Page 14 of Paws and Claws

"I already told you. Sheriff Blackmane's been removed from this investigation." Bruce leaned forward, his breath hot against her face. "Now tell me about the transformers you blew up last night."

"For the last time, I didn't blow up anything." Tabitha shifted in her seat, the cuffs clanking against the chair. "Unless you count that time I accidentally microwaved tinfoil in college."

Bruce slapped a photo onto the table. "This was taken at 9:47 PM last night."

Tabitha's stomach dropped. The grainy security camera image showed a motorcycle identical to hers. The rider wore a black helmet, but unmistakable purple hair streamed out behind them.

"That's..." She swallowed hard. "That's not me. I mean, yeah, that's my bike, but I was nowhere near there. I went to The Hex, drove around a bit, hit up the grocery store for some Ben & Jerry's, and went home to wallow in my artistic failures."

"Pretty convenient story."

"Pretty true story." Her wild magic sparked, making the lights flicker. "Look, someone's obviously trying to frame me. And doing a pretty decent job of it, I'll give them that. But I swear, it wasn't me."

"Your magic signature was all over the scene."

"Wild magic isn't exactly subtle." She leaned forward. "But it's also not exactly rare. There are at least three other wild magic users in town."

Bruce suddenly slapped down more photos, spreading them across the metal table. Tabitha's stomach churned as she lookedat each one. The same motorcycle, the same helmet, the same purple hair streaming behind the rider.

"That's my bike, but it's not me." Her wild magic crackled, responding to her growing anxiety. The fluorescent lights above flickered, casting strange shadows across Bruce's face.

"Sure it's not." He planted his hands on the table, looming over her. His coffee-soured breath made her wrinkle her nose. "Just like it wasn't you speeding last week or blasting music at 1 AM."

"Hey, I owned up to all of those." Tabitha shifted uncomfortably in her seat, the cuffs biting into her wrists. "And none of those things hurt anyone. This?" She nodded toward the photos. "This is different."

Bruce circled behind her chair. "You're nothing but trouble, Moon. Everyone knows it. No one's going to be surprised when they find out you've graduated from petty crimes to endangering lives."

"That's not-"

"Shut up!" His fist slammed the table inches from her. "You witches think you can do whatever you want. Think your magic makes you special."

Tabitha's wild magic surged, making one of the overhead lights pop. Usually, she'd have a snappy comeback ready, but something in his tone made her blood run cold. This wasn't like Dominic's lectures about following the rules. This was pure hatred.

She tried to keep her voice steady. "I want to talk to Sheriff Blackmane."

"What's wrong? Can't handle a real sheriff?" Bruce grabbed her shoulder, his fingers digging in painfully. "One who sees you for what you really are?"

"And what's that?"

"Just another worthless witch who needs to be put in her place."

Tabitha's magic sparked again, stronger this time. The temperature in the room dropped several degrees. For once, Tabitha couldn't find her voice. Bruce's hatred hung thick in the air, suffocating her usual quick wit.

Suddenly, the door burst open with enough force to rattle the two-way mirror. Dominic filled the doorframe, his broad shoulders tense and his green eyes blazing. His dark hair was slightly disheveled, as if he'd run to get here.

"What the hell do you think you're doing, Meyers?" His voice was charged with a powerful authority that made even Tabitha's rebellious spirit snap to attention.

"Conducting an interrogation." Bruce's fingers dug deeper into Tabitha's shoulder. "Which you're interrupting."

"Take your hands off her." Dominic's words came out as a low growl that sent shivers through her body. Not the usual annoyed-sheriff kind of growl she was used to hearing from him. This was pure protective alpha male, and it did funny things to her insides.

"She's our prime suspect-"

"Based on what?" Dominic stalked into the room. "A few grainy photos that could be anyone with purple hair? Release her. Now."

Tabitha watched in fascination as the two men squared off. She'd spent so much time seeing Dominic as the uptight killjoy who ruined her fun that she kept forgetting he was also a lion shifter - and right now, that predator was showing through his carefully maintained professional exterior.

"You're too soft on these witches, Blackmane." Bruce's grip finally loosened. "Someone needs to show them their place."

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