Unfamiliar (Unfamiliar Series #1)

Chapter 5

"Hallewell?" Tessa drawls, like she's testing a new word she's never spoken before, but still knows.

But it's not like anyone here wouldn't know the name Hallewell from what Indigo has told me.

"You're related to the headmaster?" Tessa says, not leaving Astrid the chance to deny it.

Astrid nods as she studies the wall where Tessa's posters have been pinned, "I'm his niece," she says casually, but she sounds formal with her British accent.

As in, her uncle is Clayton Hallewell, the current headmaster of Greenwood Academy.

Tessa makes a low whistling sound, "I almost thought that any of the Hallewell children were myths, I've yet to see your cousin in the flesh."

Her cousin being the famed Eleanora Hallewell who is maybe around Indigo's age and is the daughter of Clayton Hallewell.

"Yes, she's quite busy," Astrid says in a low voice, "what with her Coven of Midnight."

She almost sounds bitter, but she quickly composes herself and Tessa lets it slide as she walks over to her dove's cage and offers her hand to her familiar.

"I'd almost expect you to be in a room of your own," Tessa muses as Peace perches on her finger.

She laughs a short, brisk laugh, "Yeah, well, my mother set this up."

"It sounds like you're not happy about the arrangement," Tessa observes and I feel a prickle of unease at her directness.

Tessa has always been blunt and it physically pains me to see her pick someone apart, especially with it being someone she's just met and of all people, a Hallewell. But Astrid seems to take it in stride as she gives her a tight-lipped smile.

"To be honest, no, I'm not, I didn't even want to go to this stupid academy, but here I am," she says as she splays her hands sarcastically and walks over to drop a suitcase onto the other bed with a heavy thump.

"Why's that?" Tessa asks as she tilts her head, much like a bird and in that moment all I can think about is how perfect it is that she got a dove as her familiar.

Peace swivels her head around, like she's mimicking her master's question as the dove makes a cooing sound.

"I was transferred from an academy over in London, I wanted to go to a different one in Ireland but mother insisted I go to this one," Astrid says as she sits and flops back onto the mattress.

"Why transfer?" Tessa inquires.

"My mother wanted me to see the 'glory' of the Hallewell clan," she says in a lazy voice that oozes with distaste. "But enough about me, I couldn't help but hear something about the alchemy lab?"

"Yes, we were planning on visiting our friend," I say as I suddenly find my voice.

Astrid flashes me a dazzling smile, "Perfect, I'll join you, I don't care to be around in case Eleanora comes by to gloat."

I glance over at Tessa, who shrugs as she transfers Peace back to her cage.

"As long as you don't attract any of the paparazzi," Tessa warns.

Astrid snorts and stands to toss her hair over her shoulder as Tessa leads the way out of the room, "As if."

"So what year are you in?" I ask as I let the others walk out ahead of me before I shut the door behind us.

"I'm a junior," Astrid says over her shoulder as I catch up to them.

"Where's your familiar?" I inquire as we pass by a group of girls who are sitting on the floor in the hallway, their heads turning as they watch us walk by.