“Very good,” I say, keeping my thoughts to myself. “Let’s move on to third position, the card that represents qualities needed to overcome this obstacle.”

I then flip the third card to reveal the Four of Wands.

“Okay, fascinating,” I begin. “The number four calls for balance and the stability of a square. The way the wands are arranged, it shows that faith in one wand can be easily broken, but a bundle of four is unbreakable.”

“Then the message here is pretty straightforward again,” Logan says. “We’re going to need to use teamwork to overcome obstacles and achieve our goals. Four of Wands, four of us. Those signs couldn’t be clearer.”

Logan looks pleased with himself, but I have to bite my tongue once more. I know he thinks this pull is a fateful sign sent from on high, but I don’t think his interpretation is serendipity. Really, it’s nothing more than his human mind making connections. Of course, this is what the tarot is for—letting the subject realize things about themself and their situation—which is the only reason I let it be.

I’m so preoccupied with silencing myself as I reach for the final card, I forget it’s one of our homemade cards until my fingers actually touch its laminated edges. A spark of anticipation lights up my chest, feeling it there.

“In fourth position, this final card represents achieving your goal. It’s both a sign of what you stand to gain and a ‘be careful what you wish for’ message.”

My fingers twitch with excitement as I turn over the final card, finding our homemade representation of the Prince of Wands.

Silence falls over us. Obviously, this is one of the hidden cards we hope to find, showing up in the outcome position. On some level we all knew this was coming, but still, seeing it actually lying there feels charged. Like the card might burst into flames on the table, coursing with magic and meaning.

I’d say something, but my throat has suddenly gone dry.

“Okay, now that is downright freaky,” Cleo says, putting down her phone. “Anyone else just get the chills?”

“That’s wild,” Logan says, leaning in to examine our homemade card. “Hey, why did you and Chase draw the centaur Prince holding a flaming wand in your version?”

I take a sip of water and try to remember our childhood thought patterns, hoping this will also calm my hammering heart.

“The flaming wand represents the Prince of Wands’ need for protection on an adventure filled with danger, especially since his courage makes him impulsive.”

“Right. If we’re pulling a message from that, it might be that if we follow through, we will actually find the card,” Logan extrapolates. “But is the Prince of Wands warning us not to lose ourselves in pursuing this task? Or is he telling us to avoid danger and chaos, even if it’s tempting?”