Netira settled into her little sleeping space of the main room and kept rubbing her chest in the hopes of ridding herself of the pain.
What in Avilyne’s hell is going on? Netira thought as she shut her eyes. Karesu, what are they doing to you?
“Karesu, I need a hand up here.”
Karesu jumped at the sound of his grandmother’s voice, and then put down an aged tome next to a stack of old parchment filled with his notes. It had been a few decades since he was first brought to his grandmother’s study. Since then, Karesu never once regretted the decision of committing to his mage heritage.
Tying his hair back with a violet ribbon, he felt the coolness of his silver cross earring along his arm. Ever since the creation of the charm, the spirits were kept at bay, and he was able to rest peacefully again.
Making his way to the storefront, Karesu stopped short when he saw whom his grandmother was speaking to—the woman had warm violet eyes, and her long dark brown hair was plaited into a braid that hung over her shoulder.
Their visitor was Tamina Ravenwing, the eldest daughter of Blackwen’s Mistress.
Karesu bowed and heard a scoff in response.
“That is never necessary,” he heard Tamina say.
“Lady Ravenwing, he’s a proper boy,” Karesu’s grandmother explained. “We show respect where it’s due.”
“I thank you, Minerva.” Tamina smiled. “But again, none of it is necessary. I’m not a formal person, and we’re not in City Tower.”
“What can we help you with?” Karesu asked.
Minerva patted her grandson’s back. “I need you to stay at the counter in case someone comes in and requires your assistance. Tamina Ravenwing and I have private business to attend to.”
“Yes, Grandmother,” Karesu said, suddenly noticing the girl who stood behind Tamina.
“You can entertain one another,” Tamina suggested as she followed Minerva to the back of the apothecary.
Karesu studied the girl and deduced she was of a similar age to him. Her hair was dark brown and rested atop her shoulders. Her eyes matched the color of her hair, and he felt something different about her presence.
She was a vampire, yes…but there was something amiss in her aura that no other full-blood he’d encountered had.
“What are you looking at?” she snapped.
“Tamina is ordering something special for you, is she not?” Karesu questioned, intrigued by the girl who stood before him.
“What’s it to you?”
“Tamina only does that when she’s helping someone,” Karesu explained. “Even from here, I can sense something different in you.”
The girl’s eyes widened. “You’re like the older one? Some sort of wizard?”
“A mage,” Karesu corrected. “Not as if anyone else in the city really believes in that sort of thing anyways.”
“You’d be surprised,” the girl said, now looking at the shelves of multi-colored glass vials. “I don’t suppose…I don’t suppose you have anything that can change the color of your hair, do you?”
“Why would you want to do that?” Karesu frowned.
Dark brown hair was a rare trait in Blackwen City, and he felt the color suited her well.
“Tell me,”—the girl folded her arms— “what’s the difference you sense in me?”
“To be honest, I cannot explain,” Karesu admitted. “Your aura is different from any full-blood I’ve ever encountered.”
“It’s…it’s what Tamina is trying to help me with,” the girl explained. “If she doesn’t, I’ll have to leave the city.”
That’s when it hit Karesu. The difference in her aura…she was a half-breed.
“You’re a dhampir, aren’t you?”
The girl froze. “You figured that out just from what I said?”
“I’m not a simpleton, but it does take me some time to solve mysteries.” Karesu chuckled. “I’m sure there is more to you than that.”
Her gaze narrowed. “I know that tone.”
Karesu was puzzled. “What tone?”
“You’re flirting.” She wagged a finger in warning. “Don’t even think about it.”
Karesu frowned. “I don’t flirt.”
“That’s what all males say.” She sighed. “Look, if you and your grandmother can help me hide my dhampir heritage, then I would be more than grateful to you both. Don’t start expecting that you’ll get any more than that.”
“Goddesses! Paranoid much?” Karesu laughed. “I apologize if it seemed I was making a pass at you. I was only stating what I felt to be a fact. If it offends you, then I would suggest you learn how to analyze things before you speak.”
