Page 27 of Paws and Claws (Saltwater Grove Romances #4)

27

TABITHA

C rouching behind some shipping containers, Tabitha gathered her wild magic, letting it build until it felt like champagne bubbles under her skin. The warehouse loomed before them, all rusty metal and broken windows. Perfect for some magical mayhem.

"Ready when you are," Dominic murmured, his voice low and authoritative. God, that shouldn't be so hot.

Tabitha reached out with her magic, visualizing exactly what she wanted. The air shimmered as multiple ghostly figures appeared - translucent shapes that looked like prowling wolves and mountain lions. Her wild magic gave them an eerie purple glow.

"Show off," Dominic muttered, but she caught his impressed smile.

He lifted his hand, giving the signal to Martinez and Connor's teams. In the darkness, Tabitha could just make out their shapes moving into position - Martinez's group sliding toward the loading dock while Connor led his team to the side entrance.

Her illusory creatures prowled the perimeter, drawing the attention of the Hunters. One of them actually yelped when a spectral wolf passed through him.

He grabbed her hand, his grip firm but gentle. "Just be careful in there.

"Aw, you're worried about me." She squeezed his hand back. "Don't worry. I've got your back if you've got mine."

"Always," he promised, and the intensity in that single word made her almost forget how to breathe.

Tabitha burst through the warehouse's main doors alongside Dominic, her wild magic sparkling around her. The Hunters scattered across the concrete floor spun to face them, Bruce's face twisting with rage.

"On the ground! You're all under arrest!" Dominic's voice boomed through the space, commanding and powerful.

Bruce sneered, pulling out what looked like a silver remote. "I don't think so." He pressed a button, and a high-pitched whine filled the air.

Dominic dropped to one knee, his shift into lion form halting mid-transformation as he clutched his ears. Around them, other shifter officers stumbled.

"That's the HF-1000," Tabitha called out. "Take it out!"

She flung her magic toward Bruce, but Reynolds stepped forward with another device. The air rippled and her magic scattered like marbles on concrete.

"Magic Disruptor," she growled. "Cute toy."

Her witch friends spread out, flinging spells that sparked and fizzled against the disruption field. One of the Hunters raised what looked like a souped-up taser, aiming at Martinez.

"Duck!" Tabitha shouted. The X-Taser crackled through the air where Martinez's head had been moments before.

Through it all, Dominic fought through the sonic assault. His muscles bunched and shifted, bones cracking as he forced his transformation. The massive golden lion that emerged roared loud enough to shake dust from the rafters.

"Show off," Tabitha muttered, grinning despite herself.

She gathered her wild magic, letting it build until it practically sang beneath her skin. The Magic Disruptor might scatter direct attacks, but her particular brand of chaos had always played by its own rules.

"Hey Bruce!" She called out. "Catch!"

She released her magic, not in an attack, but in a wave that turned the concrete floor under the Hunters' feet into something with the consistency of jello. As they stumbled and slipped, Dominic pounced, taking down three Hunters in one leap.

"That's my lion," Tabitha whispered.

Tabitha watched the Hunters scrambling against the jello-like floor and their binding spells. Her lips curved into a satisfied smirk - serves them right for thinking they could take down paranormals so easily.

A flash of movement caught her eye. Bruce raised an X-Taser, aiming directly at Dominic's massive lion form. The weapon discharged with a sharp crack, the bolt grazing Dominic's golden flank.

Her heart stopped as Dominic's muscles seized, his massive body going rigid. The partial hit had still packed enough voltage to stun him.

"Dominic!" She flung herself between him and the advancing Hunters, her wild magic sparking violet around her fingers. "Back off, unless you want to see what chaos magic can really do."

Bruce's lip curled. "Protecting your boyfriend, little witch?"

"Better than being a traitor to your own department." Her magic swirled around her like a tornado. "Though I guess that's on brand for you."

She caught movement in her peripheral vision - Reynolds trying to circle around toward Dominic. Without looking, she snapped her fingers. The concrete under Reynolds' feet turned to quicksand, trapping him up to his knees.

"I said back off." Her voice held enough edge to make even Bruce hesitate.

Behind her, she heard Dominic's low growl returning. Good. He was recovering. She just needed to keep them busy for a few more seconds.

Bruce raised the X-Taser again. "You're outnumbered."

"Maybe." Tabitha grinned. "But I'm way more creative."

She released her built-up magic in a wave that sent Bruce flying backward. He slammed into a stack of crates with a satisfying crash.

Dominic's massive form surged past her, fully recovered, and seriously pissed off. His roar shook the walls as he bounded toward Bruce.

"Save some for me!" Tabitha called, running after him.

Together they cornered Bruce, who was struggling to his feet. Dominic's massive paw knocked the X-Taser away while Tabitha's magic wrapped around Bruce like purple chains, binding him tight.

