Page 126 of Tamiko and the Two Janitors
“The secrets of the winds might be a secret still, lost evento lore, if not for the patience and passion of dragons.” Here, Ash slipped outof his narration to ask, “You know about them, right? Wind is to the dragonclans what the moon is to wolf packs.”
“When does the angel come?” asked Sooli. “Bechamel.”
“Bethiel,” Ash patiently corrected, though his attention wasdefinitely straying. “Bethiel of the Changing Winds. His part’s soon.”
Melissa turned to see where he was looking. She should haveknown. Three figures had reached the far end of the oak glen, and one of themwas Tami. She and Aunt Hiro were talking around the person carrying a largehamper.
For a few moments, Melissa surprised herself by hoping thatthe man in the middle was Jiminy. It wasn’t.
“Muffins,” whispered Sooli. “Are they for us?”
“I believe so.” Torloo’s tail wagged. “Can we?”
“Better hustle,” urged Ash, who wasn’t really listening.
Melissa guessed he was eavesdropping on Tami, whose arm waslooped through the newcomer’s. To be fair, Aunt Hiro had his other arm. Likethey were all friends.
Ash slowly said, “He’s here for you, Melissa.”
“Who?”
“The herald.” He stood and signaled to the newcomer. “Niceguy. Local office. Dove clan.”
For a moment, Melissa’s heart lurched, but a local heraldwouldn’t be sent with dire news from home. Nor would it be about her biologicalfather, since Christopher and Cove were currently abroad. What, then?
Would Reaver Barr at the local office have sent her acommunique? Had something happened with regards to the rogue? The latest threatassessment put him far from here, but they might be summoning support for theirtrackers. Even moving a whole section for pursuit. But were they likely to callforher? And what might Doon-wen have to say if the Office of Ingresstried to assign her away?
A hand appeared in front of her, and she allowed Ash to pullher to her feet. Before releasing her hand, he tweaked her little finger.
Her surprise brought a faint smile to his face. “What? Jiminyisn’t the only one who was raised by wolves.”
Tami closed the gap. “Here you are! Melissa, this is RemillWhistledown. He’s the herald I told you about before. The one who’s alwayslived here.” To the dove, she added, “And you must know Ash. He’s my fiancé.”
Something knocked against Melissa’s shoulder, but when shelooked, nothing was there. Only Ash, whose eyes were wide, his hands caughtsomewhere between reaching and retreating. She realized what must have happenedand brushed her shoulder. Then arched a brow at Tami. “You’re announcing theengagement?”
“I don’t see why not.” Tami radiated happiness. “There’s noreason to keep it a secret.”
Melissa had to concede the point. Ash and Tami had met inthe public sector, and nobody would question the principal and the janitorbecoming a couple. They could go on dates. They could plan a big wedding. Theycould probably even host a community-wide reception in Landmark’s gymnasium.And nobody would ever have to know the whole truth.
Otherthings were still closely guarded.
For instance, Aunt Hiro didn’t yet know that her futureson-in-law was a crosser. Nor had she and Uncle Abel been told that theirdaughter would have a tree’s years.
But the biggest secret was still Biddie. Kip and Joe werekeeping the girl entertained—and hidden—high in her branches. None of theAmaranthine coming and going from the circle realized the significance of thetree at its center.
Barriers within barriers.
Secrets within secrets.
Melissa now realized that not every reaver knew everythingthere was to know about the Amaranthine. And enclaves didn’t share all theyknew with outside clans. There were probably as many private matters as therewere persons. Things only shared in confidence.
Like Doon-wen’s bondmate being Kith. Or the clandestinearrangement that had brought Jiminy to Bellwether. And the surprising truth toAmaranthine lore—orsomeof it, at least.
“Congratulations,” murmured Remill. “If you need a friend tofree your hands so you may sing, I would be honored.”
Ash shook his head. “I don’t have much of a singing voice.”
“Joy expresses itself in many ways.” The herald dipped intohis bag and came out with a small box. “For you, Son of Sunfletch.”
