Chapter 10
Later that night, after patrol
Lilith made her way through the halls of the Cradle and straight to her room. She tiredly threw open the door. She looked to the bed with an exhausted look. Mary sat half upright on the bed with Hanna near upright against the pillow, both turned to meet her gaze . “Hey, you wouldn’t believe my day” she greeted.
“Evening to you too baby girl” Mary chuckled. “Did you have fun on patrol?”
Lilith kicked the door closed, hauling the bag over her shoulder, she staggered to bed as she spoke “Well I can tell you Ava is going to get a surprise soon”. She kicked off her boots, dropped the bag then tipped forward and fell face first onto the mattress, then rolled her head over to face Mary.
Mary snorted with a raise eyebrow. She raised her hands to cover Hanna’s ears and then replied “Continue”
“Not. Like. That. Dork” she laughed.
Mary chuckled, pulling her hands down. “So what’s up with Voice of Reason, is she going to propose or something?”
“Yes”
“Really!” Mary shouted surprised.
“Yeah, you can’t tell anyone”
“Yeah not a soul. Wow she’s going to propose to Ava. Good for her”
“About time too. We took most of the afternoon to bounce ideas and get the ring”
“How does it look?”
“Quite good as rings go”
“They are going to torture us with marriage puns aren’t they” Mary groaned lowly.
“Evidently”
Mary sighed, rolling her eyes. “Oh well, at least we got this little one to distract them, right Captain?”
Hanna giggled, looking up to both Mary and Lilith happily. The ladies chuckled, gazing lovingly down at the child between them.
“So where is Ava now?” Lilith asked as she watch Mary play with Hanna using Hanna’s stuffed rabbit toy.
“Ava has taken over the entire upper training yard with her Mother and her mother's girlfriends. Superion has ordered the entire OCS no one is allowed up there until tomorrow night. Camila, Serita and Michael have been tasked to distract Beatrice. They got three hours before I have to return Hanna back to Bea and by that time, Ava will be back to distract Bea”
“What the hell is Ava up to?”
“Preparing for Beatrice’s party, what she has installed I have no idea”
“hmm” Lilith hummed. “Tomorrow night is going to be interesting”
“Indeed”
“Well at least We got Beatrice a gift for tomorrow”
“Glad to hear that, what did We get her?”
Lilith chuckled, she rolled off the bed, dragging over her bag before pulling out a long thin box. She opened the box to reveal a heavily wrapped sword inside. “Caught her starring at it on Mission”
“Good choice, she’ll love it”
“Enough about me” Lilith sighed, stuffing the gift back in the bag, then moving it aside. Walking back to the bed and flopped sideways onto the mattress “tell me about your day” she asked, holding her head up with one hand.
“Well it’s been good, did some training, some cooking, became Hanna’s favourite Aunt despite Camila's threats claiming she's the favourite. Caught Hanna starring into space several times today”
“Any wraiths?”
“No, no the barrier is still up”
Lilith was about to speak when she was caught off guard by a sudden yawn. “Sorry, continue”
“Get some sleep Baby girl”
“No I want to hear the rest-“
A sudden crash caught the three by surprise. The two ladies jumped, turning to the door and pulling out their weapons. Hanna paused, then erupted into tears. Screaming into the night.
“Shh its okay” Mary whispered.
“I’m going to check it out” Lilith crept off the bed, one hand flicked her wrist out and her claws grew sharp. She teleported out of the bedroom, appearing into the middle of the hallway. Her eyes turned piecing white, illuminating in the dark. Left and right she turned, peering into the darkness and found nothing out of the ordinary. She turned ahead to the hallway windows leading outside and found one cracked, with a small hole in the middle of the glass panel. She looked to the floor and the area surround. No shatters of glass around the area. She turned to the outside, then down below. Finding the small glints of shards reflecting off the OCS lights.
As she starred at the mess below. A shadow walked off the wall behind her, closing in on her. The shadow’s appearance shifted till it resembled human form. It raised one clawed hand reaching straight for Lilith’s neck.
“What was it?” Mary called out.
