The Way Back
It’s mid-morning when the bus pulls into the station in the Andelusian town. Ava and Beatrice had been awake for a couple of hours. All things considered, Ava didn’t think sleeping on the bus was all that bad. Having the window seat, she was able to make herself comfortable against the wall. Bea using her as a pillow was a nice change of pace as well.
“About how far to Cat’s Cradle from here?” Ava asked.
“Not far, about two hours on foot,” replied Bea, hoisting her rucksack onto her shoulder.
“We need to work on your definitions, Bea,” complained Ava following the other woman’s lead.
“Stop complaining. You’ve gone farther around the lake.”
“Yeah, around a beautiful lake in the Swiss Alps, while training; not up the road to a dusty old church to give reports.”
“At least you’ll be training again,” said Bea, smiling at Ava’s annoyance.
“Great,” she responded sarcastically. “Why didn’t they send the van for us?” Bea stopped to look at the younger girl, a loving expression in her eyes and reached with one hand to cup her face. “Darling, it’s our last couple hours of alone time for a while. I thought you’d rather spend it on a hike with me than cut it short.”
Ava’s face softened. “Well now I feel like an asshole,” she said simply, causing Bea to chuckle. “Thanks, Bea. Really. I would rather spend this time with you.” They both turned to go and Ava said “At least this way we can make some stops along the way.” She lightly slapped Bea’s butt. “Let’s go find some secluded spots.” Bea just looked at her for a moment before shaking her head with a small smile.
Ava could see that Beatrice was getting nervous. Watching Bea’s mannerisms had become a pastime for her over the past week, and she was already quite good at reading the other woman from the first time they lived together. Her tells were subtle and also only usually there for Ava. Bea was very good at buttoning up completely when other people were around. Ava knew that if someone else was hiking with them, then Bea’s hand would have been either holding her rucksack strap or swinging lightly by her side, not rubbing her thumb in between her fingers. She also knew that Bea barely chewing the right side of her bottom lip was a telltale sign that she needed to talk, even if she didn’t want to. If others were around Bea’s face would have been a mask of indifference.
“What’s going on in there?” Ava asked. She was concerned for the sister warrior but kept her tone light as if talking about the weather.
“Hmm?” Bea grunted as if she hadn’t heard. Another tell—Bea hears everything. “Nothing, just enjoying the view.”
That was a good out. Even in winter, the weather was perfect. The temperature was cool enough that the breeze gave her a slight chill, perfect for hiking. Clear blue skies stretched today as far as she could see. White clouds building on the horizon provided a perfect frame for the rolling hills of light brown grasses interspersed with green vegetation. Still though, Ava knew better.
“Bea, you never just enjoy the view,” she teased lightly. “Why don’t you just tell me what’s bothering you?” Ava had also quickly learned to be direct with her; Beatrice was a master at deflecting and would jump on any opportunity to avoid a topic she didn’t want.
Bea took a minute and then let out a sigh. “Camila, mostly. How will the other sisters react to us? How many of my indiscretions from the past four months does Mother Superion know about? You know I’ve never lied to her before? Now I’m debating which ones I should tell her and which ones I’ll keep lying about.”
“Well if it helps, I promise she won’t find out about the report. I’ll take that to my grave.”
“You’re very sweet, but no it doesn’t.” Bea paused for only a moment, the continued on with a slight indignance. “Also, the report? Really? That’s the thing between us that you think we should keep secret?”
“Are you kidding?” asked Ava, thinking to lighten the mood a little. “I would’ve bragged to the bus driver about the things we do in bed if I thought you’d let me.” After seeing the look on Bea’s face, Ava quickly decided to change tactics.
“Seriously, Bea,” she said, trying to reassure the other woman, “I get that you’re worried that everyone is going to judge you. But don’t be. Mother Superion, Camila, all your friends they might judge you, but they’ll never reject you. I mean, you already gave up your vows and it’s not like they don’t know why. If they were going to reject you they would have done it already.”
Bea was silent for a time as she considered Ava’s words. Ava was thinking that she should try and say something else, although with no idea what that would be, when Bea finally spoke.
“I told you you were intelligent.”
Shortly thereafter, with more than one stop in those secluded spots Ava was looking for, they arrived at the driveway of Cat’s Cradle. Bea could see a solitary figure waiting for them. “It’s Camila,” she said with a smile. After four months of guilt and worry over how she had treated her sister at their last encounter, the relief she felt at finally seeing her again was overwhelming. She and Ava looked at each other and grinned as they both ran the rest of the way, finally feeling the excitement of seeing their family again.
