Banking left, I sprint toward the stream. Once I make it there, I stop and turn to find Rosa and Supriya running right at me in plain sight—though Supriya already trails way behind, seemingly running out of steam. Perfect.

I then toss the King of Pentacles into the stream without thinking twice, letting the current pull the card along.

“No!” Rosa shrieks, watching what I’ve done.

But I just keep running after Chase and Cleo, knowing in my gut that this Queen of Pentacles would never leave her King behind.

Click here

As my decision locks into place, I know it’s the right thing to do. Anwar and Rosa never had any legitimate claim to this deck, and they never will. Besides, if Rosa and her coven really are devastated over the money they’ll lose, they’re welcome to track Anwar down to get it back. This feels quite a bit like the right karma to me.

So I don’t think twice.

I don’t look back.

I don’t look down.

I just keep running forward. As I do, I feel more than ever that I was the one chosen to protect these special, coveted, powerful cards. I might not know exactly why this responsibility has fallen to me, but it has.

This one thought carries me forward, moving faster than I ever thought I could. Fast enough to outrun every demon chasing me—including Rosa and her bewitching ways.

Click here

I break out of the woods and my entire body feels spent, stars twinkling in the corners of my vision. What I see next, however, seems to glow even brighter. Reaching the street, I find one final wildcard waiting for us, as unexpected as he is welcome…

Logan, in the flesh, standing beside Charvan.

I have no idea why he has come back or how he knew where to find us, but I am just so thankful he is here. Because Logan is the best getaway driver we could possibly ask for.

“Cleo, I got your—wait, what’s up?” Logan asks.

“We’ll explain later,” Cleo says, reaching Charvan first. “Are you good to drive?”

Logan just nods, spinning toward the driver’s door. Chase unlocks Charvan as he approaches, and I wish I could see the look on his face right now. I’m sure that, as overwhelmed and frightened as he must be, he also must feel the same way I do:

Completely alive.

Once I reach Charvan and climb into the back seat, Logan hits the gas. As we speed away from these dark pentacle woods, I don’t know if Rosa or her coven will be able to follow, but I do know this much…

I can finally exhale, now that everything is right where it belongs.

PART FOUR

SWORN

CHAPTER TWELVE

CHASE