The Cost of Betrayal

Chapter Twenty-eight

Birsha found Chastity sitting with a few other girls from their classes. She noticed him right away and ran to him, "Hello," she greeted then whispered, "Master," in his ear.

He smiled at her, the action not reaching his eyes, "Hello, Chastity. I have plans for us this evening. Meet me in the hallway after curfew." He looked around, making sure that no one else noticed their conversation.

Chastity smiled coyly at him and trailed her finger discretely up his arm, "Of course, Master," she whispered. Once he was satisfied that she would come and that no one important saw them, he gave her a gentle shove away from him. She winked at him, excited for their meeting later in the evening. She sashayed away, swaying her bikini-clad hips as she rejoined her friends.

Birsha watched, his teenage hormones raged as he watched her bottom move left and right. Her hair, still dark from his order for her to dye it, made his mind play tricks on him. He almost walked up to her again, his feet walking towards her of their own accord, stopping only when he heard her voice. His urge to see her was dampened by the scratchy, annoying voice of Chastity, and not the one he wanted close.

*************

Maura sighed heavily as she watched the ocean from her window later that day. She had begun to get another vision while they were at the beach and she needed to lie down. She wasn't sure where this was going, but she wasn't happy about it. She has been learning so much this week, even while relaxing with her friends. She was sorry to see it coming to an end, it felt as if it were flying by.

She picked up one of her books and attempted to start reading. She was indulging in her guilty pleasure, reading romance novels. She couldn't wait until she found her one true love and they lived happily ever after. Currently, she was taking in a story called, Flores Vitae, by Maureen Atsali. She was just getting into an interesting scene when there was a knock on her door. She closed the book quickly and tucked it under her covers. "Who is it?"

"It's Mary, dear," returned the soft voice on the other side of the door.

Maura smiled, she liked this witch, she was amazing at what she did, "Hang on, I'm coming."

Mary greeted Maura with a huge slice of apple pie, the warm cinnamon scent filling Maura's nostrils as she inhaled deeply. "Dear, we need to talk."

Maura opened her door, "Of course," she stepped aside to allow the kind woman to enter her hotel room.

Mary handed Maura the container holding the slice of pie, and they sat down at the tiny table. Maura looked to Mary, "What's up?"

Mary knew that she needed to tell Maura to protect her, but she also knew that this would be important to her future. She patted her hand warmly.

"You know about your destiny, correct?" Mary asked her gently.

Maura nodded, her mouth full of the delicious apple pie. "Yes, Gamma would tell me about it. I don't know all of it," she admitted sheepishly. "But, she told me I was destined to save our coven, from what," she shrugged, "She never told me."

Mary gave her a sympathetic look, "I understand, love." It was then that Mary noticed that the charm that should be around Maura's neck was missing. "Oh, dear, where is your charm?"

Maura's eyes filled with tears at the memory of the night she lost it. She allowed one to escape and leave a glistening trail down her cheek as she recounted the events to Mary.

Mary closed her eyes and let out a worried breath. Quickly covering up her actions with a smile, she patted Maura's hand again, "No worries, dear, we'll just have to do some things a little different." She looked around the room, and as for the saving of the coven part," she leaned in closer, "Do your best."

Mary left after that and searched for Stephan, when she found him she slapped in solidly in the arm. "You didn't tell me she lost her charm."

Stefan rubbed his arm, for a kitchen witch Mary sure hit hard, "We searched for it." He looked at her, "That hurt."

She glared at him, "It should," she snapped at him, " because that was the ONE thing that was helping her from feeling the pull of the fated bond she had!"

Stefan's eyes grew wide, "Oh, s**t," he muttered. "But we've been keeping them apart." He looked hopeful, "And she's been busy with everyone here."

"Yes, but that doesn't mean it won't happen." Stefan could feel Mary's anger spilling out, even though he could see she was containing it.

"You're right, we have three more days here to make sure it doesn't." Stefan was thinking of ways to make sure they were separated for the rest of the trip. "We were going to take a ferry to the Dragon's island later today. I'll let the headmistress know about the charm."

Mary nodded, "I'll the kids a lunch packed." She shook her head and snapped her fingers, disappearing from sight.

He rubbed his arm again, "How the hell does a kitchen witch hit so hard?" He heard her disembodied voice reply, "We work a lot of mixes. Be lucky it wasn't my rolling pin."

He chuckled and walked towards the headmistress, informing her of the missing charm. Her look changed from curiosity to concern at his words.

"We have to keep an eye on them." Because not only would that spell trouble for the coven, but her mother will kill us."

Stefan nodded in agreement, but hormonal eighteen-year-olds were very hard to contain. Especially if they are fated.

***********

Later that night Birsha paced the hallway, he was waiting impatiently for Chastity. "Where the hell is she?" He uttered to himself. She was really pushing his buttons this trip. He was about to summon her, when she rushed out of the door of her hotel room. "It's about time."

She scurried down the hall, "I'm sorry, Master, I was getting ready for you."

