Just Beyond Daybreak (Star Crossed Book 1) Read online

  Meredith Blackburn had been his biggest weak spot since the day they met in primary school. She had been a vision to his seven-year-old self and she had only gotten more beautiful as they grew up. He’d known their families didn’t get along and that the fiery little witch was off limits. That didn’t stop the want, though. Even after four years, he still wanted her. When she’d stormed into that storage room it was shock alone that had stopped him from standing, grabbing her and kissing her senseless. Thankfully, Anming had brought him back into the moment before he’d made more of a fool of himself.

  This issue with her family was bad. Her dwindling magic was evidence of that, but what could a Blackwood do for a Blackburn? He knew it had been a low blow to say it was the Blackburn head’s place to deal with it. Meredith’s grandmother had passed away several months before, and it was likely Meredith’s mother or an uncle had taken over as family head. Even if there was a new family head, it was their sole problem to fix. That’s just how the families worked. You lost something, you found it. It wasn’t Meredith’s place to track down the Dragon’s Eye, but he understood the drive to help.

  Family and the responsibility that came with it was one of the many things Malcolm had been trying to get away from, but still, when Meredith had mentioned going to his brother, he had felt a twinge of jealousy. Could his brother help? Would he? Meredith needed help, and if she was asking for a Blackwood’s help, she should have gone to his brother first, even if she was more familiar with one brother over the other.

  The realization that she had come looking for him hit him hard. Meredith wasn’t asking for the Blackwood family’s help. She was asking for his help. She had searched Magic Town looking for him. Malcolm knew she had been searching for days, too. Several of his acquaintances had mentioned a woman asking about him. Meredith Blackburn needed him so much that she had combed through the lowest part of Atlanta’s magical society. She and her family were fighting against the clock and he’d just turned her away.

  Surging up to his feet, Malcolm couldn’t and didn’t want to stop the need to follow after her. He stomped down the stairs and was reaching for the door when he paused. A tingle began to prick at the back of his neck, a warning that someone or something was trying to slip past the protective ward he had up around his home. Feeling his eye twitch, Malcolm abruptly turned and stormed back up the stairs. Meredith had been able to pass through the ward unnoticed only because she had followed him in. Whatever was inside now was most unwelcome.

  At the top of the stairs, Malcolm paused. He quickly scanned the cluttered room and his eyes settled on an old candle he kept setting on the mantle. Without a doubt the now flickering candle had not been lit before. Rushing forward with the intent to extinguish the light, Malcolm felt out the room with his magic. Sensitive tentacles of power spread past the books and papers searching for any sign of the intruder.

  Just as his fingertips were wrapping around the flame, a surge of power blew past him. Malcolm stumbled back and his hand hit the tall taper candle, sending it falling to the floor. As he searched for the magical creature that had flown past him, flames licked at the stack of papers beside his feet. The invisible being that had brushed by him rushed by again, this time shoving the middle of Malcolm’s back. Falling forward a step before he could catch his balance, Malcolm scrambled to find the little imp that was hiding itself in his home.

  He could feel his ward being tripped all over the room. Spinning around, ignoring the fire at his feet, Malcolm chanted, “Thrice round show me what is bound.” The short chant clouded his eyes, lifting a haze over the physical things in his apartment, but marking a hectic trail of magic. A small, deformed creature was making the trail in large and small loops. The imp stood about as high as Malcolm’s knee, and strapped to its back was a thick book—a book that made Malcolm catch his breath. “My spell book!”

  Rushing forward, Malcolm attempted to chase down the creature. Stacks of paper and books went crashing to the floor as he jumped around the room. The imp let out a high-pitched chuckle as Malcolm crashed into the narrow counter. Grinding his teeth, Malcolm spun around and charged after the imp again, but was shocked to see half the room engulfed in flames. He had been so wrapped up in catching the creature and reclaiming his book, he had failed to notice how quickly the fire was spreading.

