Sin Full

By Nella Warrent

A circle of salt.

A crust of bread.

A coin of silver

to release your dead.

He comes to you in your final hours, when fear from your actions weigh heavily on your soul. He consumes your darkness and whispers words of solace to release you from your deepest secrets. Grigori Dumah is a sin eater. Would you call him to share in what you have done? Would you trust him to release you from your sins? He could leave you to suffer in the darkness of your own creation. Choose wisely.

Grigori is fighting those who have control over his life and what he does with it. He has battled restrictions his entire life. Orphaned and left within the walls of the church, he was taken and trained for the benefit of others. It was and is all about the money his benefactors can make off his skill. Sadly, his closest friend, Jaelyn, pimps him out for her benefit as well. She walks both sides of the tracks. If you have a need and the money is right, she knows a guy. To add to this growing list of torments, a serial killer is wreaking havoc on his city.

But there is a sweet spot in Grigori's world. Eden is the girl he holds close. She is as sweet as the treats she bakes.  But will the shadows and darkness of his world change hers? Will she run? Or will she see his true soul and be willing to risk her own.

***Due to the nature of the storyline this story comes with a warning for adults 18+ 

• Language: English
• Publisher: Nella Warrent
• Release date: Feb 28, 2020
• ISBN: 9781393018421

Nella Warrent

Nella Warrent is the author of Sin Full and Time Thief. She is a resident of Belleville, Il by way of New York. She left NY to follow her family’s patriotic path by joining the USAF during Desert Storm. These accomplishments are massively overshadowed by the love she has for her family. She has been married to ‘The Hubs’ for 30 years as of 2021, and still likes him after all these years. To top off her list of blessings are her two beautiful daughters and all the contentment they bring. The support they offer spurs her on to continue writing.

Book preview

Prologue

HE CLUTCHED THE WORN wood of the chair beneath him. The bitter taste of mold dusted bread and two-dollar wine coated his mouth and tongue as a reminder of why he hated to do this. Beads of sweat sprang upon his skin as his vibrant green eyes slammed shut. His eyes darted behind the cover of his eyelids as the visions began to scream across his line of darkened sight. His tense body shook as picture after picture of violent and heartless acts committed by another stomped on his soul. The eyes of victims stared him down as his grip slackened allowing his body to slip from the chair and curl up on the crusty hall carpet. He tucked himself tightly into his own protection, but he could not stop the onslaught of screams for help and mercy from hissing in his ears as the horror story began to unfold. It was the story of the vessel dying only a few feet away, the tale of evil he starred in, that he created.  It was the history he was taking upon himself and purging from the dying man’s soul. And so, it began...

Chapter 1

HIS ALARM CLOCK SCREAMED for him to get up, but Grigori’s body begged him to ignore the fucking thing and stay in bed. Ignore it. Go back to sleep, he told himself, but the movement beside him woke him instantly. Shit! Who did I do this time? Fuck! He silenced the alarm and slowly turned to view the form that claimed the space beside him on his bed. She was as white as milk against the black sheets, and her red hair spilled across her shoulders like watered down blood. Two things were evident: one, she was a true redhead, and two, he knew her.

Like what you see? she cooed, as she stretched her naked body and rubbed it up against his.

Amy.

Well, good morning to you too, Professor, she joked while running her hand under the sheet in the direction of his shaft. Did you wake up on the wrong side of the bed? You could roll over here and rectify that.

Don’t, Grigori caught her hand before it reached her intended target.

Asshole, Amy grumbled as she yanked her hand back and scurried from the bed to hunt for her clothes. It’s not like I haven’t been here before.

Grigori swung his legs over the side of the bed. He tugged the sheet tightly around his waist as he sat on the edge of the bed. Scraping his hands over his morning stubble Grigori wondered how the hell he got in this predicament, again.  The clock read 7:10; he had class in less than two hours and really didn’t need to deal with Amy’s shit so early in the morning. Seeing her at nine a.m. three days a week was tedious enough.  I’ve told you this is a bad idea, Amy.

Amy stepped into his line of sight wearing a hint of a thong and a sneer, You weren’t complaining last night while your cock was pounding away at me. You didn’t seem to mind while I was swallowing your load, now did ya!

