Logan thinks for a beat. Then, to my surprise, he grins widely.

“Because if life is random and meaningless, it’s an excuse for people to live only for themselves and act however they want. I think if we believe we all have a purpose, if we’re all connected somehow, then we know our actions really matter.”

Logan’s eyes then find mine, glancing up into the rearview mirror.

“Maybe someone like Cain uses that kind of purpose to hide behind when he does something selfish,” Logan says directly to me now. “But if he really believed in a higher power, he wouldn’t need to act that way.”

Logan’s final sentiment does more to prove my point than convince me otherwise, but thanks to Chase, I suddenly realize that’s beside the point. What he just laid out reminds me of exactly the kind of thing Grandma would say—and what Cleo said in the diner bathroom, actually.

So I smile at Cleo first, and she gives me a private little wink. Then I turn to offer Chase the same smile, because he has earned that much, despite everything else.

Click here

“I’m glad you three are all resolved, but I think you’re missing the real point,” Cleo says next. “Looking for that card put us in actual danger last night.”

Leave it to Cleo to cut to the core. I purposefully didn’t want to start the conversation in that place, but Cleo is right—we do have to talk about this.

“Not to be the party pooper, but I think we need to ask ourselves if we really want to keep looking for these missing cards,” Cleo finishes.

I sigh. I still don’t know how to process our close encounter of the Wanderer kind. Sure, we managed to make it out of the inn safely, but what could have happened still hangs over us. We don’t know the full extent of what we’re dealing with here yet, but if last night was any indication, then maybe Cleo is right.

Then again, I can’t help but wonder if maybe the other suits—these other “Corners” as Cain called them—will be less intense than the fiery desert Wanderers? After all, Cups are so much more about love and light. Or am I just telling myself what I want to hear because I can’t imagine giving up the search, no matter the risk?