by J. R. White
Malcolm stepped forward, placing himself between his brother and his lover. Whether to protect Meredith or Joshua, he wasn't sure, but it was past time to end this fight. "Neither she nor her family owe the Blackwood name a thing. I alone helped Meredith, and if it weren't for her, our family would have been in danger as well."
Joshua turned to look at Malcolm again. His brother’s eyes had taken on the angry glare that Malcolm had grown accustomed to through their childhood years together. Joshua lifted his chin and said, "You are and forever have been a Blackwood. Your aid is the family aid, Malcolm. Your actions are our actions. But when you finally do something that the family can benefit from, you act like it was all you."
Rage boiled up and Malcolm fisted his hand to stop his magic from surging to his palm. Between gritted teeth, he said, "I claimed everything else as my own and I won't let you treat Meredith or any other Blackburn like they owe you something."
Meredith cleared her throat behind Malcolm, a sign that he was pushing an argument she wasn’t really meant to hear. His brother, however, took this as a sign to push even harder. “Does she have you whipped already? For once I thought you’d done something to help this family. Having the Blackburns under our thumb would be nice, but maybe you’re turning your back on your own blood.”
“That’s a damned lie, Josh. The only reason I left was to keep my actions from ruining the family name,” Malcolm hissed.
Pointing behind Malcolm, Joshua countered, “And now you’ve gone off and played lover boy to a Blackburn.”
The vile poison dripping from Meredith’s name was enough to push Malcolm over the edge. Pulling back his fist, he let his magic take shape and punched his brother’s jaw. “You need to shut up, already,” he said, as the magic burst against Joshua’s face.
Joshua stumbled back, a shocked look in his eyes. It was a satisfying sight, but Malcolm knew it wouldn’t last long. His brother quickly slung a fist back at him.
Dodging the punch, Malcolm still took the hit against his shoulder. The electric magic in the hit made his arm convulse. Swinging his good arm out, he planted the heel of his hand into Joshua’s side and let a burst of magic throw his brother back.
Malcolm watched his brother fall to the smooth floor and took several steps towards him. Joshua brought his hands out, palms flat, and threw a blast of magic at him. The energy hit Malcolm hard and pushed him back towards the large front doors.
Prepared to toss a lightning bolt of metaphysical hate at his brother, Malcolm pulled his hand back and readied his attack. Just as he was about to sling the magic Meredith stepped into view, blocking him from Joshua.
“Enough,” Meredith said sternly. Her voice was echoed by a deep undertone of authority.
A blast of wind dispelled Malcolm’s attack, and he realized it wasn’t just Meredith stepping up to stop the fight. Glancing up at the staircase, he saw his father staring back at him. When his eyes caught his father’s, the head of their family turned his attention to Joshua with the same hard glare.
Stepping down off the stairs, his father shot both of them another sneer and then held his hand out to Meredith. His features softened and he smiled at her as she put her small hand into his. “A pleasure to see you again, Miss Blackburn. Thank you for coming today.”
Malcolm saw relief on Meredith’s face. She must have been uncomfortable watching him and his brother fight. Now that his father had put a stop to that, she was more at ease and her casual business face had snapped into place. Smiling up at the head of his family, she said, "Mr. Blackwood, nice to see you again. Thank you for the invitation."
Glancing over to watch his brother climb back to his feet, Malcolm suppressed the childish urge to gloat that at least he hadn’t ended up on the floor. Their father, meanwhile was being completely civil with Meredith, a small favor Malcolm was grateful for. Showing nothing but his Blackwood charm to her, his father said, "Seeing as our families have recently been the target of attacks, I felt it only right to speak with you."
The look in Meredith’s eyes as she returned the charm brought on the reality that she was the head of her family for a reason. She faced his father with all the confidence due to the matriarch of the Blackburn family. "I couldn't agree more."
“Let me apologize for my sons,” his father said, and Malcolm understood at once that it meant his father was about to reprimand them for their behavior. The head of their family was never one to shy away from scolding them in front of guests.
