Palindrome

The dream was pleasant – wind stroking through my hair and the feeling of flying high in the sky – the only thing ruining it was the pain in my side, like I was left hanging. I opened my eyes, panicking when I saw there actually were trees underneath me, blurring by as we flew over them. The pain in my side was claws clamping down on me, holding me like a dead mouse captured by a hawk. Freedom didn’t last long, apparently. I started to squirm but thought better of it – wouldn`t do me any good to plunge to my death.

Hold still, you imbecile.

The voice in my head was foreign, it sure wasn’t William. I didn’t think it was George, Jafet or Noah either.

“Who are you? Where are you taking me?” My voice had a touch of terror in it, I didn’t want to go back to the house before I had to.

I know I`m not my usual beautiful self, but I had at least hoped you could distinguish me from my brothers.

Belinda? I didn’t want to embarrass myself in asking it out loud, so I made a snarky remark instead.

“I`m hanging with my face down high above the ground, basically trusting you with my life, excuse me for not complimenting you on the nice shine in your fur.”

The Beast growled out a small laughter and picked up speed.

Apology accepted; you can tell me later.

It was hard to know where we were from this height, but it didn’t take long before we started to descend – the wings flapped slowly, circling us down towards a small field. Belinda dropped me and I fell on the ground, clutching my sides, hurting from the hold. I didn’t say anything, she had just saved me after all. My head still hurt, but it was better now, the fresh air helped. When I thought I could stand without falling down again, I stood gingerly and looked at the Beast watching me.

I could see differences, she was smaller than William and Benjamin, but had the same muscle-packed body. The fur was brighter, probably because she was blond in real life. Her eyes were beautiful green, overshadowing the grim mouth. She straightened and folded out the wings one time before letting them rest against her back.

I smiled, “You were right; you are beautiful. Thank you for saving me.”

Belinda blinked and I saw the air around her start to flicker, making the Beast turn into a girl. Her face was expressionless when she talked, “You`re making it quite difficult for us to hate you, you know that?”

Her words woke me up a little, her dad had just kidnapped me with intent to torture me. Could I trust her? My gut told me yes, so I had to just go with it, but with caution. The once-white dress I was wearing waved in a sudden gust of air, another Beast landed beside us. I froze, it was one thing to meet Belinda, I didn’t want to meet William, his betrayal was bigger. The eyes gleamed red, telling me it was Benjamin. He held out a bundle to Belinda and started changing back to human. Belinda took the pack and dragged on jeans and a shirt, covering up her naked body. I lowered my eyes when Benjamin was back, his impressive body was hard to ignore, but it felt so wrong ogling William`s brother. When they both were dressed and ready to talk, I turned back, holding out my arms.

“What is this, why are you helping me? I appreciate it, but I know it must be hard for you to do this because of your Father and Grand Fathers.”

Benjamin glanced at Belinda, their twin minds communicating without words.

“We don’t love easily, but when we do it`s for life. And as you know, we have a long life. It would have ruined William if our Father had managed to kill you.”

My heart sank, I didn’t need a reminder of William`s love. If he loved me so much, why wasn’t he here, why did he send his siblings to save me?

Belinda started walking towards the trees, “He`s with Samuel, trying to find a way out of this mess.”

I stumbled on the flat ground, “What do you mean, with Samuel? You know Samuel?”

She snorted and rolled her eyes as she looked back at me following her like a puppy. “Yes. Look at what we have become, partnering up with witches.”

Suddenly, I recognised the place; we were at Lady`s Dwell. I could see the statue and the bench coming up.

“Why are we here?”

Again, this look between the two.

“This is a safe spot. Samuel told us you might trust us easier if we told you our plan here.” I felt so lost, like I had missed an important chapter in a book I was reading.

“How long was I in that house?”

For me, it felt like hours, but it seemed much had happened in those hours.

Benjamin examined the ground thoroughly before answering me.

“A day and a half.”

I had no response, no wonder I was so out of it. Belinda handed me a bottle of water, regret and shame in her eyes. Didn’t matter, I was out of there and safe for now. Now I needed to hear their plan, and most likely ruin it by asking them to help me get Natan out. I sat down on the bench, the stone cold through the skimpy dress. I felt so tired, I just wanted to sink down in a warm bed and sleep for days. The image of Natan staring at me with oblivious eyes burned in my heart though, keeping me on my feet.

