Page 50 of Fumiko and the Finicky Nestmate
Return
Juuyu straightened his tie as he strode along the gallery to the room with the Bamboo Stave’s display case. Nothing seemed amiss. All of his sigils were intact. Every trap untriggered. “What happened?”
Colt turned, his expression grim. “Something small. And troubling. Look here.”
Drawing his finger across the top of the case, he called attention to a sparse dusting of granules. Juuyu’s focus narrowed, and he mimicked Colt, sliding one fingertip across glass. The residue was slightly sticky. And very familiar.
Seeing Colt touch it to his tongue, Juuyu followed suit. There was no doubt.
“Pollen?”
“It is,” confirmed Juuyu.
“Can you tell what kind?”
“Hardly. I would like to know what Moon thinks.” Juuyu thought to ask, “What do the Kith make of it?”
“That would be easier to show than tell.” Colt beckoned
In the next room, Mirrim scowled at the two lynxes. Tuft sprawled on his back, purring loudly while his forepaws kneaded the air. By his side, Lash lay limp, so deeply asleep that her ears and whiskers didn’t so much as twitch at their arrival.
Colt crouched beside the big male and scratched his speckled fur. “It is this healer’s opinion that these good cats have been thoroughly pollinated.”
“They used pollen to get past our Kith,” growled Mirrim.
“So it seems,” acknowledged Juuyu. It was the natural assumption, given the outcome.
“In the lobby, even the courtyard, I might understand.” Mirrim looked furious. “But they shouldn’t have gotten this far.”
“Could they have been among the guests?”
Colt nodded. “It will help to bring Sinder in.”
“First thing,” Juuyu promised. “But Moon was beyond weary. He will sleep at least four days. Seven would be better for him.”
Mirrim said, “So all we have to do, for now, is hold our ground for a week.”
Juuyu inclined his head.
Colt rubbed his fingertips together. “Preservationists specialize in pollen. Should I bring a sample to …?”
“No!” Juuyu cut in. “There is a reason they filter … ah.”
His teammate’s expression cleared when he caught on, as well. “We can ward against pollen!”
“Bring Portia here.” Addressing Mirrim, he explained, “She is a ward who works with preservationists, so she specializes. Have her work with Magda to incorporate a blocker into your personal wards. For you and for your Kith partners.”
Mirrim rolled her eyes at Tuft and Lash. “Can we ward the entire museum?”
Again, Juuyu inclined his head. After a moment’s thought, he looked to Colt. “Who has access to the kinds of pollen that can do this?”
“Healers. Scholars. Brewers. Perfumers. Collectors. Recreational users.”
“And friends of,” added Mirrim.
Colt quietly conceded, “Or a friend of a friend.”
That cut a wide swath through the In-between, but Juuyu couldn’t help feeling optimistic. Pollen was a known entity. They could refine their alarms. Find its source.
