The three of us gasped in unison. “What?”
Alabastair nodded and held up both hands, palms forward. “As it was explained to me, Heriberto had showed up at your uncle’s home on the anniversary of Moira’s passing every year, intending to end his life. He was convinced that either Malvyn or Maritza had the ability to reunite him with your mother in her ghostly form—Maritza is a necromancer as I am sure you know—and every year, either Malvyn or Maritza revived him using magical means.
“I take it this inability to successfully cross over was upsetting to Heriberto and contributed to why he seemed so assured of victory this year. He knew an individual—such as your aunt—may perform a resuscitation on another being up to three times. After that…” Alabastair shrugged his shoulders.
“So, what happened?” Kostya and the three of us leaned into Alabastair’s riveting story. I didn’t think he knew just how much light he was shedding on our parents’ lives and the magic we’d inherited.
“Because the Nekrosines are known for their innovation in the realm of necromantic techniques, I performed one of my family’s patented resuscitations on Heriberto. With Maritza’s and Malvyn’s permission,” he clarified. “Afterward, while your father was recovering and regaining his strength, your mother’s ghost manifested for the very first time.”
He paused, then added, “It is my understanding that as skilled as your aunt is at conjuring and speaking with the dead, her sister had never once appeared to her.”
My mom had never appeared to me either. But now I had to wonder if some of the visions I had been having belonged to her memories. I had no idea how to begin to approach verifying that idea. “What did Mom have to say?” I asked.
Alabastair shook his head, his downcast eyes going mournful. “We may never know. Maritza and I left the two of them together, and the next morning they were gone.”
“How did you get this?” Alderose asked, holding the emerald in front of the candle’s flame.
“Heriberto presented the ring to me after the resuscitation, during one of his more lucid moments, and before Moira’s ghost entered the picture. Maritza and I had been discussing what to do with it when word of Serena’s passing arrived. Mari immediately tasked me with delivering the ring to the three of you.”
“Do you know if Serena had the ring at any point?”
Alabastair shook his head. “The provenance of this magical object is a mystery. If any of you can reach your father, perhaps he would be more forthcoming with—”
“Excuse me for interrupting, Alabastair, but did you travel here with anyone?” Kostya placed his hand on the necromancer’s shoulder and turned him to face the door. “Because it looks like we have more company.”
Wind and rain rattled the windows in their frames. Another dark gray, human-looking form hovered over the sidewalk, holding its arms away from its body. Lengths of shredded clothing flailed in the wind, and clouds and a rainspout spiraled in ragged figure-eights around and between its legs.
The figure advanced toward the shop, bringing the swirling storm with it. None of us moved, even as the being came close enough that its tattered, water-soaked garments slapped the windows.
“It’s like being stuck in one of those car washes with the giant brushes,” I whispered. I was pretty sure we weren’t being visited by one of the dead. I would have felt it, the way I always had. But there was thick glass and a wall of water between me and whoever was out there, so I couldn’t be entirely sure.
“I suspect it’s one of your mother’s customers, come to collect,” Alabastair said.
“Or ask for a refund,” Beryl joked under her breath. “What do we do?”
The necromancer cleared his throat. “Your aunt has made it abundantly clear it is not my place to step between a Brodeur witch—or three—and a potential problem. That said, I am more than willing to assist if asked.”
“I’m with Alabastair,” said Kostya. “I’ll support however you decide to handle this, though—”
“Handle this? I’m not going out there.” Alderose’s voice barely registered above the noise from the water pelting the windows.
My gaze shot to the top section of the door. The web of threads was beaded with drops of water and glowing golden yellow.
Caution. “I’ll do it.”
“Clemmie, did you even hear what the necromancer said?” Beryl asked. “He saw Mom’s ghost. He saw Dad, who gave him a ring and a cryptic message. It’s like we’ve stepped into a Netflix special. Next thing you know, the three of us will be given an impossible mission to solve in a ridiculously short amount of time. With no food.”
The storm battering the shop suddenly paused. Large teardrops of water in shades of granite, jade, and onyx hung motionless in the air. The floating being landed on its feet, held up one hand with fingers spread wide, and began to move its lips.
One, they mouthed, crossing their thumb over their palm.
Two. The pointer finger was next. Three was forming on its lips when I nudged aside my sisters and ducked around Kostya.
“Wait,” I said, waving. “Wait!”
The demon grabbed at my wrist. I wriggled away. “No, it’s okay, Kostya. I got this.” I unlocked the door, pushed it open, and offered a tight smile for our first customer. “Welcome to Needles and Sins. I’m Clementine Brodeur. May I help you?”
The previously suspended drops hit the slanted bit of pavement, holding their shape like liquid mercury as they flowed toward our guest and reconvened around his ankles. Vehicles passed in both directions, shooting arcs of frothy water into the air.
The magical being standing in front of me was male. Older, with features carved from granite and dreadlocks pulled back from his face. Lightning arced across his fingertips. Up close, the
