Page 48 of Taurus's Quest
“That would be most excellent, as my supplies have grown sparse and shabby.”
“Ever occur to you to leave?” Taurus kept up the casual conversation.
“This prison was built to prevent that.”
Circe couldn’t contain her curiosity. “How are you not dead? Aren’t you thousands of years old?”
“I haven’t the slightest clue. Time passes differently in here.” The beast perused her with amber-colored eyes. “A lady. What a delight. I haven’t seen one of you since my mother stopped visiting. As to your query, the same spell that keeps me locked away also ensures I cannot die.”
“Rumor on the outside is you were slayed by decapitation.”
The minotaur snorted. “I’m sure that would work, but none have ever managed more than a flesh wound.”
“Then they weren’t very good fighters.”
“I take it you’re here to slay me for the glory of the feat?” Minotaur sighed. “So tedious.”
“Don’t attack me and I won’t kill you.”
“So confident,” Minotaur snorted. “I should mention those who came here exhibiting the same arrogance never left.”
“Do you have a name?” Circe felt her fear melting in the face of the articulate creature.
“Asterion, which means?—”
“The starry one,” Taurus murmured.
“And whom do I have the pleasure of meeting?” Asterion asked as he scooped the cat twining around his legs.
“I’m Circe, from Athens, and my companion is Taurus.”
Asterion snorted. “What a silly name.”
An offended Taurus arched a brow. “Why?”
“Because, while you are as large as me, you’re no bull.”
“No, I’m not, but I’m starrier than you. I’m a Zodiac Warrior, the avatar for the Astraeus Taurus constellation to be exact.”
“Really?” Asterion didn’t hide his surprise.
“You’ve heard of us?”
“Only vague rumors brought to me by my mother. She once harbored hope your kind could free me from my prison. Alas, she never managed to locate one of you.”
Taurus glanced around with a frown. “We have been known to break spells, but given how the world has changed, that might not be doing you a kindness.”
“Says the man who hasn’t read the same books thousands of times,” Asterion retorted.
“Fair point. Think of it more as a warning. Humanity has exploded since you were locked away, and I doubt they’d react kindly to your appearance. You would likely be hunted, captured for dissection, or put on display.”
“Some things never change.” The minotaur sighed, and Circe couldn’t help but feel bad for him. “But where are my manners? Won’t you join me for some fresh spring water?” Minotaur waved to a basin filled to the brim with glistening liquid.
“While that’s very kind, we’re actually pressed for time,” Taurus stated. “We’re here looking for something.”
“Greedy treasure hunters,” the minotaur hissed. “What are you after? A crown? Rings? Necklaces? All of it?”
“We have no interest in trinkets but rather seek a specific book or parchment explaining the Antikythera mechanism,” Circe explained.
