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The thought seemed absurd, and I couldn’t think of anyone who had anything to gain from such a thing. “Who the fuck would do that?”

“I’m about to find out.” He threw me a look over his shoulder as he headed toward a computer screen. “I originally installed his security system since he’s not great with tech.”

I couldn’t stop the hint of a smile at his remark. Because Colt’s way with electrics stretched about as far as the remote control. I wasn’t sure if his cellphone even had internet.

Zane’s dark brown eyes zeroed in on me expectantly. “I just got here. Do you have a rough timeline on when this happened? I’ll check the security footage.”

Trying to think back, I told him the approximate dates. My insides churned, knowing this could have been intentional. It didn’t make any sense.

Zane’s hands flew over the keyboard faster than I could follow. He knew his way around a computer. He went onto a screen that looked unfamiliar, typing in codes I couldn’t decipher. Moments later, up popped the security footage.

Three squares occupied the screen, each focused on a different area of the building. More rattling of the keyboard and the screen flipped to previous footage. He fast-forwarded through hours of nothing but Colt going about his daily grind.

Zane’s theory seemed so far-fetched. I struggled to believe it until, suddenly he froze the screen.

I narrowed my eyes. Something wasn’t sitting right in my gut. “What’s he doing?” I asked, even when Zane knew just as much as I did at this point. I focused on the footage where, frozen on the screen, was Colt, standing in front of the main switchboard. Arms folded, jaw tense, the image looked all kinds of wrong.

“I’m not sure,” said Zane warily.

I peered over his shoulder as he pushed play, and the screen moved to life again. Still, Colt remained in front of the switchboard, contemplating something. His head dipped to the side, his knuckles under his chin. When his hand reached out, landing on the switch, my eyes widened.

“What the fuck?” I stuck my nose as close to the screen as I could without it turning blurry. “Did he just do what I think he did?”

I stared at the screen, open-mouthed. Zane’s lips pressed into a thin line beside me. At that moment, the door to the building opened, and in walked Colt.

I saw fucking red.

“It was you!” Storming over, I shoved him in the chest, slamming him backwards into the wall. Instantly, vines from behind him climbed toward us, slithering along the wall with intent. Nearby, a tray full of pots crashed to the floor.

Colt’s earth magic on defense.

My hands collected fistfuls of his shirt, shoving him again. Every inch of my self-restraint shredded. How could he do this to me?

And more importantly, why?

His hands flew in the air, and lines etched deep into his forehead. “Did what? What is this?” He looked at me as if I were insane, his irises blown out, a dense green rimming his pupil — his magic no longer sitting dormant inside him but on high alert.

My own stirred within me, ready for release.

I got up in his face, not ready to back down. “It was you. You flicked the switch, you destroyed the botanical.” My jaw locked.

Every ounce of him turned to steel. “I would never do that. You know this.” He stared at me fiercely, not backing down.

I wouldn’t let him get away with this, because I’d seen the evidence with my own eyes.

I tightened my grip on him, shoving him again. “I fucking needed it. You knew that!” My blood seared through me like a live wire, my magic itching in my palms. “Why the fuck would you do that?”

Hands still in the air, his voice leveled. “I didn’t. I swear.”

“It’s on fucking camera!” I growled, searching him for the lie. Demanding the truth.

“It wasn’t me.” His attention darted over my shoulder, returning to find mine again. “I thought about it, but I didn’t do it. Check the footage again.”

I looked him square on. Saw nothing but honesty. My friend.

Quiet footsteps came from behind me, signaling Zane’s approach. “Someone did. It wasn’t a trip with the electrical.”

Colt stared me down. Not an ounce of resolve in his glare. “I swear on my mother’s life it wasn’t me.” I didn’t let go, didn’t blink as he continued. “I’ll be straight with you. I considered it… that this tonic was also suppressing your mate bond. I’d seen the way you and Scar look at each other, so I did some research.”