Secrets and Sins Part 2: Finding Mary

Chapter 43

~Ava~

Time slowed for Ava as Dominik twisted, drawing back, only slightly, before letting his fist fly through the air, straight at Bea.

No.

She couldn't move, her arms and legs refused to cooperate. Ava’s heart hammered against her ribcage as she tracked the movement of the punch.
The sister warrior’s cry of pain on impact was quiet…too quiet, almost non-existent, but it was enough to shock Ava from her stupor. She took one step, then another, a primal howl of rage tearing itself from her throat.

“Ava!” A voice called to her, but she paid it no attention, preparing to barrel forward, eyes locked on Bea whose body was now limp in the grip of the guard.

Something caught her wrist, Ava tried to wrench the arm free, but it held fast. The Halo bearer pulled her gaze away from Bea for the first time since her girlfriend was dragged from the cell.
Reya had the sleeve of Ava’s hoodie clenched tightly in her fist.

How dare she get in my way…

Seeing the younger woman’s expression, Reya was quick to explain herself, “Ava…remember the plan!” The deity pushed her other hand through the bars, Ava stared at it.
“Free yourself…make them pay.”

Make them pay.

Make. Them. Pay.

Ava's hand moved before she realised. Her fingertips touch Reya’s palm and the Halo bearer could feel it, the familiar caress of the deadly power that had soaked into the deity’s flesh. She reached out to it, embracing it, inviting it in.

Tendrils of power travelled up her arm, following the pathway of her veins. It arrived at her collar and halted, unable to move any further. The cerulean metal warmed, scorching into her skin. Ignoring the searing pain, Ava reached out and took Reya’s other hand, encouraging more and more of the energy into her body, feeling it grapple with the power blocking metal at her neck, building around it and just when she didn’t think she could take anymore, the collar exploded. Blue shards scatter far and wide.

Free from her restraints, the Halo bearer experienced a rush of power, it swept through her, pulsing across her body. Ava waited for the Halo to activate, to help her master the wild and unstable energy, but it remained dormant. She was forced to take control of it herself. It was not easy, bending it to her will, the fury Ava was feeling helped some, but the Halo bearer knew that if she didn’t expel it soon, it would tear her apart.

Every last ounce of power drained from the deity into Ava, until there was nothing left to take. Reya suddenly collapsed, gasping, her hand pulled from the younger woman’s grasp as Ava stareed transfixed, at her glowing skin.

“Halo bearer! On your knees!” The accented voice reignited her wrath, the golden energy swelled at her emotions, Ava turned, her wings bursting from her shoulder blades.

The Russian’s eyes widen with fear, "Take her down!"

~Beatrice~

Ava was glorious.

She stood, like some kind of avenging angel, just outside of the door to the cell. Snow white wings flared out from her shoulder blades, coils of power snaking across her hands, up her wrists and disappearing under the sleeves of her shirt, lighting every vein with liquid gold. The air around her vibrated with energy, a low hum, undulating with every breath the Halo bearer took.

A Goddess.

Dominik snatched Beatrice from the guard at his side, dragging the sister warrior in front of himself, a human shield, holding his forearm around her neck, "Halo bearer! On your knees!"