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

Sixteen-Bella

"No!" Bella shouted, and Hawk caught her around the waist. Not again, not her brother!

She felt his mouth right by her ear. "Shh. It's okay, it's a test."

Bella relaxed only slightly, watching the guards advancing on her brother with wide eyes. Hunter however simply gazed stonily at King Triton.

"Do you really want them to die?" Hunter asked, his voice low and tired.

The King said nothing. The first guard went limp, and Bella could see the light leave his body. His body floated, motionless other than his hair which moved about his face. Then a second light joined the first. This time it was a woman, and Bella watched in surprise as the two ghosts–yes, that was what she would call them–twined together into one. A third ghost joined the mass of light. It grew larger, brighter.

"What is that," Mist whispered. Her eyes were wide as she stared up at the ceiling where the ghosts had gathered.

"Their souls," Bella answered just as softly and Hawk released her. She stayed where she was though, staring up at the gathered light.

"Enough!" King Triton said with a wave of his hand. "Little witch, restore them, would you?"

Bella stared at him. "What do you mean, restore them? They are dead!"

"Oh no, they are not. Your brother is a Soulhunter, very ironic really," the King mused. "Hunter the Soulhunter. And you, my little witch, what is your name?"

"Bella," she whispered. Her mind was whirling.

Over the last week there had been many topics they didn't discuss. Their parents. Their pasts. Hunter's mysterious abilities they now had a name for. They had avoided those things as none of them could face the emotions that came with the memories. What were her parents doing right now? Had they been taken and questioned by the Brotherhood? Had they escaped? Had they been executed? No. Bella refused to believe that. They were alive. They had to be.

The King's laugh startled her from her thoughts. "Bella! Whoever named you had a dark sense of humor. A Soulhunter and the Belladonna both in my throne room!"

"Belladonna?" Swift spoke up, his voice a mix of horror and amazement in his voice. "No, that is impossible."

"I take it from your expressions that you don't know what Soulhunter and Belladonna mean," the King said, addressing Bella and Hunter and ignoring the vampire. "Soulhunters are male witches, only one born every three generations. Their job, although it is more of a duty imposed by the universe, is to hunt down the sick, broken, corrupted souls, remove them from their bodies if the person isn't dead yet, and destroy it."

Hunter stared mutely at King Triton who turned and said to Bella, "as for the title Belladonna it refers to the deadly plant, yes, but also the human language of Italian. Donna means lady, or woman. Bella means beautiful. In all, the title means 'beautiful deadly woman'."

"But what–" Bella started to ask but Swift interrupted her.

"The Belladonna is the ruler of the witches. I'm sorry, but your parents are not who you think they are."

"It's a pity you couldn't restore those guard's souls to their bodies," Adrian said as he led them to the bedrooms they were to use.

Bella glanced at her brother, whose hand was gripped in hers. His face was blank.

"Adrian, you know him better than any of us," Hawk said. "Can you tell us if he's thinking of helping us? As we aren't in the dungeons I doubt we're being used for ransom anymore."

"No, not for ransom. King Triton believes what you said about your mother. If he will help you... I can't say. If he does not, he will not be an impediment either. Ah, here we are." Adrian stopped and opened a large pair of double doors with a flourish. "Your room!"