Page 96 of Tamiko and the Two Janitors
“Should I have kept you in suspense?”
“No.” Ash’s lips brushed hers. “Otherwise, I’m not sure Iwould have had the courage to try.”
“You’re welcome to try. Every evening. In the loft. Or inthe kitchen. Or the sitting room.” Tami asked, “We don’t have to hide, do we?My family will want to meet you.”
Ash hesitated. “I would be pleased to present myself to yourfamily as your suitor. But I don’t want an audience for the courting gifts.Their presentation is too personal … and potentially embarrassing. Cyrildescribed his mating dances in great detail.”
“Privacy, then.” She slipped her arms around his neck.“Avian clans use gifts for courting?”
“Many do. There are countless variations, but I chosesomething simple. We can begin tonight, if you’ll meet me in the loft.” Heglanced around the brightly lit office. “I like the atmosphere there better.It’s more like a nest.”
“When?”
“Eight o’clock?”
Tami accepted that with a smile. “Are you sure you don’tneed a ride?”
“I’ll be there, without fail.” The hint of a smirk appearedon his lips. “Your farm isn’t so far, as the crow flies.”
Kip had no trouble slipping into the enclave unnoticed.He’d been sneaking around the place since he was old enough to crack nuts, andhe’d had more practice than most with illusions. His plan was admittedlyreckless, and it depended heavily on good luck, but it wasn’t exactly risky.
This was home. Or, it used to be. His family expected acertain level of tricky business. They came by their reputation asmischief-makers honestly … and dishonestly. But no red squirrel liked to becaught red-handed. Yeah, he could make up excuses. Awkwardness and apologies—noproblem. He’d play the fool and laugh off his mistakeifhe made one.But Kip really hoped this would work.
Back halls and crawlspaces. Air ducts and acrobatics. With abit of a scamper and nary a hiccup, he made his way to the entrance to theenclave’s inner sanctum—Jiminy’s den. Which was heavily warded.
He stood for a while, simply deciphering Jiminy’ssigilcraft. Their little phenom was all about personal touches. To hisamusement, Kip found wards that promised a world of hurt to a couple of youngWoodacre pranksters, should they be foolish enough to try an infiltration.Tuned crystals suggested that other individuals were welcome.
Kip doubted he was shortlisted for entry. He and Jiminyweren’tthatclose.
And then one of the sigils began to change shape. Lettersformed a simple question—WHY?
No way.
Fascinated, he stepped up to the door. Its anchoringcrystals seemed to hum a question. It was almost as if Jiminy had coaxed the stonesinto divining the intentions of an unexpected guest.State your business.Give me your reasons.
Kip had known going in how little chance he had of crackingJiminy’s wards. So instead of wheedling his way past them, Kip tried honesty.He held the urgency of his mission in the forefront of his mind and reached forthe door handle.
A clear note seemed to signal approval, and the sigilsscattered, leaving the door bare.
The handle turned. He was in.
For a breathless moment, he listened.
Nobody home.
Wasting no time, he crossed to the desk and turned onJiminy’s computer. It whirred to life. Mercifully, there were no passwords tostymie him further. And the icon Kip needed was right on the desktop, helpfullylabeled FIRST-SENSEI.
He clicked.
It connected.
Two faces appeared on the screen, but neither was looking athim. Kip felt as if he’d stepped into the middle of an argument.
“Papka won’t mind!”
“Au contraire.”
Kip’s heart sank. This wasn’t the person—or persons—he’dbeen hoping to contact. Should he back out now? His cursor hovered over thebutton that promised a quick exit.
