Chapter 8
The next night, Friday, they went into town together, or, to be precise, the next town over, as the “town” right on the outskirts of FUCN’A barely counted as one with its single boutique, a pub, a diner, and a cafe.
Joline had worried that Ariel wouldn’t be able to obtain permission to go so far away from WANC, but, to her surprise, both Ariel’s counsellor and her assigned agents gave her permission for the outing—provided her ankle monitor was kept charged, of course.
Joline’s heart fluttered in her chest as she reached for Ariel’s hand.
The day had seemed achingly long after stargazing well past midnight together.
Joline’s heart went from fluttering to hammering as Ariel accepted her hand and they strolled down the bustling street—as much as a small mountain town could be bustling.
Other couples window-shopped and groups of friends meandered about, listening to some of the live musicians who’d set up outside bars.
Joline found she recognized most of the people around her.
Some she knew stayed at WANC, and others were townies she’d gotten to know from being on campus for almost two years.
The hot evening sun warmed her skin. She’d been spending so much time inside working on her classwork that she’d nearly forgotten how hot the summer was.
Ariel’s cheeks were flushed with the heat.
Joline wished she would’ve tied her wavy hair back.
With the humidity, it was turning into a frizzy mess.
Instead, she found herself raking her fingers through it as if that could somehow tame it.
“Ooh,” Ariel cooed as she brushed a bead of sweat from her forehead. “That store looks cute. Do you want to go in there?”
Joline nodded, glad to see Ariel was excited to look through the local stores and boutiques.
She’d seen that her fears of this being the most boring idea for an outing were unfounded.
Ariel seemed over the moon with every normal thing they did.
Knowing what Ariel had been through, Joline was glad that walking down a street holding hands could please Ariel with its simplicity.
Or maybe Ariel always enjoyed doing small things.
Either way, Joline was delighted. Some of her past romantic partners didn’t enjoy her idea of a fun date, plain activities like antiquing, or just lying outside to watch the clouds.
Joline had found herself internalizing that, thinking she was somehow boring and unlovable.
Maybe Ariel was right; Jolie wasn’t spending time with the right people.
Ariel seemed to enjoy her for just being her.
And she didn’t ask for anything different.
Joline watched Ariel’s face light up as they walked into the small shop.
Outfits filled racks and shiny jewelry hung from small stands on the tables that filled the cramped space.
You’d think it was Christmas morning the way Ariel glanced around.
She rubbed her fingers on soft fabrics, smiling at the way it felt under her fingers.
“You have to touch this,” she’d say, beaming at Joline.
When the jewelry caught her eye, Ariel seemed fascinated by the shiniest stones. “I forgot how much beauty is in the world,” she mumbled, spinning a small crystal pendant with her hands. She seemed mesmerized, watching the light bounce off the stone
“I can buy it for you, if you’d like,” Joline offered.
Ariel shook her head. “I’m not good with jewelry. I’d either lose it or break it.” She gave a weak grin. “I’d hate to do that to something you’d spent money on.” She set the necklace back on its rack. “I’m just happy to look.”
The next shop they explored was filled with candles.
Ariel and Joline took turns sharing scents they enjoyed or hated with each other.
They would erupt in a chorus of “mms” if it was an enjoyable smell or a fit of giggles over the faces they made if it was one they didn’t like.
They even debated a few they didn’t agree on.
Joline would have never thought you could have this much fun while shopping, especially considering they didn’t buy anything.
When they ran out of stores to wander through, they looped back to a diner. Ariel suddenly became quieter. She seemed preoccupied. Her smiles started seeming forced. Joline’s stomach was rumbling by the time they made it to the diner, so she assumed Ariel was just hungry.
They grabbed a booth by the windows to watch the light fade into night.
The days were still long but growing shorter as July marched on.
It reminded her that summer would soon be over.
It left her wondering how long Ariel would be staying at WANC.
Would things change between them if Ariel were cleared to leave for good?
Would she stay in the area or move on? Joline decided not to let her anxiety ruin the night.
After the waitress handed them their menus, Joline looked up to find Ariel lost in thought, staring out the window. “Are you okay?” she asked, wondering what could have changed the mood. Did she do something wrong? Joline didn’t think so.
“I think we’re being followed, but I’m not sure. Just act normal,” Ariel said as she picked up her menu.
Joline’s stomach buzzed as fear replaced her earlier hunger. A man passed their booth before taking a table in the far corner. She watched him over the top of her menu. “Is it the man in the jeans and black T-shirt?” she asked softly, not wanting to be overheard.
Ariel nodded. “I noticed him a few shops back. Either he also enjoys window shopping everywhere we went, or he’s intentionally following us.”
The sinking feeling in Joline’s stomach got worse.
While she had noticed the man, she assumed by chance they were visiting the same places.
And a few times, he didn’t follow them into a certain shop, but Joline had found the man looking at his phone while he sat on a nearby bench.
It seemed nothing concerning to Joline at the time, but now that Ariel brought it up, perhaps there was more than met the eye.
Plus, what were the odds the man would have been following them all day?
While it was a small town, it wasn’t that small.
Joline kicked herself for not making the connection to the potential danger earlier.
Normally she was more perceptive than this.
She thought back to any part of her training as a cadet that could be helpful. “Well, he’d be stupid to try anything while we’re in the diner. I say we eat as normal and work out a plan. I can’t think straight when I’m hungry.”
