Child of Blackwen (An Artemis Ravenwing Novel Book 1)

by Melanie Rodriguez

  Latos and the others bowed their heads and stood watch as she entered the tavern. There were wenches digging into the pockets of those too drunk to move themselves off the floor. Several of the humans who sat at the bar watched her closely as she moved to an open spot and demanded wine. The bartender raised an eyebrow at her and eventually gave her a glass of deep red wine along with a small razor blade.

  “I seen enough of yer kind in this here tavern to know ya want more than ya ask fer,” the bartender said. He motioned his pudgy head to his right and pointed out a drunkard she could pawn blood off of. “Take more than ya need, and I ain’t afraid to call the man upstairs, ya hear?”

  Arlina smiled as she took the blade and cut into the now unconscious man’s wrist. The blood droplets seeped into her wineglass with scraggly ripples. “On the contrary, sir, I hope that you will indeed call on him. He and I are old friends.”

  The bartender shook his head and walked away as she sipped the blood mixed with wine. Arlina was amazed, as the wine was actually succulent. The blood of the drunkard was enough to keep her satisfied for the evening. She would have to find out more about this wine.

  It was rare to find something of the humans, besides their blood, to be considered “enjoyable.”

  A fight broke out. One of the humans was thrown into Arlina’s side, causing her to drop her wine glass. It grew silent once she grabbed the man and hauled him onto the bar, her now drawn sai drawing blood from his neck.

  She enjoyed the human’s squirms; it made her bloodlust rise.

  “I rather enjoyed my wine, cattle,” Arlina hissed. “Perhaps your blood will compensate for it.”

  The click of a flintlock pistol drew Arlina’s attention away from the human she had pinned and toward the bartender.

  “Let ‘em go, vampire,” the bartender demanded.

  “Or what? You’ll shoot me?” Arlina was amused that the man couldn’t even steady his hand. She understood then that he must have used the pistol only once or twice. “Do you have any idea what I’m capable of, human?”

  “Arlina, calm yourself.” Arlina felt her grin widen as she recognized the voice. “Let the imbecile go and step away from the bar.”

  Arlina turned around to see the one she had sought out: Gavin.

  His black hair was much longer now, tied back with a dark red ribbon. His hazel eyes glared at her, and she noted he was wearing fashions similar to the full-bloods of Blackwen City.

  How perfect.

  “Gavin!” Arlina greeted him as she released the human. She raised her arms as if she was welcoming his presence. “How long has it been, brother?”

  “Not long enough.” Gavin frowned. “I am not your brother.”

  “Oh, but you are, Gavin.” Arlina walked beside him and clapped his shoulder. “You may no longer be my brother-in-law, seeing as how my sister is rotting away in Avilyne’s hell, but you are my brother by other means.”

  “Aerios blow you, not here!” Gavin spat. Gavin looked to his bartender. “Take care of the mess and close up for the evening.”

  “Y-Yes sir,” the bartender said as he put away his flintlock pistol and began to throw the drunkards out.

  Gavin motioned for Arlina to follow him and led her to one of the upstairs rooms, seemingly an office. She noticed the windows were boarded up, and Arlina couldn’t help but smirk.

  “I see someone didn’t appreciate the gift I bestowed them.” Arlina ran a hand through her short red hair. “That’s not very nice, you know.”

  Gavin turned around, and his irises shifted to a deep red. “I should have known that you were never one for keeping your word! You were a deceptive bitch then, and you’re still one now.”

  “I saw an opportunity and couldn’t let it pass me by.” Arlina shrugged. “You really should be thanking me, Gavin. You can run Westyron for as long as you desire.”

  “I just wanted to return to Westyron without having any more dealings with you damned Ravenwing women!” Gavin snapped. “I lost everything that night! You just had to add to it by turning me into one of you.”

  Arlina smiled. “You should have known it was coming, Gavin. You were bedding a full-blood, after all. I’m sure you would have enjoyed the process if Tamina had turned you.”

  Gavin folded his arms. “What in Avilyne’s hell are you doing here, Arlina? Last I heard, you despised Westyron.”

  “I came to see how you were doing.”

