Page 95 of Dancing for the Minotaur

“I understood.”

The low amusement in his voice made her cheeks warm.

Once all the vegetables were prepared, Taurex turned toward the enormous cooling pod growing from the wall. He stroked its pale green side, and the overlapping leaves peeled themselves back, revealing the chilled interior.

“I need the marnak meat,” he told Terra, who was looking around his shoulder curiously.

The meat was stored in another living container inside the cooling pod, wrapped in broad translucent leaves. Taurex lifted it out and unfolded the covering to reveal several thick chunks of bright blue flesh.

Terra stared.

“That stuff is meat?” she asked.

“Yes, it is,” Taurex said.

“But…it’s blue.”

He nodded.

“Yes, that is the correct color for marnak meat.”

“And what exactly is a marnak?” Terra asked.

Taurex paused for a moment.

“It is a large grazing animal.”

Terra narrowed her eyes.

“You hesitated before you said that.”

“I was considering how best to describe it.”

“Does it have too many legs?”

“It has four. Is that too many?” he asked.

Terra shook her head.

“No. But does it have too many eyes?”

“It has two,” he told her.

Terra frowned.

“Does it have tentacles?”

He shook his head.

“No.”

At last she was satisfied.

“Good. I don't think I want to know anything else.”

“That may be wise.”

Terra pointed at him.