The Cost of Betrayal

Chapter Twenty-nine

Chastity was scared, she didn't know what was happening. She was always told that the merfolk were dangerous and not to be trusted. Her mind was racing, she wanted nothing more than to leave Birsha, but she knew that she couldn't. The only way to escape his powerful grip was to die, and she didn't want to do that.

Micheal's grin was frightening Chastity, she had never seen him like this. Even when he wasn't under Birsha's contract, he didn't act like this. Had she changed that much too? She decided that she would ask the mermaids, they seemed kind.

"Excuse me," she asked timidly.

The one that had pulled them down beneath the water's surface turned, her features were now muted beneath the waves. "Yes?" she asked kindly.

"Where are we going?"

Anemone smiled, "I'm taking you back home."

Chastity was relieved, the mermaids were truly kind! She couldn't wait to see her mom and dad again. "Thank you!" She turned to Micheal, "Did you hear that? We're going home." It was then that the irony of the situation dawned on Chastity. The creatures she had been taught to fear were the ones saving her now.

Micheal threw his head back and laughed, the action exposing his darkened mouth, his teeth appeared decayed and broken. "Home? Our parents don't want us! They're going to take us lower into the sea and feast upon our bones for days!"

Chastity's eyes widened in fear, "They are not!"

Anemone turned around and chuckled at the two of them, "We most certainly will not be eating the two of you." Even it was tempting to off the male, she wouldn't do that to either of them. The consequences would be worse than the relief from his negativity.

Chastity followed in nervous silence as they made their way through the sea, she was afraid that her air bubble would leave her head and she would drown so she moved cautiously while taking in the wonders of the water. The fish that flitted up to them curiously then darted away were so colorful. The waters were so beautiful, she almost wished she could stay down here. They traveled in silence, the waters becoming cooler and darker. There was an uneasiness filling the pit of Chastitiy's stomach.

Egan sat on the shore of Deamoniumun Isle brooding. His mind was on everything but what he was supposed to be thinking about. He picked up a delicate shell that was beside him. He threw the small, white shells that had washed up on his black sand beaches back into the sea, allowing the waters to swallow them up. He didn't want to see the brightness against his dark soul, it reminded him too much of her. And she left, he could feel the anguish filling him again and he allowed it to happen. He didn't want to feel what she made him feel, he didn't deserve that light. He was a demon, after all. He slapped his clenched fist against his leg in anger. He couldn't even blame her for leaving. When she left, she made sure to disappear without a trace. He looked for her for years and had no luck. He was positive that others were helping her.

A timid waif of a creature approached, "Master, you have a meeting with the Vampire King of the Southern Realm. He will be here shortly." Her voice was nervous but strong. She had seen him at his lightest and knew that this was a bad day for him. Ever since she had left. She was afraid of the Vampire King, but not her Master.

He turned to her and showed her the kindness he rarely showed any of the minions on his Isle. There were a select few that deserved it, and Wash was one of them. She did her best to help him raise the son Aislinn had left with him. "Thank you, Wash. If you want, you may stay here." He knew that she was terrified of Navaro, and he didn't blame her. He was a tormented soul that would as soon suck the life out of anything than show them any sort of kindness. And he knew that Navaro had taken a keen liking to Wash. Egan could barely tolerate the vampire himself but did it because he was a strong ally when the time came. Egan looked around, and then eyed Wash, "Where's Tree?"

Wash shrugged, "I don't know, Master."

Egan flashed Wash one of his rare, genuine smiles, "Well, wherever he is, he is welcome to stay away from the castle as well. This meeting should only last two hours." Egan shook his head, continuing wryly, "Even I can only tolerate so much from that bloodsucker."

Wash remained still, she knew that her Master was a man of his word, but she also would not show signs of joy or relief in front of him. "Thank you, Master." She bowed deeply, her unkempt hair falling over her shoulders and touching the sand.

