Secrets and Sins

Chapter 9

~Ava~

Over the next fortnight, Ava barely got to see Bea at all. The sister warrior had been pulled back into training recruits, offering advice about mission planning and of course researching Ava’s chilling revelation about the three omens. The Halo bearer herself had strict orders to rest in her room, don’t overexert and basically be bored out of her mind. Ava lived for the moments late at night, when Bea crept into her room after a long day and pulled her into her arms with a murmured greeting and a sleepy kiss on Ava’s cheek. By the time Ava woke, Bea would be gone again.

On the morning of the 16th day, much to her delight, Ava woke before the sister warrior. Beams of sunlight had begun to stretch across the room as she slowly stirred. She was warm and content and so very comfy. Ava tried to stretch but something heavy pinned down most of her body.

Bea! Bea’s still here.

Ava opened her eyes and carefully pulled back the duvet that covered most of her and all of her bed mate. Bea’s face was nestled against Ava’s chest, her arms wrapped around the Halo bearer’s waist, their legs tangled together. Ava hadn’t even heard Bea come in last night, so it must’ve been very late, no wonder she had woken before her.

She must be exhausted.

Ava gently stroked her hand through the other woman’s hair. Bea was lying pretty heavily on her, luckily Ava’s injuries had healed up enough not to make this position painful. Bea let out a soft sigh as Ava continued her ministrations. The Halo bearer reveled in the moment, she loved when Bea was asleep, her face so peaceful and trouble free.

~Beatrice~

Beatrice pressed closer into the warmth in front of her, the crisp morning air pulling her out of the deepest sleep she had had for a while.

“Bea that tickles.” The solid warmth chuckled.

Blinking away the last vestiges of sleep, Beatrice lifted her head a little confused and then she froze, realizing with a rush of embarrassment that she had been pressing her face into Ava’s breasts. She began to pull away, an apology on her lips, when the other woman snaked an arm around her, pulling her closer. They were almost face to face now.

“Don’t leave.” Ava whispered.

Beatrice followed the movement of her lips, her heart to thump against her chest. When the sister warrior glanced back up, Ava’s eyes had darkened with lust, her breathing becoming slightly heavier.

“Kiss me.” The Halo bearer uttered, her voice low and husky.

Beatrice swallowed nervously; they hadn’t really kissed properly since Ava had basically declared her love for her. Not because she didn’t want to, she thought about doing it constantly, more because the OCS had been running Beatrice ragged since they’d returned.

Suddenly unsure of herself with Beatrice pausing so long, Ava began to withdraw. Beatrice leaned in quickly and kissed her. It was slow and careful at first, neither woman wanting to make the other uncomfortable. Ava sighed contentedly as their lips moved against each other, the sister warrior felt warmth beginning to grow in her stomach. She shifted her weight a little to get a better angle not realizing that the movement would bring her thigh into the space between Ava’s legs. The Halo bearer gasped into her mouth at the new sensation.

“Oh sorry.” Beatrice murmured against Ava’s lips.

She moved to reposition her thigh, but Ava grabbed her hips and pulled her in closer.

“Don’t. Feels…good.” Ava breathed.

That sent a thrill through her, a pang of arousal shot into her gut. Beatrice settled into position again and recaptured Ava’s lips, nipping softly at her lower lip. The Halo bearer got the message and opened her mouth, allowing Beatrice to explore it with her tongue. Ava’s hands ran down her back and slipped up the back of her shirt, tracing the lines of muscle on her back, every stroke of her fingers set Beatrice’s nerves ablaze.

~Ava~

A small noise escaped her when Bea's tongue brushed her own, Ava felt a jolt of pleasure at the touch. Heart pounding, breathing raggedly, the Halo bearer greedily mapped the soft skin under her fingertips. The sister warrior moaned softly.

Oh...oh wow, I need to hear that sound again.

Before they could get any further, a loud frantic knock interrupted them, Bea would have jumped off her if Ava hadn’t tightened her grip.

“Who is it?” Ava called out, trying not to sound too pissed off.

Bea was squirming against her, trying to get Ava to let her up.

“We have an emergency, Mother Superior said you need to get up now.” Camilla replied through the door.

Ava sighed in disappointment.

“Oh and tell Bea she’s required too.” The nun added, a smile evident in her tone.

Bea stopped squirming and gave Ava a mortified look, her face turning crimson.

Bea was suspiciously quiet as they took turns freshening up in the bathroom. Ava couldn’t help but frequently sneak glances at the other women.

Does she regret it? Maybe she doesn't want me like that?

The toxic thoughts swirled through Ava’s mind like a poisonous fog. She wanted Bea so badly; she wasn’t sure what she would do if Bea didn’t want her.

“Ready?” Bea’s voice startled her from the dark thoughts.

Ava nodded, watching the sister warrior retreat towards the door.

“Bea. Wait.”

Bea turned towards her with an unreadable expression. Ava stepped closer.

“I’m sorry if I rushed you, Bea.” Ava looked at her feet.
“I just really want you.”

“Oh Ava.”

She could hear the other women walking towards her. The toes of Bea’s boots stopped in front of her own, Ava glanced up. Bea stood close to her, a small apologetic smile on her face. She reached out and cupped the Halo Bearer’s cheek, caressing her cheek bone with her thumb.

“It’s not you. It’s me. I want to be with you like that, I really do. But I need you to be patient with me. When I was growing up, my parents hated this part of me. They constantly reminded me of how wrong and disgusting it was...I was. Sometimes I find it hard to push past that.” Bea’s voice cracked.

Ava pulled the other woman into a tight hug. Stroking the fine hairs at the back of her neck.

“What you are is beautiful, don’t forget that.” Ava whispered, pressing her lips to the side of Bea’s neck.

They held each other for a couple of long minutes, before Ava reluctantly pulled away. She grabbed Bea’s hand instead and began towing her to the door.

“Come on, we should go. Don’t want to get in trouble with Mother.”

Ava tried not to feel hurt when Bea pulled her hand out of hers when they stepped into a bustling corridor of the convent. Camilla hadn’t been joking about the emergency, nuns were running back and forwards, carrying all manner of weapons.

What the hell was going on?

It was just as chaotic in the briefing room, everyone talking and arguing with each other. The screens at the front of the room depicted various news reporters talking about what looked like a massive inferno engulfing the local mall complex.

“Ah, finally you’ve decided to join us.” Mother Superior said, spotting them.
“We are dispatching a team to investigate the fire at the local shopping center. It seems to have been caused supernaturally. Ava as the Halo bearer, I want you there to monitor for wraiths.”

“But Mother, Ava is still healing, and she hasn’t trained at all since her return.” Bea piped up from beside her.

Thanks for the vote of confidence Bea.

“That's why you will be heading a team of sister warriors to protect her.” Mother Superior’s tone left no room for arguments.