Page 59 of Tamiko and the Two Janitors
A Better Claim
When Melissa finally made it throughthe doors of Founders Coffee, Rook was waiting, ward in hand. He pressed thesigil-stamped disk into her palm and pulled her into the nearest alcove beforefolding her into a lengthy embrace. She wasn’t sure how to interpret hisgreeting. Had he been worried for her? Was something else amiss?
“I’m so proud of you.” Rook gave her an extra squeeze. “Youanswered Naroo-soh’s call, and so you were there in your family’s time of need.How are your relatives?”
Melissa quietly basked in Rook’s approval. “Faring well, butfull of questions.”
“And the imp?”
“At times, she seems very old and very wise, but she has theappearance of a small child. I can’t shake the idea that she’s both fragile andvulnerable.”
“Trust Jiminy to do his part.” He leaned back to get a lookat her face. “I heard you worked well together.”
She didn’t like his leading tone. “Are you matchmaking?Because I don’t want or need ….”
“Hush.” He bumped noses with her. “I’m only glad the two ofyou are cooperating. You are dearer than any of the possible futures yourepresent.”
Melissa’s frown deepened.
“It’s not me,” Rook soothed. “But a pack—especially itsalpha—looks to its needs.”
“Doon-wen?”
Rook said, “He wants to talk to you.”
She couldn’t exactly refuse. “After my shift?”
“Now.” Rook chuckled. “You needn’t look so worried. Mybrother can be forceful, but he’ll be sympathetic to your priorities. His havedefied tradition often enough.”
Melissa loved Rook. She wanted to stay with the Nightspanglewolves, to be welcomed, to contribute to the enclave community, maybe even tohelp them expand their territory to Red Gate Farm. And to find a Kith partner. Theonly way she could do any of that was to find favor in Doon-wen’s eyes. He wastheir alpha. He called the shots.
She drew herself up, ready to fight for all the things shecould so easily lose.
Somehow, Rook understood. He set her at arms’ length. “Thisisn’t a battle, Melissa. Doon-wen is not an obstacle. He can and will be yourbest ally.”
“But he doesn’tknowme.”
“True does, and he would do anything to please her.” Rookturned her and gave her a small push toward the back. “Take heart. My brotherwasdelightedwhen you complimented his coffee. That’s put you on thehighest of high grounds.”
Melissa rolled her eyes at the weak pun, but she hoped hewas right. Making her way behind barriers, she drew herself up and whispered,“Lock and load.”
Melissa’s search for Doon-wen endedin his private Kith shelter, where she found a second wolf, a size or twolarger than True, curled around her in the mounded hay and dried herbs. The bigmale had the Nightspangle coloring—inky black, tipped with a reddish color thatgave their wolves a distinctive sheen.
He opened his eyes.
She wavered uncertainly. “Sorry to disturb you. I waslooking for ….” Melissa trailed off because there was something unsettlinglyfamiliar about this wolf’s shrewd gaze. She ventured, “… for you?”
True’s ears twitched, and the she-wolf licked hercompanion’s jaw. He nuzzled her, rose to his considerable height, andtransformed.
Melissa had found Doon-wen Nightspangle formidable enough ina suit. The wildly powerful predator before her was an unreckonable force. Sheshifted into a submissive stance so fast, she lost her balance, landing on herbackside.
He was coming closer, and he looked unhappy. She wasembarrassed, even ashamed. Her face burned, and her eyes followed suit. Whatkind of battler was she?
“Melissa.” Doon-wen crouched, balancing effortlessly on theballs of his feet. “Breathe.”
She gasped for air and apologies.
His own posture shifted, and her awareness of him fadedsomewhat. As if he’d put away a little of his wildness, out of considerationfor her. She knew the scope and strength of Rook’s presence, but his olderbrother towered over him in terrifying ways.
