Callypso felt the pull of the weapons strengthen, and she halted. She could feel the cold wind of death linger in the air, and she saw patches of the earth redden as if they were stained with blood.
Callypso had arrived at the resting place of Tamina Ravenwing of Blackwen City, the once heir to the throne of the Dark Fortress.
“I know you are here, specter of the past,” Callypso called out, while avoiding the gurgling red patches of earth nearing her feet. “Reveal yourself, and show me the location of your prized sai.”
There was no reply, but she did feel Tamina’s spirit energy rise in the area. Callypso huffed, noting that she should have expected the specter’s silence. Tamina knew Callypso didn’t trust her, did she not? Why would she make the retrieval of the sai easy for her?
Callypso studied the red earth patches, and with hesitation, laid a gloved hand over one. She was bombarded with overwhelming emotions of betrayal and hatred, and she thanked the goddesses she’d had enough sense to wear the gloves. Without them, the emotions would have consumed and incapacitated her. She now understood why the sai were left behind; Arlina must have had her share of mishaps in the attempt to retrieve them.
It must have infuriated that dark woman to not be able to bring back a trophy of her greatest kill. Callypso couldn’t help but smile in satisfaction at the thought.
The elemental looked around in case Tamina decided to appear in a visible form. She was nowhere to be found, and Callypso returned to the dirt to dig. The gloves were quickly soaked, and Callypso grew sickened at the metallic scent of blood.
“I do pity you, Tamina.” Callypso stared at her soaked gloves. “You never had proper funeral rites. If you had, your blood wouldn’t stain the earth the way it does now.”
You’ve seen this before, elemental. You’ve lost loved ones to the chilled hands of murder.
Callypso looked ahead at the now visible ethereal form of Tamina. The woman wasn’t what she expected at all; Tamina was hauntingly beautiful. Her brown hair cascaded loose past her shoulders, and she wore a sleeveless black dress that trailed far from her bare feet. Her skin was paler than any vampire Callypso had encountered before—it was the true sign of death. Tamina’s violet eyes were stern on the elemental.
“Yes,” Callypso finally answered. She returned to the digging. “I’ve watched children murdered before my eyes…all for the pursuit of power.”
That’s why I chose you, Callypso, Tamina said, drifting closer to the hole Callypso was digging into. Not only are you a wind elemental, but you are also one who could move through the dark web of murder and safely retrieve what was lost.
“This isn’t fair to Artemis,” Callypso snapped. “What you’re planning will destroy her. Do you not care for her? She is your daughter!”
Tamina looked away as her hands clenched into fists.
Do not make the mistake of thinking I do not love my daughter. She is my heart, the fiber of my being…and my sister wants her dead. I won’t have her going into this fight unarmed.
“Don’t make the mistake of thinking I don’t know who may have reminded Arlina of Artemis’ existence.” Callypso glared. “Lingering spirits such as you stay for only one reason: revenge. You started a dangerous game, the end result of which may be Artemis’ blood on your hands. Is that what you truly want? Why bother going through the effort of hiding her away, only to lead her back to the one who would slaughter her for pure amusement?”
It would be wise for you to choose your words carefully, elemental.
“And it would be wise for you to learn that I do not fear idle threats.”
Callypso stopped digging as soon as she felt her hands brush against something solid. When she looked down, she saw the bony remains of the specter before her. She spotted two thin blades the length of her forearm, with curved prongs extending from a remarkably jeweled hilt. Picking them up, she rubbed the earthy remains away from the embedded garnet and onyx. They were oddly dull for such rare jewels. “I will have to purify them before Talisa hands them over to Artemis.”
You will do no such thing.
“If Artemis is to wield them, I want to make sure she’s the only one doing so.” Callypso watched Tamina. “I cared for her when she was a child in Talisa’s cottage. She helped return joy to my heart. I will not let you destroy her. If she were to learn the truth about all this, you would be lucky if she still wished to fight on your behalf. Artemis views you as a fallen angel, you know.” Tamina looked away. “I swear it now…I won’t let you taint her soul.”
Tamina stood up and drifted away from Callypso. She then turned to face her and smiled.
