Unforgettable (OLD COPY DISCONTINUED)

Chapter 27

Shawn's familiar is a maned wolf specifically, according to a quick Google search he does on his phone as we leave the graveyard behind. Even though there's a new joy that we've discovered, Finn's warning shadows my every footstep.

The wolf lopes along beside Shawn in broad daylight, as he had urged me not to let the familiar disappear and I can understand why. I would be excited too if I could suddenly see my familiar after not previously having one.

But I can only hope that any mortals around here assume that the wolf is merely a strange looking dog as we walk through the gates of the graveyard and start down the sidewalk.

"It's not even related to wolves," Shawn babbles as he rattles off facts from his phone, "it's it's own species, not a fox or coyote or anything like that."

"That's weird," I agree as I try to think of some place we could go to talk more about his newfound ability.

"What should I name it?"

I pause as I glance over my shoulder at him. In that moment, he and his familiar look alike, the same dark eyes and attentive expression as the wolf's ears flick forward to listen to what I have to say.

"It's your familiar, you name it," I mutter as I turn on my heel and keep walking.

"What kind of familiar do you have? Does it have a name?" he asks as he rushes forward to keep pace with me.

I call on Bastet's energy then without a word and the panther hardly breaks her stride as she falls into step beside me.

"A panther? Kara that's amazing!" Shawn says excitedly and I can't help but roll my eyes.

"Shawn we're in the mortal part of Salem, you need to be quiet," I warn him as I quickly dismiss Bastet and she shimmers out of existence.

A maned wolf that can be mistaken for a dog is one thing, but a panther in the middle of Salem is another altogether and I don't care to get in trouble with the law anytime soon.

"Sorry," he murmurs in a low voice as his cheeks brighten to red.

He reaches out a hand to his wolf then, his fingers trembling as he hesitates to pet the creature.

"It won't bite you, it's your familiar, it obeys you," I explain as I keep walking, my phone buzzing from its place in my pocket.

I pull it out and glance at the screen to see that I've gotten a text, though more specifically, it's from Ava.

"I need you to meet me in the Underground, I think I've found someone who can help us, meet me at the crystal shop on the corner of Thorn and Westfield street."

A tide of relief washes over me and my fingers shake as Shawn watches me with sudden concern while I type my reply.

"Are you ready to see some of the witches' world?" I ask and a grin spreads across his lips as his eyes sparkle with excitement.

"I thought you'd never ask."

****

Doorways to the Underground are scattered throughout much of Salem, all one needs to do is know how to find them and luckily we find one relatively easily as I lead him down an onyx staircase and out onto the street below the city.

His head jerks back to stare at the translucent road above us as cars speed by overhead, their shadows swooping over the street beneath us. He gapes at me after a moment and I wonder then how many surprises he's going to endure today before he passes out from shock.