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

specters have a cheerier disposition than you do right now!” I said while pouring tea.
    “Don’t be surprised if I end up as one the next time you see me,” Jack muttered while grabbing his teacup.
    Talisa smiled, obviously content.
    “When does the training begin?” I asked.
    Jack kept quiet, while Talisa took a long sip of her tea.
    “Well?”
    “Tonight,” Jack finally answered.
    I nearly spit out my tea. “What?”
    “Tonight marks the full moon of the solstice,” Talisa explained. “Magic is most potent at this time. I want to see how well Jack can use his gift. Then, and only then, will I know how to begin his tutelage.”
    “It’s also to make sure I don’t go running off to the taverns,” Jack added. “As for the aunt…”
    “I will be dealing with her soon enough,” Talisa said, as her fingers playfully tapped along the table. “You belong to me now. Only I am allowed to abuse you.”
    Jack cringed while I tried to stifle a cackle. His dream of learning the greatest kinds of magic was coming at a great price indeed.
    I’d never seen Talisa be so sinister either. I was lucky to have seen the nice side while I lived with her.
    “Well, once he’s free from your apprenticeship, he’ll belong to Shadow.” I smirked, while shaking the thought of a scary Talisa. “You owe him for this.”
    “Yes, I haven’t forgotten,” Jack grumbled.
    Talisa chuckled. “Ah, that reminds me! I have to come up with more favors to collect from our dear warrior elf. I wonder how many years I can stretch these favors for…”
    “That’s terrible, Talisa.” An idea, however, came to mind. “Could one perhaps be for him to go easy on me during my weapons training?”
    “Oh goddesses, Artemis!” Talisa scowled. “You need all the help you can get. Don’t think I haven’t heard about you skipping out on your lessons.” I cringed. “Serlene would never shut up about it. Better for Shadow to be your instructor than me! It wouldn’t matter who your mother was, Artemis. I would have you train without sleep!”
    “You do know she shot an elf, right?” Jack asked.
    “Oh, I heard. It’s one of Serlene’s favorite rants.” Talisa snorted. “A shame it wasn’t her. She’s in a desperate need of a lesson in humility, and Serlene should learn the appreciation of silence as well.”
    Jack laughed. “I can agree with that assessment.”
    “You shush!” Talisa snapped. “Never speak ill of your previous teachers. No matter how terrible or bothersome they could be, you must still respect the time they’ve given as instructors.”
    “But Talisa—” I started.
    “But nothing!” she said, now making
me
flinch. “Respect the time that was given.
Always
.”
    “Of all the things I should be scolded about, it’s about shooting that elf. Even Shadow overlooked it.” I frowned.
    Talisa rolled her eyes. “It was an accident. Get over it for goddess’ sake.”
    Finishing her tea, Talisa deemed it time for her departure. She glanced at Jack, who hung his head and nodded soon after. Jack explained that it was time for Talisa to speak to his aunt and that he had to pack for the move to Talisa’s cottage.
    “I wish I could be there to see the old goat cringe.” I smiled.
    Jack laughed, but quickly stifled it as soon as Talisa shot him a look.
    “Do visit, Artemis,” Talisa said as she kissed my cheek good-bye. “I want to know all about your weapons training once it starts. Bruises and all.”
    “Be well until then, Talisa,” I said.
    I looked at Jack, and it set in: I was really going to miss seeing him on a daily basis. I tried to reassure him during a farewell hug. “You’re going to be just fine. I’ll visit soon, I promise.”
    “You better,” Jack replied. “I’ll haunt you for the rest of your days if you don’t.”
    I slapped the back of his head, and he shrugged in mock innocence. As they left, I cleaned up and decided to visit the one friend I now had left in Ellewynth.

    Lady