If Camila was holding a grudge against Beatrice, it didn’t show. She ran to them both with an enthusiasm equal to their own. “Ava! Bea!”
“Camila!” they both shouted as they all ran together and joined in a three-way embrace.
“It’s so good to see…”
“How have you…”
“I’m so happy you’re…”
They talked over each other in their eagerness. Bea couldn’t help but smile as she went quiet; realizing she would never get a word in once Camila and Ava got going. She listened in as her two energetic friends got caught up as they followed Camila inside.
“A lot has changed since you’ve both last been here. A lot of new girls have come in. Sister Dora has taken over most of the physical training. Yasmine is in charge of research. I, of course, keep things running around here.”
“That sounds a bit like pride, Cam,” Ava teased.
“Yes well, I think I’ve earned it.” It’s nice to see her this way, thought Bea. She seems more relaxed.
“Is there any news on Lilith?” Beatrice asked.
“Yes. But I shouldn’t talk about that here. That will have to wait until the meeting. For right now I’m supposed to bring you both to Mother Superion, she really misses you, and then to your rooms. Ava, you have the Warrior Nun’s room, of course, even though you’ve still never used it. And Bea…”
“Bea is staying with me,” Ava interrupted before Bea could think to stop her.
“Ava, a little quieter—please?” murmured Bea, frowning.
But Camila only smirked. “I was about to ask you about that,” replied the young nun, “thank you for confirming my suspicions. We’ll talk more, later. But Ava, for the sake of appearances for some of the newer girls who don’t necessarily know how things work around the Warrior Nun, Bea’s ‘room’ is next to yours.”
“Thank you Camila,” said Beatrice quietly, a small smile gracing her face.
Camila brought them into Mother Superion’s office. The imperious woman stood immediately upon seeing them enter. Face impassive, Bea watched as the older woman walked around her desk and made straight for her and Ava, taking them both into a heavy embrace. Bea immediately hugged her back, burying her face into Mother’s shoulder.
Ava pulled away from the hug when she heard Bea let out a small sob. She watched as Bea stood up straight and looked the older woman in the eye. They gave each other small nods and Mother Superion turned to Ava with a small smile. She reached out to the Halo Bearer and gently touched her face. “I’ve missed you, Ava. I’m so happy you’ve returned to us. We have much to talk about but I think it will have to wait for the meeting. Camila, Ava, if you would, please.”
Camila turned to leave but Ava looked over at Bea. The sister warrior gave her a half smile and nodded, which Ava took to mean she should follow Camila out of the room. With the door shut behind them, Camila struck. “So you and Bea are together now, right? How did it happen? How’s it going? I want details!” Ava could only laugh at the eagerness and curiosity on the excitable nun’s face. Camila was practically bouncing. “Cam,” said Ava gently, “I don’t think Bea would appreciate me telling you all about her private life.” Camila’s face fell before Ava continued with a grin. “So you can’t tell her I told you…”
It was not long before Beatrice emerged from Mother Superion’s office and both Ava and Camila immediately went silent. “You two know you are not very subtle, right?” asked Bea.
“Ava was just giving me some gossip,” replied Camila. Bea frowned at Ava.
“Cam! You said you wouldn’t say anything!”
Camila just shrugged as they walked together to the Warrior Nun’s room, and Ava watched Bea as the three of them chatted about the goings on at the OCS. Ava thought she seemed lighter, happy to be home.
“Alright, we’re here,” said Camila. “I know there’s no point in telling you but Bea your room is that one over there.” The young nun smiled at them. “I missed you both. I have to get back to work but we’ll catch up some more soon.”
“Camila,” Bea called after her as Ava turned and entered the room, leaving them alone in the hall. “I just wanted to apologize, for everything. I didn’t want to take my feelings out on you and I didn’t mean…”
“It’s okay, Bea,” said Camila before the older woman could finish. “You are my friend. You are my sister.” She smiled. “Sisters fight and they forgive each other.” She stepped in and hugged the older woman, which Bea returned readily, laying her cheek on the top of Camila’s head.
They separated. “The meeting is in an hour. You know where,” said Camila, giving Beatrice a pointed look before turning and walking away.
Bea entered the room to see Ava already lying on the bed.
“Hey sexy lady,” said Ava. Beatrice was having trouble telling if Ava was joking or actually trying to be seductive.
She may have to work on that.
“Did I overhear that we have an hour to kill?”
