniform, and it fits you very well."

"Thank you. I appreciate the kindness; it fits perfectly."

I can't bring myself to look at him directly. He's towering, with broad shoulders and a muscular build. He's not just handsome; he's beautiful. But I can't meet his gaze. Every time I try, my stomach churns, and I feel like I might be sick. Something about him overwhelms me, something I can't quite put into words.

"So, Ava, I figured, seeing that it's actually a clear day, I was thinking that after breakfast, maybe we could walk around a bit and enjoy the weather since the sun has decided to grace us with its presence. How does that sound?"

I rapidly dare to look up at him as we walk, and the feeling that comes over me is indescribable. It's physically challenging to breathe, and my heart aches; it hurts like it might explode. I'm so confused and overwhelmed. What is happening to me?

He is still talking and, thankfully, didn't notice me looking at him, but he is waiting for a response. "I think that sounds nice." Could it be possible that he genuinely wants to spend time with me?

***

Gabriel

"Wonderful. I also thought of several things that I think will be helpful to you while learning English. A few tricks I've picked up while learning different." She is about to look up at me, but then her head shoots downward again, and she says,

"Some of the languages? How many languages do you know?

"Well, let's see. The ones I feel completely and totally natural speaking as if they are my native language; ten, I guess." She is surprised to hear this, and she looks up at me, meeting my eyes, and I am struck with a desire to kiss her; her lips are luscious, but I extinguish that spark before it becomes a raging wildfire.

"Ten languages! Gabriel, oh my goodness, my father says there are people like that. People who could pick up and learn languages very rapidly. My father speaks four languages."

"Excellent, your father and I are both polyglots."

"That's such an odd word. It means many languages, right?"

"Yes, you are a very bright young lady, Ava. Oh, also, I don't want to forget to tell you I have inquired about the whereabouts of citizens from your town and surrounding areas. I have not received a response, but I will let you know as soon as possible."

"Thank you. I appreciate that very much, Gabriel."

Whenever she says my name, I feel I am a mere puppet, and my emotions are the puppeteer. As we walk into the mess hall, I try to remain calm and not lose control of my outrage when I hear some of the thoughts coming from the minds of a few of these men about what they'd like to do to Ava; it infuriates me. I have to remember that everything I do and say could scare her or make her think poorly of me, and I don't believe that's something I would be unable to survive. Just being in her presence feels like someone has begun gradually suturing a wound that has been bleeding for many years.

The passion for loving food, particularly sweets, must be linked to our soul. I smile as I think about all the philosophical debates that could be had over that topic. She has two cinnamon rolls and milk for breakfast. I watch as she leisurely pulls the first one apart, making sure she mops up the warm, sticky cinnamon icing. I adore how she closes her eyes as she savors each bite. A look of sheer joy spreads across her face as the decadence of the cinnamon roll melts on her tongue.

Although we talk throughout breakfast, she doesn't make eye contact with me. I try slowly to ease into her thoughts. There is still a lot of additional noise and voices, but it's much quieter today. I am usually a very self-secure man and have confidence, but all that confidence has vanished. I need to know what she is feeling. Then I hear her. He probably thinks I'm rude...I haven't looked at him once. I can't look at him...no...I can't handle it. He makes my stomach do flip-flops when I look at him. He's beautiful.

Hearing her thoughts sends my spirits soaring. Knowing she finds me desirable is more than I could've hoped for. Ava and I begin walking from the tent. I can hear a group of men heading towards the mess hall. I gently place my hand against her back, pulling her closer to me to avoid the oncoming group. The men come barreling in, and Ava smiles at me, absolutely grateful not to be knocked down. With my hand on her lower back, we navigate through the chaos of the mess hall as we walk toward my side of the camp.

Approaching my tent, we're met with several whistles and shouts from Hell Squad, who are enjoying the sun and lounging around their tents, playing cards, and chatting among themselves. This group of men has earned the right to tease me; they alone are the exception, and when they see me motion Ava inside my tent, all sorts of whooping and hollering start.

Vinney, one of the more rowdy ones, shouts, "Yo, ey, check it out, lookie here, boys! Lu's walkin' in with a blonde bombshell! Grab ya steel pots, squad, 'cause we're 'bout to have one hella explosion comin' from his direction! Capisce?"

"Ava, I would like to check in with my officers. Do you mind waiting for her for just a moment?"

She softly murmurs, "I don't mind." Her cheeks are rosy from the heckling.

"Sorry about that. I don't want to claim responsibility for the way they are acting now, but they are my squad, and there's a reason they have the nickname Hell Squad. In their defense, they have never seen me with a girl, much less a beautiful one like you."

"It's okay." She doesn't look up as she says this, but I can see she is still blushing and smiling.

When I return, I find Ava bent over, examining books on the bottom shelf of my bookcase. Her smooth legs are exposed up to her white cotton panties, and a small but enticing glimpse of her creamy-smooth ass sends a surge through me, instantly stiffening my cock into a rock-hard bulge, creating a very noticeable rise in my pants. Of course, this is precisely the moment she senses my return to the tent. Somehow, she doesn't seem to notice my immense hard-on, and I feel an overwhelming sense of relief.

We leave the tent and find a tree right next to the camp but away from my squad. Settling beneath its shade, I hand Ava the first English book. "This is going to be fun," I assure her with a smile. "We're going to do this together." Her smile mirrors mine, and as our eyes meet, a magical connection seems to spark between us; I believe she feels it, too.

As the day progresses, she grows slightly less tense. I watch her eagerly flip through the pages, her fingers tracing the unfamiliar words. "Don't worry if you don't understand everything at first," I reassure her, "We'll take it one step at a time."

Patiently, I guide Ava through the basics of English, explaining simple words and phrases. She has trouble pronouncing a few words, such as "Repeat after me." I encourage her to tell her how well she is doing. Despite the initial challenges, I could see Ava's determination shining through. With each word she learns, her confidence grows. I couldn't help but notice how she bites her lip, a habit that reminds me of Ana, and how she twirls the strands of her golden hair around her finger, just like Ana would do when thinking. These similarities in her behaviors and actions, mirrored by Ava, remind me of her former self.

As we sit together under this tree, I notice how our bodies have gravitated steadily toward one another; I swear I hear Ana say it must be our soul's bondage; a smile stretches across my face, and I notice she is watching me; she doesn't look away this time instead she smiles at me then continues to read. She catches on quickly, and each new word she learns fills her with delight; in return, her happiness fills my heart.