Chapter 22
Sunset started to set, over the Cradle.
Hues of pink, purple and yellow lit up the back garden where the Memorial for the Fallen was constructed. The OCS started to gather around the Memorial with candles in hand. Michelle and Ava didn’t move from the watchtower. They were too focused on their discussion to notice the setting sun or where the sisters were moving.
“So we are in agreement?” Ava asked concerned.
Michelle nodded with a low grunt. Her attention fixed on the paved ground before her. “My faith in the Old Gods is absolute” she turned to Ava, her gaze narrowed. “But my faith in you is stronger” she assured. “Do not, under any circumstances contact him. I want to be certain it is Father before I hear his voice grace my ears again”
Ava nodded “I understand”
“Until then I will teach you and Lilith everything I know about our kind and train you in harnessing your powers. All the ones you know and the ones undiscovered”
Ava smiled in the first time since their discussion this afternoon. “Sounds fun”
Footsteps came hurriedly up the back stairway within the tower. The Silvas turned to the trap door entranced and watched Sister Cara race up the stairway. She poked her head up, looked around worriedly, then focused on them. Her face beamed at the very sight of them. “Oh I found yous” she stated, hurrying up the stairs and up onto the landing. “We’re just about to begin service and here” she reached into her pocket and pulled out two unlit candles. Holding the objects out to the Silvas. “We saved you some”
The ladies whispered their thanks as they took the objects.
“Thank you Cara. Who’s we?” Ava questioned as she accepted the gift.
“The Convent, everyone”
“I don’t think I…well”
Sister Cara frowned. She walked forward and took Ava’s hands into her own. “it’s okay, no one blames you. Your friends are looking for you, they want you there as much as everyone else. You saved our lives that day. It is not your fault they died. We all know the consequences to this life and we have accepted them willingly. Please. Join us”
Ava watched her for a moment, then nodded.
Sister Cara beamed, she dropped Ava’s hands then sprinted for the stairwell. Climbing down, the Silvas following directly behind her.
Walking towards the group gathered. The Memorial was small steel standing bowl of eternal flames surrounded by a garden of flowers. With a wooden circular frame tied against the wall. Faces of the fallen Sister Warriors over the centuries painted on the wall in black sketch.
Sister Cara guided the ladies to their crew, then walked away to join her friends.
Michelle was immediately embraced by her girlfriends and Michael. She wrapped her arms around them, smiling warmly at them while she kept one eye on her daughter.
Ava walked over to her group. Beatrice noticed her first, she smiled at her approaching lover, then walked over and met her halfway. She embraced her lover as the rest of the crew made their way to the couple. Each taking hold of Ava. “thank you” Ava whispered, her voice muffled against Beatrice.
“No need to thank us!” Mary stated. “Whatever happens, we do it together”
They turned to Mary with a grateful smile. “Together” they agreed.
With her girlfriends support, Mother Superion made her way through the crowd and took a stand beside the eternal flame. A quick stamp of the ground with her cane and the crowd fell into silence. All eyes turned to her. The Crew pulled away from their embrace. “Good evening” she address the crowd. “I know this is tough. We all lost sisters and we are all still in mourning for them. This monument is for them. All we lost yesterday and before. This flame is erected to symbolise our love for them and our garden will grow to show them our thanks. Tonight we will host a memorial dinner. Tomorrow we will continue our service and fight against the evils that threaten not only this world, but our loved ones”
Ava tighten her grip on her family. Beatrice turned to her finance and pressed her forehead against Ava’s head. Lilith’s grip on Mary’s hand tighten. Mary turned to Ava and placed a comforting hand on Ava’s shoulder. Camila dropped her head on Serita’s shoulder. Serita smiled briefly, placing a kiss on her girlfriend’s habbit.
“Sister warriors, we have faced all kinds of devils before and we will face them again. This Reya thinks she can come into our home and attack our sisters. I think not. We are the Sister Warriors of God. We are the Protectors. The Saviours. We will not stand for this!”
The Crew and the Sister Warriors started to cheer.
“We Will not Stand for this!” Suzanne’s voice raised louder. “She wants to burn our loved ones. Then we will show her true fire and fury!” The Crowd cheered louder at her declaration. She smiled. “In this life or the next!”
“IN THIS LIFE OR THE NEXT!” The Entire OCS yelled.