Page 131 of Dancing for the Minotaur

For several seconds, there was no answer.

Then the crushing weight of the Goddess’s presence seemed to soften.

“Good. You have passed the test, Warrior, and been found worthy.”

Taurex felt a rush of relief.

“Thank you, Goddess. Now will you tell me where they are?”

“I will. Listen carefully, warrior. I will tell you where to go.”

“Yes.” He immediately activated the navigation system. “Tell me.”

Coordinates appeared inside his mind with impossible clarity—not numbers he had to struggle to remember but a complete spatial location, as though someone had placed a glowing marker on the surface of Earth itself.

Taurex watched as the glowing dot zeroed in North America…then Florida…then downtown Tampa. He entered the coordinates as quickly as his hands could move.

“The children are frightened, but they are unharmed at this moment.”

“At this moment?” Taurex repeated grimly.

“The male who took them is dangerous. He has other males with him, and some carry human projectile weapons,” the Goddess informed him.

Taurex’s jaw tightened.

“How many?”

“Enough that you should not go unarmed.”

His hand immediately went to the weapons compartment beneath the shuttle console.

“I will be armed.”

“You must protect the younglings at all costs. Children are sacred to me.”

“I will protect them with my life.”

There was no hesitation. Taurex meant every word. If saving Cody and Lisa required him to die, then he would die. He could think of no better use for a life that had felt empty ever since Terra left it.

But the Goddess wasn’t finished.

“Do not be reckless simply because your heart is wounded, warrior. I asked you to protect them, not to throw your life away.”

Taurex went still. Apparently there were no thoughts one could hide from a Goddess.

“I understand, Goddess,” he said.

“Do you?”

Her tone was gentle now, but there was something inside it that made him feel like a youngling being corrected by an infinitely patient mother.

Taurex swallowed.

“Yes, my Lady. I will protect myself as well.”

“See that you do.”

“Is Terra with them?” he asked.