Page 67 of Once Upon a Curse for True Love
“Come in,” called a deep voice from within.
She pushed open the door to find Chief King seated at an immaculate desk, the sunlight from the windows behind him casting his face in shadow.
“Ah, Miss Swan, good morning.”King nodded, gesturing to the chair across from him.“Please, have a seat.”
Andromeda sat, crossing her legs at the ankles and folding her hands in her lap like a witch who’d never hexed a cop in her life.
“Chief King.”She matched his formal tone.“You wanted to see me?”
His gaze was analytical, assessing.“I did.”He opened a drawer and retrieved a manila folder stuffed with government paperwork.“First, your community service.With the Arcanet case closed, your obligation to the department has been fulfilled.”
He slid a document across the desk, along with a pen.
“This is your release.Once signed, your record will show the sentence as completed.”His tone was matter-of-fact.
She skimmed the document, more out of habit than suspicion.It was straightforward enough—her community service completed, her violation now officially resolved and her debt to society paid.Just as Donatello had predicted.
Andromeda signed on the dotted line.She should be relieved.No more being ordered around by detectives—well, not professionally, at least.No more mandatory hours at the SMPD.Freedom to return to her life as it was.
And yet.
Something cold and hollow expanded in her chest at the thought of never returning to that cramped tech lab, never again squabbling with Donatello over case details, never feeling that rush when they made a breakthrough together.She’d grown accustomed to their dynamic—the challenges, the banter, the partnership.
“Thank you.”She slid the signed document back across the desk.“Is that all?”
King didn’t respond right away.Instead, he studied her with that unnerving gaze that triggered guilt on principle.
“No, Miss Swan, there’s another matter I’d like to discuss.”He closed the release file and set it aside.“Your work on the Arcanet case was impressive.”
Andromeda blinked at the unexpected praise.“Thank you?”
King nodded.“The investigation highlighted how woefully behind SMPD’s technological capabilities are.We have excellent field agents, but few with your… specialized skills.”
If the Chief wanted to call hacking a “specialized skill,” she wasn’t about to correct him.But where was he going with this?
King got to the point.“The department is establishing a dedicated tech division—one that will focus on magical cybersecurity, digital forensics, and counter-measures against threats like what we saw with Arcanet.”
He paused, letting the implications sink in.“We need someone to head this division.Someone with comprehensive knowledge of the field, innovative thinking, and hands-on experience.”
Andromeda’s mouth went dry as she realized where this conversation was heading.“You’re offering me a job?”
“Yeah, Director of Magical Cybersecurity,” King confirmed.“Full benefits, competitive salary, and a team of junior analysts under your supervision.”
The words blurred together.Director of Magical Cybersecurity.Full benefits.Team of analysts.Was this real?Had she stumbled into an alternate dimension where her questionable past was a qualification rather than a liability?
Warmth bloomed in her chest.A legitimate job.A team.Stability.After years of freelancing, hunting for clients, and wondering where her next paycheck would come from, the prospect was intoxicating.And not any job—one that would use her skills, challenge her, give her purpose.And she’d be working with Donatello and Sarah Michelle.Once they recovered, of course.But still—seeing Donatello every morning, collaborating on cases, maybe stealing kisses in the evidence room… Her stomach gave a small, happy flip.
Andromeda smiled big.She was about to accept the position on the spot when something shifted in King’s expression, and the pleasant bubble of fantasy burst as quickly as it had formed.
“Before you give me your answer.”The chief kept his tone neutral.“You should know that SMPD has a strict non-fraternization policy,” he said.“Romantic relationships within the department are prohibited.”
The words sliced through her excitement like a cold scalpel.Andromeda’s face burned.Was she that transparent?Or was King that observant?It didn’t matter.What mattered was that he’d presented her with an impossible choice: the career opportunity of a lifetime or the man she’d somehow, against all odds and common sense, fallen for.
The job would give her everything she’d ever wanted professionally—stability, recognition, purpose, and a chance to use her skills for something meaningful.But Donatello… he’d burrowed his way into her heart with his stubborn intensity, his unexpected tenderness, his irritating ability to pierce her defenses.The idea of giving that up made her physically ache.
“I see,” she managed, her voice steady despite the storm raging inside her.She almost laughed at the cosmic joke of it all.Of course, there was a catch.There always was.
“I understand this is a difficult position to put you in,” King said, studying her reaction.“And I don’t need an answer today.Take some time, think it over.The offer will remain open for a week.”
