Child of Blackwen (An Artemis Ravenwing Novel Book 1) (36 page)

Netira smiled. “It’s things like
that
that made me choose you.”

“I do not mean to be rude, but I would save such banter for later,” Shadow said, urging the two to move faster.

As the trio walked up the stairs, they were overwhelmed by the heat of the flames as the hall began to crumble around them. Netira let go of Karesu and tried to find a clear path, and she was surprised when she saw Shadow push through, regardless of the debris. It still surprised her to see him guard Karesu; there was a lot more to this elf than others gave him credit for.

She respected Shadow all the more.

Netira was relieved once the three escaped from the hall. Her relief switched to horror, however, as she saw what was once a beautiful city now reduced to a dark site of ashes and corpses. It was a fate Blackwen City now shared, as she knew the elves would retaliate.

“Netira, you’ll have to take charge of Karesu,” Shadow instructed as he grabbed his sword and defended the two from the oncoming onslaughts of the full-bloods.

When the full-bloods noticed whom Shadow was protecting, their fury intensified.

“Traitors!” one of them spat, while lunging after Netira and Karesu.

“The Mistress will hear of this, mage!” another cursed, running with a sword raised.

Netira reached for Karesu’s sword and learned there wasn’t a need to, as Shadow blocked any of the strikes thrown their way. She noted his left arm wavering a bit with each swing, and she then noticed his arm was wounded.

“Karesu, can you still manage to fight?” Netira asked, fearing Shadow might not be able to keep up the protection.

“I can try, but I would only slow you two down.” Karesu coughed. He moved a hand to the wound Lord Destrius had dealt him. “The most I could do is shield, and it wouldn’t last very long. I need to feed, and soon.”

“Willow be damned.” Netira frowned while taking hold of Karesu’s sword. “Save what strength you have left then. Getting to Talisa’s cottage will take a lot of it.”

“We still have to get out of Ellewynth first, my love,” Karesu reminded her, wincing as she moved him so she could block a strike.

“Avilyne’s hell!” Shadow swore as he continued to fight off full-bloods. “We do not have time for this!”

Netira swore as well, as she continued to fight the others off alongside Shadow. She knew Karesu could last some time without blood despite his desperation for it, but she didn’t want to push what little luck they had left. When had Shadow disposed of the last of the full-blood wave, he helped hold Karesu again and apologized when he forced them to a run.

“If there was ever a time for Talisa to appear, now would be fantastic,” Shadow muttered.

“Perhaps not.” Karesu grimaced. “She swore she would kill me on sight. I have no desire to meet her in this condition.”

“Talisa has more honor than that, mage,” Shadow explained. “She’ll let you recover first,
then
she’ll kill you. She at least gives her opponents a fighting chance.”

“She will do no such thing if she wants my cooperation,” Netira snapped.

Shadow chuckled. “I’ll let you two handle that. Your lover did kidnap her after all.”

“Lover?”

The three froze as soon as they heard the harsh female voice. Netira noticed Shadow’s visage shift to one of hatred; it was a voice he must have not have heard in a long time, and for good reason.

It’s all over
, Netira thought as they all turned to face the Mistress of Blackwen herself.

Arlina was covered in soot and blood, and she focused on Netira.

“So you still live, traitor,” Arlina said, while resting a hand on her hip. “And the company you keep…how
interesting
.”

Karesu returned the glare Arlina sent his way. Arlina then looked over at Shadow and grinned. Netira could feel the chill coming from Shadow’s gaze from where she stood.

“I’m surprised you even came to Ellewynth at all, Arlina,” Shadow began as he moved in front of Netira and Karesu. “You always struck me as someone who didn’t like to get her hands dirty.”

“How I would still love to cut off that sarcastic tongue of yours, elf,” Arlina replied. “I’d rather tear apart the half-breed brat instead. You and Talisa won’t be able to protect her forever. Perhaps I’ll let you live just to watch me strangle her. I bet you would enjoy it, Shadow.”

Shadow’s grip on his sword tightened, and Netira prayed he would maintain his calm. “You’re welcome to try. Perhaps I’ll be able to watch her strange the life from you instead. I know I would enjoy that.”

“I doubt that, seeing how pitiful she was when we met. I would have killed her along with your damned mare had Talisa not interfered. All is not lost, however!” Arlina grinned. “Your precious home is destroyed. Your Elders will retaliate, and if my niece is anything like my despicable sister, the guilt of that alone will bring her out of hiding. So I’ll ask you once and only once. Where did Talisa send Artemis?”

“She is safe from you, Arlina,” Shadow answered. “You can burn all of Arrygn and she would still escape you.”

“Hide her all you want, Shadow. I
will
find her,” Arlina threatened. She looked upon Karesu once more. “Why, Karesu, you’ve broken my little black heart! I can’t let that go unpunished. Such a waste, as you
are
Blackwen City’s only vampire mage.”

“I’d rather let the mage gift die with me than to continue serving you,” Karesu snapped.

“Perhaps you will soon enough. Someone’s beaten me to the kill, I see,” Arlina said as she eyed his wound. “How will you live with yourself now, dear Netira? He doesn’t have much time, you know. The only way Karesu will survive is if he feeds…and you conveniently have someone here who can provide a full meal for him.”

Netira frowned. “No.”

“Shadow’s a strapping young man. His blood would provide enough strength to save your precious mage lover. And that wound of his is quite deep…are you willing to save him at the cost of your protector?”

“I will do no such thing,” Karesu declared, his irises back to crimson.

