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

going to find out the cause for all the secrecy.
    Entering the tower, Netira first stared at the lengthy spiral staircase. Scowling, she began to climb it soon after. Numerous doors, as well as traps, lined the walls along the staircase. She wished she could fly rather than walk up the wretched stairs, but not only would that reveal her true identity, she could also set off those horrific traps hidden within City Tower. Arlina had a peverse sense of humor, especially when it came to her guests.
    Netira stopped as soon as she saw the steel door engraved with protective runes. Shaking her head, she climbed several more stairs before cursing at herself and returning to the door. Hesitations aside, Netira pushed it open and stepped inside the chamber.
    Torchlight illuminated the chamber, revealing stacks of parchment along the walls and thick tomes that had seen better days.
    Netira walked toward the black wood desk placed near the windowsill; she sat on it and leafed through the stack of parchment nearest to her. She smiled to herself as she learned they contained spells translated from the old tomes.
    “You’ve been busy these past few days,” Netira mused aloud, returning the parchment sheets to where she found them.
    “I needed to do
something
in your absence,” a soft, deep voice replied from behind. “It’s not easy, you know…covering for someone the others believe you despise.”
    Netira turned and looked upon the source of the voice: a tall male with lengthy black hair and deep violet eyes. He was wearing a black tunic with black breeches—a common style for the citizens of Blackwen City. He sported several silver rings on his left hand, each with small runes along the bands, and he had a large silver cross earring hanging from his right earlobe. He smiled as he grasped Netira’s hand, rubbing it gently.
    Netira’s smile widened. “I missed you too, Karesu.”
    She stood up to embrace him. Karesu pulled away after the hug, just enough to steal a kiss from her. When he didn’t break it, she did. Karesu chuckled as he caressed her cheek.
    “Ah yes, I’ve forgotten. Not here,” he said. “You do realize Arlina can’t break into the chamber right? She still needs to be granted permission to enter.”
    “Still playing with fire, I see,” Netira teased.
    Karesu kissed her once more. “It is a fun element, my love. It is perfect for describing one’s passion as well.”
    “Speaking of passion, have you noticed anything different with the Mistress lately?” Netira asked as she let go of Karesu. She returned to her seat atop the corner of the table.
    “And there is the dirt thrown atop the flame.” Karesu frowned while folding his arms. “Her erratic behavior hasn’t changed as of late. Why? What did you discover in that little outing of yours?”
    “I followed those two scouts to the Woodland Realm,” Netira answered. “Bad enough that she dismissed my inquiries about them, but to send them there of all places…”
    “As far as I know, she has no interest in the elves,” Karesu explained. “I’m not even sure if the whole council knows—”
    “The entire council doesn’t know shit! Not even the devout Vashti! Arlina
does
have an interest in the elves,” Netira insisted. “She sent those miscreants to eavesdrop on their local gossip! What does that tell you?”
    “Our Mistress is probably deciding to add more enemies to her extermination list. Or perhaps she’s looking for a new stock of blood to supply those goddessforsaken taverns of hers—I don’t know. Arlina does rather enjoy the whole tyrannical-bitch ploy…” Karesu paced back and forth, stopping as soon as a realization set in. “Netira…do you remember the last time she ventured to the Woodland Realm?”
    “Of course I do,” Netira replied. “Nearly twenty-one years ago. She claimed it was to hunt down traitors, but you and I both know that wasn’t the truth. She discovered blood relatives living within that realm and