Page 19 of Tamiko and the Two Janitors
Rook’s smile widened. “Whenever necessary. You can havewhatever hours you need, and we can work around your training schedule. I’llpay more if you can work mornings.”
“I can be here as early as you need.” Melissa could hardlybelieve her good fortune. “Are you sure?”
“Trust me, young lady,youare the only one who mayhave second thoughts. Andhe’sthe one most likely to inspire them.”
Rook turned toward Jiminy, who carried over a brimming cupand set it before her. Coffee and foam created the silhouette of a howling wolfagainst a moonless night sky, a latte art depiction of the Nightspangle crest.
Jiminy said, “My treat.”
“Melissa has just agreed to work with us,” said Rook. “Don’tscare her off.”
Dramatically favoring his wrist, Jiminy promised, “I learnedmy lesson. Best behavior.”
When he moved to the other register to help a new customer,Melissa tried to back up and do things properly. “May I ask about your name,Rook?”
“Yes. Soon.” He pointed to the latte. “Find a table. Enjoyyour drink while it’s hot. I’ll join you when there’s a lull, and we’ll lay abetter foundation for the future.”
NINE
Urban Enclave
As if he’d been waiting for her to finish, Rook came toMelissa’s booth at the same time she finished her coffee. “Thank you,” shemurmured as he collected the cup.
“Things have quieted down. Will you join me in the back?” Heslid a brass disk across the table. “And if you could hold onto this? We don’twant anyone wondering why Mr. Booker is keeping company with a pretty younglady.”
Melissa turned the coin, admiring the delicacy of the sigils.Wards like these helped a Betweener move around without attracting notice. “Wemostly use ceramic for these,” she said.
“We’re on good terms with an enclave that works a forge.”Rook led her to the big marble counter at the front and through a littleswinging door at its side. “You’ll come through here whenever you’re scheduledfor work. We employ several outsiders, so the back rooms are still considered publicterritory.”
He pointed out the time clock, changing room, break room, restrooms,and two cramped offices—his and his brother’s. At the end of the short hall, theyturned a corner and faced another line of doors.
“Cleaning supplies, paper products, cold room, and mybrother’s lab. Very locked. He’s fussy about his coffee beans, so he keeps allhis equipment and experimental blends under wraps.”
She nodded, but her attention was fixed on what she assumedwas their destination. The end of the hall fairly buzzed with the strength of abarrier.
“Some of Jiminy’s handiwork.” Rook took her hand. “Firsttime through will get your back up, but once these wards recognize you, they won’tgive you any more grief.”
Stepping through the barrier gave her a head-to-toe tingle,followed by a snap like static electricity. She stopped to check the size andcolor the anchoring stones, running her fingers through her hair, which didindeed feel as if it were standing on end.
Rook said, “I’m almost positive he found a way to set thebarrier against fleas.”
“How … thorough?” Melissa wondered if the Amaranthine found theaddition of that particular feature insulting.
“Let’s just say the boy expresses his affection in strangeways.” He backed along a much wider hall with curving walls, beckoning her tofollow. It was like walking through a stonework pipe. “Now we’re behind wards.Only Betweeners can enter these passages, which lead down into the enclave’snetwork of burrows and dens. My home is in my brother’s den.”
He lifted aside a thick drapery of fur, and she stepped intoa spacious apartment. Modestly furnished. With windows offering a street-levelview of foot traffic on Fourth.
Melissa’s surprise must have shown
“We work alongside humans, and we have to pass as humans. Theillusion is much easier to maintain if we live like humans.”
“But you’re wolves.”
“Through and through. Which accounts for an unconventionalupbringing for the youngsters we’ve fostered over the years, your fatherincluded.” With a careless wave, he added, “Away from academy, this was hishome.”
“He lived with you?”
Rook nodded. “Christopher grew up in our den. He bussedtables in the coffee shop. He worked part-time in the bakery next door. Hetrained at Bellwether with Roonta, and he pined after every cub in every litterborn to this enclave. When Cove chose him, we couldn’t have been prouder.”