  Gavin snorted. “I won’t ask you again, woman.”

  “Always so serious!” Arlina frowned. Gavin’s expression stayed the same, and she sighed in resignation. “Fine. I felt compelled to return to this poor excuse for a city. I have a hunch that someone we have in common will be stopping by here soon.”

  “Oh?” Gavin asked, intrigued. “And who might this be?”

  “Your daughter.”

  Gavin froze. “Artemis is dead.”

  “You’re still telling yourself that your daughter’s soul was destroyed once you found out she was born a dhampir?” Arlina rolled her eyes. “Goddesses, you were such a pitiful human then. I hoped vampirism would have smartened you up a bit, but it seems I was wrong.”

  Gavin pounded the wooden desk he leaned against with a fist. “Artemis is dead.”

  “Half-dead, technically,” Arlina corrected. “Unfortunately for us, she lives. Turns out she’s been hiding with the elves all this time.”

  “I thought you disposed of her as well as Tamina.” Gavin tapped his fingers on the wood, irritated. “How’d you let an infant escape you?”

  “If I remember correctly, you couldn’t even dispose of those two. Don’t you of all people dare to accuse me of failure!”

  Gavin swore as he began to pace the office. “Will she be alone?”

  “Hardly. She escaped me in Ellewynth, but I will not let that happen again. I’ll anticipate her having help this time. I’m sure Shadow of Ellewynth will be one of those who will.” Arlina felt the atmosphere grow cold, and she enjoyed the true anger that formed on Gavin’s face. “My, my. And here I thought the mention of your still-living daughter brought out such emotion from you.”

  “That prick still lives?”

  “Yes. He is blessed by the goddesses themselves, it seems. Shadow returned from yet another war with the dragons with all of his limbs intact.”

  “If he comes into my city, he won’t escape with his life,” Gavin promised, while turning his back on Arlina.

  “Fair enough.” Arlina shrugged. “I only want the dhampir brat anyways.”

  “You are a clever one, I do have to say.” Gavin laughed. “You knew I never wanted any dealings with you, and yet here you are, enticing me with an offer I just can’t refuse.”

  “Believe me, Gavin, I still very much despise you,” Arlina informed him. “Nonetheless, you were always one of my favorite toys. And so useful! You really were wasted as a human.”

  “I enjoyed my humanity,” Gavin growled. “You stole that from me.”

  “Would you prefer if I ended your life?” Arlina asked, growing tired of the man’s whining. “There’s no other cure.”

  “No,” Gavin replied. “I’ve accepted this curse you threw on me.”

  “Then shut up.” Arlina rubbed her temples. “I can’t stand men who whine.”

  “And I can’t stand power-hungry bitches,” Gavin retorted. He faced her once more, a smile now growing on his lips. “I suppose just this once I will ignore that fact.”

  “You will fight with me?”

  “I want Shadow,” Gavin explained. “What you do with Artemis is up to you. Once they enter my city, the fun can begin.”

  “Excellent!” Arlina beamed. “In the meantime, there is one more thing you can do for me.”

  Gavin raised an eyebrow, wary. “And what would that be?”

  “You can tell me about the wine your bar serves.”

  I felt my body ache when I fell to the ground again. Netira crouched above me, with one thick twig against my neck and another poki
ng into my chest. She moved only when I yielded.

  “You’re learning, but not fast enough.” Netira sighed. “You’re over-thinking your attacks.”

  “She does get distracted easily,” Jack teased as he leafed through another page of the tomes he’d brought along.

  “I wouldn’t talk, Jack,” I grumbled. “When was the last time you sparred with anyone, anyways?”

  “Verbally? Quite recently,” Jack replied. He laughed when I glared, and he marked a page before shutting it. “Very well, I accept your challenge.”

  I threw him my own pair of thick wooden twigs, and he raised an eyebrow.

  “What?” I asked, feigning innocence. “You thought I was asking you to spar with me?”

  “Evil woman,” Jack muttered. “Be gentle with me, Netira.”

  Netira chuckled. “You should know that whenever someone tells me that, I only hit them harder.”