“Rude too.” The girl flashed a smirk. “Typical.”
Karesu rubbed his temples. As fascinating as the girl was, he wasn’t pleased at the headache that now plagued him.
“If you’re looking to alter the color of your hair,” Karesu began, “and I can guess that you’d like it on a permanent basis, then no, we do not have anything like that.”
“Nothing even on a temporary basis?”
“Temporary, yes,” Karesu answered. “Permanent, however…you’ll have to give me a few days.”
“I can’t pay you,” the girl said, her expression solemn. “Forget that I mentioned it. Tamina’s already doing enough for me; I can’t ask her for more.”
“It’s no trouble, and you won’t have to pay me.”
The girl raised an eyebrow. “What’s the catch?”
“Are you always so mistrusting of others?” Karesu asked, amazed at the annoyance he felt.
“I’m surprised you aren’t the same considering your own situation,” the girl answered. “Mages aren’t welcome company here either.”
“Yet here you are, standing in the store that’s created by one,” Karesu argued.
The girl giggled. “Calm down. I’m just stating a fact, as you put it earlier.”
Karesu blinked at her. She was teasing him.
“Oh goddesses, Karesu!” he heard his grandmother exclaim once he felt her presence beside him. “Why are you so red?”
“I don’t think he’s used to someone challenging him,” the girl said as her smile widened.
“I was just taken aback by someone…odd,” Karesu answered, as he met a weird stare from his grandmother.
Tamina chuckled. She returned to the girl’s side. “Netira, we should be on our way.”
The girl glanced at Tamina and nodded.
“We shall see you in a few days, Tamina Ravenwing,” Minerva said with a small bow. “The charm will be done by then.”
“Excellent.”
Tamina and Netira left the store, and Karesu was confused at the emotions he then felt. His grandmother chuckled.
“You were intrigued by the dhampir, weren’t you?” Minerva asked.
“Strangely so.”
“It’s a shame when people of the city are persecuted because of their background.” Minerva sighed as she rubbed her grandson’s shoulder.
“I’ve never met a dhampir before,” Karesu realized. “I always assumed the moment a dhampir was born in Blackwen City, the mother and the child were forced into exile. I thought that was the custom.”
“That’s…that’s putting it in nicer terms, my darling,” his grandmother said, her tone dark. “Those of her kind…they’re usually killed the moment they take their first breath. The mother would share the fate soon after.”
Karesu was horrified. “How did Netira escape that fate?”
“I’m not sure,” his grandmother answered. “But I won’t give someone a chance to continue the senseless murder. Dhampirs should be given a chance to live as well.”
Our first stop was at a veil Talisa and Shadow had used back in the earlier war years. Apparently Tamina used it as well, so there was the promise of her clothing waiting for me and Netira to take.
The feel of Mother’s sai were strange as the jeweled hilts stuck out from the edges of my boots. The energy fro
m the dragon jewels was prominent whenever I touched the weapons, and I wondered if I was somehow storing my own energy within them. If they were still indeed connected to the specter, I wasn’t sure if I wanted to know how it all affected her.
Needless to say, Callypso kept her distance from me even with her thick gloves and boots.
Shadow kept beside Azrael, who was clearly annoyed from having been turned from a warhorse into a pack mule. Jack had packed away more books from Talisa’s library than any of us anticipated, so the mare had the misfortune of hauling them along with the other supplies Talisa felt it prudent to take. Shadow often whispered to Azrael in Elvish, and I could only assume he was showering her with promises of freedom in due time. At least her wound was better. She was certainly special…no other horse would heal as fast.
Shadow glanced in my direction now and then, and I could only flash a small smile in return. I could not stop the flashbacks of both the dream and the vision from Kiare’s Mirror. Jack, Callypso, and I kept the events of that visit to ourselves; we didn’t want any more potential issues brought to light concerning the already large list of problems we had. It sounded hypocritical since I demanded that everyone be open to one another, but at this point…I accepted that there would always be secrets.
