Page 121 of Fumiko and the Finicky Nestmate
The wooden sandals clicked faintly on the wood planking.
They’d been so much louder on the museum’s stone floors.
Juuyu blinked hard, cocked his head to the side. But before he could pin down the elusive impression, the door burst open and Jiminy exclaimed, “I figured it out! I think. Pretty sure, anyhow. I need a volunteer!”
Rather than being perturbed by the interruption, Argent beckoned Jiminy closer. “Show me your sigilwork.”
Jiminy held what looked to be a crossbow bolt, one tipped with crystal. While Jiminy eagerly explained his adaptations to Argent, Juuyu noticed his partner. An uneasy Sinder was slowly wheeling his chair backward. He’d never been entirely comfortable with red crystals, and he scowled at this one with as much wariness as if facing off against the Chrysanthemum Blaze.
Juuyu curled his fingers in invitation.
Sinder was behind him in a twinkling, not exactly cowering, but definitely unhappy. “I’ve been hit with one of those before. It went badly.”
“I remember.” Juuyu squared his shoulders, making himself a barrier.
Argent finished his inspection with a single word. “Creative.”
“Thanks!” Jiminy beamed at the room at large. “So who’s first?”
“I volunteer.” Colt stood. “It wouldn’t be the first time I’ve given a crystal adept free rein.”
Bavol nickered.
Jiminy had Colt pull his stool into the center of the room. “Hold this in front of your face. Just so. Mouth slightly open. Yes, good.”
The man gracefully pulled sigils from thin air with both hands until four wheeled around Colt. They were reminiscent of Magda’s handiwork, but Jiminy had definitely tweaked them. The red crystal on the bolt glinted, and Colt’s expression grew increasingly confused.
Bavol took a stance behind his brother, steadying and supporting him.
Buzz gasped and covered his mouth.
“You seeing that?” whispered Sinder.
Juuyu’s focus narrowed on the bolt. Historically, wards had used red crystals to attract Amaranthine. In the right hands, they could become an irresistible lure. Somehow, Jiminy was using this one to attract and collect the pollen. Patches of the stuff clung to the stone’s surface.
“Try. Not. To. Sneeze,” Jiminy said urgently.
Colt nodded slightly.
“Where’s it coming from?” asked Hallow.
Jiminy shrugged. “Oooh, you know. Here and there. Wherever it’s lodged.”
“Portia’s barrier strips away pollen that’s hitched a ride on skin or hair or clothing, but if the particles are internalized, they aren’t affected.” Bavol placed a hand against his brother’s forehead. “Nasal passages, bronchial tubes, mucus membranes. That sort of thing.”
Colt’s nose wrinkled. “Jiminy, I’m going to sneeze.”
“Hold it for juuust a sec. Induced sneezing is on our short list of remedies.” Carefully taking the bolt from his hand, Jiminy backed up several paces. “Go for it.”
He sneezed twice into a handkercheif. “Beg pardon,” Colt murmured, only to sneeze again.
Jiminy kept his sigils wheeling for several seconds, then asked, “Is there anything I can put this in?”
Bavol was ready with a slender tube used for specimens, and Jiminy gently slid the entire bolt inside. Once it was capped, everyone breathed a little easier.
Colt blew his nose, then rolled his eyes when his brother held open a hazmat bag for the hanky’s disposal. When Bavol thrust a tepid mug of tea under his nose, Colt grimaced but choked it down.
“Well?” Argent drummed his fingers. “How long before we know if we should give any credence to Jiminy’s razzle-dazzle?”
