And yet, she couldn’t abandon Blackwen City. She and Karesu swore to one another that they would save their home. She couldn’t give up now.
There was the matter of Artemis to consider as well, and the part Tamina wanted Netira to play in this game of revenge. She wanted to help Artemis, that much was true…but Netira didn’t like the feeling she was getting ever since her dead mentor visited her prison cell. Something very dark was coming, even though the whole point of guiding Artemis to the Dark Fortress was to be rid of the evil.
Goddesses, Netira thought. I don’t like this at all.
Looking back at the cottage, she wondered how the famed Talisa would receive her. Karesu apparently kidnapped her, which caused Talisa to swear to kill him on sight. Shadow and Artemis wouldn’t let that happen, but Netira wasn’t sure if she could rely on the two to help her rescue her lover should the time come.
Once I make it to Blackwen City and lead Artemis to Arlina, Netira plotted, my part will be over. I can rescue Karesu myself.
It’d be her way of thanking you for the help you’ll be giving us.
Netira shook her head to rid her mind of Shadow’s earlier statement. When the time came, she would leave them behind to deal with Arlina so that she could free Karesu. She wouldn’t regret it.
“Someone should really fetch this Netira woman from outside,” Callypso suggested once Jack returned to the library with Talisa, along with a tunic for Shadow.
Talisa stared at Callypso, surprised at her presence here. She then frowned once she noted Shadow’s arm. “Shadow, you’re bandaged. That means you have been here for some time.”
“Artemis felt it prudent to attend to me,” Shadow replied, while having a hard time fitting into Jack’s clothing.
“Did you now?” Talisa’s grin widened at me.
“He needed treatment,” I explained. “I was going to wake you when I was finished.”
“Well, at least it’s still dark outside, so I can believe that,” Talisa replied with a shrug. Ignoring the glares from both Shadow and myself, Talisa focused on Jack. “What are you doing just standing there? Fetch us some tea and snacks! We’re going to be up for some time.”
“Why do I have to get it?” Jack grumbled.
“Because you’re my apprentice and you belong to me until I say otherwise!” Talisa said, while clenching the fingers of her right hand. “Hurry up!”
Jack disappeared while the rest of us tried not to laugh at the display we had just witnessed. I did feel bad for him though. I knew the feeling well enough from my weapons training with Shadow.
“Shadow, be a dear and fetch the Blackwen City dhampir as well.” Talisa ordered, as she took a seat at the table.
“Shall I wake Lady Clarayne while I’m at it?” Shadow said, still fumbling with the ill-fitting tunic.
“No. Leave her to rest.” Talisa replied. “I will return her to the ruins of Ellewynth myself at dawn. Lords Celstian and Destrius will worry about her if she does not return.”
“Thank you, Talisa,” Shadow said, as he too, disappeared.
Callypso and I glanced over to her in confusion.
“For keeping her safe,” Talisa explained.
“Does he not realize that we all have the knowledge that she and he are tied by blood?” Callypso asked.
Talisa looked at me, horrified. I waved her off. “I already knew, Talisa. Lady Clarayne told me herself.”
“Lady Clarayne was awake?” Talisa asked, alarmed.
“Yes,” I answered. “She’s fine. She was just worried, and she returned to rest quickly enough.”
“I finally get some sleep, and I miss everything,” Talisa whined as she swatted her leg in annoyance.
“Don’t pout, Talisa.” Callypso laughed. “There will plenty more opportunities for such instances to occur again.”
“What instances?” I asked, confused. Callypso and Talisa beamed, and I knew then what they referred to. “Soleil burn me…nothing happened!”
“Artemis, Jack and I walked in to you being restrained by a bare-chested Shadow,” Callypso said as her grin widened from ear to ear. “That image speaks volumes.”
I buried my face in my hands, and the women practically cackled. “It meant nothing! He refused to let me dispose of that bloodied rag he arrived in.”
“You mean to tell me that a bare-chested man grabbed you from behind and you felt nothing?” Talisa exclaimed, aghast. “Willow be damned, we have so much work to do with you! That action alone should have excited you somehow!”