Lilith snapped her head back to the door and the shadow was gone. She hummed, looking around confused. “Nothing, don’t open the door! I’ll be back in a moment” Lilith teleported to the courtyard. She walked over to the shards of glass, picked up one of the pieces then looked around. Nothing, but the soft sounds of distant construction. Lilith took a deep breath, then used her powers to scan the area. Searching for any souls residing in Cats Cradle, something out of the ordinary.
Nothing.
Dissatisfied, she returned back to the bedroom. “Nothing, but a cracked window. Ava the builder probably just lost a hammer or something”
“Baby girl?”
“Yeah?”
Mary huffed, still trying to calm the screaming child. Walking back and forth along the room bouncing the baby on her hips. “Any ideas to calm her down?”
“Why are you looking at me, I don’t know a thing about children” she retorted.
Mary laughed, shaking her head. “How do you and Beatrice don’t know anything about children?”
“Simple there was only one of us growing up”
Mary chuckled, she carried her to Lilith.Stopping in front of her girlfriend “Come on Captain, it’s okay, your safe”
Words did nothing to calm the baby down, she continued to scream till face was red and soaked with blood tears.
“Shhh shhh its okay” Mary paused, turned to Lilith with a curious gaze. “Baby girl, do me a favour and change into the Tarask”
“Perfect plan, traumatize the girl into silences”
“She will be fine, try it”
“Fine, but if she has nightmares for a month its on you!” Lilith warned. She closed her eyes and focused. Her body exploded into flame from the inside out, expanding outward for a moment. The sounds of bones cracking filled the room and a low animalistic growl rumbled. Before long the flames vanished to reveal Lilith’s Tarask form.
The Baby turned her gaze upward and gasped. Sniffled, then smiled giddy at Lilith.
“Really?” Lilith comment surprised.
“Can’t believe that worked, here hold her”
Lilith carefully picked up the child, holding the baby eyelevel. The Baby cheerfully giggled at Lilith. Reaching out her hands and poking the Tarask’s skin. Feeling around her face. She reached out and grabbed the Tarask’s horns.
Lilith chuckled. “Well now, you are not afraid of me hey little one”
“Well it’s official” Mary began, guiding Lilith’s hands to cradle Hanna into her arms. “We’re Hanna’s favourite Aunts”
“Camila is going to hate us”
By the early light of dawn
Beatrice woke to the feeling of Ava’s hands running through her hair and the cheery hum of the Halo. She frowned as she grumbled “I thought I was the early riser in this relationship”.
“You still are babe”
Bea sighed, opening her eyes. Twisting her head on Ava’s chest to face the woman in question. “So what brings you to wake up these early hours?”
“Well technically I was up long before dawn and…” she trailed off with a cheeky grin. “Happy Birthday Babe”
“Ugh don’t remind me”
“I will remind you, its not everyday you turn twenty one. It’s time for big party with your friends, lots of drinking and fun”
“If you insist my love” Beatrice sighed. “Let’s get the day over with” she started to move off Ava.
Ava laughed, wrapping her arms around Beatrice and bringing her back down while insisting “Where are you off to?”
Bea frowned, turning to Ava confused. “To start the day?”
“Not like that! My Birthday girl needs to start the day right and you can’t have a bad day after a morning orgasm”
Bea blushed bright red and eyes nearly popped out of her head. “Ava!”
“What?” the Halo Bearer chuckled.
“What about Hanna?”
“She’s already been snuck off to my Mum and her girlfriend’s care. We got this whole room to ourselves. So” Ava pulled off her hands and drummed her collar. “Hop on babe and just relax, let me treat you this morning”
Bea raised an eyebrow at her girlfriend. She leaned over and kissed Ava, whispering between breaths “I love you”
“Love you too”
It was nearly the end of breakfast time by the time Ava and Beatrice arrived.
The pair walked hand in hand. Every few moments, they would be stopped and Beatrice wished Happy Birthday praises by the Sister Warriors before continuing on with their day. One mentioned about their excitement for tonight before quickly darting away. Beatrice turned to her lover, only for Ava to cheekily grin at her, then quickly drag her away.
“What took you girls so long” Mary spoke with a knowing grin.
The couple took a seat at the table with their friends, grinning smugly. Beatrice looked away biting her lip while Ava rubbed her neck and winked at Mary.
“had to wait till it was healed” Ava suggested smugly.
