“Spare me, you filthy dhampir bitch.” Latos left her.
I walked beside the cage and saw Netira’s face darken. She had refused the blood even though she desperately needed it. Was she like me? Did she hate her heritage enough to suppress it? I wondered what was going through her mind, and I also wondered why the full-bloods were sending her to the elves.
Wait. Was Netira coming to Ellewynth?
She will help you when it is time.
The voice startled me. It sounded like my own, but not quite.
“Mother?” I called.
She will show you the way.
I woke up when I felt a gentle caress along my cheek. When I sat up, I sighed; no one was in my room.
I fought off a chill as I hugged my knees to my chest. This dream differed greatly from the earlier ones. The voice…it had to have been Tamina. Mother obviously thought Netira was of some importance…but for what? And why?
She will show you the way.
“Show me the way to where?” I asked aloud. “What are you trying to start, Mother?”
There was no reply. Not even an echo within my mind.
“What is coming?” I demanded. “What are you trying to lead me to?”
She will help you when it is time.
“Time for what?” I cried, getting tired of all the dreams and hidden messages.
It was silent again, and I cursed in my broken Elvish.
I saw it was dawn when I glanced at the window. I needed to talk to Shadow.
After I put on warmer clothing, I grabbed a cloak and headed outside. A walk to clear my mind would help before going to see him.
Arlina awoke from her slumber as she reflexively jumped up from bed. She grumbled once she realized the blankets clung to her due to sweat. The dreams were getting worse; Arlina wondered if she would ever slumber again without seeing the face of her wretched sister.
Tamina is dead. She is dead.
No one could survive a bullet to the head, not even a full-blood…right?
“I’ve killed thousands, and of all the faces that come to haunt me, it had to be yours!” Arlina spat. “Willow damn you, Tamina. Stay in Avilyne’s hell, where you belong!”
I have a promise to keep.
Arlina felt horror seep into her body once she heard the words.
That couldn’t have been Tamina. Tamina is dead! Dead!
Oh, but it is me, sister…after all, I did say I would see you soon.
Arlina saw an ethereal figure form in front of her bed, and she refused to admit fear even when the figure transformed into the dead body of Tamina. Her long brown hair fell past her shoulders, and her dark clothes were stained with her own blood. Her violet eyes were cold.
Tamina smirked at her sister. Arlina’s gaze wouldn’t leave from the bullet hole in Tamina’s forehead.
“Avilyne’s hell,” Arlina whispered. “A specter?”
More or less, Tamina answered, as she hovered toward the windowsill. But it’s of no importance.
“You’re the one causing the dreams!” Arlina accused. Tamina nodded, disinterested. “Why? Why now?”
Your time is running out, sister. Tamina tapped the other bullet hole within her waist. Fate has decided it’s time to collect after all the chaos you’ve caused. You must now pay the price. Avilyne has a special hellhole just for you.
“Aerios blow you. You speak nonsense.”
The goddess of death has a special place reserved for you, sister. I’ve seen it. Tamina saw the glare and laughed. Don’t give me that. You brought this upon yourself. Not even you are immune to the repercussions.
“Leave me be!”
So be it. Allow me the pleasure of a few parting words. And you should not take my words lightly, Arlina.
“Just say your damned words, and get the hell out of my bedchambers.”
Tamina shrugged. She floated beside Arlina and grinned when the Mistress of Blackwen shuddered after her ghostly hand passed through her real one.
Attack Ellewynth if you so desire. You won’t accomplish the goal you’re really after when you do. As I’ve said, you won’t locate Artemis. She’ll find you. She’ll be the last thing you’ll see before your soul is claimed by our patron goddess.
After the last of Tamina’s words, Arlina watched her sister dissipate. Arlina cursed herself when she felt the beads of sweat drip from her chin to her chest.
She was the Mistress of Blackwen City—she did not know fear. She was fear, and neither she nor anyone else was going to forget that.