“These things take time, Talisa.” Callypso dramatically sighed. “You know this well enough.”
“I’m an impatient being, Cally!” Talisa pouted. “She needs to learn these things, and fast. No woman should live with such ignorance!”
“I’m still standing here!” I said, my face flushed.
“You’re a woman now, Artemis.” Talisa sighed. “For your own sake, do something about it.”
“I’m not talking about this!” I yelled.
Talisa was about to speak until Jack returned with a tray filled with teacups and cookies. He was horrified when he noticed all three of us staring at him.
“Did I interrupt something?” Jack asked, taking care to set the tray on the table as fast as possible.
“Not at all,” Callypso answered.
“We’re merely discussing how Artemis is ignoring her womanly desires,” Talisa said, snatching a few of the cookies.
Jack doubled over in hysterics. I rolled my eyes.
“I give up.” I raised my hands in defeat. Jack was choking now. “There is nothing wrong with me!”
“Artemis, don’t get me started about that,” Jack said, trying to regain his composure as he took a seat. “Talisa, can you fill me in on the details as to why she is doing such a thing?”
“Jack, if you dare to add to this ridiculous conversation any more, I won’t hesitate to mention a few things of our own conversations to these ladies,” I threatened, as I moved to stand behind him. I gripped his shoulders and gave a few harsh squeezes. “You know of what I speak.”
Jack froze and cursed in the Elvish tongue. Callypso and Talisa were confused, and I found a small smile of satisfaction forming on my lips.
“You can be evil sometimes, Artemis,” Jack whispered.
“You would do well to remember that.” I released my grip on him. I took a seat beside Jack and snatched a few cookies myself. “What shall we speak of now as we wait for Shadow and Netira?”
“I’m rather intrigued of these conversations you’ve just mentioned,” Talisa said, resting her chin in her hand. I could feel the irritation from Jack, and Talisa raised an eyebrow at him. “Can’t we know something?”
“I may be your apprentice,” Jack began, while glaring at me, “but there are some things that are considered sacred. I expected more from my dear friend here.”
“I’m just casually reminding you that I, too, can make your life miserable within seconds.” I smiled as I took a bite of a cookie.
“This isn’t over,” Jack muttered as he picked up a teacup.
“Far from it.” I winked.
The library door opened, and Shadow walked inside with Netira. She looked more depressed now than when she first arrived. I could tell she was in physical pain as well. I knew Netira was still suffering from the wounds she had when she first arrived in Ellewynth, but I couldn’t tell if she had any new ones.
“Netira, welcome,” I greeted her. “Do you require any treatment? You look ill.”
Netira waved me off. “It is nothing that can’t be cured through cordials and salves, but thank you, Artemis.”
“You will need to feed soon, yes?” Callypso said, standing up.
She strode over to her and took one of Netira’s hands into her own. Callypso’s face darkened, and I could feel Jack tense while we watched. “Goddesses…I’m so sorry.”
“What are you?” Netira said, her dark brown eyes now wide with fear mixed with amazement.<
br />
“Callypso is an elemental,” Talisa answered, catching Netira’s attention. Talisa laughed when she noted the apprehension Netira tried to hide. “Ah. I see my reputation precedes me.”
“There’s also the matter of someone we have in common,” Netira answered.
“If you’re referring to your mage, then yes, there is a matter,” Talisa replied.
“Mage?” I asked.
There was another mage involved?
“Yes, we will get to that,” Talisa explained. “Sit. All this standing produces more tension that we do not need.”
We all gathered around the table and took our seats. Shadow sat beside me, and Jack wiped the grin off his face when Callypso sat beside him. Netira sat at the head of the table, as she was uncomfortable being near both Talisa and Callypso.
“How is there an elemental here?” Netira asked, rubbing the same hand Callypso had grasped earlier.
Callypso chuckled. “My reasons for being here are my own.”
“You are of the wind,” Netira said, finally allowing herself to relax. “It felt as if there was a calming breeze when you held my hand.”
