The Cost of Betrayal

Chapter Twenty-four

Maura was absent for a few days after the dance. Understandably so, Stefan and a few of the other teachers had canvassed the area, they were on high alert. They searched for not only Maura's necklace but for Micheal as well. They were worried over what had caused Joey to take such drastic actions.

Birsha was shaken, he didn't know how his spell went so terribly wrong. Joey should have happily done what he asked. He signed that contract willingly. He had no idea where Micheal went, and Chastity has been hovering over him like a starving snake ready to strike. He had to fix her and he had just the plan.

Soon, it was time for the class to make their trip. They were heading to Avec. While for most of the class, it was going to be a fun, educational trip for Maura it would be much more. Stefan knew that he had barely gotten Maura's mother's permission for the trip. And he had to be thankful for that, but with her necklace now missing, he worried that it would be too late.

"Mom, I'm only going to be gone a week!" Maura cajoled her mother. She could see the apprehension that filled her eyes. She felt it slightly too, but she knew that she would be okay. She had seen it. As a matter of fact, she knew she would be more than okay.

Bella nodded, "I know. A lot can happen in those seven days."

Maura hugged her mother, "I'm coming home. And I will be safe." She doesn't usually share any visions she has, but she knew her mother would want to hear that one. "Besides, between Mr. Prodromus, the headmistress, and the other chaperones nothing is going to happen to me." Even as she spoke the words, she knew that what she was saying wasn't quite true. But she knew it wouldn't be a bad thing.

Bella simply nodded at her daughter again, she didn't trust her voice. Ever since her love died, her worries over everything with Maura multiplied. "Go get your bags, you're going to be late."

Maura hugged her mother tightly and snapped her fingers, bringing her bags to her sides. She giggled and smirked, she knew how her mother felt about her doing those things, but couldn't help it.

Bella smiled at her, and shook her head, "You know how to push my buttons."

Maura kissed her mother's cheek, "Yep."

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

Birsha was rereading the small black book that had appeared in his school books before winter break. The more he read it, the more he was piecing together. He shut the book and tapped it gently against his cheek. He didn't understand how this was possible. How could he be able to do that, and not realize that was what he was doing? Neither of his parents could do it, at least he didn't think they could. He sighed when his phone rang, the caller id on it said Chastity.

"Hello?"

"Hi, Master," she purred into the phone. "Are you almost ready?"

Birsha chuckled dryly, "Of course I am," he snapped. "I have to tie up a few things, and then I will be leaving."

"Mmm, I can't wait."

Birsha rolled his eyes, this girl was crazy. How could he have chosen such imbeciles for this trial? If he planned this out correctly, he wouldn't have to worry about her again. His lips turned up in a malicious grin at the thought. He would then only have to deal with Micheal.

"Birsha, sweetie!" He could hear his mother calling him.

"Just a minute, I'll be down!" He called. He grabbed his bags and headed out of his bedroom. He walked into the living room, where his parents were waiting for him. He had to ask them, there were too many things that weren't adding up anymore.

He stepped into the living room and looked at his parents, "Can I ask you something before I leave?"

Damara smiled warmly at her son, "Of course, son. Anything."

Ferox nodded, "Of course son."

Birsha chose his next words carefully, "Can anyone in our family transcend time?"

Damara and Ferox looked puzzled, "No, why?"

Birsha shook his head in disbelief and held his tongue. He could feel anger filling him. "Who do I belong to?"

Damara was confused, "Birsha, what are talking about?"

Birsha's anger and disappointment were reaching their peak faster than he had ever felt before. "Where did I come from?" He asked through clenched teeth, his hands were balled into fists. He was angry that his parents lied to him. Who did they steal him from?

Damara could see Birsha's frustration building, she stepped over to him and place a comforting hand on his arm. "Calm down, and tell us what you are talking about." Damara was certain she already knew and had dreaded this day for years, but she couldn't understand why he was so angry.

Birsha looked down at Damara, the kind woman that had loved him unconditionally, his stance softened slightly. "Did you give birth to me?"

Damara inhaled sadly, "No."

"Where is she?" he asked.

Damara shook her head, "I don't know. You were placed on our doorstep."

Birsha's eyes knitted together, "She didn't want me?" He could feel pain like he had never felt before in his life shoot through his heart. Tears filled his eyes, "Why?"

Ferox walked up to his son, "That doesn't change the fact that we love you. You were the greatest gift we could have ever been given."

"But what about my father?" Birsha questioned, "Do you know anything about him?"

The couple shook their head, "All that we know is what we have told you."

Birsha straightened his back, his mind was more jumbled than before. This wasn't at all what he thought. He thought that they had stolen him for his power, not that he was abandoned by his real parents. How could they have done that? He lifted his bags, "I have to go." He left the house he had grown up in, where the man and woman inside had raised him. They showed him love and mercy, and it was all a lie. He could feel his heart hardening at the thought of his blood dropping him off like he was a bag of laundry.

He entered the school, his expression was neutral as he sat down. He looked around and felt a small tingle of relief at the sight of Maura. He had been worried about her ever since the formal. He hated to admit it, but he felt something for her and it was growing from a tiny little nudge to something much bigger.

Maura could feel a set of eyes on her, she turned around to see Birsha staring at her. The expression on his face looked so broken. She could feel that stirring she had felt before her birthday, something she thought was just a brief infatuation with him. She could feel herself wanting to connect to him, comfort him from whatever was causing him so much pain. She smiled at him softly and waved.

The small interaction between them, nothing more than what a friend would do for each other, made Birsha feel better. He calmed down slightly as the teacher took roll call before they boarded the bus to the airport.