Page 55 of Taurus's Quest
Aries sighed. “So it’s like that with the astronomer?” A nod from Taurus and Aries added, “Then I guess we’re going to kick some ass. Let me round up the warriors currently in the tower.”
“If we attack, they might kill Circe.”
“How long do you think she’ll live if you give them what they want?”
Given their previous attempt to silence her, probably not even minutes. “Fine, so we ambush. Problem is, we don’t know how many will show or how they’ll be armed.” Fighting something with fangs and claws proved a lot different than people brandishing guns.
“Hopefully enough to make it sporting.” A weak attempt at humor that fell flat.
“What is this Agora place?”
“Ancient ruin in Athens,” Aries stated, whirling back to the computer screen to type. He pulled up some images. “It’s a tourist site that contains mostly a bunch of crumbled structures, although there is a stone-columned building still standing.”
“Lots of places to hide,” Taurus murmured, looking at the satellite images.
“Yes. I’m thinking, if we hurry, we can have most of the warriors enter and then conceal themselves before it closes for the day.”
“If anyone is already watching the place, they’ll hardly blend in.” Zodiacs tended to be big boys.
“Tower will help with disguises. Leo will make a fine-looking American tourist with the right mustache, fake belly, and an obnoxious patterned shirt.”
“He’ll hate that.”
“Yes, he will,” Aries replied with a smile.
At Aries’ request, Tower gathered all the warriors present in the dining room. A final meal before they portaled to Athens. While Aries recapped the situation, Taurus glanced at those present. Fewer than Taurus would have liked. Leo, Zora, Capricorn. Libra would be briefed after they arrived via the portal in the shop.
No one balked at the mission because this was what they did. Brainstorm how to handle a problem. Then execute, quite literally.
Only this time Taurus had a personal stake in the outcome.
“…when Taurus arrives at the Agora, we’ll form a wide net that shadows him. If you come across any of the enemy, you are to eliminate them quietly. No guns unless there’s no other choice.” Aries explained how the operation would unfold, not really necessary since, apart from Zora, they all had experience when it came to these types of missions.
Sage, who’d been quiet until that moment, piped in, using her spooky foretelling voice.
“Beware the lightning that falls, bringing uncertainty and darkness.”
Chapter 16
Shock had Circe gaping at Demetrius and the trio of men flanking him. “What are you doing here?” Even as she asked, it hit her that he must have been working with Andreas. Why else would he have followed her and Taurus to the Labyrinth?
Still wearing a smirk, Demetrius glanced around. “Where is your companion, the star warrior?”
Wait? How did Demetrius know about the Zodiac Warriors? Their existence was supposed to be secret. “He’s gone.”
“And left you behind? Doubtful. Search the room,” Demetrius barked. “Watch for hidden doorways.”
The men he’d brought began scrounging through the clutter, tossing things left and right. As if Taurus would be hiding under the knee-high pile of discarded armor.
“He’s not here,” she reiterated, hugging her upper body.
A pinch-lipped Demetrius glared at her. “Does he have the plans?”
She tried playing dumb. “What plans?”
“The ones to rebuild what you call the Antikythera mechanism. I know they’re the reason you came here. Hand them over.”
“I don’t have them.” The truth. “And you’ll never get them now, because they’re somewhere you can’t reach.” Or so she hoped. While Tower’s powers of camouflage foiled human eyes, she had to wonder about Demetrius and his companions. If they’d been infected like Andreas, then who knew what they were capable of?
