Page 59 of Taurus's Quest
“How dangerous is this going to be?”
“Put it this way, if we don’t do something about this threat, you won’t have to worry about your wife and child in a few weeks.”
“That bad?”
Taurus nodded.
“Fuck.”
Feeling bad for the man, Taurus waved at the door. “It’s just after six now. Why don’t you head out early and spend some time with your family? Meet me back here before nine-thirty.”
“Thanks.” Out scurried Libra, and Taurus wondered if he’d actually return. The man appeared more concerned with his family than his duties. Could he count on him?
Right at nine-thirty, Libra returned, dressed for the occasion in black.
“Cutting it close, brother,” Taurus growled.
“Excuse me for spending time with my wife,” Libra’s hot retort. “Sorry. Don’t mean to snap. I’m a little stressed.”
“We all are. It’s part of our job ,and the fact you can’t handle it means it’s time you had a chat with Aries about your place with the Zodiacs.” Blunt, but also well-meaning.
“I know it’s time for me to quit.” A quiet agreement. “I’m planning to do so after this asteroid thing is handled. One last mission to save the world before retiring.” A wan smile tugged Libra’s lips.
“I’ll be sorry to see you go, brother.”
“Me too, but my priorities have changed. I have to do what’s best for my family.”
Taurus understood that sentiment a little better now since he’d met Circe. He’d been willing to risk the fate of mankind to rescue her. Although, in the end, he compromised with Aries, who allowed him to take the original schematics but only after they scanned each page several times.
Eyeing Libra, Taurus noticed one thing lacking. “You forgot your weapons.”
“Yeah, I just gotta grab them from the basement. I don’t keep them in the apartment in case my wife finds them.”
Libra headed downstairs and returned shortly, buckling a holster and with sheaths of knives, which he strapped to his calves and forearms.
Nine forty-five. According to the internet, it took ten minutes to walk to the location, less with his rapid and long stride.
“Let’s get this done,” Taurus muttered, exiting the shop to the roiling of dark storm clouds and distant rumbling.
The damp and heavy air promised rain. Good thing he’d secured the ancient sheets of paper in a plastic sleeve. He wouldn’t allow anything to ruin the exchange for Circe. It didn’t help his nerves he’d heard nothing from Aries and the others since their text saying Positions locked.
As he strode, hands shoved in his pockets, head down—but still observing—he tried to calm his roiling mind.
Failed.
Is Circe okay?
His worry made him no better than Libra. Was it time for him to retire too? No. Because, unlike Libra, he still wanted to go on missions. Would continue to do his duty. The only difference this time? The life of someone he cared about was at stake.
The site of the Ancient Agora appeared, the fence enclosing it easy to vault.
While the note hadn’t stated where in the vast protected ruins he should go, he headed for the most notable structure, the pillared temple.
Wind whipped, the whistle making it hard to hear if anyone approached—or still shadowed. He had to trust Libra guarded his back. The clouds overhead hung low and heavy, the storm imminent.
As Taurus neared the temple, he slowed at the sight of a man emerging from between the columns, dragging a woman with bound hands.
Circe.
