Kori POV

  "How do you know we die?" I asked. I felt like I was in over my head. Dying didn't bother as much since everyone dies at some point, but how could she know when or how I might drop dead.

  "The Fates declared you would die unless you managed to complete the trial. They weren't specific on the details," Selene shrugged. "It's not as if any of this matters. You don't believe anything I have said." She got up and walked toward what looked like a kitchenette.

  "The hell is wrong with you?” I asked, loudly. Selene had me flabbergasted by her attitude and accusation. “Like I would easily believe any of this!" I took a deep breath. Did that nymph transport into damn story book or was I just seeing a hidden world with in my own. She says my family was once part of this hidden magical world, but how can I trust her? My trust has been shattered more times than I care to admit, but she wouldn't know that. Her expectations are too high for a human to just accept ancient magic exists.

  "Nothing is wrong with me, Korrine. You are the one behaving like a toddler." Selene says nonchalantly.

  Moon Grandma must have lost her empathy a long time ago because this not how you reveal life changing information to someone with emotions. "I grew up in a time without magic, unlike ancient Greece. You’re supposed to be a myth created by people who wanted an explanation for how the moon and sun move in the sky. A woman who guides the moon across the sky in a chariot sounds ridiculous," I argued. To think she has tried this 23 times and failed. How am I supposed to complete a freaking trial to be a werewolf? She thinks I can't and won't complete this called trial. I am just a tool she needs to use because someone told her to.

  Without a word, she carried in a tray with water, glasses, and ice. “Have a drink and cool your nerves, child. Your anxiety is so high it feels like it might strangle me.” Selene sat down gracefully like she was lighter than air.

  Great. Now, Moon Grandma is complaining about my anxiety. “You just told me that I will die an early death unless I complete some sort of trial to become a mythical monster. How am I supposed to be calm?” I felt the sarcasm dripping from my mouth as I said that to Selene.

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  She just sat across from me sipping her water as if this whole situation was nothing important. No reaction to my words. Was she ignoring me like a child having a temper tantrum? Surely, she would give me a little more respect than that, right? Judging by the calm expression on her face that would be a big fat no. Why would I want to turn into a monstrous werewolf? Selene just told me that they became power-hungry brutes that destroyed towns. Werewolves descend from a crazy, lycan-cursed king. How can I willingly turn into one of those or even voluntarily bring such a creature back from a Greek myth?

  "You are just assuming you would become a monster, right?" Selene broke the rant prattling on in my head. "From what I can tell, you are no monster. In fact, I would say you are outright boring, a typical human. You could never be a monster or a lycan for that matter. Why worry about something you know nothing about?"

  I grunted at her in frustration. "You just told me I have to become a werewolf, which you magicked out of existence because they were terrorizing each other and everyone else around them. Why would I want to be that? I think I would prefer the early death."

  Her face stayed on a blank expression. "Technically, I said we would both die. So, you want to condemn both of us?"

  "How the hell can a mystical moon lady die? Aren’t you immortal?" My voice began to sound fake with the thick sarcasm in each word.

  "Immortal? Ha." Selene had this sad smirk on her face. "I have the title of goddess, but I am only a personification of science and nature at this point. My life as a goddess ended with Rome. I can die just as easily as you if I am not careful. My existence is tied solely to your family because of a promise I made. Should you die, I, too, will perish into nothing. At least you will return to the cosmos…"

  I guess she does have something to lose after all. She's saying I am the one person that keeps her from cosmic nonexistence although it's clear she wishes I wasn't.

  "Although I suppose I should just accept that as my fate," Selene sighed.

  Yep. She has no faith in me. If she accepts this as her fate, why am I even here? "So, you fade into nothing. I get it. If you are accepting it, why do you need me?"

  She cocked her head to the side, surprised by my boldness. "The Fates said we have to do this. So, we are going to try, no matter how much of a lost cause it is." Her smile was so fake it almost made me sick.

  "I haven't agreed to anything, you know," I muttered. Moon Grandma just kept pissing me off.

  "So, you choose death then? The little human will probably be upset by that. Perhaps even heartbroken," Selene said, slyly. She wasn't holding any punches.

  Damn it. Felicity deserves better than that. I can’t not fight for my life with my best friend around. "You are horrible. You know that manipulative, moon grandma." Her eyebrow twitched at my words. At least, I can still get under her skin. "What’s this trial I have to face anyway?"