Page 89 of Tamiko and the Two Janitors
If people would pay anything, promise anything, all for thechance to live beyond one lifetime, what would happen? And which side would beusing the other?
“There are limitations, but those happen to work in ourfavor. The human partner must be a reaver in order to strike the right balance.Something about synergy or symmetry. I’m a little vague on the details, but it shouldwork.”
“Howdoes it work?”
Kip hesitated. “I do know tending is involved.”
The soul-sharing thing. “You never explained how thatworks.”
“I’m not really sure about the mechanics. I mean, tending isgive-and-take—you give, I take. But in my experience, the reaver alwaysinitiates a session.” He sheepishly added, “Never really thought abouthow.”
“So we can’t try it?”
There was a long silence, during which Kip’s hand kept pressingat Joe’s shoulders, coaxing his tension away. Finally, he said, “Better not.”
“You don’t want to?” Joe’s heart sank. What had he expected?
Kip made one of his squirrel sounds, a burring of his tonguethat was hard to interpret. But dawn must have been approaching, and Joe couldmake out a little of Kip’s face in the gray light. He was grinning.
“Oh, I want to. You’re so tempting, it scares me a little. ButI am a very little squirrel, and you are very much a beacon. I might be able tohide you, but I’m not sure I can handle you. Not without safeguards.”
“Are you … afraid of me?”
“Nope. Even if you cut loose, dousing and dazzling the wholefarm, I know I’d be safe from harm. Your power is part of you. It would neverbetray your good intentions.” Kip’s forehead touched his. “I am trying to besensible. And respectful. Maybe even gentlemanly. If this was a fairy tale,you’d be the most beautiful person in all the realm, and I’m the poor schmuckwho doesn’t deserve you.”
“But I’m the farm boy.”
Kip snorted and nipped his ear again. Definitelyretaliation, but it seemed playful. And proof enough to Joe that Kipwasn’tafraid of him. Either that, or he wasn’t afraid of anything.
“We’re getting off topic again,” he grumbled. “I amtryingto offer you a happily ever after.”
“Why?”
“Why wouldn’t I? You’re like a treasure hidden in a field. Apearl of great price. Brighter than the morning star, and willing as the wind.”
Joe cautiously asked, “What about Ash?”
Kip curled into him, hiding his face against Joe’s chest ashe clung. “Okay, so I’m being sensibleandselfish. Because if I make itpossible for you to stay with Tami, I’ll get to stay close to Ash.”
“Won’t that be hard?”
“Not always.”
Joe was being offered something for which many would payanything, promise anything, do anything. Maybe he and Kip were using each othera little. Or maybe this was more like pooling their resources. “Okay.”
“Yeah?”
Joe awkwardly patted Kip’s back. “Yeah.”
THIRTY-THREE
Denny
Melissa couldn’t sleep, even though she should havebeen able to relax. The burden of secrets, the safety of her cousin, theformalities regarding boundaries, limits, and permissions—everything was now inthe keeping of Doon-wen and the wolves of the Nightspangle pack. But shecouldn’t find her way to the rest her body needed. Giving up, she pulled onjeans and a heavy sweater and braved the wet to get to work.
Rook welcomed her with a soft smile and a hot drink, but hedidn’t bother with words. Melissa was grateful that none were needed.
Staying busy became increasingly easy, thanks to the weather.A combination of gusty wind and miserable drizzle drove half the campus to seekthe shelter Founders offered. Students dragged in, cold, wet, and drowsy.Tables filled and stayed full, with people lingering over second and third cupsof coffee.