  Spying the imp crouched on the back of the couch, Malcolm hurried forward, but was cut off by a sudden wall of fire that burst to life in front of him. The imp let out another high pitched chuckle and lunged forward into the flame. Reaching out his hands, Malcolm tried to catch the imp before it could escape, but he only grabbed open flame as the imp twirled into smoke. The imp had transported itself through the fire, taking Malcolm’s spell book with it. “Damnit,” he shouted, quickly pulling his hands out of the heat.

  Smoke filled the small apartment and Malcolm’s eyes were soon stinging and his lungs were burning with each breath. Stomping down on the fire in front of him in a vain attempt to slow the flames, Malcolm heard sirens blaring in the background. Someone must have seen the smoke and called the fire department. Grabbing up the satchel he had dropped beside the top of the stairs when he first got home, Malcolm raced down the stairs. Coughing, he hurried through the metal door into the alley and slammed the door closed behind him.

  Shouldering his bag, Malcolm rushed out of the alley and onto the sidewalk. From the front of the building he saw thick black smoke rolling out of the second-floor windows. A fire truck was racing down the street towards him. He kept his eyes on the building for a few steps before moving out of the way to let the cops and firefighters do their job.

  His home was burning down in front of him. Sure it was just a rundown studio apartment, but it had been more of a home than any of the large houses his family owned. Along with his home, his spell book had also gone up in smoke, but hopefully it would be reclaimed soon. He knew his other spell books were still safe in their lock boxes along with his other magical trinkets. Malcolm would have to come back later to reclaim them as well, but it was this spell book he worried over. Malcolm had recognized the centuries-old leather the instant he had seen it. Along with family secrets, that book contained every forbidden spell the Blackwoods had ever found or created. Whoever was after it meant to disable his family or one just as powerful.

  Clenching his teeth and balling his hands into tight fists, Malcolm spun around on his heel and marched down the crowded street in search of answers. He was sure that at least some of those answers would come from the curvy witch that had stormed out of his apartment only moments before. It was too much of a coincidence that a Blackburn had shown up right before the twisted little thief had appeared. And she was already spouting off about a theft, Malcolm grumbled silently.

  He was less than a full block away when he spotted her. She was jogging down the sidewalk, her deep red hair flaring out behind her. Malcolm knew the instant she spotted him, because her eyes went wide and she picked up her pace a little. As she charged across the street towards him, Malcolm’s heart nearly skipped a beat. She was still gorgeous even after four years.

  For a second he was sidetracked by the curve of her neck and the twist of her waist as she ran to him. Her pouty lips were parted slightly and her speed had shaded her cheeks with a dusting of pink. Malcolm found himself about to lift his arms to catch her before he remembered her temperament could easily swing from worried to enraged. Of course, he also thought it might be worth it to see that lovely flare of anger flash through her eyes.

  Finally standing in front of him again, winded and a touch disheveled from her run, Meredith pointed towards the blaring lights behind him and demanded, “What happened?” With her simple two-word demand, the flutter in his heart stopped and his concerns flooded back in. When he grabbed her arm, she let out a sharp gasp. Malcolm had to grind his teeth to keep from looking back at her as he started down the sidewalk.

  Malcolm was surprised she didn’t put up a fight when he turned and drug her into an alleyw
ay several buildings away. “We need to talk,” he said finally as they stood in the shadows of the buildings.

  Meredith jerked her arm away and propped her hand on her hip. “I told you someone stole the Dragon’s Eye,” she repeated for what Malcolm thought was the tenth time. He was sure the sight of her chest heaving breathlessly and that flash in her eyes was going to haunt his dreams for some time. For a second he watched her, trying to figure out why the vixen would set him up.

  He moved his hands up and massaged his temples with his fingers, trying to work through the accusing anger that was running through him. Surely, he reasoned, Meredith Blackburn wouldn’t set him up like this.

  “What the hell happened, Malcolm?”

