As we walked along, the path came alive with color and movement. Boutiques offering high-end wares sat beside eclectic souvenir stalls—no doubt where Finn had picked out my outfit.
But soon, he veered away from the bustle, guiding me down a rocky hillside blanketed in desert-like grasses. A crumbling church rose ahead, framed by half-collapsed red brick walls and an overgrown path.
“This is where the dream led you?” I asked, raising a hand to shield my eyes from the sun as I surveyed the weathered structure.
Finn didn’t answer. He simply kept walking.
I cast my eyes across the ruins as we moved into the old church’s shadow. Made entirely of rust-colored bricks, it had a domed roof and a simple bell tower. Behind it, a steep, barren hillside loomed, enhancing its secluded, almost ancient feel.
An old man sat hunched on a wooden chair by the front door, his snowy hair falling over a bowed head. A loose tunic hung from his frail frame, paired with worn jeans and bare, weathered feet that looked like they’d never known shoes. His sun-browned skin was creased with time.
As we approached, he lifted his gaze to meet us. “Son of Poseidon. I have been waiting for you,” he croaked as he fell under Finn’s shadow.
“You’re related to Poseidon?” My mouth went dry.
Finn nodded.
Of course he is.
“I am here for Poseidon’s Box,” Finn commanded, adopting his princely tone.
“Ah,” the old man crooned. “But are you worthy?”
Finn rolled back his shoulders and stood tall. “Yes,” he said through gritted teeth.
“We shall see about that. And who are you?” The old man’s eyes traveled from my ugly Velcro sandals to the floral parachute pants and donkey on my T-shirt.
“We’re here about the prophecy. Is that what’s in the box?” I nudged Finn out of the way to stand before the old man, remembering Finn’s shared glance with Pisceon.
“My dear, only the gods know what’s in that box.”
Finn drew himself into his princely persona. “War is coming, and we believe Poseidon has left us answers. As his direct descendant, Prince Aigéan Neptunus, I command that you give me the box.”
“You demand it, do you?” The old man chuckled, shaking his head. “I will give it to you, Prince Aigéan Neptunus, but first, you must earn it—if you can.”
“By doing what?” My stomach dropped, and the man turned back to me.
“Do you two think you are the first to come here and request the box? I can only hand it to one who passes three tasks and proves their worthiness.”
My stomach plummeted. “And no one’s passed these tasks before?”
“Would I be sitting here, on this desolate hill, if they had? Once I relinquish the box, I will be free.”
“What are these tasks?” Finn growled.
“Task one is designed to test your cunning and strength, task two the infallibility of your mind, and task three generosity.” The old man raised his head, and his dark eyes glittered.
Great, just great.Now, I would have to stay on this island for however long it took to complete these tasks with Finn. Unless... A cold breath caught in my throat as an idea came to me... Unless I finished the first task on my own and returned to the old man without Finn.
“There is a nightclub on Perivolos Beach, the Aqua Inferno. Stavros Eliades, an ancient Siren, owns it. He has something of Poseidon’s. You will find that item and return it. When you succeed, I will give you your next task,” the old man rasped.
“Seriously? That’s all you’re going to tell us?” I blew out a frustrated breath.
“Come on, I know the place.” Finn reached for my hand, but I tore my palm from his grasp.
He shrugged and turned away.
Following him up the crumbling track, I bit my lip to stifle a conspiratory grin. I’d use Finn to uncover everything he knew about the nightcluband its owner, then I would find whatever belonged to Poseidon, bring it back to the old man, and claim the second task for myself.
