“You can still sneak out of here with the deck and find the other missing cards,” Cain tries. “All I want is the Prince. And I promise I’ll return it to you once it serves its purpose.”

“These cards are my last connection to my grandma,” Amelia whispers. “I just want to know more about her and why she had it.”

“Then you understand why the Prince means so much to me,” Cain says.

Doubt blazes in Amelia’s eyes, paralyzing her. I can tell she wants to keep the Prince, but she also isn’t sure that’s the right thing to do. At the same time, the card feels like it burns a hole in my palm.

With a sudden jolt of clarity, I realize I’m going to have to be the one to make this decision. Amelia will never be able to live with herself, whether we keep the card or give it away. But do I trust Cain for what he’s done to help us? Will he refuse to cover our exit if I don’t give him the Prince—or worse?

Phrases race through my fragmented mind, faster with each fraught second. What was it Amelia and Logan said we needed to beware most, during their diner tarot reading? Do I really believe the Prince holds the power Cain claims?

Making this decision based on just one of these questions would be hard enough… but then again, I’m uniquely prepared to make a choice from the middle.

“If the card is meant to be with us, it’ll find its way back. So we’ll give the Prince to you, Cain.”

Click here

“I’m sorry, we have to take the Prince with us, until we know for sure who to trust.”

Click here

The words leave my mouth, and with them I know so many implications will follow. Ultimately, I have faith this card will end up exactly where it’s meant to, as valuable as it might be. Besides, giving the card to Cain is the kind thing to do.

Still, I turn to Amelia before delivering on my promise, to give her the opportunity to stop me. She stares back at me with wide eyes… but she does not tell me she disagrees.

So I turn to Cain and hand him the long-lost Prince of Wands.

He clutches the Prince and I watch the relieved look that warms his face.

“I can’t thank you both enough,” Cain whispers. “I promise to return it to you when the time is right. Until then, let’s get you out of here.”