Just Beyond Daybreak: Star Crossed, #1

By J.R. White

When the source of her family's magical energy and life force is stolen, Meredith Blackburn is left with little choice, but to search out the best magical tracker she knows. Unfortunately Malcolm Blackwood is more than just a tracker, he is also a man who captivates Meredith's thoughts.

 

She strolled into Malcolm's life with a job that he didn't want, but instantly he regretted turning her away. Now, with his own family relics in danger, Malcolm finds himself unable to leave Meredith behind.

 

Can they save the Blackburn bloodline? Or will family ties tear them apart?

• Language: English
• Publisher: J.R. White
• Release date: Jan 1, 2021
• ISBN: 9781393709756

Book preview

Just Beyond Daybreak

By

J.R. White

© J.R. White 2017

Terms and Conditions:

The purchaser of this book is subject to the condition that he/she shall in no way resell it, nor any part of it, nor make copies of it to distribute freely.

All Persons Fictitious Disclaimer:

This book is a work of fiction. Any similarity between the characters and situations within its pages and places or persons, living or dead, is unintentional and co-incidental.

Star Crossed Series

Just Beyond Daybreak

Caught by Nightfall

Chasing High Noon

Witching Hour Madness

Knot in Destiny

Table of Contents

Chapter One

Chapter Two

Chapter Three

Chapter Four

Chapter Five

Chapter Six

Chapter One

MAGIC TOWN WAS A DINGY maze of alleyways tucked away in a section of Atlanta that never made it to the travel guides. It was crawling with some of the lowest members of society and if a person had to be honest it also had quite a few members of high society slinking around from time to time. It was a place that Meredith Blackburn despised venturing into. After four nights of searching questionable bars and occult shops, the young witch found herself standing in front of a small Chinese shop called Heavenly Herbs. Flexing her fingers, she could feel the flow of magic in her veins cycling painfully slow and it only reminded her how important it was for her to find the man she was looking for.

Meredith despised the man just as much as the area she knew she would find him in. Malcolm Blackwood was one of those high-society brats who had slunk down to Magic Town after displeasing his family. At least Meredith liked to think that he slunk, but entered with a cocky stride would fit his character more. Malcolm had been the second-son playboy that every family dreaded, but for some reason he held a type of charm that made everyone want to be near him. For all her detest of the man, Meredith was no different. Just like every other woman, she’d been drawn to him too.

But the Blackburns and the Blackwoods had been at each other’s throats for more than a millennium. It was family bickering left over from their roots in the old country, and that left little room for feelings besides distrust. So Meredith ignored the attraction and focused on the man’s arrogant attitude.

Nonetheless, he was one of the best magical trackers on the East Coast, and that was what she needed.

A week earlier, Meredith had woken up in her apartment to a very distorted feeling. While everything in her home seemed in place, a rancid smell filled the air. She had rushed to her study, where she found the source of the smell. Above the mantel, the small safe door was ajar; and on the floor below it, spell books, rare stones, and an assortment of occult items her family had collected over the years were scattered about. Inside the safe, Meredith found a steaming pile of mess. She had instantly dropped to her knees, searching through the items on the floor. Her search revealed that the thief had taken just one thing. Her family’s Dragon’s Eye had been stolen.

It was the source of their strongest magical abilities. Without the Dragon’s Eye, her family’s power and her own would quickly fade away, taking their life energy along with it. That was why Meredith found herself roaming the dark streets of Magic Town, searching out the only man who might understand enough to use his skill to help. Or he could turn her away, laughing the entire time. It was a risk that Meredith knew was incredibly possible.

After four nights spent searching for Malcolm, she had gotten her first real lead. A tall Voodoo vender had quietly told her that there was a Chinese herb shop hiring him to teach a niece. Meredith had paid handsomely for that little tidbit, but it had led her straight to Heavenly Herbs. Inside, a hunched man sat behind the counter. A warm, spicy scent filled the air, wrapping around shelves stocked high with jars of exotic plants and rare oriental stones. Glancing over his wares as she strolled up to the counter, Meredith watched the man remove a long pipe from his mouth. How may I help you? he asked in heavily accented English.

I’m told you hired Mr. Blackwood to tutor your niece in the occult, Meredith said, meeting the man’s dark sunken eyes. The little Chinese man flashed her an alligator grin and quickly replaced his pipe. After a dozen rounds of it’s none of your business, Meredith knew that she was being shut out.

She spotted an odd amulet hanging around the man’s neck. A deep green jade stone encircled by a golden frame. Meredith could make out the chaotic twists and loops detailing the frame and felt the corner of her lip turn up in a half smile. These were the type of trinkets normally kept out of sight, tucked under shirts, and for good reason. It was a powerful hiding charm. What this little old man was hiding from she didn’t know, but it must have been big. Either way, it wasn’t her problem.

Letting her natural power crackle between her fingers, she reached across the counter and grabbed the man’s shirt in her fist. Jerking him forward, Meredith snatched the deep green amulet. You’re going to take me to Mr. Malcolm Blackwood or I’m going to destroy your little toy, Meredith threatened, letting what power she could muster flash through her eyes.

It proved to be enough. Fear raced across the old man’s features. His eyes went wide and the pipe hung useless from his lips. The shopkeeper gave her a fearful nod and jerked his head towards a doorway she hoped led into the back. I take you, he said, and cautiously, Meredith released him.

She held out a hand, signaling for him to show the way. The little man scurried from behind the counter and pulled back a curtain leading deeper into his shop. With a bow of his head, he waved her to follow. Through the tight hallway, Meredith could see a ray of light spreading across the floor. It was escaping from under the door the man led her to. When Meredith saw him lift his hand to knock, she quickly stepped around him and opened the door herself. I’ll be damned if I give him any warning, she thought as she pushed the door open.

Inside, she found a scene she hadn’t been expecting. Malcolm, a healthy man in his mid-twenties, was sitting on a little cot. In front of him, a young Chinese woman was on her knees, her long dark hair fanned out over his thighs. The scramble to right themselves had started just seconds after the door had creaked opened.

Part of the lesson, Malcolm started to say as he jerked his jeans back together. Meredith would never know what his full explanation was going to be though, because the moment he turned his eyes up to see her he stopped dead. As the Chinese woman rushed to set her own clothing to rights, Malcolm stared at Meredith and Meredith stared right back. He hadn’t changed much in the past few years. Bright blue eyes were set against a handsome face, and a sprinkling of stubble dotted his sharp jaw line. Straight golden hair framed his face. The collective look would have most people thinking of