As Ken's family teased him and Jason prepared to leave, both Emily and Melanie walked to Jason's side and they made no moves to join the others.
"You two…" Jason looked at them with a wry smile when Melanie interrupted him.
"You just said let the adults handle it, well aren't I an adult too?" Melanie grabbed Jason's arm and spoke but frowned when she saw his confused face. "I am twenty-two … you haven't forgotten, have you?"
"You're really …? Huh, that's … interesting," mumbled Jason under his breath causing Melanie to pout. Her occasional bouts of immaturity and her appearance fooled him into thinking she was younger.
"I'm an adult too," Emily said as she held his other arm. "I'll join you too."
"As much as I'd love to have both you ladies in my arms, I'll have to decline," Jason ushered the two back to the others much to their dismay. "Melanie, you need to keep everyone safe, and Emily-"
"Right, I'll only slow you down," Emily finished quietly, her hand which was still grasping Jason's arm tightened, and unconsciously her nails began digging into his flesh.
Of course, there's no use for some useless Esper in this situation, She thought, the feeling of powerlessness crushing her chest. He just wants to keep me safe along with the others … and I can't do anything to help him. I'm just the damsel in distress that he saved.
Jason, who sensed the turmoil in her, raised a hand and placed it on her cheek, surprising Emily as she widened her eyes.
"I need you to look after Alice," Jason said quietly. "She needs mental support right now and she likes you more than everyone else."
Emily nodded absentmindedly as she closed her eyes and enjoyed the warmth flowing from his hand. She hoped this moment would last longer but Jason pulled away and patted her head.
"Besides, I trust you," he whispered in a low voice that only she could hear, causing her to blush as his musky scent entranced her. Jason leaned back and waved his hand as he walked away.
"Quite popular, isn't he?" Robert muttered before looking at Nikki apprehensively, fearing that she would find Jason attractive.
"As I recall, you were also quite popular too," Susan smiled as she wrapped her arms around his and hugged him with her chest enveloping it.
"True, well, you kids take care," Robert had a silly smile on his face before saying his goodbyes to the girls and winking at Ken. "Oh, and good luck, kid."
"This ... is awkward," Ken muttered after a moment of silence. He just realized that he was the only guy there and he couldn't help but shrink closer to the edge of the group.
"So… I'm going to take Alice to the merry-go-round. Coming, Michelle?" Emily took Alice's hand and walked off while giving Alina a knowing look.
"Oui," Michelle joined them as Nikki jogged after them.
"Hey, wait for me! I wanna ride the horses too!" Nikki lied as she ran off, only pausing to give Ken a smirk. Ken raised his hand and was about to call out but she had disappeared into the crowd.
"Don't look at me, I ain't running off," Asami caught Ken looking at her and replied quickly.
"So … uh, what's up?" Ken asked awkwardly as he looked around.
"Uh … well … wait. Where's Melanie?" Alina stuttered before realizing that Melanie was nowhere in sight.
"You don't think … ?" Asami and Alina exchanged dismayed glances before coming to the same conclusion.
***
Jason narrowed his eyes, his killing aura locked on Melanie who smiled back amorously. His eyebrows were slightly arched with anger as his mouth twitched.
"Didn't I say to keep an eye on the others? What are you doing here?" a chill radiated around Jason causing passersby to give them both some space as they circled around them.
"They decided to split up so I decided to come here," Melanie replied. "I didn't know you'd be here, honest!"
"Alice?" Jason asked.
"With Emily and Michelle," Melanie said. "Don't worry, we're too exposed at the moment. They'll make a move once we leave the carnival."
Jason grunted but didn't reply, his eyes were focused on a bench nearby where a man and woman were sitting and eating. The man was wearing a cap and the woman had a hoodie, both of which partially covered their faces.
"Your men?" Jason asked.
"You mean ours, right? And no, they're not Council cleaners," Melanie sighed as she answered, disappointed at Jason's question. It proved that he was still a lone wolf at heart, never trusting or relying on anyone. "What will you do with them?"
"Isn't that obvious?" Jason started walking towards them and Melanie watched him eagerly. As he passed a crowd, his features had changed. He now had a sunburnt, freckled complexion with a bald and beardless face.
Jason pulled a cigar and tried lighting it up with an antique lighter while facing the two spies. The faint clicking noise was hidden by the sound of the flint hitting the stone, and the sound of two light zips occurred soon after. A split second later, the two spies rubbed their exposed skin while looking around, assuming that they were bitten by an insect.
As Jason continued walking past them, he put the lighter away and tossed the cigar into a trash bin while Melanie reappeared next to him and latched onto his arm. His features slowly shifted back as Melanie watched him voraciously.
"Impressive," Melanie sighed with passion. "But what was that? Poison?"
"Hmm, my own brew," Jason nodded. "They'll have a stroke soon."
"Mmm… I really enjoy watching you work," Melanie purred.
"Then this time I'll watch you work," Jason said suggestively as he looked ahead, while slightly moved to head to indicate that they were being followed.
"Hmm, alright. But let's have some fun while I'm at it," Melanie said softly as she dragged Jason to the haunted house attraction, and the two spies also stalked their way into the haunted house in pursuit of them.
[1] I shit you not, these things exist: (https://www.amazon.ca/Crave-Vesper-Vibrator-Necklace-Silver/dp/B00PR3QK3G?th=1)