Beatrice shuddered, embarrassed “I’m sorry” she whispered.
“Don’t you dare, I am not complaining!” Ava informed smugly.
Mary raised her eyebrows at them, lifting up her mug as she stated lowly “horny bitches”
“Anyway!” Beatrice stated, picking up her awaiting mug of tea. “Will someone tell me what the day has in store. Suzanne just told me all training is gone for the day”
“That’s all we know” Camila excitedly spoke.
Beatrice turned to her and raised an eyebrow “really?”
“Yeah” Camila squealed nervous. “Anyway here is our gifts for you” she quickly pulled from her side two box shaped presents, quickly sliding them to the birthday girl.
“And don’t even think about refusing them!” Serita warned with a pointed finger and knowing grin. “We won’t take no for an answer, so accept it!”
Bea sighed, playfully rolling her eyes. “fine, thank you”. With precise tears of the sticky tape, she unfold the first gift. Revealing it to be an book about Julie d'Aubigny and her life. Beatrice peered down confused at the cover she read "Julie d'Aubigny?".
“She sounds familiar” Lilith remarked causally.
Beatrice hummed, flipping the book over and reading the back.
“We thought you would enjoy the tale. I don’t want to spoil too much, but Bisexual Sword fighting Opera singer” Camila explained however breif.
“And her adventures with life and the ladies” Serita summarised.
“That sounds intriguing, thank you” Beatrice thanked.
“Sounds awesome!” Ava praised.
“I’ll have to borrow it later” Mary comment.
Beatrice turned to the next one, peeling back the paper to reveal a set of wireless headphones. “For peace and quiet, thank you both”
“Your welcome” they both thanked.
“Ah that will be useful for Ava’s snoring” Lilith teased.
“Hey!” Ava squeaked. “You can’t talk! Your snoring sounds like a carnival cruise horn!”
Lilith scoffed “don’t be ridiculous!” she insisted, raising her mug to her lips. “It doesn’t sound like a carnival cruise”
“Your right, a freight train”
“Don’t push it!”
“Well before these two debate which one sounds worse-“ Mary tried to speak, but was suddenly interrupted by the two ladies in question.
“She Does!” Ava and Lilith both insisted.
Mary paused, shaking her head. “As I was saying, Bea, this is from Lilith and I. Happy Birthday Voice of Reason” she pulled up a long rectangle skinny blue box. Handing it over to Beatrice, then helping her lower it to the table.
“Thank you both” she thanked, then proceeded to gently remove the packaging. Revealing inside a sword, she pulled back the wrapping and revealed the detail of the blade in question. Not as long as Ava’s cruciform blade, but what it left in size made up for the key like holes lining one side of the blade. From the hilt down to two inches from the tip. “Woah” Bea spoke amazed.
“Holy shit” Ava comment.
“Language!” Lilith chastised.
“Well go on then, test the weight of it!” Mary insisted.
Bea needed no further persuasion. She picked up the sword and carried it away from the crew, taking an apple along with her. She started off with a few simple swings in a x motion in front of her, then proceeded to move her feet around in a circular motion, performing precise swings around her. As if she was fighting the air around her with the care and precise swings of a master sword warrior.
Ava leaned back in her chair, a silent sigh escaped her lips. Entranced by her lover’s dance.
Beatrice threw the apple from behind, straight up in the air. She suddenly paused, turned and swiftly swung her blade twice in a blur of movement. Reducing the apple to perfect quarters before it passed her line of sight. Then caught the slices with the flat side of her blade. The group erupted with cheers. She picked up a slice, munched happily and returned back to the table with a spring in her step. Laying the sword on the table for everyone to take an apple slice.
“Damn” Ava spoke amazed. “That was awesome babe!”
Beatrice sat down, grinning giddy at the compliment. “thank you my love”. She grabbed Ava’s hand from under the table, then turned to Lilith and Mary. “Thank you both, for the gift”
“You are very much welcome” Mary replied.
“And now this is for you” Ava spoke. With her free hand she handed Beatrice the gift. “From Hanna and I”
“Thank you my love”
“your welcome” Ava leaned over and gave Beatrice a quick peck on the lips. “Now open up!”
Bea unravelled the gift to reveal a digital camera. Bea grinned at the device.
