The Cost of Betrayal

Chapter Thirty-two

****six months later****

Birsha was watching as Maura was speaking to her friends, her smile lighting up the room. They were celebrating their graduation. He noticed that Joey's parents were at the party. The look of sadness on their faces made Birsha smile inwardly. Joey did it to himself. There was no one to blame for his death, but Joey. Birsha looked around the room, studying everyone. He had plans for this coven, and he was biding his time. He noticed that Chastity and Micheal's parents were nowhere to be found. That had him curious.

Joey's family approached Maura, and she hugged them warmly. Birsha didn't like that, he stepped closer to them, he wanted to hear everything that was being said.

"Thank you," Maura said to Joey's parents. "He treated me kindly."

Joey's mother smiled, "He had a bit of a crush on you growing up," she admitted to Maura. Her eyes filled with tears and sadness at the memories of her son.

Birsha stepped behind Maura then, "He was a good friend," Birsha said, the lie slipping easily from his tongue. He was thrilled that small things like this were getting easier and easier. He wondered how far he could go with this new skill. "Have you seen Chastity and Micheal's parents?" He asked casually.

Joey's parents and Maura all looked at him, "Who?"

Birsha's lifted in surprise, "Joey's friends."

Joey's father shook his head, "Are they from this coven? Because those names don't ring any bells."

Maura nodded her head in agreement, "There was never anyone here by that name."

Birsha shook his head slightly in disbelief. This was an interesting turn. Those two were from prominent members of the coven, and no one is missing them? How did this happen? His mind raced at the thoughts.

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

Navaro smirked, these two minions were worth every penny he spent on them. The little female one did anything he asked and willingly. However, Furo had to be watched closely as he certainly lives up to his name. He will come in handy when the battles begin. He was a slimy little snake of a minion, which made Navaro wonder what he did to become a minion. He would have to work his memories to find out. And he knew just the witch to help him. He stroked his chin thoughtfully, her prices weren't cheap.

Navaro sighed heavily, "Come here you," he beckoned to Furo.

Furo approached him furtively, "Yes, master," he sniveled. Furo rubbed his hands together, he had taken to doing that when he wanted something that was in his sights.

Navaro followed Furo's eyes, seeing the shining gold goblet on the table. "Do you want that?" He asked, jerking his pale head towards the table.

Furo looked down, "It is Master's, and Furo mustn't touch Master's belongings." His hands were itching terribly at the thought of taking the goblet. It was so shiny and perfect. But his back was still stinging from the reminder he received when he stole the ring from Navaro's mistress.

Navaro's malicious smile spread across his face, "That's right, Furo." He relished doling out punishments to his creatures. "But, I have work for you."

Furo perked up at the mention of work, "Yes, Master?"

"If you can steal that goblet without me seeing you, I will reward you," Navaro informed Furo.

"Reward?" Furo asked curiously.

Navaro nodded, "Yes, you and Trixie can leave for one day. If you can succeed in my request."

Furo's eyes widened in excitement, his mind racing at the thought of being away from the greedy vampire, even if it was only for one day.

"But," Navaro lifted his long, bony finger in warning, "If you fail. Your punishment will be severe."

Furo nodded, "Yes, Master."

Trixie watched the interaction with wide-eyed curiosity. She hoped he could do it. She didn't like her job here, Master was a cruel and heartless creature. He was rough and hurt her every time he used her. He was nothing like the Master she thought she remembered. She wished she could recall who he was. It was not the Master from the dark Island that she was certain of. Although the two minions from there were kind and very helpful. She wanted to escape, get back to him, she just wished she could remember who he was.

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

Birsha wrapped his arms around Maura from behind, he kissed her behind her ear, inhaling the scent of her perfume. The sandalwood oil she used blended perfectly with her natural scent, making him want her even more. But she never let him indulge in anything more than a few kisses. But he was going to change that. He was going to ask her to join her in a handfasting ritual, forever tying them together.

"Come on, Maura," he whispered in her ear, "Let's go for a walk."

Maura could feel Birsha's desire for her before he embraced her. She smiled and nodded, "Okay." She mentally shook her head, she was getting tired of turning him down, but she wasn't about to risk getting pregnant before she knew her role in saving her coven. She took his hand in hers and they left the party, taking a path that led towards one of the small, clear, green pools of water that gave Jade Oasis its name. She was touched that her mother went out of her way to host the party there. It was so beautiful. The plants were lush and the water views were amazing.

As Maura and Birsha walked down the path, a handsome dark-haired man walked past them, hand in hand with a lovely woman with long brown hair and the most gentle of eyes. The man looked at Maura curiously as a small tingle coursed through his body. The woman he was with smiled at him and looked at Maura. She bit the inside of her lip lightly as the vision flashed briefly before her eyes. She gave herself a mental shake, she could not dwell on the sad part of her future. She had just found out she was with child to the man that held her hand. They continued walking away from the younger couple, a stray tear threatening to fall from her eye.

They walked a little further away and the man paused. The woman looked up at him and nodded, "She is the one."

The man shook his head, "No, my love, you are my one and only. You have just given me the most wonderful news! And now you are telling me that she is going to replace you?"

The woman gave him a watery smile, "I love you, my heart." She whispered as she took his hand and placed it over her chest, above her beating heart. "She will be good for you, but it will be sometime before you meet her again." As she let the vision overtake her, she felt her heartbreak for the young girl she only saw in passing. She opened her eyes to her husband, "She has a lot to do before she will come back to your life. Just know to take your time with her."

The man eyed his wife curiously. Even though they were both genies, her grandmother was a witch who passed along her gift of visions to his wife. "How long?"

The woman gave him a wry smile, "Years."

The man gave a small sigh of relief, thinking that this meant he had years with his wife.

"Let's go home," she said. Her body was tired and allowing the vision didn't help. She leaned her head on his shoulder and the two walked away from Birsha and Maura.

Birsha waited until the couple left. He could feel a change in Maura as the man walked past them. It was the same feeling he felt when they had met for the first time. Over his dead body would she be with anyone else!

"Maura," he started softly, turning his body to face her.

"Hmm," she responded, her mind still on the couple that had passed them.

Birsha got on one knee, he hoped he was doing this right. Maura looked down, her eyes grew wide with surprise. He wasn't, was he?

"Maura, will you do me the honor of being my wife?" He pulled the gold ring from his pocket and held it up to her.

Maura's mind filled with so many thoughts at once. She wasn't ready, she didn't think this was a good idea. But her mouth uttered one word before she could stop it.

"Yes." She nodded, even as her mind was telling her to wait.

Birsha stood up and kissed her deeply, "You don't know how happy you've just made me."

She embraced him tightly as she returned the kiss.