Do what you must. Just know that the sai aren’t the only way I can make my presence known on the battlefield, elemental. I’d worry more about your own soul rather than my daughter’s. Your kind is so frail…I’d hate to see something terrible happen to such a “sacred” being.
oleil burn me,” said an irritated female voice, which drew Shadow’s attention. “I was just getting used to being home and not having to report to the Elders on a moment’s notice. Remind me why we are doing this again?”
“Because we’re soldiers of Ellewynth, Serlene,” Shadow stated. His annoyance at his companion grew by the second. “Talisa is busy with her own agenda, so naturally, the Elders thought of you to accompany me.”
The elf he called Serlene scowled, and then focused on riding her dark brown mare. Serlene looked similar to her younger sister, Lily, only her blue eyes were cold instead of innocent, and her blond hair was always tightly pulled into a plaited bun. She was considered short by elven standards, but was still taller than the average human or vampire.
Shadow disliked her. Even so, he respected her enough as a combatant on the battlefield…as long as she wasn’t stationed as an archer. Serlene may have been an archery instructor, but her emotions ruled her. She was better with the sword despite her protests of using it.
Lord Celstian had earlier summoned both Shadow and Serlene to the Hall of Elders and ordered them to meet with the full-blood escorts from Blackwen City. Serlene had been briefed about the situation, and Shadow sensed a trap by Arlina. Not that they would listen to him, of course. Lord Destrius was not much help either; he was furious that Talisa had dismissed their orders to accompany Shadow because she had returned to her position as an instructor.
“Another one of your bright ideas, this teaching business,” Lord Destrius said then to Shadow.
It must have been by Willow’s hand that Shadow kept his silence. As for Aunt Clarayne, she couldn’t hide her sadness each time she glanced at him. Shadow pretended to ignore her whenever it happened. He’d apologize to her one day.
Maybe.
“Are you even listening to me, Shadow?” Serlene demanded, still in a foul mood.
Shadow reined Azrael to a halt and faced the woman. “The more you whine and scowl, the easier it is for enemies to find and ambush us. Either you lower your voice, or I will do it for you. You really must learn to appreciate the beauty silence has to offer us.”
Serlene glared at him, but eventually nodded. Satisfied, Shadow nudged Azrael to a trot. Serlene followed quietly behind him, but to his dismay, the silence didn’t last for long.
“You’re acquainted with Jack,” Serlene stated. At least she kept her voice low. “I suppose it was inevitable, seeing as how you keep the company of the vampyra.”
“She has a name, Serlene. I suggest you use it,” Shadow corrected. He sighed as he tried to regain a calm composure. “But yes, I am acquainted with Jack. What of it?”
“Lily speaks of him often,” Serlene said. Shadow tried to imagine what would happen if her frown became permanent. The disfigurement just might suit her. “I think she even cares for him.”
Shadow smiled as he kept his gaze on the path ahead. “Would that be a terrible thing, Serlene, for Lily and Jack to join lives with one another?”
“Absolutely! He looks very much like the last damned elf mage that sent us to war
with the dragons. And now he’s being trained by Talisa of all people! Goddesses protect us if that imbecile insults someone who would then take it out on our realm.” Serlene made a swift hand motion from her forehead to her chest, a common gesture in respect to the goddesses.
“It means nothing, Serlene,” Shadow insisted. “Similarities in appearance don’t necessarily mean similarities in actions. Jack has great potential to bring some good into the world.”
“As well as some evil.”
“Everyone has the choice to do good or evil in Arrygn,” Shadow explained. “Take yourself for example, Serlene. You were not ‘chosen’ as I was. Instructors feared your anger and rash mindset would cause more harm than aid. Yet here you are, a soldier of Ellewynth despite it all. Take care of your own demons before you judge the ones of others.”
Serlene’s lips tightened, and Shadow was grateful that she finally shut up. Suddenly, he heard something that did not belong to the forest and pulled Azrael to a quick stop.
“What’s wrong?” she asked.
Shadow held up a hand to silence her and pointed to the left a moment later.
“They’re near,” he whispered. “I can hear the carriage.”