“Do you like it?”
Bea turned to Ava. “I love it, thank you”
“Your welcome, now get some tea and eat up. You will need all the strength you could get”
“oh dear”
The three matriarchs of the Cradle entered the dining room. The crowds of bustling nuns gave them straight line of passed for the Crew. Michael sprinted passed his mother, around her girlfriends, Hanna and straight into Beatrice.
The birthday woman scooped him into her arms as he yelled a merry “HAPPY BIRTHDAY BEA!”
“Thank you Michael” she helped him back down as the ladies join them.
“I made you this” he pulled from his pocket a small package and handed it over with a toothy grin.
She gave him a curious smile, then opened up the package. Revealing a leather braided bracelet with a silver anchor clip. “You made this?”
“Yep”
“It’s lovely, thank you”
“That’s not the best bit, pull the top of the anchor back”
She pulled the decorative clip, it split in two and revealed a four inch razor sharp blade beneath the braids. The Crew stared at him wide eye. Beatrice focused on the bracelet intrigue while Ava beam proudly at the boy.
“Pretty cool right?” He asked.
“Very” Beatrice turned to him and asked “Who gave you the idea for the knife?”
Ava shrunk back in her chair. She tried to sneak a glance to Michael miming “don’t do it”
His eyes didn’t look her way, but the quick grin told her otherwise. “Ava” he stated proudly.
“fuck” Ava cursed.
“Language!” Lilith scold.
Bea turned to her girlfriend with a raised eyebrow. Watching her girlfriend shrink nervously in her chair. “Really?”
“Ha eh yeah, I may of suggested something...like that”
Bea hummed, playfully rolling her eyes before she clasped the bracelet over her wrist.
“Really Ava, suggest a knife to a kid?” Camila laughed.
“Now just where did he get the knife afterwards?” Serita suggested.
Eyes turned focused to Lilith who decided now to keep to herself and drink her tea.
“Baby girl?” Mary asked with a knowing grin.
“I haven’t got a clue where he would get it” she answered back, trying to ignore their knowing looks.
“See you like his present” Jillian stated as she approached Beatrice. One arm wrapped holding Hanna up and the other holding onto a colourful package. “Happy birthday Bea” she spoke, handing the woman the gift.
“Thank you Jillian, there was no need-“
“Of course there was, birthday girl” Jillian insisted. “Now come on, open it up its from all three of us”
“That’s because we couldn’t agree on what to get you” Michelle explained. She walked over and hugged Beatrice. “Happy birthday”
“Thank you”
She pulled back and took a step back as Superion approached, giving the birthday girl a hug. “Happy birthday”
“Thank you”
“You better open your present before Jillian does” Superion suggested as she pulled back.
Jillian turned to her girlfriend and scoffed.
Beatrice focused on the package in hand, peeling back the layers. The package unraveled revealed a long black metal rectangle with spider like legs attached to all sides. With a LED screen on top and several round discs on all four corners. Bea inspected the bug like device then touched the touch screen. It lit up with four options. Bea was about to read them when Jillian decided to explain the device.
“This prototype I called Artimist 1, it contains several features-“
“Prototype?” Suzanne question concerned.
“It’s fine, I stopped it blowing up now” Jillian dismissed. “Now, the key features are creating projections of various enemies for you to practice fighting with. These allow for training without destruction and the computer generates random projects and accommodates for your surrounding. If you take off the touch pad it becomes a GPS, fairly indestructible and lastly this thing can be used as a movie projector”
“You can guess who suggested that” Suzanne stated.
Michelle chuckled “Girl has to relax sometime”
“Anyway, what do you think?”
“I love it, thank you” Beatrice replied.
“Your welcome”
“Alright we will allow you to finish your breakfast. See you later” Michelle declared. She took her ladies hands and walked them away. Leaving Michael and Hanna to hang with the rest of the crew.
Later that night
“Is the blindfold really necessary?” Beatrice complained.
“Probably not” Ava laughed. She guided Bea through the Cradle with her hands gripping her shoulders. Hanna tied to Ava’s chest. “But it’s more fun this way”
“Darling”
“Don’t worry babe, it’s just ahead” She leaned up and kissed Bea’s cheek. “up the stairs, one foot at a time”
Soon the sounds of music filtered the air. The couple followed the sounds up the staircase to the next level.
