The Cost of Betrayal

Chapter Six

    Maura left the class as the bell rang, her head spinning with the information from her teacher and that slightest touch from the new kid. What was his name again, she thought, Birsha. The name brought a slight smile to her lips. He was cute, she thought.  She wondered where he was from that she had never seen him before. She shook her head and continued down the hallway to her next class. She didn't really want to dwell on him. She had to focus on her classwork. After what her grandmother told her this morning, she would have to work doubly hard. After all, she was destined to save the coven. Somehow.     

    Birsha left the class, he was impressed with what the teacher had said about that legend. He wondered how much truth there was to it. His parents had told him that all legends were steeped with a little truth. He walked out the door, thinking how awesome it would be to have that sword. He shook his head, no use in worrying about that. It wasn't happening anytime soon. He looked down at the paper the principal had given him. Next class, Magical Arts. He wondered if that girl was going to be there, her gorgeous black shiny black hair and alluring eyes. There was something about her that was drawing him to her. He couldn't quite place it.

    He walked into the class and was disappointed that she wasn't there. The teacher smiled in greeting, "Hello, welcome to Magical arts. You can take any empty seat." 

    Birsha nodded and walked towards the rear of the room and settled in. 

    "Today's lecture will be a continuation of yesterday's. Young man, you can just listen today and catch up this week." 

    Birsha nodded again and listened as the teacher began speaking about the gifts of witches. He was surprised to hear that there were so many talents for witches. He knew of telepathy and the elementals. He was surprised to learn of all the other talents. 

    "Now, be aware, that any witch can have any talent. Many of you have already developed yours or are broadening them. And you can always learn new skills. They will never be as good as what you are gifted with, but you'd be able to use them in say an emergency situation." 

    The teacher continued on with the lesson, Birsha had already figured out his gifts and was listening intently on how to acquire more. He was going to like this class. The bell rang before he knew it and they were onto the next one. 

    He entered the next class and smiled when he saw the pretty girl from Myths and Legends. She intrigued him with her naivete. The other girl was there, too and she was doing her best to flirt with him anytime the teacher wasn't looking. He smiled back at her, thinking that maybe she would be good to get to know too. His mind wandered, one to learn with, and to have fun with. His smile broadened at the thought of the fun he could have with her. She winked at him and scooted in her seat slightly, exposing the top of her thong over the hem of her jeans. He was surprised by his body's reaction to a scrap of lace. 

    "Mr. Birsha, can you answer the question?" 

    Birsha swallowed, "I'm sorry. I didn't hear what you had asked." 

    The teacher scowled, "You're new here, so I'll give you this warning once." He looked around the room, "They've already heard it." The class nodded at his stern look. "When I call on you, you need to be able to answer the question appropriately. In this class, dilly-dallying will not be tolerated. I asked you, how did mermaids begin?" 

    Birsha swallowed, "I'm sorry, but in my homeschooling lessons, that was not covered." 

    The teacher gave him a look of disappointment, "Very well. Can anyone tell me the correct answer?" 

    Maura's hand went up tentatively, it was again the only one that did. The teacher shook his head, "Really, Miss Maura, is the only one?" His look softened as he encouraged the timid young teen. "Go ahead, Miss Maura, since the rest of the class is a bit shady on their history." 

    Maura cleared her throat and began to tell the story, as she started her voice seemed to enchant everyone in the room. "As the city of Atlantis was flourishing, their inhabitants were filling with greed and selfishness. Poseidon warned the king and queen of Atlantis that if they didn't change their ways, they would be sent to the sea. The Fates heard of Poseidon's interference, but let it be. They could see that they wouldn't listen, the king and queen were just as selfish and greedy." 

    As Maura was speaking, Birsha could feel something wash over him. A sense of belonging to the world she was describing, it was as if she were speaking of his home. He was confused by this, his parents were just blocks away. There was no way that he should feel this way about a place that was nothing more than a story. Atlantis wasn't real!  

    "Poseidon took pity on the inhabitants of Atlantis and told them that if they swore their alliance to him, and protected the seas he would ensure their lives. And that is how mermaids were brought to our lands." 

    The teacher looked pleased, "That is correct, Miss Maura." He looked pointedly at Birsha, "You would do well, to pay attention in this class." 

    Birsha swallowed and nodded at the admonishment. "Sorry." 

    The bell rang as the teacher gave them their assignments for the rest of the week. He knew that most of them wouldn't have them done, except for Maura. She was a model student and destined for great things. He watched as the new one walked out, he had a bad feeling wash over him as he left. There was something about this boy, that was bad news. He just hoped this premonition was wrong. 

    ***********

    Birsha walked into his house and was greeted by his mother, "How was your first day?"  He looked down at his feet, sheepishly. He stepped in and helped his mother set the table for dinner. 

    "Okay, I guess, it was definitely different than what I learned from you guys." 

    Damara tilted her head, "How so?" 

    "Well, just the different myths and histories," he hedged. 

    Damara smiled and nodded, "Well, you're a smart boy, you'll be able to catch up easily." 

    Ferox came home then, he smiled at Birsha, "Did you make any friends?" He settled into his chair after he kissed Damara on the cheek. 

    Birsha nodded at the memory of the two boys from the first class, "I think so." He told his parents about his day leaving out the parts that he didn't think they should hear. Like about the girl that should be 'fun' to be around. 

    Damara passed the plates out and smiled, "Well, we figured that starting on your birthday would be a good thing, and sounds like it was." 

    Ferox and Damara exchanged a small smile, they had put up his amulet until this birthday. They wanted it to be special. 

    "Damara, get the cake for him." 

    Damara nodded and stepped into the kitchen, as Ferox walked into the living room and retrieved the box they had wrapped his amulet in. 

    Birsha smiled, he knew that his parents always made this day special, and they didn't wish him a happy birthday until a certain time on this day. They were superstitious like that. 

    After he ate his slice of decadent chocolate cake with his mother's magical icing, he opened the gift. He let out a gasp of surprise at the sight of the amulet. 

    He looked up at his parents, "This is amazing!" He lifted the gold encased amulet to examine it, the writing on the back was in a language he didn't understand. He looked up at them, "What does it say?" 

    Ferox and Damara exchanged a nervous look before Ferox said, "It means, we love you and want the best for you." 

    Birsha nodded, that was very much like them.