Before she could reach her designated area, they were stopped by security. Two guards stepped forward, their faces stern but professional.
"Standard procedure, my lady," one of them said, gesturing for her to stand aside.
JJ nodded, her pulse quickening as the guards approached. Her mind raced. The spider—the one she had been so careful to hide—was still in her pouch. She had felt its weight against her leg just minutes ago. What if they find it? Her heart pounded in her chest. The Black Bulls had their claws in her, and if the spider was discovered, it could mean more than just suspicion. It could mean everything she'd worked to hide would be unraveled.
The guard began his search, his hands moving methodically, first patting down her cloak, then moving to her pouches. He pulled out the water flask, gave it a cursory glance, and placed it back without a second thought. JJ's stomach twisted as he moved to the next pouch—the one where she had hidden the spider.
