The Cost of Betrayal

Chapter Five

 ******A few years later*****

    Maura opened her eyes, her stomach rolled. "This is not a good sign," she muttered to herself. Every time her stomach did its little flips, something big was coming her way. And today she wanted to be good. It was her birthday. 

    "Maura, dear, wake up," called a gentle voice. 

    Maura smiled it was her grandmother, "I am, gamma." Maura threw her covers off and stepped onto her plush carpet wiggling her toes in the pile. 

    "Can I come in?" the old woman asked through the door. 

    Maura walked over and opened her door, "Of course!" Maura moved aside and allowed her grandmother space to enter. 

    "I wanted to be the first to wish you happy birthday,"  Gamma said her eyes sparkling. She had seen her time was nearly over and she wanted to be sure that Maura received her gift before then. 

    Maura hugged her grandmother tightly, "Thank you, Gamma." 

    Gamma pulled the small box from her pocket, "Here, I have saved this for you until this birthday." 

    Maura unwrapped the box and gasped at the sight of the charm. "It looks like my mark!" 

    Gamma nodded, "Yes, sweetie. it was gifted to me to give to you." 

    Maura swallowed, "Then, that means that all the rumors are true." Maura didn't like this revelation, especially on her birthday. "I am the chosen one." 

    Gamma nodded again, "Yes, that you are." 

    Maura looked at her grandmother as she sat on the edge of her bed, "But how am I to save this coven?" 

    Gamma shook her head, "That I don't know, my dear child. But this will protect you."

     Maura placed it around her neck and shivered slightly as the cool metal chain slid over her collarbones and settled between her breasts. 

    Gamma kissed her granddaughter on her cheek, "Now, don't let this spoil your day. You've always been special, you were born on the equinox everything about you has meant change." 

    Maura smiled, "I know." 

    "Now, get ready for school and have a great day." 

    At the mention of school, Maura's stomach did another little flip, telling her that her day was just going to be getting more and more interesting.

    *********

    Birsha opened his eyes, he couldn't believe his parents were finally allowing him to go to the coven school and no longer be homeschooled. He could hardly contain his excitement at the thought. He rushed to get ready and hurried down the hall to the kitchen. 

    "Good morning, mom," he greeted warmly and kissed her on her cheek. 

    Damara turned, "Good morning, sweetie. Are you ready for this?" 

    Birsha crossed his arms and nodded confidently. "Of course!" 

    Ferox lifted his tea and smirked, "You are so confident, I hope you keep that about yourself." 

    Birsha looked at his mother and father, he was always surprised when he thought about how different he looked from them. He had darker hair, and a more tanned complexion, even in the winter. Their hair and skin were much fairer. They had dark eyes, while his eyes were a steely grey that contrasted sharply with his features. 

    "What is it?" Damara asked. 

    Birsha shook his head, "Nothing." He brushed off his thoughts, his mother and father have shown him nothing but love since the day he was born. 

    Ferox stood from the table, "Well, let's get you to the school. It's your first day of high school." 

    Birsha swallowed the sudden nervousness that filled his stomach. It had taken some time to get them to permit this and he didn't want to blow it. He stood from his chair, leaned over and kissed his mother on the cheek, and joined his father at the door. 

    "Have a great day," she called to them as she stood to take care of the table and dishes. She swallowed her fear over her son going to school. She looked up and whispered, "Please protect him." 

    *************

    "Enough class! Settle down!" the teacher called. She was a crone as well and very well respected. "A few things to start the day," her voice was cheerful and calm now that the class had settled. "We are going to be studying mythical history this morning. Open your Myths and Legends to page-" she paused as she was interrupted by a knock on the door. "Come in." 

    The head of the school opened the door, "Hello, I have a new student for your class," the older wizard stepped aside and allowed Birsha to enter the room. Birsha walked in, taking in his surroundings. He smiled as he saw that he would be starting the day with history. 

    The teacher greeted him warmly, "Welcome to the class we were just getting started with our lesson for the day." She turned to her shelves and handed him the textbook, "Take a seat anywhere that's empty. What's your name?" 

    "Birsha," he said with a small, polite nod.

    "Well, Birsha, have a seat and we can begin." She looked at the principal, a question in her eyes. He shook his head subtly and mouthed the word, "Later." She simply nodded and turned back to her class. She knew who he was, she just hoped her visions were wrong. 

    "As I was saying, class, open your Myths and Legends to page fifty-two. Today we will be studying the legend of the sword of Mavaka." 

    Maura shifted in her seat slightly at the presence of the new class member, he was certainly handsome. She swallowed nervously as he walked past her and headed towards the back of the class where there were some empty seats. He brushed her slightly as he passed her desk, the unintentional touch made her shiver. 

    Birsha brushed past the pretty girl with the black hair, his hand touched her lightly and he was surprised by the feeling that went through him. He shrugged it off as nerves, but he definitely was interested in getting to know her. He took a seat next to two boys, he put out his hands, "Hey, nice to meet you." 

    The two boys smirked, "Yeah, nice to meet you, too." 

    Birsha leaned in and whispered, "Who's the girl?" He pointed to the one he just passed. 

    The boys exchanged looks, "Her? You don't want her, she's the nerd." One of the boys pointed to one of the other girls in the class, who was looking in their direction. "Now, that one, that one you should get to know." 

    Birsha looked at the girl, she certainly was hot! Tiny waist, big breasts, and full lips, she was scribbling something on a sheet of paper. She leaned over and passed it towards the boys, as she did she allowed them a glimpse of her lacy bra beneath her low-cut top. 

    The teacher turned just then and gave the boys a stern look. "Listen up, I will you give you this one warning. You pay attention in my class or you will not pass. Am I understood?" 

    The two boys scoffed, they didn't care. Birsha, on the other hand, knew he had to prove a point to his parents. "Yes, ma'am. I apologize." 

    The teacher softened her look slightly, "You will need this class to pass, I highly suggest you pay attention." She turned to the rest of the class, "Now, who can tell me what about the legend of the sword of Mavaka?" 

    Maura raised her hand, "I can." 

    The teacher smiled encouragingly at Maura, "Okay, then, tell me what you know." 

    As Maura spoke, Birsha became enthralled with not only the way she spoke but of what she spoke. It was like he could see this sword in his own mind. As if, he were there while the sword was being made. He swallowed, she was going to be the death of him.