Ruthless Creatures (Queens & Monsters, #1)

by J.T. Geissinger

“Memento mori,” she reads. “What does that mean?” “Remember death.”

Sloane grimaces. “Remember death? That’s morbid.” “It’s Latin. Literally translated, it’s ‘Remember that you must die.’ Legend goes that ancient Roman emperors used to hire slaves to whisper it in their ears during victory parades so they’d be reminded that earthly pleasures are fleeting. That no matter how powerful or great a man was, death would eventually find him.” He shifts his gaze to Stavros. His lips lift to a small smile. “Death eventually finds us all.” “It was supposed to be a motivator to lead a meaningful life. It also created a major art movement that had its heyday in the sixteenth century.” Everyone looks at me.