“If Avilyne wants me in her little hellhole, she’ll have to come and put me there herself,” Arlina snapped. She looked at the spot where Tamina had hovered, as if she were still there. “I’ll drag that daughter of yours with me, you bitch!”
Shadow leaned against the balcony railing, watching the sunrise. He hadn’t slept well; he’d seen a face he hadn’t looked upon for so long.
The death of Tamina had hit hard for both him and Talisa. The three fought alongside one another in the service of the Woodland Realm for numerous years; the heir to the throne of Blackwen City had hoped her service would help build a positive relationship between the Dark Fortress and the woodland elves. Tamina had ended her service, however, once she met Gavin, Artemis’ father.
Shadow never liked the man.
He knew Gavin’s true nature from the moment they met, but for Tamina’s sake, he kept silent on the matter. Talisa shared Shadow’s sentiments, but she made them well known. Tamina nearly severed her friendship with Talisa because of it, which made Shadow more afraid of voicing his opinions of the man. The situation grew worse when Tamina decided it was best to hide her full-blood heritage from Gavin, especially since he was rather vocal concerning his hatred of the undead. As understandable as it was that she had kept silent, Shadow and Talisa knew it would ultimately be disastrous to keep her heritage a secret from the human.
And then Artemis was born.
After the tragedy of Tamina’s death, Talisa begged the Elders to keep Artemis within the Woodland Realm. She was born there, and should have had its protection. Shadow remembered that fated day well, for it was only a few days after Lord Destrius joined the Elder ranks. Shadow first began to despise him then, for Destrius wanted to execute Artemis just because of her heritage. If it weren’t for Aunt Clarayne and Lord Celstian, Artemis wouldn’t have made it through her first year, let alone her twenty-first.
Shadow never met Artemis until she was six; he was dealing with yet another wave of rebel full-bloods from Tamina’s city at the time, and he had to stop by Talisa’s cottage for her special medicinal herbs. It was an odd yet fun memory. He never imagined a dhampir loving to climb trees more than an elf child. Artemis always had a way of surprising him, even in her bleakest of moods.
The complications with Artemis came after she moved into Ellewynth, where Shadow saw her regularly. He felt the sensation of the string when he first met her in Talisa’s cottage, high up in that tree surrounded by apples, and he cursed himself for it. Talisa knew of it, and told him numerous times that it was nothing to be ashamed about. She would even give him rational explanations concerning the situation, specifically stating that guardians sometimes fall for their charges, and vice versa.
“I fell in love with mine,” she said to him then.
Even with that knowledge, it did not make Shadow feel any better. The more time he spent with Artemis, the deeper he fell. He thought she would be awkward with him should he attempt to court her now. It would have hurt him deeply to lose the friendship they shared.
It was at that moment that he remembered the dream.
In his dream, Shadow was riding Azrael. He was fleeing Ellewynth, and he felt something reach out and force him to a stop. Shadow was shocked to find Tamina standing beside Azrael, casually stroking her mane as if it were just a normal thing to do.
Stop being so ashamed, she scolded him. Artemis needs you now more than ever.
Shadow tried to explain everything, a
nd Tamina shut him up by laughing. She called him an overthinking fool, and she told him he had to be her daughter’s rock. She said he belonged at her side. Something was coming, and he was a vital key in what was now unfolding.
No more running away, Shadow. Eventually, you will have to step into the light. Your fate is intertwined with hers, and it will never unravel no matter how much you pray for it to. Accept it.
He couldn’t stop thinking about Tamina’s words. Shadow had no doubt something was stirring in the world. He just didn’t know how he could help, let alone understand his part within this new game.
“You’re playing a dangerous game yet again, Tamina.” He stared toward the rising sun. “When will you learn?”
Talisa wandered through the forest when dawn came. She ordered Jack to skip the mandated morning walk for the day and to lock himself in her library studying the pasts of the known elf mage bloodlines. It wasn’t something she had wanted to do so soon, but after the dream she’d had, Talisa needed Jack to be ready.
