Unfamiliar (Unfamiliar Series #1)

Chapter 20

"That's...that's forbidden," Tessa whispers. 

Her voice holds notes of horror as Peace ruffles up on her shoulder, the bird matching her master's terror. The bird's black eyes are focused on Astrid a low coo coming from the familiar. 

I blink at Astrid, still in shock myself that such a thing is possible. But Astrid looks unfazed, her gaze taking on a serene look. A deeper part of me knows, somehow, someway, it's not her first time to do such a thing. 

What kind of Hallewell is she?

Resurrection is taxing on a witch's body and could result in death of the caster themselves. Not only that, but if they were found out, much of the time the witch could be arrested and imprisoned for years. I could never imagine a Hallewell risking their name for such a thing. 

A Hallewell willing to tarnish the clan's name? 

"What do you suggest we do? If we don't do something, Kara could be held responsible," Astrid argues in a low voice.

"Astrid, it's dangerous, I've heard about people going mad or being destroyed by necromancy spells," Tessa counters, "it's illegal for a reason."

"I know what I'm doing. Now are you two in or out?" Astrid asks as she looks to each of us in turn. 

I don't know what to say and apparently, neither does Tessa. She won't even look at me as her eyes instead trail to the floor and remain there. But Astrid takes our silence as agreement.

"That's what I thought, I have a small piece of black moonstone so it isn't going to last long, the police station isn't far from here we'll leave after lights out," Astrid continues to plot as she stands and paces, "I have the app so we can use an Uber to get over there-."

"Hold up, you actually want to break into a police station's morgue?" Tessa asks as she reaches up and touches the bracelets around her wrists, much like someone religious would touch a cross necklace around their throat as a way to comfort themselves.

"Yes?" Astrid lifts an eyebrow at Tessa, "The morgue is usually where they keep bodies?"

I huff out a low breath at this, still not quite believing that Astrid was seriously considering this. 

"I know, but how do you suppose that we'll get in?" Tessa inquires with a roll of her eyes. 

"I have a few tricks up my sleeve, I'm going to need an energy drink or two, some bones-," Astrid trails off as she walks over to her dresser.

She pulls out a small, black velvet bag from one of the drawers and rattles it. Even with her being a witch, it's still unnerving to hear the bones rattling around inside. She opens the bag and peers in before she cinches it shut and nods to herself.

"Scratch the bones, I have some," she turns to me as she tucks the bag away, "Kara, I really hate to ask, but that necklace that you're wearing, does it have magical properties?"

I reach up and touch the necklace around my throat, the trinket forgotten. I haven't even changed out of my clothes from last night and I suppress a shudder at the realization. Nausea writhes in my stomach, I would need to take a shower asap. 

"Yes, but my mother has enchanted it so it can't be touched by anyone else," I admit and Astrid frowns briefly.

"I'll have to find something else," Astrid murmurs as she gnaws on her lip.