Page 4 of Once Upon a Curse for True Love
“Detective,” the hedgehog interjected, sounding like a disgruntled English professor despite being approximately six inches tall, “may I remind you that Miss Swan not only has no criminal record but is a recognized contributor to the very institution you represent?”
“Great.Now also the rodent has opinions on procedure.”Donatello pinched the bridge of his nose.
“I am a hedgehog, sir.Not a rodent.”The creature puffed its quills.“And I demand—”
“You don’t get todemandanything.”Donatello cut him off.“And we’re outta here.”
He clicked his tongue twice—sharp and impatient.
“You’re not herding livestock, Malatesta,” Sarah Michelle bristled.“And she’s been with me all evening.She couldn’t have killed anyone.”
“Your vouching means toad-crap right now, Callidora.”Donatello was losing patience.“Your roommate’s magical signature was traced at a crime scene involving a level-three dark magic homicide.Judge Templeton doesn’t sign midnight warrants for fun.”
“Then let me come with you.”Sarah Michelle’s tone shifted from confrontational to measured.“As a fellow SMPD detective—”
“Who’s technically off duty and emotionally invested,” Donatello interrupted.
“I still have the right to observe.”
Donatello stared at her.She wasn’t wrong.The department regulations allowed for it.But having Callidora breathe down his neck while he booked the blonde was the last thing he wanted.
“Fine,” he relented.“You can ride along to the station.But keep your theories to yourself.”
The ferret chittered excitedly and darted down Callidora’s arm.“Should I grab my coat?”
“No.”Donatello pointed at the creature.“No familiars.Department policy.”
“That’s not a policy,” Sarah Michelle argued.
“It’smypolicy.My backseat’s not a petting zoo.”
“Rude.”The ferret snickered.
Donatello ignored the comment and took Andromeda’s elbow, careful to keep his grip firm but not painful as he guided the witch toward the exit.Up close, she smelled like vanilla and something floral but earthy—lavender maybe.It was distracting.Shewas distracting, even in rumpled loungewear, and with that death glare she was directing at him.
“Is this necessary?”she asked, lifting her cuffed hands.
“Standard protocol,” he replied.“But they’re just dampening cuffs.You can still access your magic for basic self-defense if needed.”
“Oh, how thoughtful.”Her words dripped with sarcasm.“Do I get a complimentary cavity search too, or is that extra?”
“Don’t tempt me,” he muttered before he could stop himself, then regretted it when her eyes widened.
Better get this over with fast.He pushed the witch out of the house.
Sarah Michelle stopped behind them on the porch and raised her hands, whispering an incantation at the splintered ruins of the front door.Wood fragments floated upward, spinning and knitting together like a complex puzzle solving itself.Within seconds, the door stood intact again, faint fracture lines marking where it had been repaired.
“It’ll hold for now.”Sarah Michelle ran a hand over the seams.“But we’ll need to replace it.I’m sending the bill to SMPD.”
“Suit yourself.”He’d never admit it, but he hadn’t meant to cause so much damage.When he’d arrived at the address listed on the warrant and sensed the strength of the wards, his first thought had been that the suspect was barricaded inside, destroying evidence.Dark magic homicides were rare, and he’d been running on adrenaline since discovering the body four hours ago.
He guided his charge down the porch steps, past the glamour he’d cast to hide the scene from human eyes, to his department-issued black SUV parked at the curb.The night air was cool against his skin.Salem after dark pulsed with electricity—a hum of magic that throbbed underneath the quaint New England facade the town presented to tourists.Tonight, that current felt especially charged—oppressive and tight.
“Watch your head,” he warned as he helped Andromeda into the back seat.She shot him a withering glare but ducked without comment.The familiars had followed them outside, despite his orders.The hedgehog waddled across the sidewalk while the ferret darted around Sarah Michelle’s ankles.
“No,” Donatello repeated firmly, snapping his fingers.“Back inside.Now.”
“This is an outrage,” the pincushion huffed.“I demand to accompany my witch!”