Ariel nodded. “I get that.”
Joline had a thought but wasn’t sure if she should ask, lest she offend Ariel. She decided, in their current situation, considering the mystery man, it was best addressed: “What if the agents you’re working with put a tail on you? Isn’t this your first time leaving WANC?”
She was pleased to see Ariel wasn’t offended.
Ariel seemed to genuinely consider the idea before shaking her head.
“I don’t think so. I still have my ankle monitor.
Why would they need to tail me? And if they did, I think Agent Stone and Agent Sparks would be the ones watching.
And I don’t think they’d hide it, at this point, if they were tailing me. ”
That gave Joline an idea. “Agent Stone is a professor!” When Ariel jumped, Joline realized she needed to keep her voice down.
“I can find his contact information on the academy’s website and reach out to him and let him know we might be in trouble.
” She knew she also had his contact information on the business card he gave her the other day, but that was inconveniently on her dresser in her dorm room.
“It’s worth a shot.” Ariel leaned forward. “What is the man doing? Can you watch him without making it look like you are?” Ariel sat in the booth seat opposite Joline, her back to the man, and Joline was able to get a good view of him while looking over Ariel’s shoulder.
Joline nodded, glancing at the man from over the top of her menu.
“He’s sipping a coffee, but he doesn’t have a book to read or anything.
What if he’s just waiting for someone?” She pretended she got a text and picked up her phone to search for Agent Stone’s cell number.
Most of the professors had their contact information posted in case a cadet needed help on an assignment.
She shot him a text briefly explaining the situation and their suspicions over the man in the corner.
Before he could respond, the waitress came back.
They both took turns placing their orders.
Joline hardly felt like eating at a time like this.
Her earlier hunger dried up in her stomach.
She swallowed the growing nausea that was fueled by anxiety.
If she were to be an agent one day, she’d have to handle moments like this.
As if on cue, her phone buzzed. It was Agent Stone: Stay where you are. Help is on the way.
Joline smiled and pretended to giggle before showing Ariel the message.
Hopefully the man across the diner would think she was simply sharing an enjoyable meme with her friend.
Ariel raised an eyebrow, maybe concerned Joline was losing her mind.
Joline said through nearly gritted teeth, “It’s a funny picture, right? ”
Understanding washed over Ariel’s face. She gave a short bark of laughter before smiling warmly. “It’s just like my mom.” She leaned in closer, adding with a whisper, “You’re doing great, don’t be so nervous.”
Joline nodded, remembering the type of work Ariel had been doing before she was apprehended.
The shrew shifter was probably used to being under pressure in situations like this.
While Ariel had been vague about her past, she had mentioned doing horrible things for Dr. Grimm.
Joline caught herself wondering what exactly happened. What did he ask of her?
As if reading Joline’s mind, Ariel softly explained, “I unfortunately have a lot of practice at acting normal while my inside is bunched in knots. You’ll make a good agent one day, even if you’re nervous now.
I’d be more concerned if you weren’t nervous.
” She added that sweet smile of hers. It made Joline feel all was right with the world, even if there was a potential henchman watching their every move from across the diner.
“What if he’s just an agent?” Joline asked, mindful to keep her voice down. She’d feel silly if Agent Stone came all the way across town for a false alarm.
Ariel’s brow crinkled, her freckles shifting with the movement. “Wouldn’t Agent Stone have said so when you mentioned it?”
Joline considered that for a moment. “What if they don’t want you to know?” She felt horrible saying that, but what if FUC didn’t want Ariel knowing she would be tailed on any excursions outside WANC?
“Hmm.” Ariel smiled as the waitress slid their drinks on the table. She thanked her, watching the waitress disappear back into the other tables. “I still think he would tell at least you.”
That sinking feeling in Joline’s stomach got worse.
Ariel had a point. Agent Stone could have told her they had an undercover and to play it off if that was the case.
Her mind was swimming. Joline was just a cadet.
She wasn’t anywhere near qualified to handle whatever this was.
If this was anything at all. She took a sip of water, hoping that keeping her hands busy would quell the rising anxiety.
Ariel put her hand over Joline’s after she put the glass back on the table.
A tingling sensation of comfort, understanding, longing, and warm fuzziness she couldn’t put a word to meandered up her arm before settling around her heart.
It was a sensation Joline hadn’t felt in some time.
She’d nearly given up on the idea of having another romantic relationship.
Ariel squeezed Joline’s hand before letting go.
The gesture seemed to say that they would get through this.
Joline felt herself smile despite the circumstances.
Joline was about to make a joke when she noticed Ariel tense.
The shrew shifter stared over Joline’s shoulder at the door to the diner.
Was she this afraid of Agent Stone? Joline didn’t think so.
It seemed that Ariel had a meeting with the agent weekly.
Joline was about to ask what was wrong when a man’s voice—definitely not Agent Stone’s—asked, “Mind if I sit here?”
Ariel’s golden skin paled. “Of course,” she said to the man, but to Joline, it was obvious that Ariel meant anything but.
Joline felt her muscles go rigid. Her skin prickled as if ready to let out her quills as a line of defense against the intruder.
She glanced out the window of the diner, hoping the Agent Stone would miraculously appear when they needed him the most. With the strange man pushing himself into the booth next to Joline, she had a sinking feeling the agents wouldn’t make it in time.