“Alright you, ready?” Ava asked.
“As ready as I’ll ever be”
“Okay then” Ava pulled back the blind fold, tossing it aside. She took a stand to the side as Beatrice opened her eyes.
The once training arena was converted to a mass rolling skate rink, with DJ and Bar in the corner. Multicolour light bulbs with string strung crisscross the yard. The trees and brick walls lined with yellow light. The entire convent stood waiting for the family, with their friends at the front of the group.
“SURPRISE!” the entire group yelled.
“What the!” Bea replied shocked.
“Happy birthday babe” Ava spoke.
Hanna cued and cheered in response.
Bea turned to her and smiled “thank you”
“ALRIGHT YOU LOT, LET’S PARTY!” Ava declared. The group cheered and the party set off in motion. Ava watched them mill about, laughed at those rushing to the roller skate rink. “So what do you think? Pretty cool right?”
“Undeniably so, this was what you were up to all of yesterday”
“Pretty much, now what would you like babe? Drink or skate first?”
“Skate”
“Then lets go”
The party went off a hitch. Ava and Beatrice skated around the man made roller rink hand in hand. Hanna laughing as they flew around and round, hands bouncing in the air as they went. Camila and Serita raced Lilith and Mary. Michelle, Jillian and Suzanne relaxing at a table watching the party. Michael befriending Sister Cara, teaching the nervous nun how to roller skate.
Soon the crew retired to the bar, joining the three girlfriends.
“Having fun out there?” Michelle chuckled.
“It’s amazing” Bea answered.
“Glad to hear it, now-“ thunder roared above the Gates, cutting Michelle off. They turned to the sky confused, finding nothing. Michelle looked to the gates concerned. Hanna following her lead.
“Looks like a storm is coming” Ava comment.
“We still got time, but we should get the electrics under cover” Lilith pointed out.
“Ah I wouldn’t worry about it, sounds like an electrical storm, no rain tonight” Mary stated.
Jillian paused and turned to her confused. “How can you tell?”
“Let’s just say my town growing up there was always the odd storm” Mary answered with a low shrug. “You could always tell when it rained, when it won’t and when to bunker down for the odd twister”
“So before I hang the washing out on the line I should call you?”
“For sure, only after 7am"
“Of course”
“We weren’t expecting any sort of storms for at least the next week” Suzanne pointed out concerned.
“Weather can be unpredictable” Camila pointed out.
“I’ll check it out” Serita offered.
“No” Michelle quickly answered. She turned to the crew and smiled. “It’s most likely nothing, but I will check the computer for weather reports” she turned to her girlfriends and kissed them one by one. She pulled away and marched straight for Beatrice, giving the woman a quick hug. “Have fun sweetie” she wished.
“Thank you”
Michelle pulled back, then approached her daughter and her granddaughter. Kissing their foreheads one by one. She pulled back and addressed the crew with her charming smile “See you all soon, drink and be merry” then turned and disappeared in a bolt of light.
“You heard the woman, everyone take a drink!” Ava commanded, heading straight for the bar and began mixing cocktails for everyone.
Mary and Lilith chuckled, taking their seats at the bar. Bea’s gaze lingered down the path to the main gates for a few moments more, then turned back to her girlfriend, moving to the bar. Camila joined the others while Serita gave Ava a hand mixing drinks.
Jillian turned to her with a curious gaze “Are you fine to be mixing drinks?”
“Perfectly thanks” Ava laughed. “This isn’t the kitchen, I’m actually quite good at bartending”
“Really?”
“I can vouch for that” Serita stated. She turned to the older ladies as she tossed the cocktail mixer up and over around her body, catching the drink as she went. “Taught her everything she knows”
“very well then”
“Alrighty then!” Ava laughed. She and Serita poured everyone a lemon drop martini. Handing them out. Once everyone had their drinks, she looked down to find Hanna still starring at a humanoid shadow across the field. “You alright sweetie?”
“She does this a lot” Beatrice spoke concerned.
“I noticed” Suzanne observed. “Any ideas what she is looking at?”