Avilyne’s hell, she needed to be ready.
Hearing the sound of the waterfall, Talisa placed her palm along an ash tree and felt the energy respond with a soft thrum. She wasn’t granted entry to the veil, which meant that the one she was looking for wasn’t within.
“Where is she?” Talisa asked.
She has yet to return from her stroll. My apologies, witch of the elves.
“No need for apologies, ancient one. I’ll just have to find her through other means.” Talisa smiled as she rubbed the bark. “Return to your slumber.”
She left the ash tree grove and continued her walk. She thought about the dream once more and fought the urge to cry.
After seeing how her dear friend died due to Jack’s encounter with Kiare’s Mirror, Talisa shouldn’t have been surprised to see Tamina again so soon. In the dream, Tamina had been sitting in Talisa’s herb garden, just as she used to when she still lived. Before Talisa could say a word, Tamina stood up and hugged her.
I have a favor to ask of you, my dearest friend. There’ll be another time for questions, I promise, she said, sensing the onslaught of inquiries Talisa wanted to ask. Send your elemental to find my weapons. Artemis will need them soon. The elemental is the only one who can retrieve them.
Talisa asked what was going on. She spoke about the ripple effect she had mentioned before to Jack, and Tamina only frowned.
The game is on, Talisa. Artemis will have need of you, and she will require the elf mage as well. He may not be ready now, but he will be a valuable asset to her nonetheless. Make sure your elemental finds my sai. Without them, Artemis won’t stand a chance against her.
Talisa awoke before she could ask Tamina any more questions.
“I suppose it was inevitable that this should come to pass,” Talisa muttered. “I just hope you know what you’re doing, Tamina.”
Jack was desperate to fall back asleep, but his body decided to rebel against the need. He was on edge; he had felt some strange presence in the cottage earlier. Talisa forced him to stay inside today, which meant that she felt something as well. Jack wasn’t brave enough to ask her what the presence was.
He had no desire for a head-slap or being splashed with ice water so early in the day.
Jack tried to follow his teacher’s suggestion of studying the previous elf mages, but he couldn’t focus. His mind drifted to Callypso, and he cursed himself. Jack knew there was more to her than her appealing visage, but he couldn’t pinpoint what it was. A part of him felt that the answer was slapping him in the face and he was just too dense to notice.
However, he did notice the letter that Talisa had thrown at his lap before she left. It was from Shadow, and Jack couldn’t bring himself to open it. Each time he made the move to do so, the fear of the soldier’s words restrained him.
“Oh, just open it already, you idiot!” Jack hissed as he snatched up the letter and tore through the green wax seal.
Hello Jack,
Artemis sends her love (and threats). We were both quite amused that you may be a “proper elf” when you return to us! Artemis bet you would last a week at most before you return to your old self.
Now onto that little dilemma of yours. As far as I know, the string occurs for one person only. There is a difference between the string and simple lust, you know. (I know you’re glaring at this point. You should stop before you get another one of those headaches you complain so much about.) Whoever this new woman is, she must certainly be something in order for you to forget all about Lily. I’m afraid I can’t really be of much help to you, Jack. If you feel the string for two women, I hope you realize you can only choose one. All I can tell you is to choose wisely.
Artemis and I plan to visit you and Talisa sometime soon. You can introduce us to your mystery woman then. Maybe you’ll even receive our blessings.
Shadow
“Soleil burn me, why do the both of you enjoy tormenting me?” Jack whined. “I’m not lusting, damn you! This is a damned conspiracy!”
He could imagine the looks he’d receive from both Shadow and Artemis if they heard his response. Artemis would glare and call him an idiot, while Shadow would simply shake his head and flash that sarcastic smile of his.
Shadow had no right to judge; he had his own problems, like denying his feelings for Artemis. Artemis was in the same predicament, even if she wouldn’t acknowledge being in one. Jack would much rather be in his current trouble than in theirs. When the day came for those two to come together, the victory would be his. He would make sure to never let them hear the end of it either—the physical abuse they would hand him would be well worth it.
