Page 94 of Fumiko and the Finicky Nestmate
Mirrim looked and felt frustrated. Her ire was barely under control.
Magda was all triumphant smiles. Having Jiminy here pleased her.
“May I touch?” Jiminy inquired.
With a weary warble, Juuyu took a receptive stance. And tried to wrest an answer out of Jiminy. “When did Argent contact the Nightspangle pack.”
“Wee hours in our time zone.” Jiminy added, “I had breakfast here in the lobby.”
“How did you get across the country so swiftly?”
“Uncle Denny brought me.”
Juuyu’s gaze slanted to Mirrim. “There is a squirrel lurking about the place?”
She rolled her eyes.
“He’s clearing the ducts for us,” said Magda. “Jiminy already warded him against pollen, so he’ll be fine.”
“Pollen,” Juuyu echoed. Why did that sound familiar?
Jiminy’s smile was sympathetic. “Essentially, you’ve been pollinated. All of you were. Though Magda’s personal wards were partially effective at stemming the tide.”
“I knew something was wrong.” She slyly added, “When are you going to get around to calling me Mom? Hmm?”
“When I have fewer mothers?” Jiminy cut a glance in Mirrim’s direction, reset his feet, and cautiously asked, “Or … maybe we could switch things up? How does Grandma grab you?”
Jiminy was in a headlock so fast, Juuyu was impressed.
Mirrim growled, “Our grandchildren call me MayMay. Clear?”
Her son-in-law chuckled. “Really? That’s so cute.”
Hands on hips, Magda bent at the waist and angled her head to beam at him. “And I’m DahDah. From Magda. Get it?”
“Got it,” he wheezed. Mirrim must have been adding pressure.
“Good.” Magda tugged his ear, kissed his forehead, and announced, “I’ll be in the next room, calling Melissa. Smack a sigil if you need me.”
When he was free, Jiminy’s smile faded as he refocused on Juuyu. “Sorry. This must be disorienting. I can talk and tune, though I don’t know much.”
Juuyu presented his palms and waited.
The man’s sigilcraft was so potent, the air between them practically sizzled, but Jiminy’s mood was as light as his touch. “Argent trusts me, so I’m here. Uncle Denny and I are the first wave. To extract your team. Medical support is on the way, to deal with the pollen and its influence. Should arrive anytime now. And sometime tomorrow, Argent will be here.”
So they had failed. “Who alerted Argent to our … situation?”
“Akira Hajime went over your head. Called in the cavalry.” Jiminy slowly closed Juuyu’s fingers over a small amber stone that now sang in unison with his soul. With an almost apologetic pat, Jiminy added, “I hear he’s immune.”
Juuyu wished the facts made more sense. “Why not tell me?”
“I’m sure he did. Now! I’ve made sure you aren’t taking in any more pollen, but there’s plenty still in your system. The healer might have some ideas about countermeasures, but you and your teammates are still affected.”
With a soft rap, a lanky redhead let himself into the room. Linden Woodacre, one of the most influential Amaranthine in the United States. Normally, he’d be at home in Fletching, baking cookies for college students.
“Spokesperson,” Juuyu greeted respectfully.
“Denny, if you can. Linden if you must.” He scanned the room before asking, “In your experience, what kind of range does a tree have? How far from their roots can they manifest?”