They all followed Hanna’s gaze and found nothing. The shadow disappeared long before their gaze reach the spot it stood. They turned back to Hanna concerned, her wide gaze refused to move away from that spot.
“What are you looking at sweetpea?” Ava asked. “Hmmn?”
Hanna ignored her for a while, then suddenly looked up and giggled.
“Alright keep your secrets” she laughed. She picked up her martini and raised it high. “A toast, to Bea”
“To Bea!” they replied
Beatrice snuck out of the crowds and found herself a little spot to catch her breath. She watched on from a staircase leading to the boundary wall. Amazed at the scene before her. Her girlfriend, the love of her life, the woman she wants to marry put this on for her. She did this, for her. She got the army of sister warriors to put down their weapons for the night and help build a roller skate rink. She created this festival of fun for her.
If Bea ever doubted the woman before her didn't love her, those fears won’t come to pass again. She watched her Ava skating their adopted daughter around on her shoulders. It made Beatrice's heart sing at the sight of their happiness.
“Sneaking off already” Lilith laughed, sliding down beside Beatrice. Knocking her shoulders into Beas. “Give me one second head start and I’ll steal us a bottle of wine. We’ll go back to my room and watch Buffy”
Beatrice smiled. “tempting, but I think I’m right to stay here”
“Yeah?”
“Yeah, actually I think...I think I’m going to do it”
“You are?” Lilith asked surprised.
Beatrice snapped to her uncertain. “Should I wait for more appropriate time?”
“No” Lilith quickly answered. “No it’s fine, it’s great, go for it! Make that Halo Bearer your wife!” She encouraged, dragging Beatrice to her feet. She grabbed hold of her shoulders and stood behind her, leaning down. “Remember you are fucking Beatrice, Warrior of God, Commander of the Sister Warriors appointed by the Pope himself. Now go propose!”. She then shoved her forward.
Bea stumbled then turned back to Lilith.
Lilith gave her two thumbs up.
Bea gave her the thumbs up back, turned and took a deep breath. She marched through the crowds. Purpose in her stride whispering reassurances in her head.
First she reach out and grabbed Ava’s hand. The woman spun around and grinned merry up at her.
“Hey Babe” Ava cheered. “What’s up?”
“I need to talk to you” Bea Insisted.
“Okay What is it?”
“Not here” before all her nerves vanished, Beatrice pulled her lover through the crowds heading for the roof of Cats Cradle.
“Uh Okay” was all Ava squeaked out as she was dragged along. “Is there something wrong?”
“Nothing’s wrong, just need to talk”
It wasn’t long before the three found themselves at the top of Cats Cradle. With nothing but the stars and the lights of the party as their guide. Beatrice believed the quiet space would help build confidence, but one look at Ava and the words seem to slip off her tongue and back down her throat.
“You okay love?” Ava asked worriedly.
“Fine”
“You seem nervous, was tonight too much?”
“No it’s not, it was unexpected, but not too much”
“Good, cause if it is I can easily sneak us out of there and we can steal Lilith’s Buffy collection and Camila’s popcorn stash”
Beatrice laughed. “Thank you, but I’m not here about the party, I want to talk about...us”
“Us?”
“Yes you see Ava I...I” the words unwillingly trailed off. “I-I-I”
“Bea?”
“Ugh why is this so difficult!” Beatrice groaned frustrated. She threw herself away from Ava and began to pace back and forth. “I kill bloody demons for a living I can do this” she growled hushly.
“Bea?”
Beatrice stopped and faced her. “I love you!” She declared frustrated. “You mean the world to me Ava!”
Ava breath a sigh of relief. “Love you too Bea”
“My life for years have nothing to do with love. Nothing of what you shown me and what you done for me I thought will never happen to someone like me” Beatrice explained. She continued while trailing a hand to her pocket “Then you came and you showed me love” she pushed her hand in her pocket and searched for the ring. “I never felt stronger then right now, with you and Hanna in my life. With a family of our own. As scary as this life is, I don’t want to waste a second. So I want to prove this-“ She stopped. Her hand was buried in her pocket. Her skin paled as she realised her mistake. She forgot the ring was back in her room. Hidden under lock and key so Ava or Hanna couldn’t find it till she was ready.
Ava stepped forward and asked, pointing to herself, Hanna and Bea “This?”
