The Cost of Betrayal

Chapter Twenty-One

Birsha rushed to meet Maura after class was over. She was hurrying out of the room, she wanted to get away from the tension that had risen at Birsha's behavior.

"Maura, wait up!" He called out to her. He needed to make sure that she was alright. He needed to explain that outburst. Even if he didn't know where it came from, or understand it himself.

Maura slowed, but only slightly, she wasn't too sure about him anymore. At all. He caught up with her easily. "Hey, about that incident in class." Birsha rubbed the back of his neck and tried to look sheepishly at Maura.

Maura turned her head to him but quickly looked away. Anytime she looked into his eyes, she wanted to get lost in them. There was something tickling the back of her mind with him. It was as if they were meant to be together, but she didn't want to believe that. Witches didn't get fated mates. Unless, of course, Hecate had something in store for them. "There is nothing you can say that will excuse that, Birsha. Where did that come from anyway?" Her tone was harsh as she spoke, there was no need for an outburst like that.

Birsha shrugged, "To be honest, I don't even know." He hoped he sounded sincere, he needed to be with her. It was like an addiction, almost as beckoning as the call he felt for power. Almost.

Maura wasn't buying into it, "Well, you better figure that out."

"Are we still on for the formal?" Birsha asked, hope filling his voice.

Maura really wanted to go to the formal, and he was the only one that had asked her. But if there was one thing her Gamma instilled in her was a sense of pride in herself. And after his outburst, she wasn't so sure that she wanted to be associated with someone like him. She bit her lip, "I'm sorry, Birsha, but after that angry display in History class, I don't think it would be a good idea."

Birsha swallowed the anger that filled his body, if he was going to get what he wanted he would have to hide this better. He smiled sadly at her, "I understand." He turned on his heel and walked in the opposite direction. He didn't care that he would miss the rest of his classes, he needed to get some air. He sent Chastity and the boys a message telepathically telling them to meet him at their spot.

Maura watched as Birsha left the school, she almost wanted to follow him. But she held fast to her belief that even if she was the chosen one, she still had her own free will. She went on to her next class and immersed herself in her school work, quickly pushing Birsha's unnatural outburst out of her mind. She had more important things to worry about, and she had a feeling that the trip after the formal would be enough to help her.

Birsha left the school grounds and made his way to the forest. He was frustrated over his reaction to the history lesson. He couldn't believe this! He slammed his hand out, palm up, a ball of energy left his hand barreling towards a rocky outcropping, smashing a boulder into a pile of pebbles.

"Sorry, we are late, Master," came a nervous voice behind Birsha. One of the boys was standing in the clearing, rubbing his hands together anxiously. The other one was following closely behind waiting for instructions.

He turned around angrily, waving his hand over the boys, stopping them in their tracks. "You should have moved faster." He snapped and slapped them both sharply. He liked hearing them call him Master, but that is not going to be enough to appease him today. Chastity came through the clearing, she went straight to Birsha and planted a kiss on his cheek.

"I've missed us, Master," she whispered in his ear.

He turned to her, his face twisted in disgust. "You're going to be my date for the Beltane formal. I want you in a black dress, low-cut, thigh-high slit." He looked down at her and it dawned on him, she appeared to be getting shorter. "And wear heels, you're too short." Taking in her sickly appearance, he added, "Dye your hair, and make sure that you look at least halfway decent."

Chastity was excited, he was taking her to the formal. She didn't care that she would have to dress exactly how he wanted. She nodded, "Of course, Master." She trailed a finger up and down his arm.

He turned to the boys and waved his hand, releasing them from his spell. "You two, get your act together, you'll be going too."

"Where?" they asked in unison.

Birsha rolled his eyes, "Are you that stupid?" He exhaled, his frustration clearly showing. "To the formal, you dunderheads." He threw his hands out. He was really beginning to regret this experiment. "One of you two will be taking Maura."

The boys smiled, "Nice."

Birsha scowled, "Not nice." His anger grew as the thought of one of them putting their hands on Maura filled his mind. "You will be making sure that she goes and has a good time."

The boys' expression quickly changed to one of seriousness, "Right." The boys looked at each other, "Which one of us?"

Birsha looked the boys over, neither one of them looked very appealing at this point. Their skin had gone waxy, they looked as if they had aged years in the past few months. He pointed at the darker of the two, "You will be taking her, but you will both be going." He pointed a finger at them, "And no monkey business," he warned sternly.

The boys nodded, "Yes, Master." They knew that look of fire in Birsha's eyes, if they broke this rule, they would be punished severely.

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

Bella smiled softly as Maura walked out of her room, her rose-colored gown, shimmering in the light. "Oh, if only your Gamma were here to see you." Bella reached up and touched Maura's thick black hair, she swept up into a stunning updo, a few stray tendrils framing her face.

Maura's eyes softened at the memory of her grandmother, she could feel her spirit in her heart. She reached up and touched the locket her grandmother had given her. She hadn't taken off since that day, and she had no intention of doing it.

"I see you are taking a piece of her with you tonight," Bella said acknowledging the locket.

Maura nodded, "I promised her I wouldn't take it off, and I won't."

"Are you still going with the young man, Birsha?"

Maura shook her head, "No, I'm going with a different boy from school."

Bella was surprised, "Oh, really?"

Maura nodded but didn't go into detail about the change of plans. She didn't feel like telling her mother about Birsha's behavior. She didn't want to give her anything to worry about.

There was a knock on the door just then, ensuring that the discussion was over. Bella turned to the door, opening it to Maura's date for the evening.

"Joey! I didn't realize it would be you," Bella greeted the young man warmly. She was clueless as to how much the child had changed from the sweet boy she knew a few years ago.

"Hello, Bella." He greeted politely. "Maura you look beautiful," he whispered.

Maura blushed, "Thank you."

"We need a few pictures," Bella cried.

Joey looked at Maura nervously, he knew that Birsha wouldn't be happy about this delay. But he couldn't avoid this. As soon as he could, he gently guided Maura away from her house and to the dance.

Maura couldn't help but feel like things were going to change tonight.