Serlene gripped the hilt of her sword, and Shadow did the same. Shadow saw dark forms shifting through the moonlight of the open forest and counted four scouts, each wearing dark, heavy cloaks. He noticed the strange runes stitched into the hems of the cloth, and thought it had to be the work of a mage. How else could they have traveled so quickly if not within the daylight hours?
“Where’s the carriage?” Serlene inquired.
Shadow wondered that as well, but only gave a shrug. “We’re dealing with full-bloods, Serlene. They plan to toy with us before handing over their prisoner. It is their way.”
The scouting party stopped several feet away from Shadow and Serlene. Shadow saw that Serlene tightened her grip on the reins due to her mare’s nerves. Azrael was the opposite; Shadow had to steady her before she trampled the vampires.
“Easy, old friend,” he murmured, rubbing her neck. “Not tonight.”
The leader of the scouting party came closer to him and Azrael, and Shadow heard the figure take a deep sniff. The hood lowered and revealed a man with short red hair, spiked. His fangs elongated as he grinned.
He addressed the others: “It would appear that we are in the presence of the famous Shadow of Ellewynth.”
“This is him?” One of the scouts snorted. “I’ve seen human men more dangerous than him.”
The leader sniffed in Serlene’s direction and frowned. “Not much of a grunt, famous Shadow. She’s rather weak, even for the elvenkind.”
“I could say the same of the one who stands before me,” Shadow replied, before Serlene could spit out a retort. The leader laughed and crossed his arms. “Where is the prisoner your Mistress spoke of?”
The man kept silent, which irritated Serlene. Shadow wished Talisa were here with him instead. If the full-bloods didn’t kill Serlene, Shadow would most likely cripple her himself.
“Why bother hiding the carriage you’re keeping the captive in? I’m sure you’re aware our hearing is as great as yours, full-blood,” Serlene snapped.
“Simplicity bores me.” The leader yawned. “As do you.”
Shadow moved Azrael in front of Serlene’s mare as a reminder that he was the one in charge. He pitied the woman’s students, Artemis especially. It was no wonder she hadn’t learned a thing.
“Whom does Arlina send to entertain us?” Shadow asked, now playing the game.
The full-blood bowed mockingly and continued to smirk. “I am Latos, Shadow of Ellewynth.”
“Latos.” Shadow crossed his arms. “Arlina must not think very highly of you, full-blood. If she had, you’d have a title following your name. You can’t be more than a simple servant looking for a boot to lick.”
Latos frowned while the rest of the full-bloods laughed. Serlene was smug herself.
“I wouldn’t be so sharp with my words, elf,” Latos growled. “The forest may be your home, but it could easily turn on you as well. I could remind you why you should fear the dark.”
“Enough, Latos. Get this prisoner detail over with. We must return to the Mistress as quickly as possible,” one of the cloaked figures barked.
Shadow stared at the group behind Latos and felt an odd shiver run through his spine. Something about that statement made Shadow wonder about his earlier sense of a trap.
Latos snapped at the others, and they all disappeared into the shadows. Moments later, a small, barred carriage came into view. It stopped several feet in front of Shadow and Serlene, and Shadow barely contained his shock as he recognized the one trapped inside. Her shoulder-length red hair was tangled with dried, dark blood patches, her face was covered with dirt and more blood, and her dark brown eyes showed just how much pain she was in.
He gazed at Netira, the one who wanted to save her city from Arlina’s tyranny.
“Do with her what you will,” Latos said. “We have no use for traitorous bitches.”
“If you’re expecting praise from us, I’m afraid you won’t receive it. Return to your Dark Fortress and we needn’t have a reason to meet again,” Shadow said, while motioning for Serlene to take the carriage.
Serlene released the horses that pulled the carriage and attached the ropes to her mare. The scouts, save Latos, dashed into the darkness, and all heard the pained terror of the released horses.
Shadow and Latos watched one another, and the full-blood was the first to leave.
“We will meet again, famous Shadow,” Latos promised. “One does not insult a full-blood and live for long.”
Serlene snorted after Latos disappeared.