Why should that change now that we’re grown?
First, their father turned to Joshua. "I believe Miss Blackburn was invited here by the head of this family, and last I checked ,that is still a job firmly in my hands."
It was plain that Father expected better from Joshua. Even if the disrespect had been directed toward a Blackburn, he expected more. Though Malcolm had to pause at the scolding. He’d never heard their father remind Joshua so harshly who was in charge before.
A simple glance at Joshua casually straightening his shirt made it clear to Malcolm that his brother had heard it before. Lifting his chin, Joshua explained, “Father, Malcolm was not invited here and as far as I’m concerned shouldn’t be allowed in the main house after the way he’s acted.”
He’s challenging Father? Over this? Malcolm couldn’t believe it. Joshua, the respectful brother, was pushing the issue. Their father was quick to answer, “I believe that is another thing the head of our family should dictate, Joshua. Malcolm has never been blocked from this house and will not be for the foreseeable future.”
Malcolm was a little shocked by that. His father hadn’t kicked him out of the house, but it had been at his suggestion that Malcolm moved out. Swallowing the emotional lump in his throat and taking advantage of Joshua’s silence, he said, “Thank you, Father.”
Meredith, standing at their father’s side, was still quiet, but offered Malcolm a small smile. She was all business except for that little lift of her lips. Malcolm dared not return the gesture, worried that Joshua would make another snide comment. Instead he gave his attention fully to his father.
When the head of the Blackwood family looked at most people, they shriveled under his stare, but the hurt anger simmering in his father’s eyes wasn’t for Malcolm. That much at least was clear. “You should find another way to disagree with each other. That is all I have to say on this matter, for now.”
Then, with his children scolded, Calvin Blackwood turned to Meredith with a smile. "This way, Miss Blackburn. We can speak in my study," he said, extending his hand down the large hallway passed the stairs.
Meredith glanced back at Malcolm for only an instant before stepping up to follow the older man. "Please lead the way, Mr. Blackwood."
Malcolm couldn’t hide the worry he felt letting Meredith walk away with his father. The families had never really gotten along. There had been times, in the distant past, when they’d worked together for one reason or another, but they always returned to the petty feud. As she vanished down the hallway, he had to remind himself that as the head of her own family, Meredith was more than equipped to have a meeting with the old man.
Joshua caught his attention with a huff. Before Malcolm could think of something to say to his brother, he was already marching off. It was for the best. It would have likely led to another argument.
Feeling unwelcome, Malcolm walked over to the stairs and dropped down to sit on the steps. “Darrel, if you don’t mind I’ll just stay here and wait for Meredith and Father to finish talking.”
Darrel, who had stayed near the entrance the entire time, turned and bowed his head. “Very good. Would you like me to find you something to drink? I believe a fresh batch of apple cider was just made.”
“That sounds perfect. Thank you.”
Before turning and heading off to the kitchen, Darrel politely asked, “Will you be staying after the lady departs?”
The look on the attendant’s face was passive and indifferent, but Malcolm knew his answer could chang
e the man’s entire day. Shaking his head, he said, “No, Darrel. I think I’ll wait until Mother returns from her trip to visit again.”
Darrel’s face remained the same, but Malcolm could see a spark in the man’s eyes that hadn’t been there before. “She’ll be very pleased to see you, Sir.” Then the attendant was gone, leaving Malcolm to wonder if his mother had been throwing fits about her son never coming to visit. It wasn’t unlikely.
Letting out a little chuckle, Malcolm settled against the steps as comfortably as he could and prepared himself for the wait.
Just as he leaned back on his elbow a loud crash and a yell for help echoed from the hallway Joshua had disappeared down. On high alert and going on instinct, Malcolm leaped up and ran toward the commotion.
Chapter Three
As Malcolm raced down the hallway it was easy to see the open doors of the small family library. “Thief!” Joshua yelled. Hearing that, Malcolm realized it hadn’t been a yell for help his brother had shouted earlier. After the encounter at the Lacuna Library, he was more than ready to put a stop to any more thieving. Just as he was about to reach the door, someone came barreling out of the room.