"That's for trying to frame my lion," she muttered, then caught herself. When had she started thinking of Dominic as hers?

Bruce thrashed against her magical restraints. "This isn't over!"

"Actually," Dominic growled, shifting partially back so he could speak, "I think it is."

Tabitha's wild magic sparkled around Bruce like violet chains, holding him firmly against the concrete floor. His attempts to break free only made her magic constrict tighter, drawing a satisfied smirk from her lips.

"How does it feel to be on the receiving end of someone else's trap?" She crouched beside him, enjoying his frustrated growl.

Dominic's commanding voice carried across the warehouse. "All units, we need backup and transport vehicles at the south warehouse on Industrial Drive." He stalked through the space, his presence radiating authority. "We have multiple suspects in custody."

Tabitha watched in amazement as Officer Chen high-fived her witch friend Luna, their earlier mistrust forgotten in the wake of victory. "That lightning bolt you threw? Totally badass."

"Right back at you with that tackle," Luna grinned. "Didn't know cops could move that fast."

Connor joined them, sporting a nasty bruise but smiling. "Hey, next time you witches want to cause some trouble, maybe give us a heads up first?"

"Look at that," Tabitha nudged Dominic as he approached. "Your rule-following officers are making friends with my delinquent crowd. The world must be ending."

His green eyes sparkled with amusement. "Maybe we all learned something about not judging too quickly." His hand settled on her lower back, warm and possessive.

Police sirens wailed in the distance as backup approached. Around them, officers and witches worked together to secure the scene, trading compliments and jokes like old friends. Tabitha's heart swelled at the sight. Who knew it would take fighting against anti-paranormal bigots to bring everyone together in Saltwater Grove?

"Your wild magic was impressive again tonight," Dominic murmured, his voice pitched low for her ears only. "I've never seen anyone control chaos quite like you."

"Was that actually praise?" She placed a hand over her heart in mock shock. "Now I really know the world's ending."

He pulled her closer, his touch sending delicious shivers through her whole body. "I can think of better things to do with that smart mouth of yours."

"Promise?" she whispered, just as the backup units began flooding into the warehouse.

Tabitha's motorcycle soon roared through the quiet streets of Saltwater Grove, Dominic's strong arms wrapped around her waist. The night air was charged with the thrill of victory and something electric between them that made her skin tingle more than her wild magic ever had.

Before long, she pulled into his driveway, cutting the engine.

"Come in?" he asked, his eyes intense.

"Since you asked so nicely," she teased, shooting him a playful smile.

The porch light cast a warm glow over his features as he held the door open for her. Tabitha sauntered past him, catching the way his gaze followed her movement. The living room still had that sparse, barely-lived-in feel, but somehow it felt more welcoming now.

"Want some coffee?"

"After the night we've had? I think we need something stronger." She dropped onto his couch, kicking off her boots.

He returned with two glasses of whiskey, settling beside her close enough that their thighs touched. The heat of him radiated through her jeans.

"I really need to thank you," she said, taking a sip. The whiskey burned pleasantly. "For believing in me when everyone else thought I was guilty. For trusting me to help you with the investigation."

"You proved yourself more than capable." His voice rumbled low, sending a shiver through her. "I'm glad I listened to my instincts about you."

"Your instincts, huh?" She raised an eyebrow. "And what are they telling you now?"

He set his glass down, turning to face her fully. "They're telling me to ask you to the Midsummer Shifter Jousts tomorrow."

Tabitha nearly choked on her whiskey. "Sheriff Blackmane, are you actually suggesting something fun? Where did my favorite killjoy go?"

"Your favorite, huh?" His lips curved into a predatory smile that made her heart beat faster. "And here I thought I was just the bane of your existence."

"Well," she drawled, setting her own glass aside. "Maybe you've grown on me."

His laugh was rich and deep. "So, is that a yes to tomorrow?"

"Depends." She shifted closer, enjoying the way his eyes darkened. "Will you arrest me if I misbehave?"

"Tabitha." The way he said her name, low and warning, sent heat pooling in her belly.

"Yes, Dominic?" She batted her eyes innocently.

"You're really playing with fire."

Tabitha suddenly rose from the couch. "I should head home," she said, trying to keep her voice light despite the electricity crackling between them. "Big day tomorrow at the jousts."

"Stay." The single word rumbled from his chest, pure alpha male command that made her magic spark.

"Now who's being the troublemaker?" She gathered her jacket, fighting the urge to crawl right back onto that couch. "We agreed to keep things professional until this case wraps up."

"Since when do you follow the rules?" His lips curved into that dangerous smile that made her knees weak.

"Since I actually care about the outcome." She headed for the door before she could change her mind.