He tossed the letter aside and was startled by the knocks on the front door. Jack grabbed the small curved knife he had grown accustomed to carrying after his first night of the apprenticeship, and tucked it away in his tunic sleeve.
“Who is here at this hour?” Jack grumbled, knowing that Talisa would have walked in with or without announcing herself.
Reaching the door, he felt a soothing energy he recognized instantly. Jack opened the door and somehow managed to suppress a stupid grin when he saw her.
Callypso stood outside the door, her light blue eyes still hypnotic to him. She wore a flowy peach dress this time and was still barefoot.
“Hello, Jack,” she greeted him, with a soft smile. “I have to admit I didn’t expect to see you here. Aren’t you supposed to be on your walk?”
Jack rubbed the back of his neck and tried to still his nerves. “Sadly, Talisa confined me to the cottage.”
“That is a shame, as it’s such a nice morning for a stroll,” Callypso replied, as a small wind lifted the blond curls that framed her face.
Jack grew mesmerized at the sight; she was such a beauty.
Then he realized he was being rude and quickly moved aside so that she could enter.
“Why don’t you come inside? I’m afraid Talisa isn’t around, but perhaps you’d like some tea until she comes back? Unless you’re in a hurry, of course.” Jack scowled at himself for babbling like a youngling.
“I’m in no hurry.” Callypso stepped inside. When she wasn’t looking, Jack took the knife out of his tunic sleeve and hid it in the closest bookcase. “I would love some tea.”
She let him lead her into the kitchen, even though Jack surmised that she’d been in Talisa’s cottage before. Callypso settled into one of Talisa’s cushioned chairs and studied the room.
“Nothing much has changed since I was here last…” she observed.
“If you don’t mind my asking,” Jack began, “how long ago was that? Better yet, how exactly do you know Talisa?”
“Let’s just say I’ve known her for far too long.” Callypso smiled. She crossed her legs while folding her arms. “I’m partial to vanilla hazelnut, if you don’t mind.”
“I don’t,” Jack answered. “I see you’re still favoring the cryptic approach.”
“I do enjoy a good mystery.”
“Please don’t tell me you were once an apprentice to Talisa.”
“Goddesses, no!” Callypso chuckled. “I value my friendship with Talisa far too much to discard it by accepting an apprenticeship.”
Jack stood up to retrieve the teapot, and then he returned to hand her a small teacup. “You are something else, though.”
“Oh?”
“I can’t figure it out yet, but you’re definitely more than you’re letting on.”
“If you hadn’t realized that by now, you wouldn’t be much of an apprentice.” Callypso laughed at Jack’s sullen look. “I meant no disrespect, Jack.”
“No, it’s fine.”
“Why did Talisa venture out of the cottage so early? It’s not something she normally does until much later in the day.”
“I didn’t ask.” Jack was going to mention the odd presence he felt earlier, but decided that he too, would be cryptic. “Something was bothering her. She looked as if she didn’t want to be disturbed.”
“Probably a wise move on your part.” Callypso sighed. “I wonder if…” She noted Jack’s look of interest and waved him off. “It’s nothing. I’m just musing aloud.”
“I could be of some help. I muse aloud all the time.” Jack grinned.
“I wondered if she’s out looking for me. Something…something strange has been in the air lately, and I wanted to talk to her about it,” Callypso explained as her face darkened.
So she felt something too. “That has been a recurring theme lately.”
“Tell me, what do you know about spirits? Particularly of those who long ago passed from this world?”
“Spirits of the deceased either linger or disappear into the hands of the goddess of death, Avilyne,” Jack replied while tapping the armrest. “Those who linger do so because their souls refuse to move on.”
“That’s not always the case,” Callypso said. “Spirits that linger have enough strength left over to have personal vendettas carried out for them. It always starts with dreams, and then strange events follow soon after.”
Child of Blackwen (An Artemis Ravenwing Novel Book 1) Page 12
