Page 102 of The Seducer
“There’s going to be a whole bunch of them,” Boulder said. “Didn’t you say you were meeting with a delegation? Maybe you should bring me or Finn.”
Crossing his arms, and leaning back in his chair, Khan tapped his fingers on his arm, looking thoughtful. “I want Magni there.”
Magni squared his shoulders, and Khan continued. “His presence will feel threatening to them and he’ll be a reminder to the Council members about everything they want to keep out of the Motherlands.”
“And why they should accept our terms,” Magni added.
“Yes,” Khan agreed and looked at the rest of us, his eyes resting on Athena. “Tell me why you are here?”
Athena looked to me. “Because I was hurt, and Finn came to check up on me and…”
Khan interrupted her. “That’s not what I meant. I’m trying to determine what your interest in this is.” He angled his head as if trying to read her mind.
I placed my hand on top of Athena’s on the table. “Athena and I love each other and we’re going to be together. With her position in the Motherlands the best solution for us would be to live there. You can trust that she’s interested in making the Council consent to that part.”
Khan thought about it before consulting Pearl. “What do you think?”
Pearl skewed her mouth to one side and looked thoughtful as well. “Athena’s presence will calm them down. She represents peace and wisdom to them, and in my assessment her words will matter in a way yours never can.” Again, Pearl and Khan exchanged a long look that made me think they were having a silent conversation.
Khan pointed to Athena. “You will come with us, and when I ask for the seventy-five percent men on the Council you will speak against me. It will make them feel like you’re on their side and that you’re not being controlled by me.” He leaned forward. “However, when I ask for the thousand Nmen living in the Motherlands over the next five years, you’ll support the idea. Do you understand?”
Pearl followed up with a soft smile. “Remember, Athena, we’re not doing this to trick the Council, but to push the integration process along faster, and avoid a potential war. This way everything will happen in a controlled way with support from both sides of the border, and no one has to die.” Pearl paused a moment. “I know it sounds scary with men on the Council, but if they are chosen for their pacifistic nature and high integrity like I was, then history shouldn’t repeat itself.
Athena sighed. “I know, and I’ll do as you ask.”
CHAPTER 32
Bad Men
Athena
After the meeting we stood in the grand foyer of the Gray Mansion. Finn was engaged in a conversation with Alexander, Magni, and Khan.
Six months ago I had been brought here as a hostage. I could still remember everything from that night. Looking around the foyer I took in all the details, from the beautiful curved staircase to the chandeliers and paintings on the walls. The Gray Mansion was like something out of a movie from the old days.
“I thought you said all the men who had tried to cross the border had been captured,” Finn said, and that caught my attention.
“Of course I would say that in public.” Khan frowned. “I was trying to stop others from doing the same.”
“Wait, what was that?” Laura, who had been talking to Pearl, asked and took a step closer to the men. “I thought I heard you say that some men crossed the border without being captured.”
Khan drew in a long breath. “I’m afraid so. The Motherlands has provided photos from the border drones, asking us to identify the men.”
Laura’s voice was hard when she spoke. “How many are we talking about?”
“Not many. If the latest numbers that we received this morning are accurate, they caught two hundred and thirty-five men who tried to cross the border unauthorized.”
“And how many didn’t they catch?” Laura asked again.
“Nineteen got away from them, and twelve of them have us concerned.”
By now Pearl had joined our group, and everyone was looking at Khan when he spoke. “It’ll be all right. I’m going to offer the Council to send in some of my best men to locate and arrest the Nmen. We’ll bring them back here before they do any harm and bring shame to our name.”
“I told you,” Pearl said and brushed her hair back in frustration, "the Council will never allow you to send in soldiers or warriors. They will insist on solving this problem themselves.”
Magni spoke up in his deep voice. “Your mediators aren’t equipped to deal with people like that. They could be armed, and I’ve seen their profiles. At least five of them are dangerous criminals with violent back grounds.”
Athena gasped. “Why would you allow anyone who is dangerous to walk around?”
