Page 41 of Devin
Athen towered over them, silent and grim. He was much more intimidating than Kave, and taller than Devin.
“I’d like to see the city before the ceremony starts,” Athen announced.
“Right this way,” Jane guided. Zenik silently scooted up close to his wife and put a hand on her back.
“Everything’s good. Doc says he’s as healthy as can be.”
“No matter how much you reassure them, they’ll still worry. Fawn over you like a fanboy if you let them,” Odette said to Val.
“I don’t seem to have that problem with Devin,” Val commented.
“Devin is an odd duck, but trust me, at their core, they’re all a bunch of softies.”
They reached the edge of the city and Athen paused. “It is one thing to see the schematics and plans. Quite another to see it take form.”
“Welcome to your new home,” Jane said, sweeping her arms wide. “And yes, there are outdoor volleyball courts coming, with sand imported from the same beach. There are still plenty of park spaces to relax and eat outside. A couple of pools are in the works.”
“You’ve thought of everything,” Odette said.
“More Meadow than me. I just delivered the suggestions to Devin and he incorporated them into his design.”
“You would like to see our suite… or the lab?” Athen asked.
Odette’s eyes widened. “I have to choose?”
The grin that creeped onto his lips got him a punch in the arm.
Val blinked at the thought. She had no idea where her new apartment would be, or even how long they would be there. Surely there were more buildings and things to come if they planned to grow the city, but once that was done, would they even need an architect at all?
Athen walked into one of the tallest buildings, striding in as if he’d been there before. There was an elevator, and the five of them piled in.
“Once the computer is fully updated and the drones are finished, each lift will be able to take you to any building in the city,” Athen explained.
“Botany lab 1,” Athen ordered.
“Access denied,” the lift responded.
“Access will be granted,” Athen stated to the computer in the wall. “I am Athen of Etlon, Son of Etlon of Etlon.”
“Access denied,” it repeated.
“Why don’t you let me try before you put a hole through the wall,” Jane said. “Botany Lab 1.”
A slight shift indicated that they had begun to move.
“That is intolerable,” Athen complained.
“Like you said, the computer hasn’t been upgraded yet,” Jane reminded him.
“But I am the warlord,” Athen declared.
“Technically, Kave is the warlord.”
“Kave denied me access,” Athen said, putting the pieces together.
“Yes, yes, you can punch him in the face later,” Odette patted her husband on the arm.
Odette stepped out of the lift after the doors opened to a room that looked quite bare, yet very much like a science lab.