Changing direction, Malcolm charged forward and tried to tackle the intruder. The mystery man dodged with a flourish of his long black coat and Malcolm nearly hit the wall.
Joshua burst out of the small library and charged after the man. “He stole a book. Catch him!”
Malcolm pulled a U-turn and raced after them. The thief flashed from one side of the hall to the other when Joshua got close. Malcolm could just make out the red sparks that flared from the edges of the man’s coat.
The light of the foyer bled into the hall and suddenly the man popped out of sight. Malcolm and Joshua ran to a skittering stop in the entrance hall. “Where did he go?” Joshua asked, looking around the area wildly.
“He transported away. What did he steal?” Malcolm asked, pushing out his magic to search for any metaphysical residue.
Even though they’d fought, Joshua was quick to answer, “It was the book of binding spells.” The urgency was well defined in his voice and at once Malcolm knew what to do.
Nodding, Malcolm added the familiar tug of the stolen book to his search. It wasn’t hard to find the pulsing magic left behind by the thief and the pull of the tracking spell on the book. “Okay. I found a trail.”
Clamping a hand down on Malcolm’s shoulder, Joshua sounded confident and determined. “Right. You track and I’ll transport.” In a blink they were standing somewhere different.
Letting out a strained breath, Malcolm immediately started searching for the family link to the book and the fading red mist of the thief’s teleporting spell. When he felt the familiar tingle, he nodded and said, “Right.”
Again they flashed into being in another place. A musty scent filled the air and Malcolm was almost blinded by the thick curtain of dust that had been disturbed. “Where?” Joshua asked, letting out a rough cough.
Stretching out his magical fingers, Malcolm blocked out the annoyances and focused on tracking. The red tint stood out in glaring contrast to the gloomy room and he said, “Go.”
This continued for a while, Malcolm tracking down and latching onto the trail and then Joshua letting Malcolm’s directional intent guide an immediate transportation spell.
Malcolm didn’t have time to think about how much he envied his brother’s superior mastery over traveling spells. While he needed tools, like the candlelight, all Joshua needed was strong intent with a clear picture and he’d pop to where ever he wanted.
Still, popping from place to place was no easy task. While Joshua was very skilled, even he couldn’t keep traveling like this. It was taking a toll on Malcolm’s tracking too. Each phase from one place to another meant a lost moment needed to reorient.
The trail was starting to cool. The thief was pulling away from them. At some point the tell-tale red mist vanished altogether and Malcolm had to rely on the link with the book. After two more leaps even that seemed to disappear.
They ended up in the middle of a green park, hidden from sight behind full leafy bushes. “Where to?” Joshua asked after a long moment of silence.
Shaking his head, Malcolm stepped away from his brother and followed a pull that lead him to the stolen book discarded on the ground. “Nowhere. He got away,” he answered, holding the book up.
“At least we found the book,” Joshua said, glancing around.
While his brother tried to figure out where they were and where the thief could have gone, Malcolm flipped open the book and searched its pages. When he found the cut paper sticking up from the binding, he cursed. “Joshua, he took a spell.”
Suddenly, Joshua was standing beside him. “There’s a page missing? Can you track it?”
Running his fingers along the clean cuts, Malcolm shook his head. “No. It was cut out with an enchanted blade. It’s completely removed from the book now. Do you know what spell it was?”
Joshua took the book from Malcolm’s hands and flipped back and forth between the pages. “I believe it was an anchoring spell, but who would break in just for that?”
Taking a moment to let the cool breeze wash over him, Malcolm tried to consider it. Everything was already complicated, but now it had taken a turn to involve the Blackwood family. The red mist that had trailed after the thief felt and looked the same as the mist at the Lacuna Library. While it was true there were lots of spells that had that look, he had a hard time believing it was just coincidence. The magic had not only looked the same, it had felt the same.