  The dominating tone in her voice made that anger snap. He grabbed her again and pressed her back to the dingy brick wall. She tried to lash out at him with her free hand, but he quickly pinned that one along with the other. Taking it a step further, Malcolm leaned his full body into her. Bowing his face so close to hers that he could see shock and even a small trace of fear flicker over her features, Malcolm snarled, “Listen here, Miss Blackburn. I don’t give a damn about your Dragon’s Eye, but I do care about my spell books and one of them is missing. What do you have to do with that?”

  Her breathing was heavy, and every breath pressed her breasts against his chest. The feel of her pressed against him was bringing on a buildup of pressuring need. Any other time he wouldn’t risk this closeness, but anger and determination are stronger than lust alone. He watched her pink tongue slip over her lush bottom lip and waited for her to answer. It seemed to take her a second to gather the words, but when she did answer him he was surprised that her voice was unwavering. “I told you it might happen. I warned you, but you didn’t care about it.”

  Letting out a little growl of frustration, Malcolm asked, “My book, Meredith? Where is it?”

  “I don’t know. That’s why I came to you. To track down whoever stole the Dragon’s Eye. They must have taken your spell book too,” Meredith said through gritted teeth. “Now are you going to let me go?”

  He could see the sparks of magic shooting through her eyes now. Her own anger must have been held on a tight leash to reel in the temper he knew she had. Normally the hot-blooded woman would have blasted him faster than he could blink. She would have fought tooth and nail before letting him put her in this position, but not now. Still pressed up against her, Malcolm lowered his voice to a husky whisper. “Your magic’s fading, Meredith.”

  Her gasp of surprise brushed over his cheek, causing his heated flesh to prickle. It was clear she knew her magic was leaving her, and like him, she knew what that meant. Her family, like his own, were heavily tied to their magical relics. Without the magic from the Dragon’s Eye flowing through her veins, her body would stop, unable to function without the borrowed power. Slowly her tension faded away and she wilted against him. Malcolm’s heart nearly broke when Meredith’s bowed head gave a little nod. Relaxing his hold on her wrists, he fought back the urge to wrap her in a comforting hug.

  With her head still bowed and her blood tinted hair hanging over her face, Meredith softly said, “I didn’t steal your book, Malcolm, but I have to get the Dragon’s Eye and I bet wherever it is your book is there too.”

  Letting out a low sigh at the broken sound in her voice, Malcolm released her wrists. He took a step back, offering her breathing room. “Okay. Tell me what you know so far.”

  Dropping her hands to her sides, Meredith continued to slouch against the wall. “I don’t know anything. I’ve tried scrying and fire reading, but I can’t find anything,” she admitted softly.

  “How did it get stolen? Where was it?” Malcolm prompted.

  He saw Meredith swallow hard before she lifted her head and said, “It was taken from my safe.”

  Malcolm felt his eyes go a little wide. Having a spell book was one thing, but having a family relic like the Dragon’s Eye was something the head of the family should protect. “Why was it with you?”

  “I’m the head of the Blackburn family,” she answered, her eyes flaring in aggravation.

  A silent moment fell between them, and Malcolm wished he could do something to comfort her. The last head of the Blackburn family, Meredith’s grandmother, had been wise, even if it was hard for a Blackwood to admit. If Meredith had been her choice for a successor, there was little doubt it was the best option.

  With the position of head came considerable power, but if even scrying had failed her she truly was lost. The Blackburn family had built their name on the ability to see things others could not. It was their strongest talent. Without it and her magic, Meredith was crippled. Raking his fingers through his hair, Malcolm let out a long groan and said, “Alright. I don’t have much choice in this, but I’ll help find your Dragon’s Eye.”

  Meredith’s eyes narrowed, obvious mistrust shining through. “Really?” she asked.

  Propping his hands on his sides, he nodded. Malcolm waited only a second longer as he gave her a look over. Extending his hand and pointing his finger at her, he said, “But you’re worthless without your magic. I’ll go after the thief myself. I’ll grab your Dragon’s Eye while I’m there.”

