I then insert the pen’s tip into the button slot. First, a small compartment opens in its back, revealing a miniature flashlight, the tiny kind you’d keep on a keychain. Then something clicks into place on the surface of the compass. Flipping it over, I gasp again at what I see.

Something on the face has shifted, revealing new letters in previously covered grooves. Where the letters N E S W once stood for compass directions, new letters now replace them: P W S C. It takes me a few seconds, but I then realize these letters must stand for the Minor Arcana suits: Pentacles, Wands, Swords, and Cups. Then, even more astonishingly, I see that beside each letter, there are corresponding symbols. I instantly recognize these symbols, because each Major Arcana card in our deck is painted with a unique one. Looking first at Wands, I recognize the symbol for The Magician: a tree branch wand.

While the others take turns looking at the compass, I rifle through the tarot deck until I find The Magician. Looking over the card, I spot the familiar symbol.

“Amelia, the flashlight?” Cleo suggests.

Nodding at her, I grab the mini-flashlight that was hidden inside the compass. Squeezing it to shine on The Magician symbol, I gasp all over again.

Click here

“Here’s the Perillian booklet quote on the Prince of Wands,” Chase continues. “Can looking behind bring you forward, can looking within broaden your horizons without? I figure that has to have something to do with the charms, but—”

“Oh my goddess.”

The words tumble out of my mouth. Logan and Chase’s questions spark an idea in my brain so brightly, I reach across the table and snatch up the keychain to examine it. Each charm is a large three-dimensional shape, and the wand stretches across the palm of my hand. It appears simple enough, a wand made of red metal, but its surface isn’t actually what I’m interested in. Right now, all I care about is looking within.

Turning the wand over, I notice a seam splitting it up the middle. I use my fingernail to pry between the seams and, sure enough, the wand pops open easily. Looking inside, I gasp at what I see: a long, thin key hidden within.

“Oh wow, what do you think that’s for?” Cleo asks, leaning forward.

Looking next at the Sword charm, I see it has the same splitting seam. One quick pry later, I unearth a second key.

“Amelia, the other charms,” Chase begins, but I already hold the Cups charm in my hand. Looking it over, I am somewhat stunned to find a little keyhole. Within seconds, the Wand key opens the Cups charm, splitting it in half. Next, the Sword key opens the Pentacle charm in the same way.