When we reached the veils of the “safe house,” I heard Shadow’s sigh of relief. I didn’t blame him, as I too wanted better-fitting clothes. Talisa was a bit larger than I was in build, and the extra loose cloth made me tighten the hold of my cloak for the fear that the wind would blow the garb off of me.
“Remember, we take what we need and then make haste,” Talisa explained. “By now, Lord Celstian has sent out the hunting party for Shadow. I want to put as much distance between us as possible.”
“I suppose crippling them is out of the question.” Netira frowned. She watched the magic of the veil work and transport us to a clearing with a small wooden house complete with a stone well.
“They’re only following orders,” Shadow said, almost sad. “I won’t have them killed on my account. We shall deal with them when the need arises, and without bloodshed.”
“I shall wait out here,” Callypso explained, standing beside Azrael while stroking her white mane. “I have all that I need.”
“I’ll stay here with you, Callypso,” Jack said, while taking a few books from Azrael’s back. “I don’t need anything else either.”
Shadow and I looked at one another and smirked, for we knew Jack would keep close to the elemental as much as possible. Netira shrugged and followed Talisa’s lead into the house. Shadow and I did the same.
Talisa closed the door of the house, and the dust flew behind us. I coughed. Shadow waved a hand to move the dust clouds from his face, and Netira hid her face beneath her arms until the cloud subsided.
“Apologies for the lack of warning.” Talisa used her pointed hat to fan the dust cloud away. “It has been a long time since this veil has been used.”
“That’s an understatement.” I looked at the knick-knacks that lined the shelves and tables. “Just when was the last time you were here?”
“Before you were born, Artemis,” Shadow answered while moving past me.
“Artemis, Netira, you’ll find some of Tamina’s old things here in this room.” Talisa pointed to a small room to her left. “Don’t take too long.”
Netira and I went into the room and found two large trunks of my mother’s clothing and other possessions. Thankfully Mother’s clothing was better fitting for the both of us. Netira was also bigger than me in build, but the borrowed clothes from Talisa were still loose on her. While Talisa’s garb hung on me, they gave Netira a disheveled appearance.
I found several ribbons I assumed Mother used for her hair and snagged a few for myself. Netira managed to find some daggers and spread them out on the floor. Despite not having being used for so long, there was no sign of rust on the blades.
“I’d hate to think what Tamina’s better weapons were if she left these here,” Netira commented while inspecting them. “I’d love to meet the one who made the daggers. I’ve never heard of rust-proof blades.”
“At least they’re safe enough for someone else to use,” I noted. Netira was confused, and I tapped on the jewels from one sai’s hilt. “They don’t have any dragon jewels.”
“Ah. Well, you should take one,” Netira suggested. She picked a dagger half the length of my forearm with a thin enough blade so that I could conceal it with ease. “This one should work well enough for a beginner like you.”
“I can use a dagger, Netira.” I chuckled.
“You’ll be an actual threat once you and I begin to spar. You’ll lose the hesitation to take another’s life by the time I’m done training you.” She ignored my flinch and settled on two daggers for her own use. “Come. We don’t want to keep Talisa and Shadow waiting.”
I followed Netira out of the room, and we spotted Talisa with a large satchel in her hands.
“More healing supplies,” Talisa explained when she noticed us staring at it. “And a few toys that don’t require an explanation.”
“Let’s just say that anyone who tries to sneak into our camp will suffer severe consequences…it will make them wish they were dead,” Shadow added as he entered the main room.
He had changed and looked much more comfortable than earlier. He also had strapped on a large leather quiver stocked with arrows, and held an elegant bow with what appeared to be a blade attached to one of its ends. “An old gift.”
“That’s the case with many of your weapons,” I teased.
Shadow grinned. “It’s how things work when you’re kin to an Elder.”
