The Other Side of the Lie (EDITING, ON HOLD)

Eight-Swift

Shock slapped the little red-haired witch's face. Her brother stiffened. The scent of fear, already thick around them, sharpened. Swift flinched, and saw a similar reaction from Mist. Hawk just smiled lopsidedly. In truth, Hawk had drunk the whole bottle. And then the three other bottles in the scavenger's packs. Swift had let him at the time, hoping the alcohol would help him deal with the planning of his mother's murder and the aftermath of his father's. He knew now that it hadn't been the best idea he'd ever had.

"Now you know one of our secrets," Mist said. "Tell us one of yours."

"My sister is a witch," the boy said. Swift was wary of him. He might be human, but the way his muscles were coiled and how he held himself told Swift that he was a born predator. Interesting. Unusual for a human.

"We already knew that," Hawk giggled. Giggled! Swift winced, and he felt a pang of sympathy for Hawk. He would be so embarrassed once he sobered. "Something we don't know... your names!" he exclaimed, and smiled brightly like a child proudly presenting their mother with a drawing. Swift thought it unnerving.

"Those are none of your business," the boy said.

"Are you sure about that?" a new voice said from the direction the siblings had come. The girl sucked in a sharp breath and the boy's jaw tensed.

Mist and Swift exchanged startled looks. Neither of them had sensed the newcomers –there were three, and all nearly identical in looks, Swift could now tell– until they had spoken and revealed themselves. Swift cursed himself for getting distracted by Hawk's behavior and the siblings who had very nearly stumbled into their camp. None of them had realized just how close they were to Pine City.

"I think these three would like to know who led the Brotherhood right to them," the youngest, who had first spoken, continued.

A shocked silence fell over them. The Brotherhood was nothing more than a myth, the legendary protectors of humans against the other Factiones. They didn't exist. At least, Swift hadn't thought so.

"If you aren't going to speak, then surrender peacefully and we will not hurt you now," the eldest of the men said.

"No," the witch said. Her voice, wobbly and soft as it was, was strong with finality all the same. Swift had once heard someone say that redheads had fiery tempers and were extremely stubborn. So far, it didn't seem to be completely true in the witch's case.

"No?" the youngest Brother asked. "Bella, I thought you were smarter than this. Esme is always talking about how sensible you are, keeping her out of trouble."

"No, Maxim. I've never done anything to hurt even so much as a fly! You can't take me!" Bella said.

"Hey, what are you doing?" Hawk shouted. The third and middle aged man was attempting to tie Hawk's wrists together. "Stop!" This last came out as a roar, as Hawk's wings burst from his back. He whirled around and drew his sword.

The other two men snapped into action and grabbed the human and witch. The boy tried to fight back but his assailant was able to get him in a headlock. Swift didn't even have to glance at Mist. They both leaped at the Brothers. Mist shifted in mid air and let out a fearsome snarl. Vince let his canines lengthen fully into fangs and his fingers curled into claws. He ripped the man from Bella, and realized that he was the youngest Brother she had called Maxim, who was only a little older than Swift himself.

The girl screamed, but Swift ignored her in favor of twisting the Brother's arms behind his back and pinning him to the ground. Suddenly Hawk was by his side, shoving a length of rope into his hands. Swift muttered a quick thank you and used it to tie up the Brother.