Page 18 of Tamiko and the Two Janitors
The young man’s eye rolled to the hand still pinning hiswrist, then lifted his gaze to Melissa’s. With an apologetic smile, he said, “Thethird stone’s a pink, isn’t it?”
He co-worker added pressure.
“Sorry!” he gasped. “You have my most abject and piteous pleasfor mercy and forgiveness for my thoughtless act of trespass.”
Melissa snatched back her hand. “Peace, please. No harmdone.”
The one called Rook hauled Jiminy upright and gave him agentle push toward the array of coffee-making equipment. “Make yourself useful.I’ll take care of our guest.”
Jiminy reluctantly obeyed, casting a longing look at herover his shoulder.
Not sure why it should matter so much, Melissa pulled backher sleeve and raised her arm, showing him the three crystals that anchored herpersonal wards. They were indeed blue, green, and a rare pink.
His eyes lit up, and he gave a little fist pump.
Rook, who’d been watching closely, rolled his eyes. “Sorryabout that boy’s nonsense. He’s under strict orders to stay onthissideof the counter. He’s too uninhibited, and our only excuse doesn’t make muchsense to most.”
She shook her head. “He has an excuse?”
Leaning forward, Rook whispered, “Raised by wolves.”
Melissa was so relieved to be in the right place, she giggled.
“You’re new.” He offered his hand in the human fashion. “I’mLou Booker, one of the owners here.”
Her gaze dropped to his nametag—LOU. “Jiminy called youRook.”
“In a family like ours, nicknames are a part of belonging.You may call me Rook. And you are?”
“Melissa Armstrong.”
“I thought as much. You look very like Chris.”
She eased closer to the counter, thrilled to have foundpeople her father probably counted as kin. “Did you know I was coming?”
“I might have heard a little gossip from one of thesquirrels next door. Not much happens in this enclave without it putting a twitchin his whiskers or a flick in his tail.” Rook searched her face and warmlyadded, “Your arrival today is a welcome surprise. Do you have a place to stay?”
“I’m rooming with relatives while I train at Bellwether.”
“Your classification?”
“Battler.”
Nodding toward Jiminy, Rook asked, “Could you take him? Ifnecessary.”
“His height and reach exceed mine, but he was quicklysubdued. He’s no battler.”
Rook chuckled. “He’s a handful in his own way, but you’reright. Jiminy’s our enclave’s primary anchor. He’s a fine ward.”
That explained his fascination with her accessories. Melissaalmostfelt bad for taking his interest the wrong way.
“Would you consider working here?”
She tightened her hold on his hand. “Yes.”
“Even if it means coming over onto this side of thecounter?”
“May I rebuff your ward if he oversteps his bounds?”