Beatrice smiled to herself and shook her head. Then slowly, keeping direct eye contact with Ava, she leaned forward onto the foot of the bed and gracefully crawled across it on her hands and knees, hips swaying gently, holding herself mere centimeters above Ava’s body. She smiled suggestively as she heard Ava’s breathing hitch. Bringing herself face to face with Ava, their bodies still not touching, she leaned down and brought her mouth to Ava’s ear, exhaling hot breath onto the younger woman’s neck. Ava whimpered as Bea whispered to her.
“You’re insatiable." She took a heavy breath and moved her mouth even closer to Ava's neck, making her shiver. "But I’m hungry. I’m going to go find some lunch.” She pushed herself off the bed and made for the door. Ava groaned.
“You know, if you’re looking for something to eat…”
“No, Ava.”
An hour later, having passed through the dining hall for a quick bite to eat —“Not the kind of bite I was looking for, Bea”— the two women entered the Cat’s Cradle mission room together. Ava had noticed that Beatrice was decidedly not holding her hand but she chose not to push the sister warrior.
“Why have I never been in here before?” Ava asked as she entered the room. Her jaw dropped open in awe as she saw a huge map of the earth projected on the wall across from her, blinking lights marking various cities around the world. To her left was a massive terminal with multiple pairs of headphones and over two dozen monitors, most of which were currently blank. On her right was a large bank of computers. In the center of the room was a great round wooden table that looked like it had seating for twenty. “Why do I feel like we could launch a nuke from here?”
Bea grinned at her while Camila, who was standing by the computers and had escaped Ava’s notice, answered. “Unfortunately, the OCS doesn’t have the authority to launch a nuclear missile, but if it did we would be able to from this room.”
“What do you mean by ‘unfortunately’ Cam?”
Camila simply giggled at her as Beatrice took up the explanation. “This is the mission room. We use it for planning and discussing missions before heading out. It’s also typically where we debrief afterwards.” She gestured to the wall of monitors. “We can also monitor active missions being conducted by any OCS chapter in the world.”
“Yeah, that’s great, Bea,” responded Ava. “What do you mean by ‘unfortunately’ Camila?”
Camila and Bea shared a smile as the rest of the meeting members walked into the room. Ava was not at all surprised to see Mother Superion, Father Vincent and Yasmine taking their seats at the table.
“If I had known this would be the group, I would’ve just told you everything over the phone,” said Ava as she sat down at the table. She was a little annoyed to find that Beatrice, while she sat nearby, did not sit down right next to her.
“Yes, that would have made sense,” replied Mother Superion stoically. “But you two seemed to be in a bit of a rush to get off the phone.” She eyed them both. Ava looked over to see Bea blushing, while the sister warrior was resolutely refusing to look back at her. Camila sniggered.
“Ava,” said Mother Superion, “while I have read Beatrice’s report, I would like to begin with you recounting your experiences on the other side for us, please.”
Ava gave a defeated sigh. “I figured as much. Okay, Reya’s realm…”
Ava related her time with Reya to everyone at the table as clearly as she had told Bea in her first moments back on Earth. Bea noticed that unlike the first two times she had told her the story, this time Ava seemed to be enjoying the narration. The group reaction to the tarask incident was especially entertaining if Bea was being honest.
When Ava had finished her story, Bea relayed their discussion on the bus regarding Reya’s inability to counter Ava’s free will. “I don’t have any guesses as to why but it seemed clear that Reya could not go against Ava once she made a decision, at least regarding the Halo or staying in her realm. I can’t think of any other reasons why she agreed so quickly to sending Ava back when she wanted her to stay and fight so badly.” She noticed that Ava squirmed a little in her chair but she let the matter drop.
“Well,” responded Father Vincent, “the idea that humans are the only ones of God’s creations to have free will is certainly not new.”
Bea hesitated for a moment as she looked at Father Vincent. “It also explains some of Adriel’s actions as well. Adriel worked hard to influence his followers. But that’s all he could really do, I’m not sure there’s any evidence of him really acting against a person.”
“Except for me,” interjected Ava.
“Except for Ava,” agreed Bea, “and Areala. But to be fair you both were trying to kill him.”
“It’s true,” agreed Father Vincent, looking down at the table since Bea had mentioned Adriel. “My actions were my own, as were most of his followers. He had us all convinced but he wasn’t controlling us.”
“If he was,” said Ava kindly, “you wouldn’t have been able to recover the Crown of Thorns from his cathedral and then help us break in later.” Father Vincent looked up at these words and gave Ava a small nod.
“So what does this all mean?” asked Yasmine.
“Right now, nothing,” replied Father Vincent. “Unless we can figure out more about Reya’s plans there isn’t much for us to go on.”