“I’m actually intrigued about these ‘toys’ you’ve mentioned, Talisa,” Netira said. “I don’t suppose there are herbs in there that give off the symptoms of plagues, hmm?”
Talisa winked. “I’ll leave it up to your imagination.”
“It is rather vast,” Netira teased.
“Then think of the most vile way to die, and it still would not come close to what I have in my bag of tricks,” Talisa said.
“This is why it’s always better to befriend witches than to anger them,” Shadow whispered to me as we left the safe house.
“Watching Talisa’s interactions with Jack reinforced the idea enough.”
Jack and Callypso stopped reading the books that were left open on the grass in front of them once we came out, and it didn’t take long before we were ready to return to the forest of the Woodland Realm.
“If we follow the route that was agreed upon last night and we do not encounter any trouble, then we should reach Westyron within five nights’ time,” Talisa explained as we all followed her lead. “Any longer, and what minimal supplies we have left will be depleted faster than we can curse all of the goddesses.”
“I do not worry for food,” Netira said as her irises shifted to silver. Her wings stretched to full length as she removed her cloak. “I’m a capable hunter, and I’m sure Shadow is as well.”
“You’re going to hunt now?” Jack asked.
“If I am going to be useful to you, yes,” Netira answered. She glanced at me. “Will you come, Artemis?”
I felt all eyes shift to me. I asked for her help, I know I did…but I couldn’t allow the dhampir its freedom yet. I wanted a little more time of being plain ol’ Artemis instead of Artemis Ravenwing, the dhampir and rightful Mistress of Blackwen.
Goddesses, I didn’t want to think about being a ruler.
“No,” I refused.
“I’ll allow the refusal just this once,” Netira warned. “The next time, I will not be so understanding. You asked for my help, and I intend to give it. You cannot deny who you are forever.”
She then disappeared to hunt, and I saw Jack shudder.
“I’m glad she’s on our side,” Jack muttered. His attention shifted to me. “You know, I can’t even remember the last time I saw you shift into dhampir mode.”
I sighed. “Be gr
ateful for that. The blackouts…I wonder if anyone saw me in that form.”
“We’ll be seeing that form soon enough,” Shadow said.
I looked to the sky. “You all should keep your distance from me when it does happen. Whatever control I thought I had…it was all a lie.”
rlina didn’t bother to hide herself with a cloak once she stepped onto the cobblestone streets of Westyron. Each human she passed cowered and moved aside when they encountered her. Arlina knew there were others of her kind here, as well as other “outsiders,” but they were situated deeper within the merchant port city.
Latos and two others of her retinue accompanied her, as she had sent the rest of her remaining war party from the Woodland Realm back to Blackwen City. She wanted the traitor mage back at the Dark Fortress so that once he awoke he would find himself in the worst of the prison cells. Arlina had much she wanted to do to Karesu, and she was sure the pleasure it would bring would rival the satisfaction of finding Gavin again.
She knew he had to still be here; he had no other home. After what Arlina did to him that night…
“Mistress, where do you lead us?” Latos asked, interrupting her train of thought.
Arlina didn’t bother to look at her subordinate. When she heard how Latos had acquired his injuries, she couldn’t even glance at the imbecile. Latos was a capable enough warrior to hold his own against Shadow of Ellewynth, and he should have been able to kill the damned elf.
Arlina knew there was still some use left in him, however, hence the decision to keep him close for their little trip to Westyron.
She felt Latos’ embarrassment for his loss deepen as her silence continued, and she felt that that alone earned him the privilege of an answer. Arlina stopped the others when she spotted a large tavern, the White Viper. It was as…charming…as she remembered, with its lively music hurting her ears and the smell of drunks and other pitiful lowborns stacked within the boarded structure wafting her way.
“I lead us here, Latos,” Arlina said. “The three of you will stay out here. You’re welcome to any straggling drunkards. It would be doing this disgusting city a service.”
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