“We’re cleaning out the house where we’re staying, and the people who lived here before were pretty into mythology, especially Medea. Mo said you were an expert?”

“I have a PhD in Classical Studies and a second PhD in English.”

“So you’re definitely an expert.”

She laughed lightly. “I am and I don’t ever miss an opportunity to say so. As for Medea, she is a tragic figure, but not someone people readily identify when they think of Greek mythology. She is more closely associated with opera or courses that examine narratives centering on the trope of the woman scorned.”

“You mean how she killed her own children to get back at her ex?”

“That part, yes.” Professor Kent sighed. “I think within most narratives, you will find the thoughts and beliefs of the author. Whenever you hear a story about villainous women, you should ask who’s telling the story. Medea’s tale has been told and retold a dozen times, but always by men who seem to revel in her heinous actions without addressing what caused it. Sometimes her story is used to showcase women as crazy, unpredictable, or vindictive.” She sounded thoroughly irritated.

“I’ve been reading the stories, and it’s weird to me that a fictional character—”

“Not fiction.”

I paused. “Wait. What’s not fiction?”

“Medea,” said Professor Kent. “She’s not a fictional character. Not entirely, anyway. Many of the stories we’ve thought of as fiction have been proven to have a basis in reality. It’s the same for Medea. There are contemporary accounts of a woman who fits her description. She was considered a witch and shared her name and origins, being a daughter of the King of Colchis.”

My breath caught in my throat. “Colchis?”

“Yes. A powerful family in ancient Greece. You said you’ve been reading about her. Not all versions of her story are the same, but she was most definitely the daughter of the King of Colchis. Sometimes that fact is omitted depending on the preference of the author.”

I didn’t recall coming across the name in the books I’d read so far, but there were so many others I still had to go through. “And you said she was a witch?”

Professor Kent laughed. “Yes. Being a woman was enough to get you labeled a witch in those days, but for her, it had more to do with her talent for crafting poisons.”

It felt like the air had been sucked out of the room. My mind went in circles. “Can I—can I put together an email with my questions and send it to you? This is a lot to take in.”

“Oh, sure. Whatever works best for you. Tell Angie and Thandie I said hello, and please feel free to call, text, or email anytime. I never tire of talking about these things.”

“Thanks, Professor.”