The Cost of Betrayal

Chapter Four

    **********A few years later******

    "Baba, tell me the story again," the little girl asked sweetly, her deep violet-colored eyes pleading with her grandmother to tell her the story of the special witches that would help save the broken coven. She had no clue that the story was about her group of witches.

    The crone smiled at her granddaughter, her grey hairs telling her own story.  She scooped up the child and placed her on her lap, "Of course," she said calmly. "Once, a very long time ago, a young mage who was gifted in visions, saw that her home was destined to return to where it had begun. She knew that many of the inhabitants of that land would not make it and she wanted to be sure that her child would be safe. So, she devised a spell that would ensure her baby's safety, even if she did not survive." She continued to weave her spell of magic as she spoke to her granddaughter, telling her of all the magic and how the gods tried to intercede but were too late. And how the fates devised their plan.

    The little girl was listening intently to the story of the woman that loved her baby so much, that she would risk her own life for theirs. She felt bad for that baby, it would never know its mother's love.  "Baba," she whispered, "what happened to that baby?" 

    The old woman smiled and shrugged, "No one knows. But where ever it was sent, it was destined to be with another witch, to guide it and help it make the right choices." 

    "But, Baba," the little girl said, "Hecate gave us free will, so we get to choose our mates!" 

    Baba nodded, "Yes, sweetie, that we do. But remember, sometimes, the Fates step in and gift someone worthy a fated mate." 

    Bella walked in just then, "Now, mother, you know that is just a story," she gave her mother a warning look. The last thing she needed was her mother telling her daughter that she was special and it going to her head. She wanted her child to grow up happy, and carefree. Not feeling like the burden of saving a coven was laid upon her tiny shoulders, she was just too small for that. She would have time to teach that, but for now, "Maura, it's bath time and bedtime." 

    Once she had her daughter tucked safely in her bed for the night she walked out to her mother, "Mother," she began. 

    The old woman raised her eyebrows at Bella, "Yes?" 

    "You know that we are trying to raise Maura to be kind, gentle, and loving. We don't want her head filled with how special she is right now. We want to raise her with humility, and be able to see the world for how wonderful it can be." Bella was sorting clothes before placing them in the washing machine. "I don't want her walking around, I'm the chosen one." Bella made a face, she didn't want a conceited daughter, she wanted one that was kind and caring to everyone. Even if she really was chosen by the fates to help save their coven. Which they wouldn't even know for sure until she was older. 

    Bella's mother smirked at her daughter, "Do you think that she is going to be able to hide that mark forever? What happens when she goes to high school and the others see that?" Her hands were waving in the air, conjuring up a small amount of smoke so her daughter could see what she has. 

    Bella walked up and peered into the cloud, her mouth falling open as she sees the other children calling out to Maura. She could see them pointing to her mark and calling her out for what she was. "This has to stop, she can't be put in this situation!" 

    "And just what do you want to do about it?" 

    Bella shook her head, "I don't know," she also harbored worry about her daughter's fated mate treating her badly. She had heard stories of werewolves and other mythics that had fated mates being treated poorly by them. She lowered her voice, "What about him?" she asked. "Have you seen anything about him?" 

    Bella's mother lowered her head, she debated on what to say. She saw some very questionable things happening in the future and she wasn't sure who was tied to it. "I haven't seen much, but it looks promising," was all she said to her daughter. "Now, take your own advice and go to bed." She rubbed her daughter's shoulder gently and then pushed her towards the door. "I'll take care of the rest of this."

    Bella gave her mother a grateful smile, "Thank you." 

    Once her daughter was out of the room and she was safely in her own room. She sat down and pulled out her crystal ball. She rubbed it gently, "Now show me my granddaughter's future," she murmured. As she began to see the events unfold before her eyes, she looked to the skies and said. "Mighty Hecate, make this right." 

    *****

    Hecate heard the call of the crone and appeared in front of her, "My child, what is it that I need to make right?'" 

    The crone looked up and smiled, "I have seen my granddaughter's future and it does not look promising. How can we help her?" 

    Hecate furrowed her eyebrows, "What do you mean? I have gifted you all free will, and there is little to stop that. Her choices are hers and hers alone to deal with as the consequences arise." The goddess folded her arms across her chest and looked down at the worried old woman. 

    The crone looked up at Hecate, "But she is the chosen one." 

    Hecate's expression changed from one of patience to confusion and then frustration in the blink of an eye. "What do you mean?" 

    The crone wove her fingers and an image of Maura appeared she turned her so that Hecate could see the birthmark on her back. The star-shaped imperfection just below her shoulder blade. 

    Hecate's mouth made a small "o" as she scowled. "They said they wouldn't interfere. Where is he?" 

    The crone shook her head, "I don't know." 

    Hecate's mind swirled, "Then I can only do so much." Hecate moved her own hands and conjured up a small charm." She handed it to the old woman, "Give this to your granddaughter on her sixteenth birthday before she meets him. it will give her strength." 

    The old woman accepted the tiny charm, looking at it in awe. It resembled Maura's mark, a star enclosed in a circle the only thing different was the lightning bolt shooting across it. 

    Hecate disappeared before the old woman could thank her. She tucked the charm in her jewelry box and went to sleep knowing that she did what she could to help her granddaughter. 

    **********

    Hecate stormed into the Fates room. "I told you not to interfere!" 

    Lachesis turned to Hecate, "We only made sure that things were going to go smoothly after he stepped in." 

    Hecate crossed her arms as her eyes narrowed suspiciously, "He who?" 

    "Your brother," was all Clotho said.

    Hecate stomped her foot and yelled in frustration, "He's going to pay for this! He and Poseidon both!" 

    Atropos looked up, "Hecate, calm down. You needed a descendent did you not?" 

    Hecate nodded angrily, "Yes, but I wanted it to be of my choosing. What if she isn't strong enough?" 

    Lachesis smiled, "She is."