Read Online Child of Blackwen (An Artemis Ravenwing Novel Book 1) by Melanie Rodriguez - Free Book Online

he received her warm embrace. “If Uncle were alive today, I think he would be horrified his personal name for you had transformed into your war emblem.”
    “Perhaps he would. I think he would forgive me seeing as it’s a way of keeping a piece of him with me on the battlefield,” Lady Clarayne replied as she pulled away. Shadow grew nervous as she stared at the exact spot that hid the chain with Artemis’ ring. “I will admit, dear nephew, I didn’texpect to see you for a while. I know you wanted to enjoy the peace we’ve all earned from this ordeal.”
    “I intended to,” Shadow began as he took a seat opposite her desk. Lady Clarayne poured tea for the both of them and took her seat across from him. “However, I fear something is brewing outside the city borders…something far more unpleasant.”
    “Oh?” Lady Clarayne raised an eyebrow. “What brings you to that thought?”
    “There have been a number of odd deaths occurring near Talisa’s cottage,” Shadow explained.
    “Yes, we’re aware of that.” She spoke, and then took a sip of tea. “We sent a messenger to Talisa yesterday for her to investigate and report her findings.”
    “
I
went to investigate,” Shadow answered. He saw her puzzlement and sighed. “Don’t ask.”
    He remembered Netira and decided to exclude her from his report. She was a mystery he wanted to solve on his own. “Full-bloods are responsible for the deaths, Aunt Clarayne.”
    She nearly dropped her teacup. “You cannot be serious.”
    “I wish it weren’t true, but I know what I saw…as well as overheard.”
    Lady Clarayne stood from her chair and quickly paced the office. “I must speak with Lords Celstian and Destrius about this. We hoped it was something else…something less threatening…”
    “It gets worse,” Shadow continued. “The full-bloods specifically belong to Arlina Ravenwing of Blackwen City. She is behind their sudden bravery of venturing into our realm.”
    Lady Clarayne’s eyes widened. “You don’t think…”
    “I fear she has learned that Artemis is alive and has been living among us.” Shadow put his teacup atop the desk. “If it is true, she will first send an emissary demanding we hand Artemis to her. We cannot do that.”
    “And if that were to happen and we do not hand Artemis over, you realize more elven lives will be at risk, Shadow,” Lady Clarayne explained. “It’s not a position I or the other Elders can afford to be in.”
    “Elven lives will be at risk regardless of what we do!” Shadow stood up. “She’ll kill Artemis just as she slaughtered Tamina, and then she’llattack Ellewynth for her own pleasure! You
know
she will. You remember what she’s done to us already.”
    “Of course I do,” Lady Clarayne said as her face darkened. “I understand all the possibilities, Shadow, and I know how Arlina thinks. You must realize, nephew, that the choice will not be yours to make in the end.”
    “I understand, but that does not mean I have to like it.” Shadow took a deep breath. “My dear aunt, you cannot let Lords Celstian and Destrius sway you into giving her up to that woman. Please.”
    Lady Clarayne sighed as she rubbed her nephew’s cheek. “Shadow…”
    “
Please
.”
    Lady Clarayne sighed in resignation.
    “I will talk to them once they return.” She dropped her hand and returned to the window. “That is all I can promise.”
    Shadow took this as a dismissal and proceeded to the door.
    “Shadow?”
    He stopped, but did not turn to face her. “Yes, my lady?”
    “Should the moment come and we do hand over Artemis to Arlina…will I be losing a nephew as well?”
    Shadow shut his eyes and closed the door behind him as he left the room.

    I was nearly done preparing Talisa’s favorite brand of tea—lemon mint—when she and Jack returned inside from their “meeting.” Jack wasn’t as pale as he had been before, but he still seemed horrified.
    I couldn’t help but laugh.
    “Jack, even