The sun shone and the warmth on her skin infused her with a deep sense of happiness and contentment. She very nearly skipped along the pavement. This was where she belonged. She’d trusted her instincts to come to this city and she had been right. She wouldn’t doubt herself ever again.

When the man stepped in front of her, the sudden movement took her by surprise. She gasped and nearly fell sideways.

“Repent you sinner. Yoooou, bringer of evil and darkness. Look to God to forgive you.”

He was dressed in a long white shirt in need of cleaning and his knotted, shoulder-length hair hung over his eyes, making her wonder how he even saw her. And he smelled. It wasn’t only his clothes needing a wash.

Spittle exploded from his mouth as he spat out, “You, daughter of Erebus have strayed. No longer do you dispense justice. You are a shameful shrew.”

He reached out and grabbed her wrist.

“Get away from me,” she said, tearing her hand back, shocked and offended not just by his touch but the words. They seemed too close to the truth. Not that he could know anything about her. He was obviously insane.

What right did he have to threaten her or anyone minding their own business walking past? As if God would use a filthy man like him to contact his subjects on earth. How ridiculous.

But what he’d said did catch her attention. She had researched her name upon discovering Nem was short for Nemesis. This was news to her as her mom had only ever called her Nem. Goddess Nemesis dispensed justice to those who had grown arrogant before the gods. Even the Greek version of the word némein was translated to deliver what was due. Upon reading that, she felt even more certain she had been born to do this work and was the true heir to the diary.

But he was just a sick, mad man, who harassed everyone who walked past. Although he did appear to be solely focused on her. She managed to dodge around him but still felt his stare burn into her back as she continued away. Her heart beat against her chest as his words rattled in her head. He certainly shouldn’t annoy innocent people, and she could do something about it. If anybody needed to be delivered their due, that guy sure did.

She stopped and turned to stare back at him. A creeping feeling came over her, for he now stood in the middle of the sidewalk glaring after her. Unmoving, as if he was a stone statue amid Greek ruins. People ignored him but moved around quickly. Was he challenging her to return?

Well, she’d take him up on that and teach him not to accost young women, especially this one.

Nem returned and stood before him. She noted the alcohol smell on his breath and realized what devil really possessed him. He was a drunk and nothing more. His dark brown eyes continued to bore into hers in defiance.