Free Child of Blackwen (An Artemis Ravenwing Novel Book 1) by Melanie Rodriguez Page A

glanced at me, and half-smiled. “I can’t tell you just yet.”
    “Meaning you want me to forget about it and not ask you again.”
    “No.” Shadow fell back and moved his arms to cushion his head on the earth. “I will tell you when the time comes. Promise me something though, Artemis.”
    “Name it.”
    “There may be a time where I’ll come to you and tell you to pack only what is necessary for a trip outside of Ellewynth. When it does come, I don’t want you asking questions. You have to trust in me to explain everything when it is safe enough to.”
    I stared at him. “Is something going to happen to the city?”
    “Maybe, maybe not,” Shadow answered. “Promise me, Artemis.”
    “I promise,” I said, now looking away.
    I was worried. What did he know?
    Shadow took a deep breath, and I could feel him watching me. “What brings you here? Talisa was supposed to visit you today. I know how much you wanted to see her.”
    “She already did,” I replied. “And she took Jack away. His training starts tonight.”
    “Ah.” Shadow softly laughed. “A word of advice, my dear…it’s better to visit them after at least a week. Talisa tends to put her apprentices through hell and back within their first week.”
    “Do you think Jack will make it?”
    “Well…” Shadow mused. “I could see him lasting a few years. I’ll give it two.”
    “That’s awfully generous of you.”
    “Is it? I thought I was being realistic,” Shadow said, shooting me a curious glance.
    “I thought
one
year would be considered realistic,” I replied. “You’re being too nice.”
    “I’m
always
nice, my dear.” Shadow grinned.
    “Will that be true even during my weapons training?”
    “There’s only one way to find out.” Shadow stood up and helped me up to my feet. Walking toward the target, he picked up his bow and held it out for me to take. “Why don’t we see, hmm?”
    It took every fiber of my being not to groan aloud. Memories of past archery lessons flooded my mind; I tried to reassure myself that things would be
much
better this time around, especially since it was just the two of us.
    I grasped the bow, felt satisfied with the balance of it in my grip, and took my stance while awaiting Shadow’s instructions.

lackwen City, home of the largest full-blood population in all of Arrygn, loomed over the Meristl Plains. Built mostly of steel and iron mined from the hills surrounding the plains, the city was eventually nicknamed the “Dark Fortress.” The city itself was in a constant state of darkness, a product of vampire magery. It made it difficult for enemies because they could not strike the city in the daylight hours, for none existed there.
    Passing through the gates, Netira acknowledged the guards with a casual nod. Setting foot on the paved slate streets, Netira deeply breathed in the cool air and then surveyed her surroundings.
    She loved her home, despite the laws against dhampirs. It pained her to continue watching it fall further into a state of chaos. Blackwen City had been peaceful once long ago; its residents kept to themselves and were of a decent nature. Nowadays, her people prided themselves on thievery, dishonor, and unchecked bloodlust. The leader, or “Mistress,” of Blackwen City, Arlina, ruled as a tyrant would: those who opposed her met their end in unspeakable ways. Netira knew those of the Ravenwing clan who were no longer of this world were twisting in their graves because of such changes and behavior. She missed her mentor, Tamina Ravenwing, greatly. Arlina would pay for that as well…someday.
    Netira made her way to City Tower, the home of the Mistress and the center of Blackwen’s operations. Netira needed to speak with Arlinaconcerning the scouts she’d sent out; as the city’s Second, Netira should have been informed as well as consulted concerning the action, as the purpose of her station was to advise and co-command.
    The Mistress was hiding something, and she was