The Cost of Betrayal

Chapter Thirteen

    The rest of the semester flew by and before they all knew it, Yule was upon them. Maura had to admit she was relieved for the break, even though she loved school. She couldn't understand why she was so angry over that floozy fawning all over Birsha. He was still handsome, but there was something about him that didn't sit well with her. She would have to talk to her gamma about that over break. 

    Birsha was disappointed that the winter break was coming so quickly. He had been looking forward to the classes he had with Maura, even if she didn't notice him yet. He was getting bored with Chastity, sure she could do some amazing things, but that he wanted something more. And he was certain that the only one that could give him that would be Maura. He would have to look into his parents' books and see if they had anything of use in there. Maybe some sort of potion. He was getting quite good at those as well. 

    The bell rang for the last class and Maura stood from her seat and rushed to the door. She wanted to get home before the snow started to fall. And it was looking bleaker and bleaker by the minute. She threw her coat on and was about to grab her books when Birsha approached her. 

    "Hey, mind if I give you a hand with these? " He placed his hand over hers as she was picking up her books. They were both mildly surprised by the tingling sensation that coursed through their bodies at the accidental touch. 

    She looked up, slightly at a loss for words, "Uh, sure. I mean I guess." 

    Chastity walked in at that moment, "Birsha, baby, what are you doing with her?" She came up and stroked his arm gently. 

    He pulled his arm away, "I'm helping her take her books home." He gave the look he had been perfecting for weeks, and she backed away sulking. 

    "Well, you know where I'll be," she pouted. She turned her attention to the two boys that followed Birsha everywhere. Maura took notice of how much not only Chastity had been changing, but those two boys as well. They seemed to be looking sallow, and their hair was hanging limply. This wasn't normal. Especially for these three. They had money and rank in the coven. 

    Birsha could see the wheels turning in Maura's mind, he put his hand on her back and walked her out of the classroom. 

    They walked in a semi-comfortable silence for a few minutes before Birsha began to speak. "I feel like you've been avoiding me, Maura. Have I done something to offend you?" 

    His question caught Maura off guard, "No, why?" 

    Birsha shrugged, trying to play off the feeling of disappointment when they were no longer touching. He liked that feeling, it was as if she was made for him. He wanted to be close to her, he wanted to get to know her better. He was bored with Chastity, with her it was the same thing over and over. Oh, he didn't mind her talented mouth or body, but he wanted what Maura was holding. He couldn't place his finger on it, but she had something he needed. He knew it.   "You just haven't made any time to talk to me." 

    Maura wasn't sure why she felt so disappointed when they were no longer touching. She didn't want to be this close to him, yet it was like her body was telling her to connect with him. She was not interested in this! She was fated to save her coven, and she didn't have time for boys and their shenanigans. She turned her head to look at him, wondering what was special about him that she could only feel it.  She gave him a half-smile, "I'm sorry, I just have to focus on my learning," her admission made him feel a little better. 

    "But you're the smartest witch in school! I'll bet you barely have to study," he said to her, pointing his finger at her.

    The compliment made Maura smile. She was used to the kids teasing her and calling her a nerd. For someone to notice her intelligence made her beam inside. 

    Something inside Birsha melted a little when she smiled at him. It was a genuine smile that he felt straight to his core. He never felt this way with anyone before, his parents didn't even make him feel this happy. It was addicting, almost like a drug. It took everything he had not to lean in a try to kiss her. 

    Maura could see a play of emotions running across Birsha's face. She had never felt like this around anybody and she wasn't sure what was happening, but she wasn't to kiss him. She stamped that feeling down, scolding herself for wanting to do that. She had to focus. Her coven was at stake! Instead, she smiled at him again, "Well, uh, this is my house. I guess I'll see you after the break?" 

    Birsha was disappointed, but smiled at her and winked, "Well, maybe before then?" he suggested hopefully. 

    Maura smiled softly, "We'll see." She gave him a gentle wave and walked up the sidewalk toward her house. Birsha watched her walk up the steps and enter her home. The whole thing looked so inviting, he sighed as he turned and walked away heading back to his own home. The snow started falling, almost echoing his feelings of disappointment as the white flecks landed softly on his eyelashes. 

    ***************

    Mavaka smiled heartily, his plan was working perfectly. Even if he was trapped down here in the Underworld. Hecate learned her lesson, years ago when he had escaped to Atlantis and impregnated that mage. He smiled as his member grew hard thinking of her beneath him, giving herself willingly to him. His spells had been perfect, and he knew that his child would be the perfect replacement for him. 

    "You there, guard!" he called out. 

    The guard looked up at Mavaka, "What do you want?" he snapped. He was wise to the sorcerer's tricks and didn't incline to pander to him. 

    Mavaka feigned hurt, "I just wanted to have something sent out," he said passively. 

    The guard knew that they could send out messages, even down here. The good ones in the shadowlands weren't the only ones that had loved ones that missed them. "What do want to send?" he asked suspiciously. They were only allowed to send certain things. 

    Mavaka placed his left hand out palm up and a small book appeared, "Nothing special, just a journal," he replied innocently. 

    The guard took the leatherbound, black book and skimmed over it. It looked harmless enough, he tried to open it when Mavaka stopped him. 

    "It's not for you," he said. He snapped his fingers and a hasp appeared over the pages. The action sealing the book shut from the guard's prying eyes. 

    The guard looked at Mavaka, "You know that I have to inspect everything that leaves this realm. Now, I have to take it to Hades before it can be sent." 

    Mavaka shrugged, "Go ahead, I don't care." He knew full well that the god was more than a little distracted by his wife's homecoming. 

    The guard shot Mavaka a "We'll see about that look." and strode away to Hades. 

    Mavaka laid on his cot and put his hands behind his head. He knew the book was going where it needed, even if it was delayed by an hour or two. He closed his eyes, soon his sword would be back where it belonged and he would be back in power. 

    The guard knocked on Hades' door. He knew that this was going to be bad, but rules are rules. 

    Hades threw the door open, "What do you want?!" He snapped angrily. He only got a few short months with his wife and he did not like to interrupt. 

    The guard flinched at Hade's demeanor but continued, "I'm sorry to interrupt you, but a prisoner wanted this sent to the mortals." 

    Hades looked down at the nondescript book in the guard's hand and waved him away. "Then send it!" 

    Before the guard could say anymore Hades shut the door in his face. The guard was nervous about sending it, but he sent it up and hoped that whatever was in there wasn't as bad as his gut was telling him.