Child of Blackwen (An Artemis Ravenwing Novel Book 1) Read Online Free PDF Page A

him to read. “Yes, the full-bloods in particular. Apparently, they’ve become braver by crossing through the Woodland Realm borders. If they are the cause behind a few, erm, mysterious deaths that have been occurring in our absence…well, I don’t have to spell the rest out for you.”
    “It’ll mean you and I will be sent to investigate the matter further.” Shadow shut his eyes, irritated. “Not even a full day’s return and we face the chance of another war brewing. Another damned fight, so soon!”
    “We’ve always fought full-bloods, Shadow, as you well remember. That won’t change for centuries to come.” Talisa took a sip from her tea and fixed her hat. Satisfied at its less rumpled appearance, she placed it in the spot it had rested before. “But on to happier things. How fares Artemis?”
    How predictable of you to bring her up, Talisa
. “She’s well,” Shadow answered aloud. He noticed an odd smile that formed on Talisa’s face. “What mischief are you thinking of now?”
    “Nothing,” Talisa said, quickly getting rid of the smile. “I plan to visit her tomorrow afternoon. I imagine she’s fully grown into her mother’s image.”
    “Indeed she has.” Shadow frowned for a moment. “Though her eyes are more like her father’s than I remembered…”
    Talisa chuckled. “I don’t believe it bothers you as much as you make it seem.”
    Shadow raised an eyebrow. “How so?”
    “Oh, come now! You’ve visited the girl and didn’t return that ring to her. Don’t even bother denying it to me, elf.” Talisa crossed a leg atop the other, and mischeviously smiled. “If you were in my shoes, what would
you
think?”
    “You speak nonsense, Talisa.” Shadow stood up and was ready to leave the room, until Talisa called him back.
    “Come back, you ridiculous elf!” Talisa scolded. “It is my duty as your friend to jest. Relax, will you?”
    Shadow returned to his seat and remembered Jack. “When I visited her, I saw Jack as well.”
    “Jack?” Talisa blinked. “The dark-haired elf?” Shadow nodded, and she shifted in her seat. “What of him? Is he causing trouble again? Did he insult Serlene? If he did, I’d like to congratulate him personally. I can never get a rise out of that woman…”
    “How do you feel about another attempt at receiving an apprentice?” he asked, ignoring the banter.
    He watched Talisa stiffen in her chair. Before Shadow could say another word, she jumped from her seat. The blood rushed to her face, revealing a rare level of fury.
    “Are you out of your mind?” she snapped. “Even the goddesses know of my oath to never take an apprentice again! There is no one, alive or undead, that is capable of learning all that I know!
None
have ever finished their tutelage with me!”
    “That’s because you threaten them away with death by the time they can,” Shadow reminded her. “You’re no easy master, Talisa. Even
I
would run.”
    “Then why in Avilyne’s hell would you even try to throw another imbecile at me?” she fumed.
    “Because,”—Shadow took one of the books lying on his desk and flipped through the pages— “I have suspicions that Jack is of the old elven mage bloodline. I forgot about them until I saw him again today. I refer to the most volatile bloodline, mind you. He can be dangerous, if he continues to figure out his gift without the proper guidance.”
    “It cannot be.” Talisa gaped at him. “My first apprentice had some decent control over magic, but she was no elf mage. What proof do you have that Jack is?”
    “His appearance, for starters.” Shadow motioned for Talisa to sit. “Don’t you dare dismiss that bloodline as a myth, for you and I both remember that one elf mage who shall not be named. He was of the Woodland Realm, and had similar features to Jack—the dark hair and eyes, the lack of interest of weapons training, and a strong need to know all sorts of magic. Artemis told me how gifted he is with it, and how even