Page 30 of My Fated Minotaur Hero

Before Kalen can stop me, I'm darting across the street. The cat, Othrix, looks up at me, meows once, then darts inside through an open archway.

"Olivia, wait!" Kalen calls, but I'm already squeezing through a pair of columns to follow the cat inside.

I pass inside and pause to allow my eyes to adjust to the darkness withing. The interior is both musty and silent, with no sign of Othrix. The place doesn’t seem to get many visitors. But the walls are covered with writing that reminds me of the map, and the seal is again repeated here too. The little secret smile on the woman’s face somehow looks even more secretive now. Of course, I know it hasn’t changed. Has it?

No, Liv, it hasn’t. That’s you losing what’s left of your mind.

Sighing, I turn back to the entrance. " Kalen, you've got to see this!" But as I poke my head out, I see him chatting animatedly with a group of what look like elves. His charm is on full blast, all easy smiles and effortless banter.

I feel a twinge of ... something. Annoyance? Jealousy?

Don't be ridiculous, Liv.

We just went over this.

He's just being friendly. It's good for business, remember?

Still, I can't help but feel a little, what,judgy? Why? Because you don’t have that confidence?

Hey, I am working on it.

I haven’t even looked at my flash cards all day.

Still, probably some truth there. Mostly just all my insecurities pushing to the surface ... I mean, popping into a hidden magical town and literally riding a minotaur ... a lot of room for doubt to creep in there ...

Shaking off the feeling, I head back inside. Focus on the seal, Liv. This village would be a lot cooler if you knew you atleast had the option to get home too ... if only for the occasional visit ...

As my eyes roam the inner walls, I spot the seal again, this time etched above a large stone door that's slightly ajar.

"Well, hello there," I murmur, running my fingers along the carving. The door pivots at my touch, revealing fine craftsmanship but also a hidden room beyond.

"Seriously, what is it with this place and hidden spaces?" I mutter, stepping inside.

The space within is only dimly lit by some high windows. It looks like it's been used for storage, but not for what, the last hundred years?

But still no cat ...

I scan the room, looking for any other clues.

Maybe there will be a chalice?

That would be too easy.

There are dusty shelves lined with what look like old books and artifacts. My inner librarian is itching to examine every item, to catalog and organize this treasure trove of knowledge.

I fight the urge to pull out my little notebook.

Focus, Liv. Just do a quick sweep.

But even as I scan the old tattered books and forgotten scraps that lay about my heart sinks. It looks like it’s a dead end. I suppose I could take a look at the books. Perhaps there will be something there to tell me what the hell the significance of that seal is.

Oh wait, what’s that?

I spot a few cat toys scattered around among some scraps of fabric in a corner. Looks like Othrix has a little bed here. Cute.

Then as I move a few old crates around, I spot what looks like a little nest he’s made. There’s a few more cat toys scattered around some scraps of fabric.

“You around here, kitty kitty?”

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