  I saw Jack gulp as she lunged toward him. I was impressed when he parried several of her blows. He even managed to dodge one of her attacks with a side step, and landed a hit to her back.

  Jack beamed. “I told you I picked up a few things while staying at Talisa’s.”

  Netira came at him again and knocked him off his feet. She pinned him to the ground just as she had done with me. I laughed and walked over to the two.

  “Yes, so I’ve noticed,” I teased.

  “Never take your attention off of your opponent,” Netira instructed as she helped Jack to his feet. “You’ll end up dead before you can fully develop into your mage gift.”

  Jack stiffened at the mention of the mage gift. “I’m not sure I want to do that.”

  “Karesu was the same way once,” Netira explained. She motioned for me to return for another spar. “Once he accepted his gift, he used it to bring much good into the world.”

  “He worked for Arlina,” Jack reminded her.

  “I did too, Jack,” Netira said. “I don’t excuse the evil I helped create. I did it because it brought me higher in Arlina’s ranks, therefore bringing me closer to her. Unfortunately, the best laid plans are the first to fail.”

  “That’s the truth.”

  Everyone turned and saw Shadow standing behind us, smiling while holding a pair of swords.

  “Joining the festivities?” Netira asked.

  “Naturally,” Shadow answered. “Someone has to make sure Artemis keeps up her swordplay. It’s best for one of her rank to learn as many weapon styles as possible.”

  I wished I were back in the days when I didn’t know I came from nobility.

  “Now this I have to see.” Jack returned to his spot from earlier. “I’ve wondered if you had improved in that area.”

  Netira stepped aside and moved to sit beside Jack. “I’m sure Artemis is capable enough to wield a sword. She’s surprised me so far.”

  “Remember when I said that she gets distracted easily?” Jack said. “That’ll happen more now.”

  “I can hear you, you know,” I said, taking one of the swords Shadow held out.

  “Don’t worry, Artemis.” Shadow took a stance. “Jack’s next.”

  “Wait, what?” Jack sputtered. “What’s that supposed to mean?”

  “It means that I will be teaching you swordplay as well,” Shadow explained. “I’d rather be safe than sorry. You should not rely solely on the magic you’ve just begun to control.”

  “I don’t think it’s a good idea to trust me with a sword!” Jack whined.

  “Don’t be such a youngling,” Netira scolded. “I’ll teach you how to properly wield those daggers of yours as well. I’d feel safer that way.”

  Jack hung his head in shame while the rest of us laughed. I took my own stance before the lesson with Shadow started. Inside I groaned, for now I knew he wasn’t going to hold back.

  Talisa and Callypso circled the camp with the satchel Talisa brought from the safe house, and they dug little holes to hide the “special” herbs that would harm any who dared attack their camp. Talisa stopped once she heard someone approach, and she relaxed when it was only Shadow.

  “Ah. I see the traps have been set already,” Shadow said, taking care to watch where he stepped.

  “Where are the others?” Callypso asked, taking a seat by the fire.

  “They went to find some water for us,” Shadow answered. “The sparring sessions lasted longer than we expected.”

  “How is Artemis progressing?” Talisa inquired.

  “She’s doing well…for a beginner,” Shadow replied. “The only time we’ll know for certain is when she goes into battle.” Shadow rubbed his brow, his green eyes showing fatigue. “Somehow I can’t help but feel that we will find trouble in Westyron, but we can’t put off the trip.”

  Talisa sighed. “I know.”

  “Did she spar with the sai?” Callypso inquired.

  “No. She’s learning their fighting style from Netira, but Artemis has yet to actually fight with them.”

  “That is wise then.” Callypso breathed a sigh of relief.

  “You still believe they’re linked to Tamina?” Shadow asked.

  “I know they are,” Callypso insisted. A cool breeze picked up, and both Shadow and Talisa watched her. “Apologies. I’m just…I’m a little anxious.”

  “We all are,” Shadow said.

  Talisa joined Callypso by the fire. She removed her dark blue pointed hat, and slowly plaited her long, white-streaked black hair.

  “Shadow…” Talisa began. “Do you…you don’t think he is still in Westyron, right? After all these years, do you think he returned there?”