Egan composed himself, "Be back at the castle in two hours, no later."

"Yes, Master." Wash knew that there were consequences if she disobeyed and she didn't like them. So she was always careful to do as instructed, which was probably why she was treated differently than the others.

Egan walked back to the castle, steeling himself for the boring meeting with the greedy, self-centered, vampire. He already knew what he wanted, but he wasn't ready for it. He knew that it wasn't happening anytime soon. He didn't know how to convince these power-hungry creatures that Mavaka was not returning. His bloodline was gone.

Wash skipped about the water's edge, splashing happily. Even though there was only one place on the Isle that got sunshine, and everyone was forbidden from going to it, Wash loved being outside.

"Wash, Wash! What are you doing? The mermaids could take you away!" Tree called worriedly. He scurried to his companion and tugged her gently from the water.

Wash giggled at Tree, "Tree is so silly. The mermaids will not take me, you know that."

As she spoke the subject of their conversation broke the surface of the water, "Hello."

Tree stood perfectly still, he was always nervous around the merfolk. Although this one has always been kind, she and her sister would give him pretty shells. They reminded him of a better time, one that tickled the back of his memory but wouldn't come forward.

Wash's eyes widened, "Hello, pretty lady."

Anemone smiled at Wash, "Thank you," Anemone could see that there were changes happening on the Isle. Ones that were oh so subtle, but there nonetheless. "I have somethings that I believe belong on the Isle." She lifted the two minions from the water, their bubbles breaking and they each took a deep breath of fresh air.

Tree studied the two, they were certainly minions, their bodies twisted and undernourished, their hair scraggly, and their eyes were sunken. "Miss Anemone, these are not Master's minions."

Anemone looked confused, "But they are calling a young man 'master' on the mainland."

Chastity looked around clearly frightened, while Micheal was grinning from ear to ear. He leaned in, "I know where we are. And this is perfect."

Chastity turned to Anemone, "This is not my home. Please, I want to see my mom and dad."

Wash stepped into the water and placed a comforting hand on Chastity, "Come with Wash and Tree, we can help you. Master will take you in." Wash stepped back onto the sand and waited for the two. She was worried for them both, they weren't like the other minions.

Chastity nodded and walked towards the two minions. Micheal squealed with glee, he knew who was here and that he would hold the answers to the questions he had. The two stepped away from Anemone and towards Tree and Wash, who waited patiently on the shore. They were about to walk back to the castle when Wash remembered, why they were away from there in the first place.

"Tree, what are we going to do? It has not been two hours."

Tree did his best to comfort Wash, he didn't know what to do for her. The Vampire king didn't care about him, but he always wanted Wash to tend to him when he arrived. "Wash will have to stay away yet."

Wash shook her head, "No, this girl minion is scared," she turned to Chastity, "What does Master call you?"

Chastity looked at Wash confused, "He doesn't call me anything."

Wash thought for a minute, it was odd that they didn't have names. She knew that she got her name because she was good at washing things, and keeping things clean. And that Tree got his name because he was outside. "What did you do for Master?"

"Mostly he had me tricking people," Chastity replied thinking of everything Birsha ever had her do.

"It is not like Master to not give you a name," Wash tapped her chin, "Hmm, tricks."

Tree walked beside Micheal and was waiting for him to respond as well, "And what about you?"

Micheal's malicious smirk gave Tree the shivers, "I was a thief and liar for him," he boasted.

Tree's brows knitted together in confusion, these were not Master's usual jobs. Not anymore anyway, was he going back to these things?

Wash lifted her finger in the air, "I know! Trixie," she turned to Chastity, "Your name is Trixie." As Wash spoke the words all of Chastity's old memories faded to the farthest corner of her mind, her friends and family, forgotten.

Tree was thinking about his own ward and what he should be called, "And you are Furo," he said. He knew that Master would not mind them naming these two lost minions, but he couldn't help but wonder where they came from.