Page 4 of Her Dragon Outlaw

"Keep this on for at least an hour, but be sure to take it off before you go to bed. Don't want it to accidentally start cutting off circulation or something."

"Okay," I say with a nod.

"Now, we will need you to come in for a second injection tomorrow. And we'll have a check for a thousand dollars ready for you."

I blink at him in surprise.

"Is something wrong?"

I don't want to contradict him, but I also don't want to get in trouble for taking more than I should.

"The flier said half that."

"It's five hundred per injection, and it's a series of injections."

"Well, I'll be here tomorrow, then."

By the time I get home, the injection site feels pretty sore, but I'm not surprised. I rub the dull ache away.

Maybe I shouldn't go back.

It's just nerves, but the thought starts to take root. That is, until I check my laundry and see that my uniform is now stained. I'll definitely need the extra cash if I'm going to buy a new one and still afford groceries.

4

CODY

The forensic tech looks up at me through bleary, red eyes rimmed by thick, black glasses. “It’s been tampered with.” He shrugs as if that is the best he can do.

I shift my body unconsciously, crossing my arms over my chest. “Tampered with?”

“There’s shifter DNA in her system.”

I lean closer in case I misheard. My hearing has not been good since that shootout at the mall last year and my knee always aches when there is a demon nearby. “But she’s not a shifter, according to her family.”

“That’s what I mean.” The forensic tech, Caleb, pulls off his glasses and rubs his eyes. “Sorry, el jefe, I’ve been pulling all nights every few days. Is it okay if I skive off this once?”

I wave my hand, trying and failing not to be dismissive before I point to the screen. “Tell me more about this first.” I will get the info I need from Caleb and send him on his way. The kid works hard, but he parties harder.

“We found tiger shifter DNA in her system, but only in parts of her body.”

“Which parts?”

“Arm, ankle and, uh.” Caleb clicks through the lab report on the screen. “Buttcheek.” Caleb lets out a laugh, but his face drops when he sees my expression.

“A woman died, Caleb.”

“Sorry, sir. Won’t happen again, sir. Just a little delirious, I think.”

I reach out to clap the kid on his shoulder. I am a dragon shifter, not a monster. “Alright, get out of here. Take a couple of days to recoup.”

At that, I leave the lab, more confused than ever. This is not something I have come across in my time as a PEACE officer. Normally, working for the Paranormal Engagement, Action, Control Enforcement is rewarding to me, even as a dragon shifter.

There are those who say PEACE was created ten years ago to keep us all separate, but I don’t believe that is the case. I work alongside humans, just trying to keep order in our world that seems inclined toward the opposite.

After the Veil, the ancient magic that kept all the humans from realizing the paranormal creatures that walked among them, fell, it was chaos. I guess finding out your neighbor is an orc and your dentist is a witch was hard to swallow.

But I’ve always thrived on order so I was eager to join PEACE and help everyone see that we can live together. Even if it means fighting confusing cases like this.

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