Page 148 of Tamiko and the Two Janitors
“Yes. If you wish it.”
He said, “Help me find my feet, and everything will befine.”
“So be it.” Blue flames bloomed over Argent’s heart, quicklyspreading over his skin as more tails flickered into existence and fanned outon all sides. “Time for your practicum.”
Kip hardly heard Argent, even though he was probablysaying something important. He was too busy watching blue flames lick acrossthe tracery of sigils decorating Jiro’s skin. All signs of “manly bloodshed”were vanishing, yet Kip could feel their hold tightening, their bondstrengthening.
“He is unharmed.” The fox’s gaze slanted toward the bed. “Hehas never been safer.”
“I get it. I’m grateful. But I can’t help wanting to … makesure.”
Argent spoke with exaggerated patience. “You can go to himonce I am certain you understand Lapis’ gift.”
“Is that what we were talking about?” Kip felt somethinglock into place around his wrist, and just like that, Jiro vanished. “Wait,what? What did you do?”
“Calm down. Pay attention.” Argent’s hold on his wrist wasgentle, his gaze attentive. “They appear to be working properly.”
Around Kip’s wrist was a strand of small, irregular blackstones. Their unfamiliar weight was putting his hairs on end. While his othersenses didn’t seem to be affected, it was definitely messing with hisperception. His connection to Jiro had narrowed to a pinprick, and he didn’tlike it.
Twirling the bracelet, Kip’s heart sank. There was no catch.There would be no release. “Why?” he asked.
Argent sighed. “From the beginning, then?”
Kip nodded sheepishly and took a receptive stance.
“Those closest to Lapis Mossberne know that he has longstruggled with addiction. Until quite recently, he was numbered among theBroken. So he was naturally concerned for your wellbeing.” Argent touched thewardstones at Kip’s wrist. “These are tuned to Joe, which will allow fortending. They also provide a formidable damper. You have ready access, but yourtake will be little more than a trickle.”
“Rationing.”
“Yes. During future visits, as your reserves grow, I canwiden the gap. In due course, you will have no need of such safeguards.”
Kip murmured, “Gotta admit, I’ve been worried about thatpart.”
Argent touched his arm and mildly reiterated, “You havenever been safer.”
“Thank Lapis for me?”
“Certainly.” The fox’s hand settled, and he asked, “May Ispeak plainly?”
Kip dredged up a weary smile. “Go for it.”
“You will hamper your progress if you waste time waiting to begiven what Joe doesn’t know how to offer. Assert yourself, appeal to himdirectly, and then abide by his decision.”
“Communication, huh?”
“He responds well enough.”
Kip knew coy when he heard it and would have called Argent’sremark into question, but he breezed on.
“The more time you are together, the better. Spend yournights here. Hold him while he sleeps. It is the safest, simplest way toachieve saturation.”
That was a big change. He wondered how Ash would react. “And… I need to reciprocate?”
“Eventually. Tend to yourself first. You need greater gainsbefore you can hope to contain him.” Argent stepped around him in the crampedroom, moving to the door. “I will assess your progress in December.”
“You’re leaving?”
Argent smirked. “You are welcome.”