Grigori looked into the eyes of the barely legal girl in front of him, Can’t complain when I don’t remember shit.

Amy pulled on the rest of her clothes in a huff. She bent down and got eye to eye with Grigori, I guess it’s a good thing I took pictures this time.

Grigori’s speed could make lightning jealous. He pinned her to the wall with her hands held tightly in one of his, held high above her head, What pictures? Where are they?

Wha...you’re hurting me!

No, Amy, this isn’t hurting, but I can, and I will hurt you. Where are the pictures?  Grigori growled.

Amy tried to pull free of his grasp, They’re on my phone, she squeaked.

He tossed her to the side like the annoyance she was, Show me.

Amy rooted around on the floor looking for her phone, Here, she barked as she held out her cell phone to Grigori expecting him to take it.

I said, show me.

Amy clambered to her feet, Fine. She opened the photo gallery on her phone and showed him the pictures she took of him a few hours before. There were a few from the club he frequented after...well, after. There were a few pictures of him passed out in bed at some point after he fucked her senseless, or maybe she was already senseless. Delete them. Now.

Amy tapped a few keys and made the evidence of their evening together disappear. After a moment Grigori’s mind did the math, That was too easy. He took hold of Amy’s hand which still held the phone, Show me your messages.

What? Why?

And your emails.

No.

No? Do it or I crush your phone with your own hand. He tightened his grip.

Fuck! Stop!

Show me, he demanded through gritted teeth. Now.

He was right. She sent the pictures to her email account. He watched her delete each one and demanded she clear the trash on her email so she couldn’t go back later and retrieve them. Let me make myself clear, Amy, he snarled as he stepped close enough to attack her with horrible morning breath, We will not do this again. I will put a restraining order out on your ass, and I will make something up to you get kicked out of school. Fuck with me and I will destroy you. Got it?

Amy wrapped herself tightly in her arms and dropped her head, Yeah, I got it.

Good, now, get the fuck out, he spat and pointed to the door. Oh, and Amy...

What! she snarled.

Don’t be late for class. That shit’s getting old.

Amy stormed from the room and made her way across Grigori’s apartment, "Fuck you, Professor!" she screamed as the door slammed shut.

I have got to stop getting myself into this shit, he grumbled to the air around him. It was time to get ready for work and pray the day got better. It could very easily get worse if he wasn’t careful.

Grigori stood in front of his bathroom mirror with just a towel wrapped around his wet hips. He leaned into his reflection and wondered for the thousandth time where he got his bronze skin, and his moss green eyes. Where did the curl in his licorice hair originate? These were questions he asked himself often, as did others like him. When you don’t know your origin, your origin tends to dig at you. It pokes at you but offers no target to lash back at.

Grigori could be a bastard. A delicious creature with mocha skin, hair any sane woman would want to run her fingers through. Hell, even a few men have wanted and begged for the honor. His eyes were the green of a wet apple. All atop a body God designed for sin, sins of the flesh to be more specific. The kind of sins anyone would be fully willing to take part in and beg forgiveness at some later time in confession or be thankful to have been included at all. But he could be a bastard all the same. His bed lay empty only when he declared it to be. He was never deprived in the sexual aspect of his life. He lacked in comfort. Not the physical kind, but the kind that held your heart and mind at ease. The kind which allowed peace filled nights of nightmare-free sleep. The kind he didn’t have. The kind of comfort he desired most of all.

Grigori tightened his tie, grabbed his impeccably tailored suit jacket and briefcase and made his way down to the garage toward his guilty pleasure, his cherry red Mustang. The leather of the seats welcomed him with its willowy caress. The growl of the engine revved his blood. It was an audible jolt of caffeine to an already volatile morning. The vibrations radiating through Grigori’s body caused him to relax. The unbridled energy was what it felt like to be alive in his skin. He sat for a moment running his fingers around the steering wheel allowing him the opportunity to enjoy his toy. Grigori liked his toys. He earned them, all of them. No one could take them from him, and he didn’t have to share them with anyone. He shared everything growing up in a group home. He couldn’t even claim a pair, let alone a single sock as his own. At times it felt like every boy in the group home took turns wearing a single pair of shoes... Grigori can wear them on Tuesday, Luke on Wednesday... Now, what was his was his, and he had no plans of sharing. Period.

