Page 58 of Tamiko and the Two Janitors
“Hmm?”
“May I see what you’re wearing around your neck?”
Joe turned his head toward Kip. “I’m not wearing anything.”
Rolling onto his side, Kip said, “There must be something. Yoursister has that necklace she never takes off.”
“I don’t.”
Kip’s brows drew together, and he pointed to Joe’s chest.“What’s here?”
“Nothing?”
“You’re warded, Jiro. I can tell that much. I don’t supposeyou’d be willing to take off your shirt for a second?”
Joe sat up and slowly unbuttoned his overshirt, thenuntucked the white undershirt. Kip pushed to his knees and sat back on hisheels, watching closely. Self-consciously pulling the T-shirt over his head,Joe hunched his shoulders and waited for Kip to admit his mistake. There wasnothing there. So why was Kip staring?
“You’ve been sealed,” Kip announced. “There’s a sigil overyour heart. Really complicated, really powerful.”
Still seeing nothing, Joe rubbed his hand over his chest.
“You know, Tami’s ward is really, really strong, but this is… epic levels. Yet you’re still attracting Ephemera. Could be the seal iswearing off.” Kip’s eyes widened. “Or it’s no match for you.”
Joe moved to put his shirt back on, but Kip waved his hands.“Hang on. I might be able to figure out what’s up, but I’ll need to be touchingyou. How about I change back into truest form? You can hold me and pet me likeearlier, which should get me close enough. All you have to do is relax. Staycalm. Is that okay?”
“I guess?”
“You’re giving me permission to touch?” The redhead leanedcloser. “If you’re not comfortable, it can keep. I mean, I’mgood, butthere are plenty of others who are better, and if you’re a beacon … well.Twineshaft himself may want a look.”
A beacon. Joe was already shaking his head. “I don’t wantthat.”
Kip hesitated. “I could be wrong. Want me to go ahead andcheck it out?”
“Okay.”
“Really, Jiro. Try to relax.”
“Okay,” he repeated. Even though he was very much afraidthat Kip was right.
But then the redhead swore softly, and the rumble of atractor reached Joe’s ears. The big one they used for hayrides. Grandad wasbringing Jiminy, and the wards were down, and Kip had a job to do.
Scrambling into his shirt, Joe whispered, “Don’t tell anyoneabout … me.”
“Likewise.” Kip ventured, “Want to meet up later? Like,latelater? I could come to your room, or you could meet me in one of the barns.”
“Yeah. I … umm … yeah.”
“Shh, calm down,” Kip pleaded. Joe’s hands were shaking sobad, Kip had to button his shirt for him. “I’ve got you. Nice and easy.”
“I’m scared.”
Kip pulled him into a hug. “Nothing to fear from me ormaybes. You’re one of my Landmark kids, remember? Even though you’re technicallyan alum, I’ll still do anything to protect you.”
Hiding his face against Kip’s flannel-covered chest, Joetook several deep breaths, as if drawing strength from someplace else, someoneclose. Yes, Kip was strange, but it was also a relief to have someone to relyon.
As of today, courage came with freckles, russet fur, and a teasinghint of nutmeg.
TWENTY-THREE