“I was trying to see what you saw in terms of the attack,” Callypso explained. “I saw…other things.”
“What did you see?” Jack asked.
Netira raised an eyebrow at him. “A dark-haired elf from the Woodland Realm? Interesting.”
“We can talk about my lineage later,” Jack replied, knowing full well what Netira’s implications were.
“I meant no offense, elf,” Netira apologized. “I was only voicing my intrigue.”
“Stick to Jack.” Jack sighed, annoyed at being called “elf.”
“Jack then.”
“I don’t mean to be rude, but I’d like to hear what Callypso saw,” Talisa said, irritated.
“Heartbreak,” Callypso replied as tears formed.
Netira looked at her hands in her lap, and Shadow sighed.
“I can elaborate on that,” Shadow started. “I rescued Netira as well as Karesu from the Hall of the Elders. Karesu is a full-blood from the Dark Fortress. Coincidentally enough, he’s a mage.”
“And Netira’s lover,” Talisa added, tapping her fingers along the dark wood of the desk. “Before the rescuing happened, this Karesu both kidnapped me and forced me to show him safe entry into Ellewynth. Before that could occur, Ellewynth burst into flames. The vampire mage was…courteous…to release me so that I could aid the elves.”
“And now we know where those cuts on your back came from.” Jack sighed. “I never imagined my master in such a situation. You’re supposed to be untouchable.”
Jack yelped from the head-slap, and Shadow coughed to cover up his laughter. I wasn’t sure if I felt sorry for him anymore, seeing how Jack continued to put himself in harm’s way.
“Moron,” Talisa muttered, as she shook her now reddened hand.
“Where does the part of you attacking Lord Destrius come in, Shadow?” I asked.
“You did what?” Talisa and Jack yelled in unison.
Netira smiled at the memory while Callypso struggled to restrain her own smile.
“When I came to Netira’s cell, Lord Destrius was there. He was going to kill her, just as he was going to finish off Karesu.” Shadow folded his arms. He somehow managed to fit into Jack’s tunic, though his discomfort in it was obvious. “I happily interfered. I already know that I will be considered a deserter once the others return to Ellewynth’s ruins and find me missing from duty. I’m fine with that. I just wanted Lord Destrius to have one final fond memory of me.”
Talisa burst out laughing. “Avilyne’s hell, Shadow! I would have loved to see the look on that man’s face.”
“You still can, once you help Lady Clarayne return.” I smiled.
To be honest, I wanted to see Lord Destrius’ expression as well. It was still terrible on Shadow’s part to strike an Elder, but the sight would have been grand indeed.
“Yes, that is true. But still!” Talisa wiped a few tears from her face. “Apologies. Continue, Shadow.”
His visage darkened. “We encountered Arlina after we escaped the Hall of the Elders, which was already burning down on us.”
I felt myself shake at the mention of her name; Jack did the same. I couldn’t get rid of the image of her pointing that pistol at me. I rubbed my neck and remembered the feeling of Arlina’s grip on it.
Shadow continued to tell the tale of what happened in Ellewynth, and when he spoke of how the vampire mage, Karesu, stayed behind so that Netira and Shadow could escape, I understood Netira’s agony then.
A few of us flinched when she pounded the table with her fist. I was about to get up to console her, but Shadow grabbed my hand and shook his head. Talisa had already made her way to Netira and knelt so that they could look directly at one another.
“I know I have my private grudge with Karesu,” Talisa began in a calm tone, “but that does not mean that he isn’t a good man. Arlina will not kill him. He is still too useful to be disposed of. She will use him as leverage against us in an attempt to lure you away. I know what you’re thinking, Netira. Don’t succumb to it.”
“You do not know,” Netira muttered.
Talisa sighed. “I loved once, Netira. I lost him in the most horrific way possible. Believe me when I say that there is a chance to rescue him, and we shall. Once we reach the Dark Fortress, we will rescue Karesu just as we will aid Artemis.”
