Palindrome

I delivered their order to Mary, the chef before I excused myself. In the bathroom, I tried to summon someone to give me answers, but it was quiet-I was on my own, it seemed... Well, I wasn’t powerless; I would manage. “Manage what?” my brain screamed to me. I could look into the books when I got home, but I didn’t know what to look for; I needed to learn more. My few moments alone had strengthened me, and my back was straight as I ventured out. I prepped the lemonades, checked the slices for blood, and walked over more confidently this time. I opened my mind to the energy from the two men and studied them as I got closer. The eldest was good-looking, maybe around 25, with dirty blonde hair. His eyes were brown, but he avoided looking into my eyes. I could see the veins popping out from his arm, and the t-shirt was tight around his biceps. The ladies in town would go berserk over this one. As to the other… I hesitated before glimpsing his way, but he wasn’t looking at me. He studied the glass before him as if it were a vase from the Ming dynasty.

He`s reciting something.

My brows furrowed; could they be witches? No, I would have picked up on that. Not to mention they would have come to me first out of respect. His hair was like an updated fifties-style, his eyebrows a nice bow. Since he had his eyes cast downwards, I could see his long lashes. Straight nose, soft stubble. In a flash, I saw his lips against my neck. The image disappeared as soon as it came, thank the gods. He could be around 22-23 years old. His hands gripped the glass, and I saw tattoos on his fingers. They both screamed, “Bad boys.” There was nothing more to find; they were closed off, making them feel even more dangerous. I smiled at them and took a step back.

“I`ll be right over with your food.”

The smiles, in return, felt like predators baring their teeth.

I felt the need for more protection, so I cast a small spell as I waited for the food after glancing around me. I held some salt and murmured so nobody would hear me.

Elements of the moon, elements of the Night

Please come to sight

Powers of Night, powers of Day

I summon thee

I call upon thee

To protect me

So mote it be.

I repeated the chant three times and had just finished when Mary put the plates in front of me. She gave me a weird look but said nothing. As I approached the table, I saw Blue Eyes look at me with raised brows and his lips curled to a smirk. I tilted my head. Could it be that he felt I`d cast a protection spell? Then I was right to do so. I put the plates down before them, blood dripping off the meat. I smiled at them and wished them a good meal. The eldest started digging in at once, but Blue Eyes finally met my eyes. They were filled with laughter and admiration.

I cleared some tables and chatted with Evans, one of our regulars, while I spied on them as they ate. The brothers talked once in a while but mainly concentrated on the meal. Evans distracted me by taking my hand. “You look tired, kid. Is everything alright? You have to tell me if you need help at the house.” Evans had known my parents, and he seemed obligated to check up on me occasionally. I squeezed his hand; “I didn’t sleep well last night, that’s all. But I could use some help one day to trim the hedge; I don’t know if I`m strong enough to hold the cutter up that long.” Evans looked pleased that I`d asked for his help, and he promised to stop by later in the week. Mom had imprinted me with this from I was a little girl; everyone needs to feel useful. If someone offers help, then say yes. You don’t need spells to make a person feel good about themselves. I topped up his coffee and froze. I turned slowly, and the two men stood there waiting. I could see that the spell worked; they kept a certain distance.

The brothers were dressed casually, but the clothes were good quality, designer jeans and sneakers that would make Kanye West jealous. Blue Eyes had a leather jacket that seemed soft enough to use as a pillow; he stood close enough that I could see the vintage Rolex on his wrist.

I clapped my hands together, “Leaving so soon? Are you visiting someone in town?” I tried for an innocent voice, but they weren`t fooled.

“Ahh, moving here.”

This was the first time Blue Eyes talked to me. I swallowed harshly; his voice felt like forbidden fruit.

“Really? Where?” I didn’t care if I sounded rude or out of breath.

The smirk appeared again.

“We`re moving into the old Pevensy-house.”

My eyes popped open in surprise. Pevensy was the wealthiest man in town or had been; he`d died a month ago. The heirs had quarreled over the estate, but now it seemed they`d reached an agreement. The grand house was too big for this town, it would be more suited in Beverly Hills, but Mr Pevensy liked his luxury.

“Well, good luck with that.”

He smiled and handed me his card so he could pay. I went behind the desk and glanced at the name on the card before swiping it. William Adamson. He reached for it before I saw the year he was born. I gave it to him, his index finger grazing mine briefly underneath the card, making my cut burn again.

Before they left, William glanced at my nametag, where it stood HANNA. Paul, my boss, had given it to me and I hadn’t bothered to change it.

“I`m sorry if I seem rude, Hanna. But isn’t your name spelled with two H`s?” He met my eyes again; the laughter was gone. Now they held only darkness.

” Game on,” the voice inside me whispered. Instead of revealing my fear, I smiled my meanest smile at him.

“Well, yes. Yes, it is. William.”