Page 9 of The Seducer
CHAPTER 3
The Request
Finn
“How old is your drone?” I asked and looked around the interior, which was minimalist and showed wear and tear.
“It’s not my drone, it’s a community drone, and this is one of our S-models,” Hans informed me in a soft voice. “They were introduced about ten years ago and is slightly bigger and newer than the old T-Model.”
“Does the S stand for slow?” I asked, because it was ridiculous how slow this drone was flying. “Oh, wait, was that a bird that just passed us?”
Hans naively looked out the window, and it made me laugh. He fit the image of a Momsiman perfectly with his feminine appearance and gullible nature.
“I see,” he said and smiled. “You were jesting about the bird.”
“Me? No, I never joke. Anything I say is a fact, and there’s really no need to debate it, since I’m pretty sure I’m always right.”
Hans gave me a strained smile.
“Can’t this drone go any faster?” I asked and tapped my foot on the scratched floor with impatience.
“I’m afraid not,” he answered. “The drone is operating at the regulated speed limits and it’s better to be safe than fast.” He pointed to the info line in the bottom of the window. “We will reach our destination in ninety-four minutes.”
“You know, in the Northlands most drones are hybrids that can be controlled manually. We use them for racing and as long as you’re outside the city there are no speed limits. They’re bigger, more luxurious, and with a lot less patina than this one. I guess being used by everyone instead of just one owner makes a difference.”
“I suppose it does,” Hans agreed and began asking me questions about our lives in the Northlands.
When we closed in on Athena’s home, I leaned forward, and squinted my eyes to see the odd building in the distance. “What the fuck!”
Hans gave me a sideways glance. “You’ve never seen a Dutch windmill before?”
“Yeah, but only in books and movies. Why the hell would you have those around in this day and age?”
The slow speed of the drone gave me time to study the rural landscape and take in the windmill in front of us.
“We don’t build them for their energy efficiency,” Hans smiled. “There are much better ways to harvest energy these days, but to us they serve as a symbol.”
“And what symbol is that?”
“Our priests and priestesses always live in Dutch windmills. I’ve forgotten why, but I know there’s a reason and it makes it easy to find them.”
I pointed straight ahead and lowered my brows. “Athena lives there?”
“Yes.”
“But it’s outside of the city.”
“Yes.” He frowned as if he didn’t understand my comment.
“But isn’t a priest supposed to help people and aren’t people living in the city?”
“It’s only a short ride with a drone,” Hans pointed out.
“Does she live alone or is she a member of a coven?”
“A coven?” Hans shook his head as if he wasn’t sure what I was referring to. “I’ve never met Athena, but as far as I know she lives alone.”
I saw Athena before the drone had even landed. She stood in the doorway of the windmill, wearing a simple dark green dress, and watching us as we got out and approached her.
