This final discovery has clearly unlocked an even more compelling mystery. I don’t know where the next chapter in this journey will take me; all I know is that I have to keep following my instincts. The role I have to play uncovering all of Grandma’s and Perilli’s truths is too important to ignore.

“Well, I think I know what I’m doing next summer,” I say, turning to look at Logan, Cleo, and Chase. I then reach down to grasp my Dalet locket, pressing it against the Queen of Swords. Thinking of Grandma, I can only hope she’d be proud of this decision. Something tells me she would be. Really, that’s all I need to know.

“We’re not quite done with these Perillian adventures yet, are we?”

On our way back down the mountain, Chase and I hang behind. Maybe it’s because we’re reluctant to let this journey end, but it’s probably because we know we need to share this final moment together. The Major and The Minor, the perfect pair, uncovering our greatest mysteries together—the way it has always been.

“Are you all right?” Chase asks first. “That was a lot to absorb.”

“Weirdly, I am,” I answer, once again meaning it.

“Well, for the record, I’m really proud of you,” Chase says, taking me by surprise. There are many other things he could say after everything we’ve been through, but he chooses these words. They mean everything to me.

“Thank you,” I answer. “I couldn’t have done any of it without you. And I wouldn’t want to. We’re a team.”

“Always,” Chase says, reaching out to grab my hand. “No matter what.”

I take his hand, my way of thanking him for giving me the space to make this final decision on my own. Sensing this, Chase then looks like he has something else to share.

“Now knowing Gran Flo was the true founder of Perillianism, it makes sense why they’d want us to join this new foundation,” he begins. “I didn’t know how to tell you this before, but now I’m glad I didn’t, so it didn’t influence you. But after The Hermetic Dawn, I actually exited through a different door than you all. Then Brendan invited me to become a Guide-in-Training for The Lianist Way.”

I look back at Chase and see the choice he made written all over his face.

Chase chose to accept the invitation to join The Lianist Way.

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Chase chose to decline the invitation to join The Lianist Way.

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Something tells me every time I solve one of Perilli’s mysteries, it will only lead to another. For now, my next chapter has to be defined by me and not anyone else.