Grigori had a little time to spare so he stopped off for a cup of coffee on his way to campus. The lickable woman behind the counter was a pleasure to look at, and she could start any morning off right. Why couldn’t I find her naked in my bed? he wondered to himself as he stepped up to place his order.

Good morning, professor. The usual? she asked.

He gave her a smile filled with hints and wants, but not for coffee, Yes, please.

Can I tempt you with a Danish or croissant this morning?

His smile deepened, Oh, you could tempt me with a lot of things. He shook off the image, Hmmm, do you have anything as sweet as you?

Maybe, but I’m not always sweet. So, how sweet do you want me...er...I mean it. How sweet do you want it? she gasped. Her face grew so red it took everything in him not to laugh. Do you want it to make your teeth ache or only a hint of sugar at the end?

Was she flirting with him or actually talking about a fucking donut? Why don’t you surprise me...I’m sorry, what is your name? He already knew but wanted to keep her attention a bit longer.

Eden, my name is Eden.

Hello, Eden. My name is Grigori, he informed as he reached for her hand. He gave it a gentle shake and a light squeeze, Call me Grigori. No professor, please.

Eden gently removed her hand from his grasp and made her way down the counter to make his sweet treat. Her eyes drifted to him more than once as she worked on his order. She wrapped her eatable choice in a napkin and placed it into a white paper sack. She gave him the bag and his coffee, Here you are, breakfast and a hot cup of coffee. Can I get you anything else, Grigori? she asked and was unable to contain the smile that spread across her lips as she formed his name. His name on her tongue sounded amazing as it slipped from her glossed lips. He wondered what it would sound like coming out in heated gasps beneath his sweat covered body.

Thank you, Eden. I better get to class. I wouldn’t want to get in trouble with the teacher, he winked, See you next time...Eden. He flashed his best panty-dropping smile and pushed open the door leaving her sweetness behind. Grigori sat in his car and watched her for a few minutes. Eden was her namesake. She was a garden of pure pleasure. She wasn’t gaudy in her look. She was simply beautiful. Her eyes were the color of a cool Caribbean pool. The shade of blue you wanted to dive into and never come back. Her lips were suckably full, not thin, but lush and moist. The kind of lips you wanted to feel on you, everywhere. He watched as she readjusted her auburn hair back into a messy knot on top of her head. He wanted to see it spilling down around her bare shoulders, better yet, fanned out across his black silk sheets or even a matted mess the morning after he fucked her in every possible way. Grigori regrettably caught sight of the time display on his dashboard and knew his fantasizing was over for now. He adjusted his erection and pulled his car out of the parking lot pointing it in the direction of campus.

Grigori Obasi Dumah was a tenured professor at Saint Louis University. He taught multiple courses in history but favored his Religions of the World class and that was where he was currently headed. This also meant he was on a collision course with Amy as well, which took a bit of wind out of his sails. Grigori pulled into his parking space, gathered up his things, including the breakfast Eden prepared and went to his office. He dropped everything on his desk except the little white bag. Inside he found a croissant holding fluffy scrambled eggs and melted cheese wrapped in a tight napkin that had, what appeared to be, a phone number jotted across it. Yes! She included her number. He was considering when to call her when he was interrupted by an intense vibration coming from his pants. Grigori pulled his cell from his slacks pocket and looked at the number with disdain. He shoved the croissant in his mouth taking a large bite.

Hello, he mumbled through a mouth full of dough and cheesy eggs.

I ‘ave a job fer ye.

Grigori swallowed and took a few sips of his coffee, I did a job last night.

Is tha’ so. An’ where does it say tha’ cha can’t do another? Quit actin’ da arse. I’ll text you da address shortly. I gave them yer instructions and said ye would be there before eleven tanight.

Fine.

Don’tcha be a shit to these people. There’s a lot of money comin’ our way with this one.

I understand, Hayes. I have a class waiting. Is there anything else I need to know?

’e seemed ta be a simple man. Don’t know what ‘e coulda done ta need the likes of ye.

Grigori let out a sigh of annoyance, They all seem to be good men, Hayes. They hide who they really are. Is that all?

Watch fer da text, grunted Adler Hayes followed by silence.

