Page 135 of Tamiko and the Two Janitors
“Why?” asked Ash.
“Let’s just say I’d rathernotbe noticed by thepowers that be.” Kip waved them onward, then disappeared around the nearestcorner.
Melissa rapped smartly and opened the door, scanned theroom, then waved them through. Tami couldn’t help comparing her stance to thatof the stern bodyguard, Ismal. Given their plans, it reallywasnice tohave a battler in the family.
Jiminy sat at the desk in the corner, where he was obviouslychatting with someone via his computer. He waved them in, but he addressedhimself to his screen. “They’re here now. Do you need to go?”
“May I meet your friends?” A feminine voice in accentedEnglish.
“You sure?” Jiminy asked. “I don’t want to get intotrouble.”
This time, the words flowed in Japanese.
Another voice, male this time, said, “So long as you’re notselling pictures to the highest bidder, you’re safe from Dad’s wrath.Probably.”
Tami came even with the desk in time to see a young Japanesewoman tweak her companion’s ear. A silvery fox ear, half-lost in a thatch ofmessy hair. She pressed a hand to her leaping heart and whispered, “GingkoMettlebright.”
Those ears twitched, and he offered a crooked smile. “Hey.”
“Gingko’s our translator today, since First-sensei wascalled away.” Jiminy stood and guided Tami into his chair. “Any chance yourJapanese is better than mine?”
Tami shook her head but held up her thumb and forefinger. “Alittle, and clumsy.” Switching to English, she added, “I haven’t been to visitmy grandparents in Kyoto in almost ten years.”
“You would be welcome here.”
“I … don’t travel far anymore.”
She glanced back as Jiminy pulled a stool into position forAsh. He looked much calmer than she felt. A wing brushed against her back, andhis hand found hers. With a gesture of greeting, he asked, “Are you LadyMettlebright?”
“Tsumiko,” she said.
Ash touched her shoulder and said, “Tamiko.”
Jiminy dragged Melissa from her post by the door and sat herdown, then crowded in on Ash’s other side. Pointing, he said, “Melissa is areaver attached to the Nightspangle pack. She can be trusted. And Ash is usedto keeping secrets.”
Gingko’s ears flickered forward. “You’re the crosser?”
“Yes.”
Tsumiko shook her head, murmuring something in Japanese,before carefully asking in English, “May I see his truth?”
Suddenly, a servant of some sort whisked onto the scene,bearing a tray of tea things. He leaned in between Gingko and Tsumiko, whothanked him sweetly.
Ash said, “Kip’s not here ….”
“Allow me,” offered Jiminy.
Tami, who was still watching the tableau on screen saw thebutler stop and stare. “Kip?” he echoed.
“Friend of ours,” said Jiminy. “There, that’s done it.”
Tsumiko gasped, and Tami recognized the Japanese word forangel. Her wondering gaze gave her the courage to launch into the short versionof their proposal. If Lady Mettlebright was on their side, she might be able topersuade her bondmate to help them along.
“I’m an unregistered reaver. Ash is a crosser who’s beenpassing himself off as human. He’s been courting me in secret, but we think ourstory could make a difference for Amaranthine in America.” So many hopes, sofew words. Would they have any impact? All they could do was offer. “We arewilling to make our courtship public if the Amaranthine Council will appoint ago-between.”
Tsumiko spoke softly in Japanese. Gingko answered herquestions in an undertone.
Ash leaned in to murmur, “Even if they don’t need us, I needyou.”
