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

“How did you earn the right to become the guardian?”
    “When you serve the realm for as long as I have, even the goddesses learn to appreciate you,” Talisa answered. “No, I will not reveal my true age to you. Get that question out of your mind.” She paused a moment. “All I will say is that I am one of the oldest living servants of the water goddess. She saved me from a future of darkness. I walk the pathways of this world for as long as she desires.
    “Kiare wanted someone who would not be corrupted by the power of the mirror. She wanted someone who would use the mirror in a time of need, like war, and she granted me the privilege of weeding out the overzealous bastards from the ones who genuinely wish for my tutelage. It is important to her that my legacy continues in others, for the sake of the Woodland Realm and Arrygn as a whole. The mirror is also used in determining who should join the ranks of the Elders in each elven realm.”
    Goddesses, what have I gotten myself into?
Jack thought. “So my next test comes from the mirror. What am I supposed to see?”
    “The mirror shows the viewer one of many possible futures,” Talisa explained.
    “Hence why it must only be used in a time of need,” Jack said, now understanding what would happen if one took advantage of the mirror’s power.
    “Yes.” Talisa moved aside and motioned for Jack to look into the mirror. “A warning, however—”
    “Not everything I see will be pleasant,” Jack cut her off. He peered into the water. “Yes, I understand that part well enough.”
    Jack grazed the surface of the water mirror with a finger, and it responded with a glow.
    Tribute
.
    Jack was startled when he heard the word in his mind, though he should have expected it after his event with the trees. He looked at Talisa, and she tightened her lips. He was on his own again.
    He tapped his fingers along the surface, and the glow brightened along his fingertips. An idea for a tribute came to him.
    “I don’t suppose you have anything sharp on you?” Jack asked.
    Talisa’s brow furrowed. “For what?”
    “It would be helpful right now if you did.”
    Talisa shook her head, and Jack sighed. He wasn’t one for carrying knives, but he made a mental note to start doing so.
    He soon found a few small rocks and struck one with the other. A few sharp pieces fell to the ground after a several strikes, and Jack picked one up to inspect it. Satisfied, he returned to the well and held a finger above the water mirror. He made a clean cut in the tip of his index finger, and a few drops of blood fell into the surface, dispersing in swirls.
    Accepted
.
    Jack dropped the rock shards to the ground, and he pressed his finger against his palm to staunch the bleeding. As he looked into the mirror, he saw images beginning to form. He didn’t even notice Talisa move closer to the well, curious for what was to come.
    Before the images were fully formed, the voice of the mirror spoke once more to Jack:
    You will see what no other has seen before. Beware the repercussions, elf mage. It could alter the age of peace Arrygn has long been promised
.
    “Wait, wh—” Jack said.
    The images formed and silenced him. Jack saw a woman running in parts of the forest he did not recognize. As he studied the woman, he felt his stomach drop—she had long, dark brown hair, pale skin, and wore dark clothing. Her right shoulder was caked with dried blood.
    Artemis?
Jack asked himself.
What happened to you? What are you doing?
    He saw her stop and reach into her boots for a weapon he did not recognize. They were thin blades the length of his forearm with curved prongs extending from the extensively onyx and garnet jeweled hilt; definitely something that Artemis would have.
    Another woman came into view, stalking Artemis from behind. She had short red hair and cold, gray eyes. The woman had black clothes that clung tightly to her body, a lengthy black coat, and boots that made Jack cringe, especially