Page 97 of Minding the Minotaur
One thing I know, I will never regret barging my way into Sparkle City in that portal cape. Even if it brings the wrath of humans down on us monsters all over again. Even if I sense there is another epic battle still to come.
That we will have to fight for our right to exist all over again.
And yet… courage swells in my chest.
Because I know with absolute certainty that me and Sammy meeting, and now our miracle youngling growing inside her, will somehow turn the tides of destiny.
EPILOGUE
6weeks later
SAMMY
We’re all sitting around in Digger’s Diner, celebrating.
I’ve just had my first scan. It was done by Tippy’s cousin, who is an obstetric wixen. She lay her hands on my belly and could immediately tell from the vibrations that our baby was healthy and growing beautifully inside me.
She even knew the sex. But we chose not to find out.
Things have gotten a bit tight financially since Arlo stopped working at the clinic. His cousin Rob has taken over. He’s a young fit minotaur, but soon the humans are going to realize his production is not nearly as enzyme rich as Arlo’s.
But I can’t help being relieved. Now we’re a committed couple, it would feel wrong for Arlo to spread his seed around, especially knowing that Marsha Winters and Dr Petronis have far more evil intentions than merely increasing human fertility.
Because of the fiscal belt tightening, we’ve also had to let Tippy go. She immediately got work at Digger’s Diner, whereshe’s busily transforming the menu with green smoothies and the like. Arlo and I are sharing the cooking at home, but I have to keep an eye on him—he’d add fries to every meal if I let him. We’ve cut back on the lighting in the house and garden too, so things are a bit dim, but I kind of like it that way. It’s cozy, just us two in our love nest.
As for above ground, we’re hearing that there’s more sinister activity afoot, more guards being posted to the Periphery, more exports of munitions.
Jax fills Otis in, and Otis tells us—some of it.
I’m pretty sure he shields us from the worst.
I worry about Clem being up there, working at DeVines with that evil woman at the helm. I worry about my parents, too. Clem has told them I am safe and happy, but that’s all. They must be worried sick, but how can I tell them what’s going on?
How can I tell them they’ll soon be grandparents?
Times are uncertain, and trouble is brewing. But I am not going to dwell on all that. I am in nesting mode with my beloved minotaur, and maybe all the pregnancy hormones swilling around inside me are protecting me from worrying too much.
As if he senses my thoughts, Arlo reaches over and folds his big hand over mine, squeezing it reassuringly, his smile full of love. I return the smile, knowing he will do everything to protect me and our youngling.
“Time for a toast,” Arlo announces, as Digger arrives with glasses of grappa, and orange juice for me in a little shot glass. I smile a thank you at him, and he winks. Everyone is being so kind, so caring toward me, especially now they all know I’m pregnant.
As Arlo passes around the glasses I say, “We have to wait for Otis and Jax.”
He growls about them never being on time, but we bothknow they are doing important work, keeping the Labyrinth and its monsters safe.
Just at that moment, Otis stomps in. He looks completely exhausted, his eyes dark rimmed, his hair disheveled. He apologizes, sits down and grabs a glass, but he’s more pre-occupied than usual.
Behind him, in saunters Jax in his usual leisurely fashion. In comparison to Otis, he looks as if he has all the time in the world, that the idea of taxing himself to move any faster would be an infernal bore. It’s hard to understand how he gets things done, but I know he does. Very efficiently, moving in the shadows, all smoke and mirrors as he slides between two worlds.
And while I know little about Jax, after the events of the past few weeks, I agree with Clem that he can be trusted wholeheartedly.
Jax Summers is one hundred percent a friend of the monsters here.
Arlo passes around the glasses of grappa.
“To the health of our youngling.” He places his hand on my stomach, and I place mine over his. We smile into each other’s eyes as all assembled raise their glasses and everyone says in unison, “To Sammy and Arlo’s youngling.”
“Got a name yet?” Kazmo asks.