“He is rather pathetic, no?”
“Now is not the time for that.” Shadow replied.
“And her?” Serlene motioned to the carriage. “She looks as if she hasn’t fed during her trip. There’s no point in presenting her to the Elders if she is close to walking the pathways to Avilyne.”
Shadow watched Netira, and she stared at him in confusion. She couldn’t understand why he watched her with such recognition.
“She will make the rest of the trip.” Shadow looked away from the dhampir. “We’ll scrounge something up just to hold her over.”
Everyone knew of the prisoner that Shadow and Serlene brought in. The elves were in a jolly mood because of it. They felt safe again. Shadow’s mood, however, had worsened since his return. I tried to hide his weapons whenever he returned from the Hall of the Elders, but that method backfired each time; he’d either find them before our lesson could start, or he’d produce another weapon he owned that I had no knowledge of. After that, Shadow would curse Lord Destrius under his breath.
Hearing the insults and then being met with a feigned innocence afterward was actually quite amusing.
“Careful there, Shadow.” I laughed. “One of Lord Destrius’ little spies will catch wind of your negativity and squeal.”
Shadow didn’t join in the laughter. “I will never understand how the goddesses chose that man to be an Elder.”
“They’re not even questioning her?” I asked. “I hear Lord Destrius keeps pushing for her immediate execution.”
“No, they’re not questioning her.” Shadow tapped his bow and frowned. “The dhampir is innocent of the crime. My word alone, however, won’t help her.”
“Why not?”
“I kept her out of my report to the Elders, remember?”
I sighed.
Shadow had explained to me before how he left Netira out of his report, feeling it was unnecessary to explain there may have been a possible mutiny in the future of Blackwen City. Just the mention of the Dark Fortress promised nightmares.
When he came back from escorting the prisoner to the Elders, he told me of the whole ordeal. My dream had been a reality, and it frightened me. I wanted to see Netira. Shadow didn’t think it was a good idea, but he didn’t understand m
y need to see her. If it meant sneaking into the Hall of the Elders on my own, I’d do it.
I could see Jack’s proud and smug face at the thought of it.
Even with my often guilty conscience, I had to do it. Netira was a key to whatever event that was to come, and I wanted to find out why.
“Artemis?”
I felt a sharp jab in my side—Shadow’s bow.
“That hurt,” I grumbled.
“No daydreaming during archery lessons,” Shadow scolded. “Your enemies will take full advantage of your lackadaisical attitude.”
“I wasn’t daydreaming.”
“Yes, that could be true…” Shadow mused. “After all, you did have this scowl stuck on your face for some time. Not much of a fantasy in that daydream, hmm?”
“One day, Shadow.” I hit his shoulder and then took aim at the wooden target several feet away from us. “One day, your sharp comments are going to catch up to you, and I will be there to laugh at you.”
“Until then, my dear, you’ll have to learn the art of focusing. My so-called sharp comments will mean nothing to you once you do.”
I released the arrow, and it landed inches away from the center. Shadow nodded his approval and handed over another arrow to be notched and shot. I tried to conceal my groan.
I hated archery. Willow damn the soul who created it.
Netira preferred the barred carriage for a prison than the one the elves stuck her in. At least the carriage had a light source. Her current cell was dark, damp, and highly uncomfortable. The only source of light was the torches that lined the walls.
The Elders were under the impression that she was a full-blood, despite her proclamations of being a dhampir. She was too weak to show her true form, which condemned her further in their eyes. The only one who seemed to believe her tale was the male elf who had helped escort her to Ellewynth—the one they called Shadow.
Netira had heard tales of the famed Shadow of Ellewynth for as long as she could remember. He was what full-bloods considered a “worthy kill” due to his skill on the battlefield. Whoever could kill him would win eternal glory in Blackwen City. The matter was silenced, however, whenever Arlina was around. Netira believed Arlina had encountered the elf in past excursions, hence the immense hatred for the man. It must have been embarrassing for the Mistress, to have slaughtered as many elves as she had, but not Shadow.
Child of Blackwen (An Artemis Ravenwing Novel Book 1) Page 14