Page 122 of Fumiko and the Finicky Nestmate
Buzz performed a cursory inspection and declared, “Clear as a spring morning.”
Which wasn’t especially helpful. Juuyu crisply asked, “Has anything changed?”
Colt scanned the room, his attention snagging briefly on Akira, but his whole expression changed a moment later. Pointing to the center of their war room’s table, he asked, “Has that always been there?”
Radiating satisfaction, Argent said, “Eureka.”
FORTY-TWO
Eyes to See
Juuyu strode forward. “Me next.”
“Sure thing!” Jiminy reached into the quiver strapped to his thigh and twirled another crystal-tipped bolt. “This may be the first time I’ve ever been glad that MayMay and DahDah are always so well-armed.”
He repeated the whole process with a confidence that snapped through his sigilcraft.
Juuyu watched closely, trying to follow the patterns.
“I’ll show you later, if you want.” Jiminy’s posture shifted in a way that granted equal standing. “Should be a cinch for you, judging by the finesse in your patterns.”
“Thank you.”
“Feel anything?”
After a moment’s consideration, Juuyu admitted, “The beginnings of the urge to sneeze.”
“Good sign. Hold off for as long as you can.” Jiminy asked, “What about your memories?”
Juuyu closed his eyes and reviewed the case, looking for discrepancies. “I cannot say for certain.”
Jiminy hummed. “Good chance what’s gone is gone. This stuff’s potent.”
He signaled for Bavol, who stood ready with another glass tube. The healer said, “If not for the fact that all those present are already warded against pollen, this method would not be advisable.”
“Cross contamination,” agreed Jiminy.
“Cross pollination,” countered Buzz, who smiled into Juuyu’s eyes and decreed, “That’s more like it. Sharpened up something beautiful.”
Argent ordered, “Do you now have eyes that can see?”
At the center of the table, under the dome of what looked to be a cheese board, a splash of red demanded attention. Flower petals. They tugged at his memory, mocked him when he couldn’t account for them.
“These are from the Amory?” he asked.
“They are from Denny,” said Argent. “The Gentleman Bandit would be on our very doorstep if he could find it.”
“Why did he follow us here?” asked Sinder. “Wait. Is that the right question?”
“How could he follow us here?” asked Moon. “Trees don’t travel.”
“Trees? Who said anything about trees?” asked Hallow.
Argent mildly said, “All in due course. Carry on.”
Bavol pressed a second dose of tea on Juuyu. It was still awful, but it must have done some good. He was thinking more clearly now. “Sinder, have you lost sight of Akira?”
His partner’s expression was blank.
