Page 144 of Tamiko and the Two Janitors
“They didn’t bother her?” Joe dared to ask.
“Who? Reavers?”
“The wards.” He looked to Kip for support. “I didn’t like themat first.”
Kip shrugged. “Fine-tuning fixed it.”
Argent’s brows slowly ascended. “Perhaps we should discussaptitude. Woodacre, what is your assessment?”
“Jiro’s gotta be a beacon,” said Kip.
With a flat look, Argent began listing classifications. “Ward.Pinion. Kilter. Battler. Candor. Reach.”
“Not sure. I only had the smallest peek. It was enough toknow I’m out of my league.”
“You have not … indulged?”
Kip reddened. “I’m not an idiot.”
Argent’s hum hit a skeptical note. Turning his full attentionon Joe, he inquired, “May I?”
Joe’s gaze dropped with his stomach. “There are wards.”
“I am aware.” When the silence grew awkward, Argent sighed.“It may interest you to know that you have been safe. Even at this proximity, evenwith hands joined, I detect nothing unusual about you. You have beeneffectively … stashed.”
“But there’s no way in …?”
Argent’s gaze slanted toward Kip. He mildly said, “There isa way.”
“Isn’t there another way?” asked Joe.
“Certainly, but that would require more preparation.” Argentsmiled thinly. “I understand your discomfort and will not linger any longerthan necessary.”
Joe mumbled, “If you think it’s best.”
“May I?” he repeated.
“Yes.”
A hand cupped his cheek, then caressed it. If it was meantto calm Joe down, it wasn’t working. Kip made that soft chirring noise—sympathyand support.
Argent rolled his eyes and said, “Say,ah.”
Joe missed a beat. What came out was really more of a “Huh?”
With that, Argent eased his forefinger into Joe’s mouth,carefully pushing past teeth. Which was weird, but also a relief. Joe closedaround the intrusion, felt the tip of a claw against his tongue, and held very,verystill.
Kip slapped his forehead and swore under his breath. “Ididn’t think ofthat!”
“No?” asked Argent. “Idowonder why not.”
FORTY-SIX
Disclosures
Argent hadn’t expected to find anything more than anunusually potent soul and immediately regretted his cavalier attitude.Salvaging the situation required all his poise.
“Trust for trust, Joe,” he murmured, as if he had any choicein flashing tails.
