Page 93 of Minding the Minotaur

“So?”

“If it can monitor your movements so accurately, then it can track humans, too. It’s still rudimentary, but it could also help us to communicate faster through all the levels, to keep ahead of what they’re up to.”

“That could be… useful.” Jax actually sounds alert for once. “Explain it to me.”

“You guys talk shop, I’m off to check on Sammy.” Arlo’s voice gets closer.

As the door swings open, I literally fall into his arms.

“Sammy!” he cries, embracing me. “You’re awake.”

“Hello Samantha,” says Otis.

Jax says, “How’s things, Blondie?”

As Arlo releases me, I stand there with a cheesy grin on my face, aware that I’m dressed only in one of Arlo’s shirt. “Good, thank you.” I pull the shirt down over my thighs, blushing.

“No need to look all coy, Blondie. We know about you two lovebirds,” Jax drawls.

“Yep, it was obvious right from the start.” Otis nods, and I detect a smirk pushing his tusks upward. So hedidknow. “And since your crash-landing in Digger’s Diner, you two are now the main talking point around level one.”

Oh,” I say, my cheeks still bright pink, but also kind of chuffed.

Arlo scuffs a hoof and mutters, “We’ve got some good news. But I wanted to wait until Sammy was awake before I spilled the beans.” He tugs me gently against his flank. “Okay if I tell them?”

I nod, smiling.

“Sammy is pregnant with our baby.”

There’s a long moment of stunned silence.

Finally, Jax whispers, “Hooly fucking dooly,” and Otis says, “Congratulations,” then proceeds to frown and scratch his head.

I’m not sure what to make of their reactions, so I babble, “Thank you, yes, Arlo and I are overjoyed, obviously, but um, there is aslightcomplication.” I take a deep breath. “They did blood tests on me in the hospital. They know I’m pregnant, and that, er, the father is not human.”

Jax sits bolt-upright. “Shit.”

“That could prove slightly problematic,” Otis says and his frown deepens.

“Master of the fucking understatement,” Jax mutters. They both stare at me, their eyes full of questions.

There’s nothing for it. I have to tell them the full story. Fingers knotting together, in a faltering voice I explain everything I remember from my horrible meeting with Marsha and DV Research; the theory that our youngling may be able to breathe unfiltered oxygen after it’s born. The research they were intending to do on us both.

When I’ve finished, Otis jumps up and starts pacing.

“Damn. They’re bound to come looking for you.”

Jax nods. “I have to agree with the sheriff, Blondie, you will be persona numero uno on their wanted list.”

Arlo’s arm tightens protectively around my waist. “I won’t let them near you, babe,” he growls in my ear.”

“This calls for urgency. I’ll need to get security cameras set up near all the portals. And we need to monitor manufacturing on levels seven and eight.” Otis thinks aloud as he strides up and down “Maybe even halt exports of those products.”

Jax pulls a face. “Not asking for much, are you?” He shakes his head. “If we try that, it will just focus more attention on the Labyrinth. We’ll have to be stealthier, work below the radar.”

Otis stops pacing and scratches his head. “Jax, how many peripherals can we really trust?”

Jax holds up three fingers on one hand, then folds one back down.