Two teenage boys, looking about 18, materialized in front of us. They looked pretty similar, and I'd even go so far as to say that they were twins. Suddenly, I did a double take; I'd seen them before. Not in real life, however, but on paper. I had drawn them before; these were the twin sons of Aphrodite and Ares, Phobos and Deimos. The gods of Fear and Terror, respectively.

One of the boys rolled his eyes. "No need to be so dramatic, Phobos," he said, nudging his brother.

"Phobos?" asked Jake. "As in Phobos and Deimos?"

"Yes indeed," Phobos bowed dramatically. "Our mother sends us. Something about a test."

"Aphrodite's trial?" Cress frowned. "I expected that it would be a love triangle or something. I guess this is better. Or maybe worse, love triangles can be rather entertaining…"

"What's our trial?" Jake looked a little concerned. "Let's just get it over with."

"Ah, but that is where you fall wrong, Jake Sanders, son of Hermes," said Deimos. "The word 'our' in that sentence was misleading." He turned his eyes, which were fully black as if they were all pupil, on me. "Evie Jones must face this trial alone."

And before I could do anything to stop them, or react in any way, the twins reached out and touched my forehead; and suddenly, I was all alone in a black void.