  Shadow stiffened. “That is his home. Perhaps he is.”

  “Who are you two talking about?” Callypso asked, puzzled.

  Talisa stared into the fire, the glow of the embers shifting colors along her face. “We speak of Gavin. He is someone we once knew long ago.”

  “From the sound of it, he was someone you both didn’t get along with,” Callypso deduced.

  “Gavin is Artemis’ father,” Shadow elaborated. “Tamina and he had a rather…well, to put it simply, a hasty love affair that led to marriage and then—”

  “And then everything fell apart,” Talisa cut him off. “To make a long story short, we only know that once he learned the truth behind the heritage of both Tamina and Artemis, he tried to kill them. Obviously, he failed. Shadow and I tried to explain to Tamina the kind of man he was before, but when you’re in love with someone…you care only what you think.”

  “Oh goddesses…” Callypso gasped. “This man is still alive today?”

  “He’ll have aged, as he is human,” Shadow said. “If he still lives, of course.”

  “Don’t fool yourself, Shadow.” Talisa frowned. “Gavin is too stubborn to die.”

  “You should tell Artemis,” Callypso urged. Talisa and Shadow were silent. “You can’t mean to be tight-lipped on the matter! Look what happened when both of you failed to mention Arlina to her! Ellewynth was destroyed because Arlina learned about her! Artemis should at least know the truth that her father could still be alive and in Westyron!”

  “Artemis already has much on her mind,” Talisa explained. “Would you have the girl lose her focus at the discovery of one parent still being alive? He tried to kill her, Cally.”

  Callypso glared. “If neither of you will tell her before the first of us take the evening watch, believe me when I say that I will inform her. Choose wisely.”

  Talisa and Shadow watched as Callypso disappeared into the one tent Talisa brought as a precaution for ill weather.

  “She is right, Talisa,” Shadow sighed. “We’ve kept enough from her already.”

  “You were the one who emphasized how important it was to keep her ignorant of the truth,” Talisa reminded him. “For the sake of a clean slate, you said…for the sake of her sanity.”

  “And it backfired,” Shadow recalled. “I won’t lose her, Talisa. Not over this.”

  “Then I take it you’ll be the one who
will tell her,” Talisa said, resigned.

  Shadow nodded. “She has the right to know why I have the desire to end his life.”

  “You should leave that part out,” Talisa suggested. “You can never win a woman’s heart by telling her how much you want to kill the man who helped create her.”

  “Stranger things have happened,” Shadow snorted. “Nonetheless, she has a right to know.”

  Talisa watched Shadow stand and face the now darkened forest; she assumed he was searching to see if the others were returning.

  “Shadow, you didn’t even glare at me for making that comment,” Talisa said.

  “Let’s just say I’ve given up denying the truth.”

  She saw Shadow reach for the chain he kept hidden within his tunic. He held the silver band of birds holding a garnet within its center in his fingertips, a gift Talisa had given Artemis long ago.

  “Will you ever give that back to her?” she asked.

  Shadow let go of the ring. “I don’t think I can.”

  I followed Netira and Jack with the gourds we brought for the journey, now all filled with water. Jack was complaining about how unfair it was that he had to train with Shadow, and I knew Netira was losing her patience with him. She glanced at me several times to help silence him, but I knew better.

  Once Jack started, there was no shutting him up.

  “I don’t need to learn swordplay!” Jack whined. “However, I do want to learn how to properly wield a dagger, as Netira says.”

  Netira rolled her eyes. “I’m not sure that’s a good idea anymore. I just might end up killing you.”

  Jack’s jaw was agape, and I pushed it together for him. “Relax. It’s a jest.”

  “I wasn’t teasing,” Netira admitted. “I might end up killing him after all the whining just now.”

  “I wasn’t—”

  I covered Jack’s mouth. “I think he’ll appreciate the tutelage, and he will keep his mouth shut as a way of showing his appreciation.”

  Jack glared at me as I moved my hand away. “But I hate silence.”

  “You should learn the beauty of it sometime,” I teased. I rejoined Netira, who was walking faster just to escape the complaints.