Page 160 of Tamiko and the Two Janitors
“It’ll be okay.”
Ash dragged his gaze from the stage.
Jiminy was bending over him. “Hey, he’s going to be fine.You know Cyril. He’s always been golden.”
“Promise it,” whispered Ash, who needed words like thesefrom friends like this. “Promise it, so I know for sure. Because a wolf alwayskeeps his promise.”
“You may be the only person who takes me seriously.”Jiminy’s smile was as soft as the kiss he placed on Ash’s forehead. “All I amis all he needs. Your father will be safe.”
Ash swallowed hard and whispered, “Thanks, kiddo.”
“I grew up, you know.”
“It shows.”
Jiminy fished in his pocket and plucked out an amber stone.Moving back to the balcony railing, he coaxed light into the crystal and begana series of sigils no bigger than butterflies and just as erratic in theirflight.
“What are you up to?” Rook asked suspiciously.
“Finishing touches.” Jiminy flashed a grin. “I don’t take myvows lightly. Not that our dignitaries haven’t already covered their bases. HaveyouseenTwineshaft’s escort?”
“Hard to miss,” murmured Ash.
Picking reavers out of a crowd had always been a populargame when he and Kip were kids. Even incognito, Ash could spot them and usuallysort them. The Amaranthine Council’s security team weren’t even trying to blendin. Dark teal tunics and the dull shine of pewter armbands.
“Where’s Melissa?” asked Rook.
“Crowd control.” Jiminy angled his chin toward the front.“She brought back up.”
Ash brightened. “When did Chris get here?”
“Late last night, along with Twineshaft’s retinue.” Rook’ssmile widened. “See the woman beside him?”
An Amazonian blonde was quelling the entire press box with astern look that was very familiar.
Ash asked, “How did that go, meeting Melissa’s parents?”
Jiminy whispered, “The only thing scarier than her mom isher moms together in a room with my mom.”
Ash chuckled.
But then the lights dimmed by half, and the stage lightscame up. Cyril walked out and stood in the center of a subtle pattern workedinto the boards of the stage. Under the right lights, it had the look andluster of a full moon. It had been his gift to the Nightspangle pack at thetheater’s founding. An urban song circle.
It was rare to see him act without the other founders. ButCyril had insisted on making this move alone. Partly to protect the enclave,the inner workings of which would remain a secret. But mostly because declaringhimself made it safer for Ash to do the same. He had a parent, a clan, andtheir protection.
Movement near the curtain pulled Ash’s attention to threefigures who moved without fanfare to three chairs arranged off to one side.These were the principals of West Branch High, Archer Middle, and LandmarkElementary—Cyril’s collaborators for the selection of the TwineshaftInitiative.
Their presence was little more than a red herring. And anunderstated fix for some red tape.
According to recent legislation, no Amaranthine could travelunattended. So once Cyril exposed the truth of his species, he would be indirect violation of the regulation requiring a reaver escort. So in a tidyexchange of paperwork, Cyril submitted testimony, confirming a notablebrilliance of soul only to be found in a reaver, and Tamiko signed thenecessary documents to act as his escort.
If anyone was foolish enough to try and arrest Cyril, they’dhave no grounds.
At center stage, Cyril touched his fingertips to his heartand smiled. Then in a conversational tone, he began, “Speculations have beenflying about my reasons for calling you all together this morning. I understandthere’s even a betting pool and that—as ever—the fates and odds alike favorHisoka Twineshaft.”
Polite laughter.
“I am well aware that our students are eager to be done withthis final obligation for the semester, so I will be as brief as I can. Let mebegin by putting to rest a few of the more outrageous rumors.”
