Chapter 25

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***I know I said there might not be any more chapters before Xmas, but I sat down and managed to write this all in one sitting. I apologize in advance for the ending, but I promise the next chapter is completely outlined and ready to be fleshed out, so won't be too long a wait.

Thank you so much for all of the comments and the kudos, I really do appreciate all of the support. It's the only thing that really motivates me to keep going.

As a bit of a special treat, I've added a Christmas one-shot at the end of Secrets and Sins. Go check it out if you want something festive 🎅.

Merry Christmas and Happy reading...***



~Ava~


"Are you absolutely sure this is the place?" Ava kept her hand over the mic of her comms, muffling the question in case of prying ears.

Camila's voice crackled in her earpiece, "That's what the report says..."

Ava looked up at the abandoned-looking hotel with a frown. It was four stories of graffitied concrete and boarded-up windows.

"This is where he lives...?"

"And preaches apparently."

The Church's assignment was a straightforward one, to find and exorcise Father Francis Campbell.

Apparently, the good Father had taken an unnatural liking to the altar boys of his congregation, and not in the historical way of the Church either.

Instead, Francis had taken to killing and eating his inferiors, the discovery of which had been during a dinner party when he had tried to feed the Bishop of his diocese a roasted arm.

The conclusion the Church had drawn was that Francis was possessed, not that anyone really had any proof on the matter. Ava had tried to argue that maybe he was just a sicko, but an investigation into the latest sighting of the priest was ordered anyway.

So now the Halo bearer found herself here, standing in front of a derelict building waiting impatiently for Bea to get back from her recon, and looking for a distraction.

She eyed the large cracks running vertically up the building's structure, "Looks like it'll collapse if the wind blows too hard..."

"Well, let's hope you're not inside it if it does...?" Camila chuckled nervously.

Bea appeared from around the corner, her expression one of absolute focus reserved only for missions. Ava let go of the breath she didn't realize she was holding. Her anxiety at being away from the sister warrior was worse than ever. The suffocating feeling squeezed at her chest, spiking her heart rate, drawing beads of sweat to her forehead.

Ava hated it.

On top of that, she was still having doubts about this mission, the doubt had been there right from the very start. It just didn't feel right, but she couldn't quite put her finger on why.

"I've found a way in." Bea whispered, leaning in close, "Let's move."

She followed her obediently towards a side door into the hotel. Bea put a hand on the door handle pushing down slowly, testing it. She glanced at Ava in surprise when there was no telltale catch of a lock; the handle turning completely to open the door.

Didn't they say this guy was on the run from them... Why the hell wouldn't he lock it?

"I..." Bea shook her head, Ava could see her mind racing behind her eyes, "I'm not sure."

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