Page 57 of Taurus's Quest
A frown creased Nolan’s features. “The scout is unable to provide any additional info, as it has been unable to properly meld due to the being’s physiology.”
Sounded like whatever parasite infected Demetrius and the others couldn’t control Taurus. As to when it attached itself, she’d concluded while in the closet it most likely happened during Taurus’s encounter with Andreas.
“Has Lenny’s scout reported?” Demetrius asked next.
“No one has entered or exited the shop since he began watching.”
“And what of the rear entrance?”
It took Nolan a second before he murmured, “Also indicating no movement.”
They must be talking about the Zodiac Emporium. But of more interest, Taurus was in Athens. He must have agreed to the trade.
It warmed her heart but also chilled her blood. Surely, he wouldn’t hand over the world’s only chance at salvation to save her? Given his experience, she prayed he had a plan.
“They’re probably wasting time watching. Have those scouts relocate to the Agora site and tell them to be prepared for an ambush. Rebecca, you’ll join them.”
“At once.” The woman immediately departed, leaving Circe alone with Demetrius and the kind-of-freaky Nolan. No type of earpiece or any device at all on his person could only mean he somehow spoke to his companions telepathically.
The realization led to her blurting out, “What are you? What do you want?”
To her surprise, Demetrius answered. “We are tools, whose sole purpose is to ease the arrival of our masters.”
“And who are your masters?”
“The ones who will conquer and rule your Earth.” A declaration that could have used an ominous musical score.
“They’re on the asteroid.” Not a hard guess to make.
“The fleet has been travelling eons, waiting for a suitable planet to colonize. Soon their journey will end.”
“And in the process, kill all of humanity.”
“Not all.” A faint smile tugged Demetrius’ lips. “The masters will keep some for sustenance and sport.”
A blood-chilling statement. “Why do you need the plans for the Antikythera?”
“As a precaution. The device is actually useless without this.” Demetrius pulled a rock from his pocket, the egg-shaped object dull gray in appearance and dimpled.
It had to be the one Taurus had mentioned. “What is that?”
“A scout transport. Our masters launched hundreds of them in their search for a new home world. While the Earth was long ago deemed suitable, the first attempt to colonize this planet failed.”
“Because of the Antikythera device,” she hypothesized aloud.
Demetrius scowled. “Our enemies gave the humans a means to destroy the first colony ship and then no other dared travel here until we scouts could reassure them the threat had been eliminated.”
“Who’s your enemy?”
“Enough with the questions.” Demetrius suddenly went from talkative to dick. “Time for us to get moving.”
Rather than return to the rooftop and the helicopter, an elevator brought them to a sub-level parking garage, where she got shoved into the rear of a windowless panel van. The hum of the engine, the motion, and fatigue lulled her to sleep. She woke abruptly when the van doors opened and Demetrius barked, “Get out. It’s time.” A declaration punctuated by a clap of thunder.
Time to see if she would be sacrificed or saved.
Chapter 17
One by one the warriors went through the Athens’ portal, emerging in the Zodiac Emporium’s basement.