Prick. Grigori scribbled down a few notes, checked his text messages to see if the address had arrived yet. Not yet. Adler was new to the whole cell phone thing so it could take a few minutes for him to get it typed out. Grigori picked up the stack of papers for his class and his cooling coffee; he made his way to the classroom a few doors from his office.

Good morning, class, he bellowed over the dull roar of conversation swirling around the room. I have your research papers, he said as he held up the monstrous stack of paper in his hand. He set his coffee and curricula on the podium and began moving about the room handing back their works. I will not comment, in class, about any of your papers. If you have any questions about the grades you have received, please see me during my office hours or email me to set an appointment. A grumbled agreement escaped the crowd followed by gasps and a few groans as pages were quickly flipped to find grades emblazoned on the last page of each assignment. Grigori dropped Amy’s paper on her desk and sensed the pissy attitude radiating from her. Still, she wore a top which barely contained her milky breasts and a skirt that left little to the imagination. As good as she looked, she was dumb as a rock and that was an insult to a rock. She snatched up the paper and flipped to the graded page and let out an audible huff. Her hand shot up into the air. As I said, Miss Walt, I will not comment or answer questions about your papers during class. Her hand slammed down onto her desk leaving everyone aware she recieved a less than stellar grade. A few chuckles emanated from the crowd as Grigori made it back to the front of the room.

That’s enough, he scolded. Now, I want to remind you there will have a test the next time we meet. It will cover the chapters on Daoism and Shinto, a deep groan came out of nowhere. I know, I know, Grigori tried to soothe the disgruntled group of hormones, Which is why I want to review some sections past students found confusing. Feel free to ask questions and please take notes. He slapped his hands together to get his class’ full attention, Let’s do this. For the next fifty minutes, Grigori answered and asked questions in hopes his class would do better on their tests than they did on their papers. Shouts of Professor Dumah, rang out as class ended. Meetings were set to discuss grades along with one attempt by Amy to get a private session, which was denied.

But, I want to ask about my paper, she whined.

Your paper? I doubt it. If you cared about your paper, Miss Walt, you would have turned in eight pages instead of five. If you wanted a better grade you would have actually done the research. Now, I have another class coming in, with that he effectively shooed her from the room.

Grigori flopped down in his classroom desk chair with his cold coffee in hand. He chugged it down with no discomfort at all and allowed his imagination to strip Eden naked and lay her out on his office desk like a buffet, but before he could run his fingers through her wet curls, his World History students started pouring into the room. I will have her in my bed, he promised himself before letting the image drift away and be replaced with the horrors of the First Crusade to recapture Jerusalem in 1096. Nothing like wars and kings to ruin a good fantasy.

Chapter 2

GRIGORI FINALLY RECEIVED the address via text about two hours after Adler said he would send it. He finished his last class at 4:30 then tackled some work that had buried his desk for the last few weeks. At seven o’clock he made his way back to his car and drove towards home. As Grigori passed the small bakery/coffee shop he peered in to see if Eden was still there, but all he saw were a bunch of college kids huddled around laptops and small tables. I can’t call her tonight with this damn job. Maybe tomorrow, he thought as he made the turn onto his street. As he walked from his parking space, he called one of the few people he truly trusted.

Hey, baby girl.

Sup, G? Long time no hear.

I know and I’m sorry. I could give you an excuse, but it would be just that, an excuse. I’m calling because I need a sitter.

The woman groaned softly on the other end of the call, You gotta job tonight, don’tcha?

Yup. Grigori heard rustling coming through the line, What are you doing?

Finding paper so I can write down the damn address. Do you need a ride from your place to the job, too?

I will text you the info and... yeah, I could use a ride, that way I don’t have to go looking for my car.

Done. Send me the info.

On it. I’ll see you later.

Later.

Grigori sent the address to his friend and typed out a much deserved ‘thanks.’ In his apartment he began his ritual of preparation for the evening to come. He ate a very light meal of all-natural items. Nothing from a box and nothing from an animal. Grigori showered and slipped on a pair of shorts. He went to his living room, lit a few candles and sat cross-legged on the floor. He took three deep cleansing breathes then closed his eyes and rested into a deep meditation lasting nearly an hour. Nothing but silence filled his apartment, no distractions, and no interruptions. Once he was comfortable in moving forward with his preparations, Grigori went to his bedroom where he pulled open his closet door. He wasn’t going to don one of his favorite suits, or well-fitting jeans. No polo or button down was on the attire list for his evening. Tonight, and many others like it, Grigori covered his body in nothing but pure white linen. He slid on the drawstring pants and a tunic. He ran his hands down the soft fabric to brush away any wrinkles that may have dented the material. All of his movements were slow, yet focused. Everything had a purpose, a reason.  He knew what he was doing and why he was doing it.