He looked her up and down and could see that she attempted to freshen herself up, he gave her a half hearted smile and turned away from her. Maybe she could still be useful, he thought. He shook his head, she still needed to disappear. Her changes were becoming too obvious and the illusion spell he had cast on her was wearing thin. "Come on, we're going to be late," he said, walking away from her.

She hurried to catch up to him, "Master, where are we going?"

Birsha shrugged, keeping his voice nonchalant, "For a walk on the beach," he said.

Chastity purred, "Mmm, that's so romantic." Her heart lept with excitement, is he finally seeing her?

Birsha nodded absentmindedly, when she mentioned the words romantic, his mind went straight to Maura. Her long black hair, and smooth skin making him want to touch her. He wasn't paying attention to Chastity, as she was speaking. She was rambling on about moonlit walks and kissing under a full moon.

They finally made it to the shoreline, when he turned to her, "Will you please shut up?"

He turned in time to see the wounded look on Chastity's face, and for a brief second he felt bad. His remorse quickly changed to contempt and he turned back to the water.

"What are you searching for, Master?" she asked timidly.

"A friend of mine who is going to be helping me with my task," he replied running a hand over his head in frustration. Just then, a splash caught his eye. He smiled, "Finally." He turned to Chastity, "Let's go." He put out his hand to her, which she accepted willingly, sighing softly as grasped her hand. "Have you heard from Micheal lately?"

Birsha turned, he had completely forgotten about that slimy little eel. "No, I haven't, have you?"

Chastity shook her head, "No, I was just curious, Master."

They were about to step into the water, when Birsha heard him, "Master! Master! I have it!"

"Have what?" He turned, surprised that he was here. His eyes narrowed at Chastity, "You knew he was coming?" His accusitory tone stung harder than his slap across her cheek.

"No, I swear!" The coincidence was unnerving that Michael just happened to show up. She was angry that he chose that time to reappear after weeks of being missing.

Micheal looked nearly unrecognizable, even his voice was different. Chastity gasped, "What's happened to you?"

The form of Micheal, sneered at Chastity, "I could say the same about you, scraggly hair, pale skin," he looked her up and down. He could see through the spell that Birsha had cast over her because he was just like her.

"Enough!" he snapped, "What do you have?"

Micheal smiled happily, "This Master." He lifted his hand and showed Birsha the fine gold chain and delicate charm.

He snatched the charm out of Micheal's hand, "Where was this?"

Micheal jumped up and down excitedly, "It was in a bush, beside where your plan went wrong," he cried happily. His happy cry turned to one of pain as Birsha punched him soundly in the face.

"The plan would have gone well, if you and Joey would have done what I said! There was nothing wrong with my plan!" He punched Micheal again, causing the withered boy to grasp both sides of his face.

Anemone was watching the scene unfold in front of her and shook her head, she was sorry she agreed to help him. He didn't appear to be what she thought he was. What did she get herself into? she worried. She decided to stop his abuse of these poor creatures. She was surprised that they were in Avec, since she had only ever seen them on the Isle. How did he get them off, let alone two of them.

"Birsha," she crooned. She made her voice soothing, calling out to him. "I've come to assist you," she sang.

Birsha stopped his assault on Micheal midswing, "I was wondering when you were coming. This isn't what it looks like," he said, lying smoothly to the mermaid.

Anemone rolled her eyes, she didn't believe him, she had witnessed his actions. She decided to keep her mouth shut and allow him to lie to her. "What is it you want from me?"

Birsha's anger at Micheal and Joey had taken over his desire to get rid of Chastity, he decided he would lose Micheal. "I need to get rid of this problem. He has stolen from me, and tried to assault someone important to me."

Anemone remained quiet, she knew that minions didn't do that. She crossed her arms, "I will help you," she agreed. She was quickly devising a plan to get them both back where they belong. She looked Chastity up and down, "And this one? She is the one of importantance?"

Birsha scoffed, "This piece of trash?" He pushed Chastity away roughly, "No, this is not something of importantance to me."

Chastity didn't bother to hide her hurt expression, "But Master, I love you."

Birsha laughed rudely at her, "Love, love doesn't exist." He pushed Chastity and Micheal towards the mermaid, "These are my problem, get rid of them."

Anemone nodded and grabbed to two by their wrists, plunging them down into the water. Micheal and Chastity struggled before Anemone turned to them, "Stop struggling, I will protect you, but you will have to keep quiet. I will take you home." The two were holding their breath and nodded. She called for her sister Calypso who rushed to her. She had been hiding waiting to make sure her sister was safe.

"Anemone, they are air breathers," she reminded her sister, before blowing a bubble and placing it over each of their new guests heads.

The couple inhaled deeply, relieved that they weren't going to become the next mermaid meal.

"We have to return them home," Anemone said, "I think, there will be a rich reward for this."

Calypso looked at her sister, "What about the man that was supposed to help us?"

Anemone shook her head, "He's not who appears to be. I don't think he's the one."

The sisters took off in the direction of the Isle, they knew they had to be stealthy with this trip, but they knew of two sweet minions that would help them and these two missing ones.