Maggie closes his eyes, rubbing them with his forefingers. When he reopens them, his eyes set on us with a restored warmth.

“Any halfway decent reader knows the tarot only provides answers if you’re able to read the cards properly,” Maggie says. “So whatever answers you’re looking for, you’re going to need these.”

Maggie reaches into a drawer and pulls out a small homemade booklet. He also pulls a keychain of large charms: a wand, a sword, a pentacle, and a cup—the four suits of the Minor Arcana.

“You’ve already been given a great gift, possessing that deck. But you’ll need these to use the cards properly,” Maggie explains. “One is the final deck guide written by Perilli. The other is a set of specific Perillian charms. If you’re really meant to find the missing cards, you’ll discover how to use both.”

“Wow, fantastic,” I say. “How much for them?”

“Free of charge, my friend,” Maggie answers, holding out the items. “Like you all said, we’re on the same side. We tarot lovers have to be. Besides, Perilli intended for these to go to the holder of his final deck. I only hope that, whatever you decide to do, you share the particulars of your journey with me?”

Amelia steps forward and snatches the toolset without hesitation.

“You have our word.”

Click here

“I’ve now given you all I can to get you started,” Maggie says. “Perillians believe the cards end up where they’re meant to be, in the worthy hands Perilli himself intended. I suppose we’ll all know whose hands those are soon enough.”

“Right. Okay,” Cleo says, clearly feeling ready to get out of here. “Thanks.”

“My business card is in the booklet, should you need to reach me,” Maggie says. “I do hope to hear from you all again.”

“You will,” I say as cheerfully as I can manage. Like Cleo, I am ready to go. My brain feels crammed full of new information screaming to be unpacked.

“One last thing you must know,” Maggie adds as we make it to the doorway. “I’m a decent man. I wouldn’t dream of taking anything from anyone by force. But fair warning, my fledgling Perillians. The world is not made of the decent alone.”