  It had been an honest attempt to help, but Meredith must have seen it differently. She pushed herself away from the wall and all the fury Malcolm had faced before came flooding back in one crashing wave. “I’ve some magic left and I’m not letting you get near the Dragon’s Eye without me,” Meredith declared, pushing aside his still pointed finger.

  Malcolm stared at her for a moment, kind of happy that she no longer looked so broken. She looked best when she was angry. She had stepped up, her chin tilted forward and a new determination shining brightly in her eyes. He could see new sparks of magic shooting off behind that determination and for a second was relieved that she still had enough power to get angry. “You don’t have a day left if you head out now. Stay here and you could have three or four,” Malcolm explained, trying to talk some reason into her.

  “I’m going,” Meredith stated stubbornly.

  “You’re going?” he asked, adding a mocking tone to his voice.

  “I’m going,” she answered, crossing her arms under her chest and lifting a delicate eyebrow at him.

  Malcolm stood still, on the verge of rage, staring back at the woman who was all but challenging him to stop her from tagging along. If she went with him, she would run out of magic. There was no way she’d sit back and not use any magic. She was using bits of it now just arguing with him. Malcolm didn’t want to endanger her, but maybe she’d at least let him help her. Taking a deep breath, he threw his hands in the air and said, “Fine, but you aren’t going until you’re branded. I don’t want the entire Blackburn family blaming me for your death.”

  “You’re not branding me,” Meredith said, dropping her hands to her hips. “I don’t want the Blackwood crest stuck on me.”

  “It’s not the family crest and it’ll be temporary. Nothing permanent,” Malcolm explained, trying to make it sound a whole hell of a lot better than he knew it was. “And you can hide it under your clothing.”

  He saw some of the determined anger slip out of her eyes as she asked, “How will it work, then?”

  Nodding, Malcolm said, “I’ll paint the brand on you. I’ll mix the dye with some resin to make it last a little longer. Once it’s done, I can send you some of my magic. It’ll give you a few more days at the most. Once the resin and dye wear off, you’ll be on your own.” He decided it would be in their best interest to leave out how long the resin could stay on and the mark that would take weeks to heal. That was a detail best left for after the branding was done.

  Meredith stared at him for several long seconds and then let out a puff of air that made her checks pouch out. “Okay, but we need to start tonight,” she finally said.

  Giving her an accepting tilt of his head, Malcolm lifted his hands up towards the open street beyond the alleyway. “Of course. May I su
ggest your place?”

  “What about your apartment? Won’t the cops need to talk with you?” she asked.

  Malcolm smirked. “Cops don’t ask questions in Magic Town.”

  He watched her give a stiff nod and start out of the alley. Meredith Blackburn was focused if nothing else, and how he loved to watch that prideful walk. Even if she was walking away from him, at least this time he got to follow. Malcolm didn’t like it as much when she stumbled and dropped back against the brick wall.

  Rushing forward, he wrapped his arm around her waist and pulled her back upright. “Meredith, you okay?” he asked, turning her head to face him. Her eyes had closed and he could tell her breathing had gone shallow. “Damnit, you drained your magic.”

  Chapter Two

  Getting Meredith clear across town to her apartment had been an adventure. Malcolm was thankful for the Saturday night party hounds that seemed to flood the subway. It made it much easier to blend in as just another man helping his date or girlfriend back home after a few too many drinks. Meredith’s half-awareness was helpful too. Her feet weren’t quite dragging when he’d marched through the front of her apartment building.

  A nervous doorman stepped forward and quickly took in the woman’s state. “Has something happened to Miss Blackburn?” he asked, his eyes finally moving to Malcolm. It was clear from the way the man gave him the once-over that Malcolm was to blame for anything that had happened.

  “She’s just a bit exhausted,” Malcolm answered, shifting his hand at her waist to straighten her against his side.