“Just so you can kill him once he heals?” Netira said, angered. “I won’t risk that.”
“I trust you will let Karesu deal with his own matters when the time comes.” Talisa stood back up. “I give you my word that I will help rescue him from Arlina. He let me go to help the elves, and I can repay the favor by helping him…just this once.”
“Talisa will give him the world’s largest head-slap, Netira,” Jack joked, and then he tried to distance himself from his teacher.
I hesitated at first, but I then found the courage to say what needed to be said.
“I don’t expect you to trust us…” I began. “I know you’ve been dragged into this game of revenge you mentioned when we first met, but you can at least trust Talisa and the rest of us when we say we will aid you. Once all of this is over, you would be free from my mother’s desire of vengeance. We will not disturb you and Karesu further.”
Netira smiled. “You are your mother, Artemis. You even bargain like her.”
“Now that we have that matter settled, we should discuss the actual details of the journey,” Callypso said. “We’ll need supplies and weapons. We must map out the most discreet route we can take, and we must figure out what towns and villages are safe to stop in. Arlina will have her spies out there, as she will be desperate to know where Artemis is. We have to be wise.”
“You’re still bent on coming with us, Callypso?” Talisa asked, wary.
“I told you before, old friend,” Callypso replied, “I am coming no matter what. I can be useful to you all since I am an elemental. I will be able to sense—”
“All right, all right, you’re coming,” Talisa cut her off.
“Talisa, I should state the main reason why I’m coming,” Callypso said, confused.
“To sense certain danger, yes,” Talisa answered, giving her an odd look as if to say, be silent.
I frowned. More secrets…I wasn’t sure how I felt about it. Secrets had a nasty way of coming back to haunt people, and I didn’t want that happening to us on the journey to the Dark Fortress. There was too much at stake already.
“When you return Lady Clarayne to the ruins of Ellewynth,” I said to Talisa, “would it be possible for you to check on our homes?”
“Is there something in particular you’d like for me to look for?” Talisa inquired. “It would be rare if anything survived the blaze, Artemis.”
“There could have been some trunks of clothing that might have survived,” I said. “For Shadow, maybe some of his weapons…it’s worth a try, y
es?”
“It would have to be discreet, you realize this,” Talisa explained. “Once it’s discovered that you’re gone, they will try to destroy anything of yours that did survive. The same will go for you, Shadow.”
“There’s only one real thing of importance that I am certain survived the fire and would like to be brought back to me,” Shadow said, his demeanor weary. “I’m sure you are aware of what I am referring to, Talisa.”
Talisa took a moment to think, and then nodded. Callypso went to one of the shelves and retrieved several maps of Arrygn. Jack excused himself to fetch something from his room, and the rest of us huddled closer to the table to inspect the maps.
“I have limited supplies here, but we will need to make a stop in Westyron at some point,” Talisa said, pointing to a large city on the map far from the Woodland Realm.
Netira frowned. “Arlina will have scouts stationed there. We cannot risk stopping on that city.”
“Westyron is the one stop in this journey that we must take, regardless of the risk,” Talisa stressed. “I have contacts in the city, and they know better than to loosen their lips to others.”
“Westyron is a human-run city, Talisa,” Callypso reminded her. “And there are unscrupulous characters there. How are we going to disguise two dhampirs and two elves there? They are infamous in imprisoning anyone who isn’t human.”
“It can be done,” Shadow said. “There is an inn we can stay in and be assured discretion. I also have a merchant there whose services I require.”
“Oh?” I asked. “And what is that?”
“It’s weapons related,” Shadow answered.
Weapons for me. Soleil burn me.
“Speaking of weapons!” We watched Jack walk back in, and he carried a rather large cloth bundle in his arms. “This is for you, Artemis.”
“What is that?” I asked, staring at the bundle he held out in front of me.
Callypso distanced herself from us, and Talisa held a hand to her chest. I noted the look of intrigue on Netira’s face, as well as the look of concern on Shadow’s.
Child of Blackwen (An Artemis Ravenwing Novel Book 1) Page 27