The Cost of Betrayal

Chapter Eighteen

Maura handed the transcribed notes to her teacher the next day and quickly forgot about it. She had so many other things on her mind, she didn't want to know what the teacher had going on. In her mind, it was none of her business, when in fact, it would be. The classes went on uneventfully and Maura was able to keep herself occupied until lunch.

She was seated at a table reading one of her grandmother's books when Birsha appeared beside her.

"Hello, beautiful," he said as he stood in front of her.

Maura looked up from the book and then around the room, "Who, me?" She studied him, trying to see his aura. It was glowing a slight green right now.

Birsha nodded, "Yep. I was wondering if you'd be interested in going to the Beltane formal with me?"

Maura blushed, "I thought you were dating Chastity?"

Birsha waved his hand in the air as if he were brushing away a fly. "Not really, she just wanted to hang out with me." He brushed Maura's questions away so nonchalantly and sold himself to her easily. He was sneaking small peeks at the book Maura was reading on the table. He needed to get his hands on this, it looked very interesting to him.

Maura looked up and smiled, "Sure, I guess."

Birsha gave her a broad smile, "Awesome!" He was about to walk away, "Maybe we could go out to dinner sometime before then? We could talk about history, you could help me with the stuff that wasn't covered by my homeschooling?"

Maura nodded, "Sure."

"Friday?"

Maura gave him that small shrug and nod that a person gives when they want to do something, but are unsure of whether or not they are worthy enough of it. "Friday," she acquiesced.

Birsha walked away from Maura's table with a spring in his step. He was happy for more than one reason, this was easier than he thought!

Maura felt like she was floating the rest of the week. She didn't understand why she was so excited to go on the date with Brisha. She saw him almost daily in school. She finished her lunch, tucked her books away, and left the school. She only had half-day sessions now as she was in some of the more difficult classes in the morning.

"Miss Maura."

Maura stopped as she heard her history teacher call her name. She paused and waited for him to catch up to her.

"Miss Maura, are you sure about what you translated for me?"

Maura nodded, "Yes, most of the symbols matched easily, why?"

The teacher sighed, "Then please heed this word of caution. He is not all that he appears to be. I cannot tell you more than that, but be cautious, is all I can say." His expression puzzled Maura, but she smiled at him.

"I always am." She patted his arm, "If you'll excuse me, I have an appointment to get to."

The teacher nodded, "I have a few more classes to teach. Have a good day."

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

Birsha waited impatiently at the clearing for his friends, he was anxious to see if he had succeeded with the contracts. As the ragtag trio appeared he smiled, he could see that it was working. He couldn't wait to tell the sorcerer. He rubbed his hands together, maybe he was better than this mysterious man that hid in the shadows. He didn't get that, why would he hide? Who is he, that he feels he is better than the people around him? If Birsha admitted to anything about this man, it would be that he certainly is intrigued by him. He did have a powerful aura, and he knew that he wanted to emulate this. Because if there was one thing Birsha knew, it was that power got you everything you wanted.

He studied his handiwork and was surprised to see that they were changing. It was slight, but he could see that their appearances were becoming emaciated, and Chastity was wearing more revealing clothing as the days went forward.

"Birsha," she purred to him, "I've missed our little get-togethers." She ran a finger up his arm and played with the stray strands of hair that were touching his collar.

He looked down at her, he couldn't believe that he had once wanted that. He decided to put his contract to the test, "Chastity, you'll do anything for me, right?"

Chastity was excited, she nodded, "Oh my yes."

His expression was cold as he looked at the boys, "Have at her."

Chastity looked at Birsha puzzled, "What do you mean?"

Birsha chuckled coldly, "You're not touching me right now," he nodded his head in the boys' direction, "you're going to let them have you."

As the boys closed in on Chastity, she merely whimpered and nodded. The contract had its hold on the three of them. Their gift of free will was gone with the stroke of the pens Birsha had given them. They willingly signed the contracts, and that was the most important part. They didn't have to sign it, they chose to sign it. Birsha watched with twisted glee at the acts the three performed. He was shocked that they were this knowledgeable for barely turning eighteen. He was learning some very interesting things over here. Once he felt that he had learned enough over the binding power of his contract he waved his hands in the air.

"That's enough," he called out. Immediately the trio stopped what they were doing and turned to Birsha. "It's time to go home. Remember, say nothing of our activities out here, and you will act as if nothing happened."

He spoke, and the others simply obeyed. He smiled inwardly, he liked this. He couldn't wait until he could show off his newest powers, he would be out there, tonight.

*********

Birsha appeared in the clearing that had been his usual spot, he looked around for the man that usually greets him.

"Master Birsha, hello," the man's voice had changed again. He seemed weaker and timider than the last time.

"Take me to him," was all he said.

The man sighed and nodded, he could feel the changes in Birsha, and it felt as if he were getting stronger. He was disappointed, he had hoped that he could be changed. But as his visits became more and more frequent he could see that there was no changing the future. They walked silently to the man's cottage, but not before Birsha stopped the man.

"Before we go further today," he said making the man stop, "Exactly who is this man that is so shrouded in mystery?"

The old-looking man smiled, "My master."