The water was bliss for my dry throat, but the rumbling sound of an engine got me coughing on the drink. The black Mustang rolled into the parking lot by the statue, its dark tinted windows ominous, hiding the persons in it. Belinda and Benjamin were silent, they watched the car come to a stop with the same blank expressions on their faces. I heard the music shutting off, cutting Van Halen`s Hot for Teacher off. The door on the driver`s side opened slowly, I`d all but forgotten the bottle in my hand, raised halfway up to my mouth, frozen in my hand. Was it supposed to feel like this – painful, yet anticipating? The light from the lamp post gave a soft glow, making it feel like a scene from a movie. I saw his foot first, the dark jeans over black converse, white hoodie and finally, his face. It was like rain after a dry spell, or the first ray of warm sunshine on your face after a cold winter, it was like coming home. His eyes found mine instantly – looking me over quickly, flashing purple when he saw the torn dress I was wearing. He bit down on his lip, silently sneering, letting the Beast pop out in anger for a second. Oh, how I wished those teeth would bite me instead. The bottle fell from my hand, making me jump slightly, embarrassment creeping up in my cheeks. William smirked, the half-smile setting my soul and body on fire. His eyes didn’t flash purple this time, now they were ablaze.

“Hrmph.” A polite coughing sound fell from the left of me, and Samuel stepped out from the shadow and under the light. My shoulders sank together, relief filling me.

“Samuel, I’m so sorry.”

He laughed in return. “Not your fault, kid. Are you ok?”

William watched me carefully without joining the conversation, Belinda and Benjamin had taken up the place behind him. Tears filled my eyes, but I wiped them away fiercely. “Yes, I just need to get something to eat, then I`ll be good.” Samuel nodded, “They didn’t hurt you?”

I shook my head, “No, you got me out in time, but it was a close call.” He gave me a pat on the back, mumbling something which sounded like a cleansing spell. “I should have brought sage with me, but we didn’t have the time.” The word “we” reminded me of this weird cooperation they had going on here.

“How did you guys meet?” I looked at no one in particular, struggling to keep my eyes off William. Benjamin spoke, “William wanted to get you out, but we needed help.” I blinked furiously, still not looking at him, but it was almost like I could feel his soul vibrate in sync with mine. He took a step closer, answering to the silent call from my body on instinct.

“And what exactly is your plan?” I looked at Belinda, ignoring the rattling in my bones. She again looked at Samuel and the William for confirmation, but it was Samuel who answered.

“We continue with our original plan, with invoking the Great Lilith. But with audience.” My heart hammered like crazy by now. “You want me to invoke her in front of the Beasts?” William had come even closer, his presence messing with my brain. What was happening? I`d never experienced something like this, it was like the earth was spinning too fast – threatening to throw me off. I noticed vaguely Samuel nodding, but now he too was looking at William with a frown on his forehead.

William sat down on one knee in front of me, picking up the water-bottle. I could see the purple shine on my dress, his eyes were lit, all the blue gone. He took a hold around my ankle, the hand warm against my cold skin.

“Stop fighting me.”

His voice was mellow, but stern. I closed my eyes in panic, hoping it would help me retain power over myself. His father had kidnapped me, his Great-grandfather wanted to torture me. My brother was a captive in their dungeon for crying out loud. Where was the hate I was supposed to feel?

“I`m not fighting you, I`m sitting still on this bench.”

Again, with the smirk.

“Babe, you know damn well what I mean. You, of all people, should know fate when it hits you in the head. Now… Stop fighting me.”

The others had stepped away, they were on the other side of the car, giving us some space.

“How can you think we`re meant to be, I just escaped your mad grandfather, your father had me drugged and kidnapped, how the hell do you think we should make this work?”

I hated my voice for trembling, I wanted to be strong and confident. His hand crept up my leg, distracting me. He shrugged, tossing his head to get rid of the strand of hair falling in his eyes.

“I got told by an angel that we needed to be together. If that isn’t a green light, then I don’t know anything. As for my Fathers…” His face darkened, and his hand tightened around my knee. “We will deal with them together. We all agree that this has to stop.”

I strangled the sobs pressing their way up, letting my hand finally rest against William`s cheek – the stubble soft under my touch. The connection fixed something, it was like straightening a picture hanging askew, calming my nerves. I looked into his soul and tried to figure out what I was seeing exactly, when Samuel interrupted us.

“We need to hurry; they will come after her. We need to get a head start.”

I pressed my lips together, yearning to kiss William, but now was not the time nor the place.

I stood on shaky legs, addressing them all.

“Did you know there is a prisoner in your dungeon?”

William looked at the twins while he shook his head.

“We`re not allowed down there, we have to be invited to the questionings until we turn 500.”

Belinda tied her hands together, the forlorn look on her face odd on her usually confident features.

“I knew. I have brought him extra food sometimes, when Father was away. I discovered him by accident one day for about a month ago.” Benjamin stared at her angrily, “And you didn’t tell me?”

She raised her hands in defence, “What good would that do? If Father had found out we knew about him, he most likely would get him killed right away.”

I shook my head, the others watching me curiously except Samuel who looked at me with dread.

“No, they wouldn’t have killed him.” My voice sounded tired beyond words.

“Apparently, they…” I looked sarcastically at the siblings, “You… Can`t kill the Palindromes. You can`t kill me, because I`m a Palindrome. And you can`t kill him, because he also is a Palindrome. The man who has been a prisoner in your cell for five years is my brother.”

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