Page 10 of Minding the Minotaur (Monsters of the Labyrinth #1)

S AMMY

I trot along beside Otis, trying to appear calm and professional as he shows me around.

It’s a really nice place, with a great vibe considering it’s been built into a rock wall.

The ceilings are curved, but high enough to make it feel spacious, and the sconces that line the walls shine brightly.

There’s even a spa and gym room, and a snug with a TV of all things, and a big soft sofa and two easy chairs.

It’s all remarkably plush for a cave dwelling.

Arlo must have some coin to afford all this.

I smile and make suitable comments. Internally though, I’m a mess. When he’d briefed me earlier why hadn’t Otis told me that the monster I was guarding was a minotaur?

My meeting an hour ago with Sheriff Otis Cane, as he gruffly introduced himself, took place in a small room off to the side of the portal entrance, with a chair and a table and a tiny window too high to show me even a glimpse of the Labyrinth .

He didn’t ask me any questions, said he had all the information he needed from Jax.

What he told me about the job was pretty scant, too.

I’d be guarding a monster, a larrikin who’d been causing a few problems and had been put under house arrest to calm him down for a few weeks. Absolutely fine to be around humans. And females. Apparently.

I sat there, nodding mutely, while also trying to look suitably tough.

Truth be told, I was totally intimidated by the massive green monster with red eyes sitting across the desk from me.

I noticed he had tusks, neatly positioned at either side of his mouth, and very pointy.

Not the kind of guy you’d want to get on the wrong side of.

The sheriff went on to explain that there would be a surveillance system to watch the monster’s movements.

And I’d have a zapper—whatever a zapper is—in case he got too close.

“He won’t trample you on purpose,” Otis explained, “but he is large and, erm—clumsy, so you may want to keep your distance.”

Great.

Next, he explained how much I’d be paid, which seemed generous, even though I didn’t fully understand the conversions into Sparkle money. Jax said he’d organize the transfers.

Finally, Otis leaned back in his chair, steepled his big green fingers and said, “You’ll do.” He nodded to Jax, who nodded back. These guys clearly knew each other well. Through Jax working here, I guess.

When Jax took his leave, Otis escorted me from the building to a black jeep outside and motioned for me to sit in the back.

The car’s windows were blacked out, which meant I got only the merest glimpse of my surroundings as I was hustled into the back seat.

What I did see surprised me. It wasn’t so very dark down here.

There were tunnels spreading out into the distance, and I saw movements in the light cast by dozens of sconces on the walls .

Monsters moving around in their world, I supposed with a little shiver of anticipation as the jeep sped away. I couldn’t help wondering if one of them was the minotaur I was so desperate to meet again…

And meet again we certainly did—much sooner than I’d expected. Though it was hardly the romantic reunion I’d imagined, seeing Arlo standing in front of me, all hard muscle and gleaming horns, still managed to make my heart and pussy thrum in unison.

Otis stops abruptly now, and I almost barrel into him. He throws open a door. “This is your quarters.”

He strides inside and I follow him, my eyes scanning the small room. There are screens lined up on the wall. CCTV, by the looks of it.

“You’ll keep tabs on him from here when you’re not with him. This is your room, too. There’s a bed and a bathroom opposite.”

I glance around the little room, then stare back at the impressive wall of screens. It reminds me of the DeVines store security system. I hadn’t expected anything this sophisticated.

“Is this necessary?” I say, without thinking.

“Entirely necessary.” Otis flicks screens between different rooms and I blink as I see all the rooms I’ve just been shown. Finally, he flicks to the screen showing Arlo’s bedroom. My heart tightens as I see him sitting dejectedly on the huge bed, his big hands clasped in his lap, horns down.

“He looks so sad,” I whisper hoarsely.

Otis visibly stiffens. “Incarceration is not pleasant for monsters,” he says tersely, and I sense he doesn’t like doing this one bit.

“Is he a friend of yours?”

“Let’s say he’s a close family associate.” Otis rubs a tusk with his thumb. “Known the guy since we were kids. ”

“Why, then?” I burst out. “Why are you doing this to him?”

He huffs. Stands back and plants his huge green hands on his hips. I keep my eyes on his tusks, but for once he doesn’t look mean. He looks worried. “He’s been taking illicit trips to Sparkle. If he gets caught, he’ll pay a heavy price.”

I wonder if he means vaporization, but after Jax’s reaction when I mentioned that word, I decide to keep my mouth shut.

“Besides,” Otis mutters, “the work he does is… very important to our economy.”

I frown. “So he’s an asset as well as a liability?”

Otis’s lips hitch, not quite a smile, but close. “Guess you could say that.”

“What’s his job?” I ask.

But Otis has already turned his attention to the deck of screens and the control panel on the desk. “Okay, let me show you how this all works,” he says brusquely.

Subject closed, for now, but my curiosity is piqued.

Otis gives me a thorough briefing on the panel of screens that flips between rooms. I note there isn’t one in Arlo’s bathroom and frankly, I’m not sure if I’m relieved or disappointed.

Afterward, Otis takes me to the kitchens, where a guy who looks like a lizard of some sort, judging by his scaly green skin, is securing bars to the windows.

A willowy figure is prepping food at the kitchen bench. She could almost pass for human with her cute, pointed face and bright red curls. What are not human however, are the soft, fur-covered ears that poke out of those curls.

