Page 94 of Tamiko and the Two Janitors
He fitted his under hers. With both palms turned upward, itwas as if he was offering his support.
And that was all. No banter. No flirting. Just anincreasingly sleepy watchfulness. Maybe as host, he was supposed to let her goto sleep first?
When she rolled onto her side—as she usually did when shewas about to drift off—she turned her hand, and palms met. Fingers found theirfit. And Melissa gave in to the inevitable.
A scuffle and sudden emptiness woke Melissa, and shewas up and armed before she was truly awake.
“Peace.” Torloo’s hands closed around her wrist, holdingback her weapon with a force that belied his slender frame. “There is no battlehere.”
“Where is it?” she mumbled.
The young Elderbough giggled.
A protesting groan sounded from the fur-covered floor.Jiminy was trying to bury his head under a cushion.
Melissa sheathed her blade with a sigh. “How long was Iasleep?”
“Six hours. Perhaps seven.” Torloo’s tail wagged. “Are yourested?”
“Yes, thank you.” Both Doon-wen and Rook were missing. Shehad the impression that it was their sudden absence that had disturbed her nap.“Did they have to go?”
“Yes. You should go, as well.” Torloo crawled to Jiminy andshook his shoulder. “Your pack sings.”
Jiminy’s head popped up. A moment later, he scrambled out ofthe den, muttering about the wards and fair warnings.
“Come.” Torloo beckoned for Melissa to follow him out. “Truewants you. So does Doon-wen. Come, and attend the birth of their cubs.”
THIRTY-FOUR
Avian Style
Tami hadn’t realized the day was so far gone until Mrs.Dabrowski leaned through her office door and shook her car keys. “There arelimits, my dear. Whatever it is you’re still working on, leave it for tomorrow.”
“Arrangements for the town meeting.” She pointed from onepile to the next. “Proposed prize lists for Bingo Night. Our nextBowshotcolumn. And press releases.”
Flootie wrinkled her nose. “Let me and Harrison help withthe above-and-beyond stuff. You can’t do it all.”
“Maybe I should have requested an Amaranthine assistant forus.” Tami leaned back in her chair. “I’ve heard certain clans specialize inpaperwork.”
“Which clans would those be?”
“Moth, I think.”
Her secretary asked, “Is it too late to apply for a moth?”
“Another application.” Tami wearily scanned the mess on herdesk. “I’m sure I have the right formsomewhere.”
“Leave it,” insisted Flootie. “Moths can be first on youragenda tomorrow. And we’ll pitch in until you get extra help. Now, go home!”
“Yes, ma’am.” Tami dredged up a smile and added, “Thanks.”
After Flootie went, Tami sat for a while, resting her eyesand running through the remaining phases of Hisoka Twineshaft’s plans for theirschools. If she was struggling, the others must be, as well. She’d have to askCyril about adding someone to their team, someone detail-oriented anddiplomatic.
“Hey.”
“Ash.” She quickly corrected her posture and tried to hideher weariness. “Busy day?”
“Better, now that Kip’s back. The kids missed him.”