A YOUNG WOMAN STOOD at the foot of her father’s bed and looked down at the frail form of the man who once bounced her on his strong knee. Are you sure this is what you want? We can still cancel. He gave his daughter a soft smile and shook his head. He wanted to do it. He was little more than a breathing skeleton and knew his time was limited. It had to be done and he wanted it done before he took his last gasp of air. Okay, Daddy.

I will not be a part of this travesty. You should be ashamed of yourself for even considering this ridiculous charade, hissed his wife, the young lady’s step-mother. She stood in the doorway with her arms crossed disapprovingly over her chest and her nose so far up in the air if it rained, she would drown. The young woman instantly prayed for rain.

No one said you had to stay. Go! she barked back. The one and only benefit of her father’s passing would be the dismissal of the bottom-line bimbo. Her young stepmother could smell a nickel in a child’s pocket and could con them out of it in no time at all. I have things to do before he or she or whatever gets here. So, if you are gonna go, then go. Now. Her bitter step-monster huffed and disappeared down the hallway. Okay, Daddy, I have to follow these instructions Mr. Hayes gave me, she mumbled as she picked up the envelope which contained detailed instructions on what to do. With it came a box she had not yet opened in fear a snake or a chicken would pop out. She lifted the box gingerly from the table and gave it a gentle shake to see if it clucked or hissed. No animal sounds emanated, but it was clear there were a few items in the box. Which could have included a dead chicken or snake. She set the box back down on her father’s dresser and carefully tore open the lid. Within the cardboard confines were three white candles, a simple glass bowl, a container of sea salt, two wooden dishes, a small compass, a small envelope, and a brown paper sack which contained, what looked like bread. The envelope held a small silver coin. She rolled it around in her hand and examined both sides. It was just a coin, simple as that. She placed it back in the envelope and back in the box. She held the envelope with the instruction in her hands and debated whether or not to actually go through with this. Her eyes reached her father’s, who watched her intently. She gave him a gentle smile, as she tore open the envelope, pulled out the two sheets of paper and began to read.  As she read the detailed instructions, she looked at each item in the box. She moved about the room fulfilling the requirements as she went. She unlocked the breaks on her father’s hospital bed and rolled it into the middle of the room and poured a circle of sea salt around it. She took the glass bowl and filled it with water. Using the compass provided, placed the bowl at the Northernmost point of the circle of white. The three white candles took their places at South, East, and West. She lit the candles in a clockwise revolution around her father. He watched as she performed each task. She placed a kiss on her father’s forehead, I have a few things to do outside of your room, but I will send in your nurse, Okay? He nodded consent as she left the room. The young woman caught up with her father’s nurse and asked her to sit with him while she did a few things and asked that she not disturb the salt encircling the bed. The nurse gave her a rather distasteful look but did as she was asked. With the knowledge her father was cared for, she continued with her tasks. She found a simple chair and carried it toward her father’s room. She set the chair in front of the wall facing his room. There was to be no clear line of sight from the chair to her father. She collected the two wooden bowls from the box in her father’s room. Per the ‘to do’ list, she washed the and dried the dishes. And then she waited. It was only 10:15 and the sin eater person wouldn’t be there for another thirty minutes, so she paced. She walked from window to window wondering if she was doing the right thing.

GRIGORI WAITED IN SILENCE for his ride to show. Whoever she sent to pick him up would have been instructed to not talk and to not have the radio on in the car. Grigori needed to maintain clarity and to minimize stimuli. He could see the roof of a dark sedan pull up in front of the building and flash its lights to signal it was for him. Grigori made his way down to the car. The driver exited his seat to open the back door for Grigori. Not a word was exchanged, only nods were shared as acknowledgments of each other’s existence. The drive to the job was a short one. Only a few blocks separated Grigori from his duties for the evening. The driver once again vacated his seat and opened the door for Grigori. Grigori nodded to the driver again and took the walkway to the elaborate porch. He stood before the massive hand-carved door. It was stunning, yet elegant, without being arrogant. He pressed the doorbell once, and only once and waited with calm patience.

