The Cost of Betrayal

Chapter Sixteen

The rest of the break flew by for Maura, but it wasn't all comfort and joy. Halfway through the break, a rare thundersnow storm hit. Maura hated those, so she climbed out of her bed and made her way to her grandmother's room. Knocking softly before she entered, she opened the door. Tiptoeing towards her grandmother's bed.

"Gamma?" she whispered.

"Yes, sweetie?" Cicily murmured sleepily. Maura's voice broke into her dreams, she could see her husband. She could hear him calling to her just as Maura walked in. Oh, how she missed his voice! She didn't mind, though, she knew how Maura felt about the storm.

"Can I sleep with you?" Maura didn't even care if she sounded childish. These storms made her the most nervous.

Cicily smiled and lifted the blanket, inviting her granddaughter into her bed. Her husband would have to wait. "Come on, sweet girl. I know these storms are the worst for you."

Maura climbed under the blanket and snuggled close to her grandmother, who wrapped her arms around her comfortingly. Maura loved this feeling, but she could stop the tingle of foreboding that traveled down her spine at her grandmother's gentle touch. She turned to study her grandmother's face. She could see the lines of worry and the years of joy that had filled her life. Cicily sighed and quickly fell back to sleep. Maura was wide awake, listening to the steady in and out breathing of her grandmother. It was such a calming sound to her.

"Cissy," a male voice called, the timbre was familiar to Maura, although it sounded so faint. Almost like a whisper. Cicily, adjusted in her sleep, but her eyes remained closed.

"Cissy, it's time my love," the voice called again, a little louder this time. His voice was so patient. He knew that as much as his wife needed the rest, she wanted to stay here.

"Who's there?" Maura called out, her voice barely above a whisper. Who is calling out to her grandmother, and this late?

"Maura?" the disembodied voice asked. "You're so grown!" He sounded slightly surprised that there was another person in the room. He wasn't expecting this, he wasn't sure if he should continue tonight.

Maura turned towards the sound of the voice and peered into the darkness, "How do you know me?"

"Maura, it's Pawpaw Ben," the voice responded softly.

Maura's eyes widened in realization at his words. "But I've only ever seen you in pictures!" Her eyes filled with tears, she knew exactly why he had come. That would be why his voice was familiar, the recordings they have of him and Gamma.

Ben nodded, "Yes, I left this earth long ago. And I've missed your Gamma dearly." He looked lovingly at his wife, the one who stayed by his side for everything and who he cherished more than anyone could imagine. He knew that she had to stay behind when his time came, but that they would allow him to come to get her when she was ready. She has been putting up a hard fight for some reason and they finally told him why. He looked to Maura.

"My little peanut, your strengths are many, and there is no reason for you to keep him. You will know when the time is right. You will be helping this coven survive, but remember to stay strong to yourself and don't take any guff from anyone. Stand up for what you believe in and what you want. Do not let anything or anyone tell you otherwise."

Maura smiled at her PawPaw and nodded, "I will Pawpaw."

Cicily opened her eyes, "Sweetie, who are you talking to?" She rubbed her eyes when she saw her husband, closing them and rubbing them again. "Do my eyes deceive me?" she whispered. "Benjamin, what are you doing here?"

Maura smiled and bit back her tears, "He's come for you, Gamma."

Cicily looked at Benjamin, "Oh, my love, but," she looked from Maura to her husband, "What about, well that?"

Benjamin smiled, "You've done a better job than you know, but my love I can see that you're tired."

Cicily looked longingly at Benjamin and was about to protest when Maura spoke up.

"Gamma, I love you so much. And I want more than anything for you to stay with me forever. But, I know you've taught me well. It's okay, go with Pawpaw."

Cicily hugged her granddaughter tight, "I love you, sweet girl."

Maura returned the embrace just as tightly, "I'll miss you, so much."

Cicily smiled at her granddaughter, "I'll be watching over you. Stay true to yourself, and don't take any s**t from anybody."

Maura nodded and giggled at her grandmother's sage words and Ben's gasp at his wife's colorful phrasing.

He held out his hand to his wife, who took it gracefully, "Cissy, you always did have a way with words," he chuckled.

Cicily turned to Maura, "You will be a wonderful witch. I love you." Cicily leaned in and kissed her granddaughter's cheek, patting softly before stepping away.

Maura reached up and touched her cheek. She was keeping her tears in check, even though she could feel them threatening to fall.

"Bye, Gamma," Maura whispered as she watched her grandparents fade from her view. Maura got out of the bed and tucked the now overly still form of her grandmother gently beneath her comforter. She kissed her grandmother's cheek and left the room, walking to her mother's room and knocking.

All Bella had to do was look at the tear-stained face of her daughter to know. She pulled her tightly into her arms, "Do you want to call Aunt Helena or Aunt Circe?"

Just as Maura was about to answer, the phone rang. Bella calmly answered it, remaining silent as the voice on the end spoke. With only one word spoken by her, "Yes."

The doorbell rang then and before either could answer it, the door opened and Circe entered with Jakob and Amelia. Circe walked straight to Bella and hugged her tightly, kissing her on her cheek. Bella smiled, "I should have known you would all know straight away.

Circe clucked her tongue, "I've seen it coming for months, she just wanted to finish something here."She turned to Maura, "Are you okay, dear?"'

Maura nodded, she didn't want to talk. She didn't want to cry again and she knew that if she opened her mouth she would burst into tears.

Circe put an arm around Maura, "Come on, child, we're gonna talk."

Maura walked mutely with her aunt, and Circe knew to be gentle with her. They went straight to Maura's room and shut the door.

Circe sat with Maura on the bed, "Wanna talk about it?"

Maura faced Circe, "Why did she wait so long if she was so tired?"

Circe smiled sadly, "To make sure that everyone involved would be safe."

"Involved?"

Circe nodded, "Yes, sweetie. Did she tell you anything?"

Maura nodded and smiled, "Yes, the same thing Pawpaw Ben said to me."

Circe's look softened, "I'm glad he came, wait he spoke to you, too?"

"Mmmhmm," Maura plucked a tissue from the box next to her bed, "They told me not to take any guff from anyone." She laughed tearfully, "Well, Gamma told me not to take any shit."

Circe hugged Maura and chuckled, "That sounds about right. "

Circe knew that Maura had her work cut out for her, but that she had plenty of protection.