Page 57 of Dancing for the Minotaur

Terra shot her mother a look.

“Mom.”

Lucy shrugged.

“What? I didn’t mention anybody by name.”

Taurex smothered a smile. He had a fairly good idea who she meant. She was speaking of Terra’s ex-mate, Jackson.

His feelings toward Terra’s former mate were becoming increasingly hostile despite the fact that he had never met the male. Any male who abandoned his younglings and refused to provide for them was dishonorable enough. A male who also spent years diminishing the female he had pledged to cherish was even worse.

Clearly bored with the adult talk, Lisa had moved past them and was circling the golden shuttle, staring at her reflection in the polished side panel. Cody was right behind her, also completely fascinated.

“Can we see inside?” he called. “I want to see inside the Bull-man’s car!”

Terra gave Taurex an apologetic look.

“I’m sorry–you don’t have to show them.”

He shook his head.

“I do not mind. Younglings are naturally curious.”

He opened the passenger-side door and immediately both children rushed to look.

Cody leaned inside first.

“Whoa! Look at all the instruments!”

The interior was larger than it appeared from the outside because the shuttle used dimensional compression technology—something Taurex had learned that humans found deeply confusing. The seats were arranged in two rows and adapted automatically to the size and anatomy of the occupant. The forward control panel curved around the driver’s position and glowed faintly with golden symbols.

Lisa had already climbed halfway inside.

“Where’s the steering wheel?” she wanted to know.

“There is no wheel–there is the steering yoke,” Taurex told her.

Cody pointed.

“That?”

“Yes.” Taurex nodded.

“Can your car really fly?”

“Yes.”

Taurex nodded again.

“How fast?”

Taurex gave him the figure and the boy’s eyes got wide.

“That’s not even possible.”

“It is with my ship and with Monstrum technology,” Taurex told him.

“Can it go into space?” Lisa asked.