Coming! was heard at a distance from the other side of the door.

Moments later the sounds of locks being released broke the quiet. The door opened...standing before him was his fantasy, Eden.

His eyes widened and jaw hung loosely as her name fell from his lips, Eden?

Prof...Grigori? What are you doing here? How do you know where I live? she quizzed while hanging onto the edge of the door for support. She scanned the street looking for ...someone else.

Grigori regained his composure, I was given your address by Mr. Hayes, Eden. I am the sin eater who was assigned to your family for the evening.

Her eyes jerked back to his, You? You’re a...you do...you? she stammered trying to find the words to express her confusion.

Yes. We need to get started if you still want my services. May I come in?

Eden hesitated briefly but held the door wider for him to pass through, Yes, please, um...this is what my father wants. Please, come in.

Grigori was greeted by the bitter face of Valerie, Eden’s vile stepmother. She said nothing but did not hide her disdain. We need to proceed, he stated as he turned to Eden. Has everything been done according to the instructions?

Um...Yeah, I have everything in place, but you...you do this? Why?

Ignoring her question, Grigori proceeded, Has the bread been put into place?

Eden nodded her head and clasped her hands together resigned to the fact he wasn’t going to answer, Yeah, um...do you want to go up?

In a moment; is the drink in place by the chair?

She looked at him with a hint of irritation, I followed all the directions given, Grigori.

He wanted to hear his name from her lips in a heated way, but anger wasn’t what he hoped for. I apologize if I have offended you. Please, lead the way.

Eden led Grigori up the stairs and down the hall toward her father’s room. Once they reached the chair Grigori held out his hand to her, The coin.

She tipped her head in confusion for only a moment, Oh, right. She stuffed her hand into her front pocket and pulled out the silver coin provided in the box.

Thank you, he said as he placed the coin in his pocket. Is there anyone in the room with your father at the moment?

His nurse.

Please, ask them to leave the room. Once they leave, you may go in and close the door. At eleven o’clock remove the bread and place it on the wooden plate and bring it to me. Understand?

Eden gave a knowing nod. She did read the instructions after all.

Once I have the bread you can go back in and sit with your father. I prefer to not have anyone watch as I consume the offering.

Okay. Should I ask her to leave now?

Grigori nodded and took a seat in the chair Eden placed facing the wall separating Grigori from the vessel he was releasing from sin. He took three cleansing breathes, closed his eyes and waited. Eden went to her father’s room and asked his nurse to leave them until called. The nurse exited the room, but not before sharing her concern for what was about to take place. Eden excused her with a look of annoyance and closed the door. She went to her father’s side. He was awake. The bread lay on his bare chest. It rose and fell with each of his haggard breathes. Eden took his hand in hers and they waited for the clock to tick away the time. The steady stream of tears sliding from her father’s eyes were only rivaled by her own. Love passed between them as time passed around them. At eleven o’clock exactly, Eden slid the husk of bread onto the small wooden plate and carried it to the door. As she turned the knob she looked back at the face of her ill father, he looked at peace and she feared her time with him was nearly up.

Eden walked to Grigori’s side holding the plate out for him to take. Grigori held his hands out in front of him, palms up, as a sign for Eden to place the plate there. Once she released the platter she went back to her father’s side and waited. Grigori took the bread in hand and raised it to his parted lips. He waited for the visions to start, but no true transgressions came. No flashes of violence or thievery. No flickers of harmful actions at the hands of the man on the other side of the wall. He saw a flash of battle dress and striped sleeves, but service to your country wasn’t a sin. Grigori wondered briefly why such a man would need his skills. He held no true sins to consume. However, it was the vessel’s wish he perform the consumption, so he would. When the vessel is riddled with evil, it took a lot of time, concentration, and effort to swallow their sins, but in this particular case, Grigori was able to eat the scrap of bread quickly. He washed it down with the bowl of fine wine Eden provided. Grigori stood and placed the wooden dishes on the vacant seat. He walked to the vessels