The Greatest Power

Chapter 7 - I Love You

Mother Superion had rooms prepared for the three of them, Ava, Beatrice and Lilith. Lilith wanted to leave, she didn't think she belonged there anymore, but the Mother convinced her to stay, as she had proven her worth. And also Ava insisted, saying that both of them would be more protected near each other and surrounded by the entire Order. Defeated but grateful, Lilith accepted the welcome. She didn't even remember what it was like to be able to sleep in a sheltered and comfortable place.

They were all very tired with so much information to absorb and so much to plan, so much to train to ensure the safety of Ava, and Earth, consequently. At this point, losing Ava to Reya would be like handing over the entire planet to Reya's demon horde.

Beatrice walked beside Ava to the wing where their rooms were located, silent and thoughtful, a fact that Ava noticed. They stopped in front of Ava's bedroom door, and Ava lightly touched Beatrice's arm.

"Bea, are you okay? You're very quiet... Do you want to talk?"

Beatrice sighed and lowered her head.

"No, Ava... I am not okay. Not at all."

Ava opened her door and took Bea's hand.

"Come... come inside for a while."

Beatrice hesitated for a moment. They were in the convent, surrounded by the sisters. What would they think if they saw her walking into Ava's room late at night, when everyone was already going to bed?

And then, as if reading Beatrice's thoughts, Ava added:

"There's nobody here, Bea... nobody's going to judge you."

Beatrice looked both ways down the hall before entering, but she gave in to Ava's invitation. Once inside, Ava closed the door behind her and guided Bea to the edge of her bed, where she sat down beside her.

"Now you can tell me... what's bothering you?" Ava asked, holding Bea's hand affectionately.

"I'm scared, Ava."

"Those demons should be terrified of having to face you in a fight. You know what you're dealing with, you've faced a lot of them and even worse. You don't need to be so scared."

"That's not what scares me..."

"And what is it then?"

Bea looked at Ava for a few seconds and her eyes got a little wetter, as if tears were going to come at any moment.

"What terrifies me is the possibility of losing you again... I can't bear to go through that again, Ava. I will not make it. I will not..."

Ava hugged Beatrice and let her cry silently into her shoulder. That fragile Bea broke Ava's heart. She felt guilty for it all, for causing this pain to the girl she loved. And Ava felt a tear trickle down her face, along Beatrice's tears.

The two held each other for a few minutes, until Beatrice calmed down. When she stopped crying, Bea lifted her head from Ava's shoulder, still looking down.

"It's going to be alright, okay?" Ava said in an attempt to reassure Beatrice.

"Ava..." Bea said and looked at the pillows on Ava's bed.

Ava caught Beatrice's eye and smiled slightly.

"Do you want to sleep here tonight?" Ava asked and with that made Beatrice look at her.

"Can I?"

"Of course you can..." Ava caressed Beatrice's face, still wiping that last tear that wet her cheek.