“In the meantime,” added Mother Superion, “we have to build up our resources. A lot has happened for the OCS since you two have been away but we’re still thin. Recruits still need training and our divinium supply is almost gone. Unfortunately we don’t seem to have any options in that regard.”
Bea looked over at Ava, a curious expression on her face. “We know where there’s a pretty ample supply,” said Bea.
“We do?”
Bea smiled at her. “You told me about it, when you were in the middle of a wall.”
Ava thought for a moment, and Bea watched her brown eyes widen and her jaw drop in abject horror. “No!”
“Yes.”
“I do not want to go back down there.”
“Ava…”
“Fine!” relented Ava and she massaged her temples for a moment. “There was a tarask skeleton in the wall leading into Adriel’s tomb. But I don’t know how we could get to it anyways. It’s got to be completely buried at this point, right?”
“The Vatican was working on cleaning that area up,” replied Father Vincent. “I’ll look into it.”
“Very well then,” stated Mother Superion. “Is there anything else?”
“What…” began Beatrice, but Ava talked over her.
“Where’s the Arc?” Ava’s tone was nonchalant, but almost overdone. Bea could see a slight tension to her posture, almost as if she was trying to appear indifferent.
“After much discussion with Dr. Salvius and what was left of the Vatican,” answered Mother Superion, “we agreed to keep it where it is. This decision to not destroy it may have been in bad taste,” she said in response to the looks on both Ava and Bea’s faces, “but we thought it might be the only way that you might return to us, Ava. I think you’ll both agree the position is very defensible. It’s easily guarded against those on this side trying to get to the Arc and against anything that might come through from the other trying to get out.”
Bea was watching Ava out of the side of her eye during Mother Superion’s explanation. The younger woman’s shoulders dropped as Mother spoke but she didn’t make any other movement to show what she might have been thinking. Bea looked to change the subject.
What happened to Lilith?” she asked abruptly. Bea watched as the table went rigid. Mother Superion let out a sigh but it was Camila who answered.
“As far as we can tell,” she said, “Lilith has joined with what’s left of the FBC.”
The FBC, as it turned out, was alive and well. They had lost a large portion of their followers when Adriel fell, but a radical core still remained and a militant wing of that group was still causing trouble.
“We think,” said Father Vincent, “that the FBC is somehow pulling the wraiths through to Earth.”
“How could that be possible?” asked Beatrice.
“We don’t know,” responded Yasmine. “With Adriel gone they shouldn’t be drawn here. Yet they keep coming and the FBC is typically not far behind. It’s happened too many times to be a coincidence.”
“How have you been able to deal with the wraiths without me?” asked Ava.
“It’s been hard,” Camila replied this time, “but the other OCS chapters had been fighting wraiths without the Warrior Nun for years. The survivors from Adriel’s purge have shown us a few tricks. Is it possible that Reya has been sending them?”
“No,” responded Ava, a little too adamantly in Bea’s opinion, “she can’t control them. She’s trying to destroy them.”
“She’s trying to rid them from her realm,” Beatrice corrected, “She never said she wants to keep them away from Earth.”
“Look, I’m not her biggest fan,” argued Ava, “and I don’t trust her. But she wants to destroy the wraiths. I—I think she might be on our side with this one.” Most of the table looked at her with a curious interest.
Bea looked at her with angry disbelief. “Do I need to remind you, Ava, that she dropped you out of the sky when she sent you back? She could have killed you!”
“I told you,” argued Ava again, frustration bleeding out of her words, “she was just mad at me. I don’t think she would deliberately do any real damage. She still needs me to go back and fight for her.” Ava quickly closed her eyes at her slip and winced as she let out a small groan. When she opened them, she found four shocked and worried faces staring back at her. She avoided looking over at the fifth.
“What do you mean she still needs you to go back?” asked Camila quietly. “How could you get back?”
Ava swallowed. Still not looking in Bea’s direction, having no desire to see the hurt and anger she’s sure she caused, she spoke quietly to the room. “The Arc. Reya is more powerful than Adriel was. She can power it herself. Before she sent me back she told me if I go to the Arc she’ll open it for me to return so I can fight the wraiths before anymore escape to Earth.”
She looked around the table. Yasmine was looking at her with something akin to pity on her face. Both Mother Superion and Father Vincent wore inscrutable looks. Camila looked worried as her eyes flickered back and forth between Ava and Beatrice. Ava finally looked over at Bea. The sister warrior looked right back at her with a cold indifference. Ava’s heart felt like it was cracking. The uncaring expression that Bea portrayed was worse than the rage or agony that Ava had expected to see. She might have broken right there if she didn’t notice Bea’s thumbs fidgeting between her fingers beneath the table.