The Cost of Betrayal

Chapter Twenty-six

Mary smiled as the group of rowdy teenagers walked in. She had been expecting them since Beltane. Well, some of them anyway. She understood why there were so many now. It would certainly make it harder to get her one on one The hostess looked as if she was going to faint at the number of teens piling out of the bus. "Miss Mary," she asked, her eyes wide. "Where are they going to fit?"

Mary laughed warmly, "Take them to the side room."

The hostess bit her lip nervously, she didn't think they would all fit. There were only four tables there and clearly more than twelve people, but she did as she was instructed. She gasped in surprise, as the room was clearly larger than she knew. Then she remembered who her boss was and smiled as she shook her head. She wasn't simply a kitchen witch.

Mary watched as the students and faculty piled in, smiling at them, welcoming them to the area. She nodded at Stefan as their eyes met. Stefan's eyes traveled over Mary's body hungrily before reigning himself in and letting his eyes move towards Maura's lone figure. Mary's body reacted sharply and she turned away. She hoped that her expression didn't give anything away. She couldn't let her feelings for him intrude on their mission. Maura had to be their number one priority.

Birsha noticed how the teacher looked at the dark-haired woman, and she, him. He hoped that one day he would have someone to look at like that. It was then that his gaze fell on Maura, she seemed so timid and out of place. He was walking towards her before he could even think of what he could possibly say.

Chastity frowned, she didn't like him walking away from her. She was planning on using this trip to her advantage. She watched as he made a beeline for that nerd. She scowled and crossed her arms over her chest. "I have plenty of time to change his mind," she uttered wistfully. She let her mind wander to Joey and Micheal, she missed them both. She wished she knew where Micheal was, he could help her. As she was thinking about him, it was as if she could hear him.

"Tell Master to meet me, I have something valuable," his voice whispered in her ear. She turned to look for him, but he wasn't near her. And she knew he didn't come on the trip, she could feel her confusion growing.

"Dear, are you all right?" a kind woman asked. Her brightly colored dress mirroring her disposition.

Chastity nodded mutely, "Yes, ma'am." She couldn't say anything if she wanted to, her bloody signature ensured that.

The old woman patted her hand, "You know, you don't have to do it."

Chastity looked at the woman, perplexed. Before she could say another word, another woman approached them. Her silver hair wrapped tightly in a bun at the top of her head.

"Circe, this young lady," the silver-haired woman began but stopped. "Oh, my dear." She covered her mouth with her hand. "I'm sorry to bother you. Circe, we need to go. Now."

Circe chuckled, "I know we do. Young lady, you should stop by the shop before you leave."

The two women walked out of the crowded room and back into the other side of the cafe.

Aislinn looked at Circe, "Is she what I think she is?"

Circe shook her head, "Not yet. Something is keeping her from changing completely." She tapped her chin thoughtfully. "The question is, did she start as a witch?"

Aislinn shook her head, she didn't understand how this was possible. The only place to find them was on Deamonium Isle.

Circe could see her friend's mind turning, thinking about this. "Oh, no, you're not going there, dear. I'm sure we can find the answer elsewhere."

Aislinn blew out her breath, "Where?"

Circe smiled, "Where else do we find answers?"

Aislinn shook her head at her friend as they spoke in unison. "The library."

They walked out of the cafe and down the boardwalk, heading straight to the library.

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

Mavaka chuckled mirthlessly, "Your little necklace worked wonderfully, didn't it?"

Hecate turned to the man behind the bars, her eyes glowing dangerously dark. "How do you know about the necklace?"

Mavaka lifted his hand and the silhouette of the necklace swung from his fingers, "Because, my wonderful son made those three. And one of them found it."

Hecate narrowed her eyes, "He may have made three but only succeeded with one. I don't think his plan is very successful right now."

Mavaka made the image in his hand disappear, he scowled at Hecate. "He will succeed." He rushed the bars holding him and grasped them tightly. "HE WILL SUCCEED!" He screamed.

Hecate's eyes flared, turning the bars blistering hot, "Not if I can help it." She stormed out of the room and made her way to the shadowlands. She would need answers, and she was certain she could find them from the young man that took his life.

Hecate found him pacing the meadow, he looked so upset and worried.

"Joey!" she called.

The young man rushed to Hecate and fell to his knees, "I'm so sorry! I didn't know this would happen. I didn't think it would be this bad." His face was tear-stained, his body shook with remorse.

"Did you take her necklace?" Hecate asked.

Joey looked confused, "Her necklace?"

Hecate nodded, "Yes, the charm that was on the chain around her neck."

Joey shook his head, "No, but I do know that Birsha," he stopped his eyes filled with wonder. "I didn't call him Master."

Hecate smiled, "No, you didn't, as he no longer holds any power over you."

Joey looked relieved, "Please, tell me, is she okay?"

Hecate nodded, "She will be fine as long as she has her necklace. It is to help her, give her strength."

Joey's eyes grew wide, "Micheal."

"Micheal?" she repeated.

Joey nodded, "He grabbed her from behind. He pulled her hair, and I think the chain as well."

Hecate snapped her fingers, and the two of them were no longer in the meadow, but behind the school. "Let's hope we're not too late."

They searched the area where Joey took his own life, and where Micheal had grabbed Maura. The necklace was nowhere to be found. And neither was Micheal.

Hecate cursed out loud, causing the clouds to darken and a flash of lightning to fill the sky. "Where did it go?"

Aggie approached the hill, "Where are you, friend?"

Joey turned, he looked at Hecate nervously. "She cannot see nor hear you. Do you know her?"

Joey nodded, "She sat behind me in a few classes, she's so sweet." He smiled, as he thought of her, "Her name suits her."

Hecate made herself known, "Who are you looking for dear child?"

Aggie looked in awe at the goddess, "A wounded sorry looking creature."

Joey gasped, "Micheal."

"Did he give you his name?"

She shook her head, "He said to meet him here later."

Hecate smiled at the young woman, "I will help him. You need to go before the weather gets too terrible."

Aggie smiled and turned to leave. Before leaving completely she turned back again, "If you see Joey, tell him I miss him. The old him."

Joey couldn't help but let tears fall again, for all of his tough-guy facades he was a kind-hearted boy who made the wrong choices.

Hecate smiled, "I'm sure he knows." Hecate had to think fast if this was going to work, and they were going to stall Micheal getting the locket to Birsha.