Page 69 of Tamiko and the Two Janitors
“Without a doubt.” Kip knew it wasn’t what Jiro wanted tohear, but the man needed to know that this was a good thing. “I’m notexperienced enough to guess your magnitude, but I know for certain you’d behard foranyoneto resist. Least of all me.”
Jiro’s brows drew together, and his shoulders slowly sagged.
“I know it’s not the news you wanted, but we ca– ”
“You don’t … umm … it’s only because …?” The guy looked alittle heartbroken himself. “Are you only being friendly because you can’tresist?”
“Nooo! No, Icanresist. I did resist!” Kip took Jiroby the shoulders and gave him a little shake. “I said it all wrong. You’vegotta know I’d never cozy up to you just because … you might … feed me. Huh. Okay,even I don’t believe that.”
Jiro cracked a smile.
Right away, the whole mood of the room shifted, filled witha softer, more hopeful radiance. But it put all of Kip’s hairs on end. Jirowasn’t only an unregistered reaver, he was an untrainedone. This waswhy little reavers learned control from a very young age. Otherwise, they mightunintentionally harm your average Amaranthine.
Not that Kip had ever beenaverage. Kith-kin werenearly as rare as beacons. But Kip was no powerhouse. With Jiro, he was in wayover his head.
Basics. Kip tapped Joe’s nose, then tapped his own. “Lessontime.”
“Okay.”
“You are going to be popular once the clans catch wind ofyou. Anyone—and I mean everyone—is going to wish they were where I am rightnow. Because your soul is stunning, and touching it ….” He trailed his fingersthrough the air around them. “Bliss.”
Jiro paled.
“I know you’re uneasy about the reavers finding out, butthey’re your best protection. Only a reaver can teach you how to harness yoursoul. They can teach you how to defend yourself if anyone gets pushy. Andyou’ll learn when it’s appropriate to give us a taste.” Kip hoped it didn’tsound like he was fishing for another free meal. “I’dneverjust helpmyself, but I crave a reaver’s soul just as much as the next clansman. It’scalled tending.”
“I can give you part of my soul?”
Kip nodded.
“What do youdowith it?”
“Savor it, I suppose. It’s like dessert. I don’tneedit, but it’s the best part of every meal.”
Jiro asked, “Should I be disturbed that you’re talking abouteating my soul?”
“Maybe.” Kip noticed with concern that he’d weakened the oldsigil with his tampering. “We need to find someone with serious pull to protectyour interests.”
“You.”
Kip understood the compliment. And the impossibility. “I’mnobody, Jiro. Just a small-town janitor whose best subject is still recess. Youneed someone withclout.”
“But you said you’d do anything for one of your kids.”
“You’re not a kid.”
Jiro narrowed his eyes.
Kip’s expression wavered. “Okay, thereissomething Ican do. It’s wretchedly old school, but it should work as a temporary measure.”
“Thanks. Can we do it now?”
“We’ll need to. You’re expecting an allotment of wolves inthe morning, and they’re sharp. If you want to stay a secret, we need to actfast.”
“Are you going to hide me with wards like Tami’s? Do I needa special stone?”
“Just sigils. Lots of sigils.”
Jiro asked, “And nobody will find out about me?”