Turning back to his brother, Malcolm said, “I don’t know, but let’s get back to the house. You can explain it all to Father. I want to stay with Meredith. Whoever we chased was at the library yesterday too. They might target her collection as well.”
“Right,” Joshua said and snapped the book closed. In the next instance he put his hand on Malcolm’s shoulder again and they were standing in the mansion. “You go play lover boy. I’m going to take care of this.” Spinning on his heel, he had clearly cut Malcolm out of the equation.
Left alone in the foyer again, Malcolm watched his brother march off. He supposed Joshua wanted to make him feel guilty for not staying with the family. Family loyalty meant a lot to Malcolm, but it had already been made clear that the family could handle business without him.
“Sir, will you still be leaving with Miss Blackburn?” Darrel asked, stepping up beside Malcolm.
Looking at the attendant, who held out a glass of apple cider, Malcolm smiled. He took the drink and nodded. “I’ll still visit once Mother gets home. I promise.”
Darrel returned the smile and gave a respectful bow of his head. “That’s good, Sir.”
Malcolm couldn’t help the warm feeling of comfort the attendant’s reactions caused. Darrel always seemed to be the one person in the mansion that made him feel like his choices were really his choices and not black marks against the family.
Taking a sip of the tasty apple cider, Malcolm waited for Meredith to emerge from his father’s study.
****
The hallway wasn’t a hallway for long. Following after Mr. Blackwood, Meredith watched magic twist the walls into something different. The floor curved and soon widened out. Before she knew it they had walked into a sprawling green field. A large desk sat under the shade of an oak tree in the distance and she could just make out several scattered bookshelves through the area. It was just magic and she should have been used to it, but the transformation had been so smooth that she was in awe of it.
Seeing her staring at the greenery, Mr. Blackwood explained, "At early ages my sons began trying to break into my study. Because of this I had to begin moving from place to place. There were already several traps and wards in place, but they were no match for those two."
Mr. Blackwood clasped his hands behind his back and started strolling through the field. Following alongside him, Meredith said, "That makes sense. I don't know of Joshua's skills
firsthand, but Malcolm is quite capable at breaking and entering."
Meredith didn’t really think about the comment before it came out, but if this visit was about her and Malcolm’s tromp through the library it was best to get it out of the way. Apparently Mr. Blackwood felt the same way. "Which brings us to one reason I asked you here. I got a message from the Lacuna Library. It seems my son made an appearance there last night."
Flicking her fingernails together, Meredith tried to figure out why the library hadn’t contacted her. To Mr. Blackwood, she said, "I figured they wouldn't miss that. Look, Mr. Blackwood, I’ve…”
Cutting her explanation short, the Blackwood head said, "Meredith, you've always shown me respect and now that we're on even footing I insist that you call me Calvin.”
The man gave her just enough time to nod in appreciation before heading straight into business. “Thankfully they're not looking to punish him. However, they have issued an order. It seems someone else traveled into the library not long after Malcolm and stole a number of items. Along with the return of the books Malcolm took I am to investigate this other intruder." Not hearing her own name mentioned in there anywhere, Meredith felt a ping of worry. "Don't worry, Meredith. I expect you'll have the same message waiting for you as well as they also know of your involvement."
A wave of relief washed over Meredith, but a slight dread about returning home started to take root. There really was only one person she could blame for this. "That son of yours can be very persuasive, Calvin."
Calvin chuckled whole heartedly. “Yes. Yes, he can, but on to the other reason for your visit. Meredith, I am terribly sorry for the loss of your grandmother and may your ascent to the head of your family be blessed."
Now that was something Meredith had been expecting. For the last eight months it was always one of the first things a member of the magical community said to her. It was just polite and she was a little surprised Mr. Blackwood hadn’t sent condolences already. Still, better late than never. "Thank you. Though I'm afraid things haven't been going very smoothly,” Meredith admitted, tucking her hands into her jacket pockets.