This wasn’t what she wanted to ask Ava tonight, but this will do in the meantime. “Yes” Bea answered.
Ava grinned, she walked forward and clasped both of Beatrice’s hands. “I know what you mean”
“You do?” Bea asked hopefully.
“Yeah, I mean sure adoption wasn’t on my cards, but hey. Life is short and I want to experience the world” Ava tugged Bea closer till the woman was forced standing on Ava’s toes. “There is no one else I rather by my side and now, I get to have you by my side raising our child and hey I get it’s scary. It scared the shit out of me, I thought I would have to take you and her away to Switzerland just to raise her, but you welcomed her in. You keep her safe and loved. She may not have a father, but You are the father she deserves”
Bea blushes from the praise “My love”
Hanna turned away from them suddenly, up to the sky and started to cry.
Both ladies rapidly snapped their attentions to her.
“Hey sweetpea what’s wrong?” Ava called, taking Hana out of the harness and into her arms. She bounced the baby in her arms, calling the girls name, but the girl refused to look her away.
Beatrice guided one hand protectively behind Hanna’s back. Another, took out her knife. She looked above and saw nothing. “I don’t see anything”
Ava sighed looking up while saying “then why are you-“ she trailed off at the sight above her head. “Holy shit” She cursed.
Above the shield flying straight towards them was a mass of Wraiths. So closely combined they appeared like an angry red meteor crashing for earth. Only Ava and her daughter were able to see them.
“Fuck!” She cursed. “GET DOWN!” She yelled as she pulled Bea into her grasp and threw her down. Then herself ontop with her family held in her grasp. Ava’s wings bursting from her back, shielding the three of them.
The wraiths collided with the shield the same second and along came the thunder of howls. Their bodies exploding into bursts of light. Leaving nothing to trace their existence.
Still they kept pushing against the shield, trying to break in. Ava knew her mother was powerful, being the ex Halo Bearer and all, but her instincts told her to protect her family and that’s what she did.
Even the party below stopped to gaze upward at the lightning display.
Ava wrapped herself around Bea and Hanna. Keeping them close to her chest. Her daughter continued to cry, despite being pressed against her mothers chest and her vision of the wraiths shielded.
After a while, the explosions stopped and so quieten Hanna’s cries. Ava pulled away, then handed Hanna into Beatrice’s arms.
“What was that?” Bea asked confused.
“Wraiths, fucking horde of them” Ava turned from the sky to her lover. Grasping her face as her wings disappeared. “Are you okay?”
Bea smiled softly and nodded. “I’m fine”
They turned down to the baby. Bea bounced the baby in her arms. The girl turning to look up at her with bloodied eyes. “It’s okay Han, you are safe” Bea reassured.
Hanna’s eyes shifted back to silver. She smiled then curled into Beatrice’s chest.
Bea held her daughter tight, wiping away the blood tears from her face. Once cleaned, she leaned down and kissed Hanna’s temple. The baby cues happily at the touch.
Ava grinned at her little family. Suddenly, the hairs on the back of her neck stood up. She shivered, turned behind her and sprinted for the edge of the building.
“Ava?” Bea called as she chased after.
The family peered over the edge to the front gate. Where just beyond the wall they spotted a stranger in draped in white cloth robe and cloak from a bygone era. A style similar of Michelle’s cloak from her old realm.
“What the hell?” Ava cursed.
The stranger watched them for a moment. Then took two steps closer. They raised a flat palm to the shield.
Before they could touch it. Michelle burst into the scene in a blaze of light with her armour and cloak on and sword in hand. She swung her sword at the figure. The stranger pulled their head back, then teleported a few feet away. Michelle chased after, disappearing then reappearing in front of the stranger.
The two fought outside of Cats Cradle. The stranger didn’t raise a weapon, but their hands. Using their arms to block Michelle’s sword. Each attack landed left not a mark on the stranger’s body. This unusual occurrence left a cold chill on the ladies. For they knew well enough Michelle’s blade is one of two deadly weapons that lives inside the walls of Cats Cradle. What could be so strong Michelle’s infamous sword can’t cut.
“Come on mum come on” Ava whispered worriedly.
