Page 46 of Tamiko and the Two Janitors
Joe spoke up. “He’s been using crystals along theboundaries. They’re part of the wards.”
“Anchors,” Jiminy said. “Bigger, but not so fine. Which iswhy your stones are throwing me off.”
“Sorry?” she ventured, hugging Biddie.
“Nothing to apologize for. I enjoy a challenge!” He shiftedhis weight and gestured with a flutter of fingers. “They’re in the amethystrange, right?”
“Right. Yes.” Tami fumbled with fastenings in order to allowthe reaver his peek.
Jiminy whistled softly. “Who warded you?”
“I … what?”
“That’s quite an array. I’m willing to bet that withpersonal wards of this caliber, an Amaranthine couldn’t distinguish you from anaverage human.” He cast a glance at their surroundings, frowning thoughtfully.“Interesting. Do you ever remove them?”
“They don’t come off.”
He rubbed his chin, then grinned. “I wonder who you areunder there?”
Tami had no context to offer an answer, but Biddie giggled.
“Someone in a position to know!” Jiminy offered a wink.“What do you think of your sister, Biddie?”
“Wet and cold and worried,” the girl said succinctly.
Joe was at Tami’s elbow in two long strides. “Let’s go in,”he coaxed. “Get some lunch. Warm up.”
Tami hesitated. “Doesn’t Biddie need to stay by her tree?”
Jiminy raised a hand. “It’s best to be clear from theoutset. This isn’t Biddie’s tree. Biddieisthe tree.”
“Wouldn’t that mean it’s even more important? Although, she’sbeen to the house, and that’s quite a ways from here. For that matter, is itall right for me to go? I have work.”
“I don’t know enough to advise you. I’m no expert onAmaranthine trees.” Jiminy waved her along. “Go with Joe. I’ll wrap up here,then see about finding the expertise you need.”
Joe took Biddie and helped Tami to her feet, gruffly saying,“Come home, Tami. You’re not a tree.”
When he strode off in the direction of the house, shefollowed. And when she reached his side, he slowed his steps and took her hand.Tami pulled in a deep breath and found reason to smile. As long as Joe was withher, everything would be fine.
The dreary day was all but over whenMelissa hauled a blissfully bedraggled Jiminy into Red Gate Farm’s kitchen. AuntHiro ladled thick chicken soup into bowls, and Uncle Abel dropped warm towelsover their heads before retreating into the next room.
“I’m pleased, but I’m also puzzled.” Jiminy roughed up hishair, which stuck out at odd angles until he ran his fingers distractedlythrough it. “Did you get a look at Tami’s necklace?”
“Yes, she showed me.”
“Those stones areexquisite. Really similar to theones my mentor wears, so I know.Nothinggets past them.”
“That’s good. It’s probably kept Tami safe.”
Jiminy hummed. “Granted. But … have you noticed how manyvarieties of Ephemera are making themselves at home?”
“They were my first clue.”
“Right.So.” Jiminy’s eyebrows lifted. “If Tami’ssoul is on lockdown, what’s attracting them?”
Melissa stirred her spoon through her soup. “Odds are on hertwin, right?”
Jiminy’s brows furrowed. “I know Amaranthine trees attractpollinators, but I spotted glimsleek and midivar. They’re known mooches with ataste for reaver souls.”
