Page 88 of Tamiko and the Two Janitors
He shook his head. “I don’t understand.”
“I can make sure she won’t miss you,” said Kip. “Shewouldn’t have to be sad.”
“Really?”
“Well, I know it’spossible. There’s precedence. Andthe most famous cases also involve beacons.”
Jiro simply shook his head again.
“It’s just another kind of bond.” Kip was already growingattached to his scheme. Mostly because it would be tricky to pull off. “Tami’slife is tied to a tree’s. Yours could be tied to mine.”
Joe wasn’t used toclose. Tami was theexception. And maybe Biddie, since she was more like a clinging vine than atree. So he didn’t know how to react to Kip’s casual crowding. Given all theother important things that needed to be said, Joe didn’t want to callattention to the obvious.
Like the fact that they were in bed. Which was much warmerthan the floor, but still …! There was a whole lot of touching. For instance,the hand Kip had pulled around his waist had landed on a boundary line ofsorts. Kip’s shirt had ridden up, exposing bare skin above, thick fur below.
“Hey, Jiro?” Kip kneaded his shoulder. “You still with me?”
“Right here,” he mumbled, trying to relax and focus at thesame time.
“I’ll admit, what I know is technically hearsay, but mysource excels at information gathering. He keeps his ear to the ground andsquirrels away facts, rumors, secrets, and gossip. Sometimes, he dishes thereally juicy stuff to me, especially if it has to do with crossers.”
Joe asked, “Are you a crosser?”
“In a way.” Kip’s voice held amusement. “You may havenoticed I don’t adhere to the standard design. Big old tail. All kinds oflovely, pettable fur.”
To his embarrassment, Joe realized that hewaspetting Kip, scratching circles somewhere in the vicinity of his hipbone. Hejerked away, but Kip caught his hand and pressed it back into place.
“It’s okay. I told you. I like it.” Kip quietly added, “Thisis normal, friendly stuff. And we’re friends.”
Joe mumbled, “I’m not used to this.”
“I know. Want me out of here?” He sounded concerned now.“You haven’t crossed any lines with me, and I’ll give you the same courtesy.”
“Thanks.” He wasn’t sure what to say, so he just tangled hisfingers in fur to hold Kip there.
“I’m a rare breed and something of a secret, so keep thisunder your hat. Long story short, I’m three-quarters Amaranthine, what’s knownas Kith-kin. Because my dad’s Kith.”
“You’re part squirrel.”
“I’ll have to introduce you to my dad. He’s even cuter thanI am.” Kip tangled their legs together. “And I have a sister and two brothers—littermates.And enough nieces and nephews to fill Biddie’s branches.”
“Your mom …?”
“A Woodacre. What the international press likes to call aHigh Amaranthine.” Kip chuckled. “I’ve never been able to tell anyone aboutmyself before, so this is fun. But I’m getting off topic. I was aiming theconversation toward crossers, since they’re proof of the possibilities.”
Joe knew this one, largely thanks toHeart of a Dog. “Biologicalcompatibility.”
“And not simply in the procreative sense.” Kip blazed ahead.“You know that two of the Five have human bondmates.”
“They’re the Seven, now.”
Kip thanked him for the correction by nipping his ear. Joeguessed he’d been scolded.
“Both Lady Starmark and Lady Mettlebright are beacons. Everybodyand their uncle knows that.” Kip lowered his voice. “What’s less obvious—sincetheir males are canny and cagy by turns—is that their ladies are a little likeTami now. Uncle Linden swears that Lady Starmark entered Harmonious’ den morethan three centuries ago. It’ll be the same for the elusive Lady Mettlebright. Thewhole matter probably won’t come to light until the world realizes that KimikoMiyabe, soon to be Starmark, is keeping time with Eloquence instead of the restof humanity.”
“Their lifespans changed.”
“It’s bound to come out, and it’ll cause a sensation.” Kipsighed. “There’s concern over the potential for exploitation.”
