Page 141 of Tamiko and the Two Janitors
Jacques brightened. “You like children?”
Cheese and crackers.
“His name is Jarrah, and he sucks his thumb. Free to a goodhome, I say. He could probably be crated and shipped by weekend next, butArgent prefers to place our orphans personally.” Jacques’s gaze strayed to apoint just behind Kip. “Isn’t that right, my lord?”
Instinct kicked in.
Kip bolted.
Running was really a very stupid thing to do. ArgentMettlebright was a fox of superior skill and intelligence, and Kip really was justa very little squirrel. So when a hand closed around his hind leg and pulledhim scrabbling from his near-escape through one of the enclave’s attic windows,he went limp.
“Kip, I presume?”
Upside down and mute, he lifted a paw to wave.
“I will thank you tonotbring attention to mypresence so near a den of wolves.” Argent’s eyes narrowed, but he also rightedKip so that the blood was no longer rushing to his ear tufts. “This is not thetime for games, Woodacre.”
Kip tucked so fast, Argent received a faceful of tail. Thestupid was multiplying.
But the fox’s only retaliation was a soft cluck of histongue. He set Kip on the roof of a nearby convenience store and arched a brow.
Transforming, Kip squared his shoulders, prepared towithstand anything if it meant keeping Joe’s secret safe. But while the betterpart of his brain was churning through tactics, his mouth joined in on thestupid. “Wow. You look taller on television.”
Argent Mettlebright sighed.
If Kip’s tail hadn’t been wrapped three times around historso, he would have tucked again. He settled for a sheepish smile. “Sorry. Youprobably get that a lot.”
The fox merely extended his hand. A slender rod of crystalrested on his palm. Kip bit his tongue, clasped hands, and waited for the wardto take effect.
Argent didn’t waste time on pleasantries. “Lapis confided inme. I am here to assess your beacon.”
“He’smine.” Kip’s grip tightened. “I won’t let youtake him.”
Without any change in expression, Argent tapped Kip’s nose,then touched his own. “I will say it again. I am here to assessyourbeacon.”
“You’re going to help us?”
“I am certainly in a position to do so.”
Which wasn’t any kind of promise, even if it was true.
Kip had no leverage. What’s more, keeping Jiro’s secretmeant he was on his own, with no support from either his clan or the enclave. ContactingLapis had been a risk. This was all Kip’s fault. “My friend … he asked me tohide him. He’s afraid of what the reavers might demand. He doesn’t want toleave his home or learn any of the arts or be bred in captivity.”
Argent’s growl took Kip aback. It was the same kind Rookused to chase away bad dreams. A comforting rumble, pitched to soothe. “I willnot lead your friend into captivity.”
“He … he’sbeautiful.” He swallowed hard. “Anyonewould want him.”
“I do not.” Argent’s lips quirked. “You may recall that I amalso in possession of an unregistered beacon. Tsumiko also expressedconsiderable wariness with regards to the reaver way of life. I protect hermuch as you wish to protect your friend.”
“You really will help us?” Kip desperately wantedassurances.
Argent sighed. “I am here to helphim.”
Kip felt the color drain from his face. “I’m not keeping himagainst his will or anything.”
“Then you have nothing to fear.”
“Really.”