I wonder what species they both are, but don’t like to ask for fear of being impolite. Luckily, Otis barks, “In case you’re wondering, Len is a lizard man.” Well, that’s reasonably straightforward, I guess. “He does odd jobs around level one. And Tippy is a vixen shifter.”

“Wixen, actually,” Tippy corrects him.

“Yes, sorry Tip, should have acknowledged your witch heritage. Tippy here is Arlo’s nutritionist. Tippy, this is Samantha Buggins, Arlo’s minder.”

“Strike me down to level ten,” the lizard mutters, staring at me out of yellow eyes. “A paper skin.”

“Yeah, she’s human, Len. They don’t have thick scales like you,” Otis barks. “And she’s doing an important job, keeping that bloody bull in line. Show some respect.”

“Sorry, Sheriff, just caught me by surprise.”

Unsure what to say at being called a paper skin, I mumble, “Nice to meet you.”

Tippy puts down the knife she’s been cutting fruit with, wipes her hands on her apron and comes over to shake mine.

Her fingers are the longest I’ve ever seen, with pretty silver nails that are curved like claws.

“Don’t worry about cranky scales, his cold blood gets the better of him at times,” she says, with the sweetest smile. “It’s lovely to meet you, Samantha.”

Len bares a set of sharp, pointy fangs in a grin. “Don’t trust Tippy. She looks sweet, but she’ll poison your food as soon as you turn your back.”

Otis rolls his eyes. “Cut it out, you two. We don’t want to scare Samantha off before she’s even started.” He gives me a curt nod. “C’mon, we need to finish your briefing.”

As I follow Otis back down the corridor, I can’t help smiling at the exchange.

It’s weird, but I feel like that interaction with two monsters was more meaningful than any I’ve had with my human neighbors in the five years I’ve lived in Garnet Gardens.

Even though Len clearly doesn’t think much of humans, I felt weirdly at ease with their banter.

When we reach the control room again, Otis throws himself down at the desk. “Guess I’d better fill you in on the do’s and don’t’s.”

At last, an opportunity to ask some questions.

But Otis keeps talking before I can even gather my breath.

“So, the do’s. He can have the run of his home during the day, but don’t leave him alone in the garden. He’s strong and big enough to vault over the wall. If he tries to, zap him.” He hands me a taser in a holster.

I vow silently that I won’t ever use it on Arlo, no matter what. “I’m sure I can talk him out of doing anything like that.”

“He’s impetuous. If he decides to go AWOL, he’ll move fast. A short, sharp shock will stop him. He likes working out in his gym—that’s fine, he can spend as long as he likes in there to let off steam.”

I bite my lip, looking forward to watching him work out.

“Reading?” I ask, remembering the book-lined study.

“Yeah, sure, he can read. He likes history, has a big collection of books about the early days of the Labyrinth.”

“Oh.” I frown “You let folks read history books?”

Otis looks bemused. “How else do you avoid repeating the mistakes of the past?” He grunts a sigh. “Not that Arlo takes any notice of it. He should know better, but he’s always been a risk taker.”

I wonder if it will be okay for me to read the books too, but the taboo of even mentioning the past is so ingrained, I change the subject instead. “It’s a nice house. He must be quite wealthy.”

Otis’s lips twitch. “The work he does is highly lucrative. Talking of which, there will be an external appointment you’ll be expected to take him to once a week. At the clinic.”

“Clinic?”

“Yep.”

“Is he… okay?” I think back to the conversation I had with Jax about diseases. The thought that my beautiful minotaur might be sick with something worries me. Is that why Tippy is here, preparing him healthy food?

Otis barks a laugh, showing off the full length of his impressive tusks between an arc of white teeth.

“Oh yep, he’s in perfect health.” He hesitates, staring at the big green hands in his lap.

“Arlo is part of a human-run research program. What takes place at his clinic appointments you will keep to yourself.” He raises his head and looks suddenly fierce again, his red eyes boring into me. “Is that clear?”

“Loud and clear,” I gulp out. It’s as clear as mud, but I guess I’ll find out more eventually.

“Anything else I should know?”

“Not as far as I’m concerned.”

“I mean, about the Labyrinth?” Of course I’m curious. How could I not be?

Otis shrugs. “Not really. Apart from the clinic appointments, you won’t be going out. Your job is to keep Arlo out of mischief.”

I could be wrong, but I sense there’s a tiny smirk playing around the sheriff’s mouth as he gets up to leave. “Make yourself at home. I’ll check in tomorrow,” he says before he disappears.

I wander over and peer at the bank of screens, feeling like a voyeur as I watch Otis enter Arlo’s room and say a brief farewell.

He claps Arlo on the back. After a moment, Arlo’s big arms go round the orc’s shoulders and he gives him a hug, sort of.

They thump each other’s arms, and then Otis leaves.

I feel a lump form in my throat. There is clearly affection between them.

Then I turn and start to unpack my small case of belongings.

I put my PJs in the cupboard and the dress I brought on a hanger.

I’m about to fold the little lacy bra and briefs and put them in a drawer, but a treacly heat spreads between my thighs as I look at them.

Impetuously, I undress, slip into them, then put my uniform on over the top.

It makes me feel seductive.

I wonder if it’s too soon to go and find Arlo.

Keep him out of mischief, Otis said.

I guess I’ll have to work out what that means.