Page 137 of Tamiko and the Two Janitors
Gingko, who seemed to have surrendered half his chair toJacques, said, “If no one else wants it,I’llbe his go-between.”
Hisoka’s eyebrows lifted, and he inclined his head.“Principal Tamiko Reaverson, Landmark Elementary. I didn’t realize we share anacquaintance.”
“It’s a long story.” Tami wasn’t even sure where to begin,so she simply said, “It has a happy ending.”
Argent Mettlebright waved lazily at them. “These Americansappear to be what my lady would call … an answer to prayer.”
FORTY-FOUR
Disarming
Melissa found the next few daysanticlimactic. Everyone else had grandness to scheme and destinies to fulfill,leaving her to fill drink orders and pull double shifts. Doon-wen hovered withenough menace to keep Jiminy at bay, and Rook confined himself to sympatheticlooks and fleeting touches. They seemed to be giving her space, but she didn’tcare for the isolation.
Restless and dissatisfied, she reviewed her options andreluctantly selected the most efficient path to enlightenment.
She called her father.
Twenty minutes later, Melissa knocked on the door toJiminy’s den.
From within, he called, “It’s open!”
She closed the door quietly behind her and waited.
“Be with you in just a sec.”
Jiminy stood with eyes closed, hands upraised, as ifdirecting the sigils slowly wheeling around him. While she watched, theintricate patterns aligned, locking over each other in a series of concentricrings, then rapidly diminishing in size. With a gentle tap, he pushed the sigilagainst the face of a polished stone that had been shaped like an egg. Theluminous tracery shimmered on its dark green surface for a few moments, beforecooling to shadows.
“I’ve been finessing this ward fordays. Third time’sthe charm!” He gave it a cursory glance, then offered it to her. “Think it’llhold up?”
Melissa didn’t see wards like these very often. Power hummedunder her fingertips, almost musical in its cadences. “Etching would triple thestrength.”
Jiminy unrolled a leather carrier, revealing a full set ofdelicate tools. “We’ll go all out.”
“What’s it for?”
“Ash asked for it.” His tone was as careful as his glance.“Tami is being courted with tokens and baubles. It’s the avian way.”
Melissa accepted the opening. “What about wolves?”
His posture remained studiously neutral. “Traditions vary byclan.”
She couldn’t believe it. This was exactly how her father haddescribed it—verbal sniffing. Firming her stance, she asked, “How does aNightspangle wolf pursue his bondmate?”
Jiminy set aside his tools.
Melissa returned the masterful egg. He was very careful notto touch her.
“Are you asking howIwould go about it?” he askedsoftly.
“Yes.”
“I’d probably be wracking my brain, searching for ways toregain the trust I lost before I ever knew her name.” His fingers drummedlightly on the worktable. “Areyou angry with me?”
She shook her head. “Why did you send me a standard nuptialpacket?”
“Full disclosure.” Jiminy spread his hands wide. “It’s thereaver way.”
“I thought you were a wolf.”
