Page 145 of Tamiko and the Two Janitors
Let them think it a diplomatic gesture.
Now that Argent was past the squirrel’s wily net of sigilcraft,three things became abundantly clear. The first he could readily admit—JoeReaverson was certainly owed a beacon’s rank. By the ninth tail, heoutrankedthem. Shuttering such a soul might require his full flourish.
This alone was reason enough for Argent to wish Twineshaftwas here. The cat’s discreet support would have left him feeling less harrowed.Because Argent’s second realization might be nothing more than coincidence. Butwhat were the chances? Heknewthis bloodline, was bound to it still,though by choice rather than compulsion.
Joe was a Hajime.
Uncovering descendants in America might have been incidental,even innocuous, if not for the third matter. This young man had been branded bythe same style of seal that had once shackled Argent to the Hajime line.
While not exact, each small difference could be accountedfor in any number of ways—adaptation, refinement, intent. But the basicstructure was so sickeningly familiar, Argent felt threatened. Cautiously, heprobed the pattern, which could easily have been a trap.
Another two tails thrashed into the open.
He gently withdrew his finger from Joe’s mouth. Resistinghis first impulse, which was to taste, Argent hesitated over his second, whichwas to wipe it on his pantleg. Giving in to a mildly fiendish impulse, he thrustthe finger into Kip’s mouth.
The squirrel’s eyes crossed.
Oh, yes. Teasing him was vastly better than dealing with therepercussions of this discovery.
“Two perfect gentlemen, fraught with maidenly qualms,”drawled Argent. “I commend your decision to wait.”
Kip leaned away, pulling free. “I was right, wasn’t I? He’sa beacon.”
“Without a doubt.” Argent dried his finger on the hem of histunic. “In my capacity as a member of the Amaranthine Council, I havepersonally met sixteen of the world’s beacons.”
“How many are there?” asked Joe.
“Officially? Twenty.” Argent inspected his claws, though hewas actually focused on calming his tails. They felt as puffed as a squirrel’s.Far from dignified. “By longstanding tradition, only the twenty brightest soulsalive can attain the title. However, Glint Starmark recently redefined andexpanded the classification to account for perennial members … and torespectfully retire reavers who have reached the limit of their legacy.”
Kip leaned forward. “Perennial members?”
“More than half of the beacons alive today are eithertree-kin like Joe’s sister or bound to an Amaranthine partner.” Argent smiledthinly. “The former still do their part, if sporadically, but the latter muddleGlint’s precious pedigrees by mingling species. He has opened the rank to newblood, provided they are adding to their legacy.”
“Umm … legacy?” asked Joe.
“Kids,” said Kip. “Let’s hope the venerable Glint Starmarknever finds out that Ash and I are on the verge of wrecking the Reaversonfamily’s progeny projections.”
Argent was inclined to agree. “You would not be the firstunofficial beacon. My own bondmate is unregistered, yet she has been acknowledgedas both beacon and bastion.”
He arranged his tails, and Joe’s gaze followed. Argent wouldhave caught the young man’s straying hand, but Kip was quicker.
Catching Joe’s wrist, he offered a mild rebuke. “Notouching, Jiro. Tails are personal.”
Joe was all contrition, but also confused. “You never said.”
Kip flushed guiltily. “I’ve never minded.”
“Youshouldhave said,” grumbled Joe, who turned toArgent next. “I don’t feed him anymore. He told me aboutthat.”
“Then you know more than you did. And you will learn more asyou go.” Argent wondered how far this boy’s ignorance extended. “You know thattending will be required to sustain your life?”
“Yes, Kip told me.”
“How much did he tell you?”
Joe shrugged. “Something about sharing a part of my soul.”
Argent favored Kip with a hard look.