The stranger ducked under Michelle’s baseball swing. Swiped their foot upward and knocked Michelle’s sword from her hand. Then jumped up and performed a high kick to Michelle’s face. Sending the Warrior tumbling away from her sword.
The stranger landed on their feet and marched straight for Michelle. Pulling out their sword. A slim curved blade that pulled around like a hook near the end of their sword.
“Come on mum you can do it”
Michelle slowly pulled herself to her feet. Wobbly for a moment as the stranger advanced forward. At all of the sudden, Michelle straighten her back and vanished. In a pop of thunder she appeared behind the stranger, with her sword in hand and The stranger themselves thrown to their back landing head beside Michelle's foot. Michelle drew her sword pressed against the stranger’s neck.
“Woah go mum!” Ava cheered proudly.
“Impressive” Bea Agreed.
The ladies couldn’t hear what was being said, but Michelle pushed the sword down. Before it could cut the stranger. The stranger disappeared into shadow then into nothing. Michelle tried to hold the stranger back in this realm, but only managed to tear a fist full of cloth from the stranger’s clothes. Michelle pulled back, inspected the cloth in hand, then turned back to the Cradle. She disappeared in a burst of light and reappeared beside the little family. “Are you three okay?”
“We’re Fine mum, what was that?” Ava asked.
“I don’t know, they were using the wraiths to attack the shield. Try and punch a hole in” she answered, a little winded.
“Are you okay?”
“I’m fine”
“You don’t sound it”
Michelle laughed. “It will take more then that prick to bring me down”
“Could it have been a demon?” Bea asked. “Someone with influence over the wraiths”
“Not a demon, Demons have a particular scent and that wasn’t it”
“A Rogue Tarask or an Angel?”
Michelle shudder “if an Angel got in this realm, then this changed everything”
“It could have, you said Hanna is part Angel” Ava shrugged.
“Hanna is a special case never heard of and her being only part angelic is the reason she can be here”. Michelle turned to the cloth in hand and stated to the family. “This cloth isn’t enough to tell me whom they are, but it’s enough to let me track its scent. See if it’s been here before”
“The stranger seemed too calm for a first time visit” Bea states uneasy.
“We’ll find out” Michelle turned to the cloth and inhaled the faint scent that lingered. She immediately recoiled away and gagged at the scent. “What the bloody hell” she cursed disgusted.
“What’s wrong?” Ava asked concerned.
“That scent, the magic this person carries is distorted, unnatural, but...familiar” she suddenly paled. “It reminds me of....” she dug her nail across the fabric. Dragging it along and the trail turned dark vivid shade of purple in her wake. She did this notion twice. On the last, she shuddered, starring at the fabric with fear and worry.
“Mum?” Ava asked, scared for her mother’s sudden change. “What’s wrong?”
Michelle looked up at her daughter and Bea. Turning to Hanna, then back to the ladies. She smiled and stated “Go back to the party, enjoy the night. I’ll take care of this”
“Mum?”
“It’s fine, just go enjoy yourselves”
Ava nodded reluctantly. With a gentle hand she guided her girlfriend away from her mother and back to the party.
Michelle waited till the little family was back at the party before she turned to the sky and closed her eyes.
Within seconds later her friend, Faith, appeared in a burst of light by her side.
“You called?” Faith spoke cheerily
“I have” Michelle spoke, turning to her friend. “I need you and our closet friends to track a certain someone”
“A Someone?”
“Yes, one that I believed to be dead” she handed the cloth to Faith. She felt her anger start to build as she stated “It’s her isn’t it”
Faith looked at her friend concerned, then took an uneasy sniff. She choked on the scent just like Michelle. She starred at the cloth confused, then suddenly harden her gaze as she stated “It can’t be”
“Find her my friend, track that bitch down. I don’t want her anywhere near this realm!”
“The bitch should have stayed dead” Faith growled. She turned to her friend and declared “You have my word, I will track her down!”
With that Faith disappeared in a blaze of light.
Michelle turned to the sky and looked beyond to the Old Gods. “Did you know she still breaths or is her existence the reason why you allowed Hanna to live here?” She heard no answer. She hummed, gazing away for a moment. “Then let it be known, I will keep my family safe”. She turned back to the sky and declared “whatever it takes”