“Even if it meant my sparing both your lives?” Arlina proposed, while tapping a long finger on the sai that rested along her folded arms. “Do you desire your freedom? You’ve fought so hard already…you might as well accept my offer and grant me this one little show of Shadow’s death.”

“They’re not fooled, Arlina,” Shadow said. “You’ve never been one for keeping your word.”

“Suit yourselves.” Arlina shrugged. “Can’t fault me for an attempt at entertainment, now can you?”

Before any could answer, Arlina and Shadow crossed blades. Netira could feel Karesu beginning to fade.

“Just hold on a bit longer, Karesu,” Netira pleaded, while doing her best to keep him standing.

“I’m too stubborn to die, Netira.” Karesu cast a weak smile. “I have much left to do before I leave this world.”

Netira half-smiled and held tightly onto his sword in case Arlina chose to attack her as well. Arlina had her hands full, however, as Shadow continued to be a formidable opponent. The Mistress of Blackwen cursed as Shadow managed to shove her over, and she took several steps back to catch her breath.

“Tired, are we?” Shadow inquired, his sword still raised.

“From killing an Elder? Never,” Arlina replied.

Netira watched the color drain from Shadow’s face.

“You lie.”

“Do I now?” Arlina asked while circling him. “Why does it matter to you? The good soldier of Ellewynth failed to carry out his sworn duty to the realm and her people. You chose to aid vampires instead of your own leaders.”

Netira knew Shadow’s patience was thinning, but she was also amazed the man didn’t cut Arlina down after saying such things.

“I don’t believe you,” Shadow said.

“You’re welcome to believe what you wish,” Arlina said. “I’m tired of talking.”

Instead of going after Shadow, Arlina disappeared and reappeared behind Netira and Karesu. Before Netira could defend them against her, Karesu shoved her out of the way; she stumbled into Shadow. Arlina was shocked to see Karesu blocking her sai with his bare hands, his palms covered with his own blood.

“Well, well,” Arlina scowled. “There’s still some fight left in you yet.”

Karesu ignored her and faced Shadow and Netira. She felt her body shaking as she realized what he was about to do.

“Karesu…” Netira wavered.

“Shadow,” Karesu called. “I only know you by reputation, and that includes your sense of honor.”

“Karesu, please…” Netira said, as she felt the tears form.

“This was not what I intended, Netira. It’s as you said before—we will have to wait just a little while longer before we can live together in peace…even if means abandoning Blackwen City to do it, I will do so without regret,” Karesu explained.

Netira felt her chest grow heavy.

“Shadow, flee and watch over her. Keep her safe. Carry out whatever it is that must be done.”

“No! I’m not leaving you here!” Netira cried, as she felt Shadow restrain her. “I won’t leave you! Willow damn you, don’t do this!”

Karesu only smiled. “I love you, Netira. We
will
see each other again, I promise you this.”

“Aerios blow you, Shadow! Let me go!”

Netira struggled to free herself from the elf’s grasp, but he was far stronger than she at the moment.

“Go! Now!” Karesu yelled, as he shoved down Arlina.

Netira felt Shadow hoist her from the ground, but she couldn’t tear her gaze away from Arlina overpowering Karesu. She heard Shadow apologize countless times to her as they continued to run farther from the fiery remnants of Ellewynth. Her only reply was a piercing scream that echoed throughout the forest.

It did not even come close to the sound of her heart breaking.

ack and I continued to stay outside of Talisa’s cottage, even with the minor spat from earlier. I told him my end of the tale, had another argument about my memory concerning the veil I took to get here, and the silence returned when I refused to speak more about Arlina. He would sharply poke me, however, whenever I would shut my eyes.

Jack was right. It sucked being on the other end of these things. I wasn’t even drunk.

“You know I’m not one for prolonged periods of silence…right, Artemis?” Jack said.

“I’m still processing everything you’ve told me, Jack,” I answered.

It wasn’t a complete lie, as it did disturb me to know that my mother’s presence affected my best friend as well. I knew there was more that Jack didn’t tell me, but I was grateful for it at the moment.

“I understand this, but you also have to realize that I have been by myself in this place for some time now,” Jack whined. “Silence drives me insane.”

“Your lady friend hasn’t been keeping you company?” I teased.

Jack coughed a bit, and I patted his leg. “I suppose this is payback, isn’t it?”

“Oh, I wouldn’t call it that.” I grinned. “I would call it being the dutiful best friend.”

“Lies!” He glared.

“All right, maybe there’s a
little
payback,” I admitted. I tried to prop myself up from the ground, but stopped when my head felt heavy. I sighed and returned to my original position with Jack’s cloak as my pillow. “Can you at least tell me her name? What does she look like? I need
something
, Jack.”

“No names. Not yet.” Jack ran a hand through his messy dark brown hair. “She’s a bit shorter than I. She’s got the most captivating blue eyes I’ve ever seen…I could lose myself in them and never feel the need to escape. And just the way the wind picks up those blond ringlets of hers…” Jack noticed my look and narrowed his gaze. “What evil thoughts are you thinking of now, woman?”

“Nothing evil at all. I thought when you were a complete idiot in front of Lilith you were just a fool in love,” I explained. “I see now that what you feel for Lilith is infatuation. The way you speak about this lady friend of yours…Jack, you
glow
.”

He cleared his throat and folded his arms. “As I said before…it’s complicated.”

“It’s only complicated because you’re making it so.”

“If only that were true…” Jack rubbed the back of his neck. “Artemis, I can’t have her. She’s an el—”

I held up a hand when I heard footsteps. I forced myself to stand and recognized the person to whom the footsteps belonged to. “Oh goddesses…”