“No, it’ll be good to have a skeptical eye on all this,” Chase says. “We have to remember, it’s our job now to figure out what’s fake and what’s real—and what’s really so special about these cards and their creator.”

I smile at my friends, finally feeling some energy and peace return to my body. It might seem like a small thing at first, naming my intention this way. But if our encounter with Cain taught us anything, it’s that our intention always rules the outcome—if only because our intention also rules our perspective.

And now I know exactly what perspective I hope to unlock from this unexpected adventure.

So even if this intention I just set doesn’t affect much in the present, I have a feeling it may still prove to be my biggest decision yet.

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The air in Solvang already feels lighter. It’s not just that the sky here is filled with sunshine and crisp ocean air, it’s the actual spirit of this little town. Joshua Tree felt reverent and powerful, sure, but also unforgiving and foreboding. Here in this quaint faux-Dutch village, the roofs are angled with wooden beams, and every other storefront sells homemade fudge or local wine or craftsman toys. The people here smile as if the festive spirit has soaked right into their very skin. After last night, it’s a welcome change.

Once we arrived at the adorable B&B Anwar recommended, we all fell into naps like the dead. Waking up midafternoon, I actually started feeling way more like myself. We all then set out in search of food. Thankfully, Cleo, our resident foodie, prepared extensive research on where to eat along Chase’s tarot-lined route. Despite yesterday’s enormous detour, arriving at our first preplanned stop allowed Cleo to unleash her first culinary curation.

“You can direct all of your rave reviews to my forthcoming travel blog,” Cleo announces proudly, finishing the last bite of her Danish. “I’m thinking of naming it CleoCraft: Food So Good It’s Magic.”

Cleo’s killer opening restaurant pick has been an excellent reminder of all the things we looked forward to doing on this road trip, before the tarot scooped us off our feet. In fact, my feet still feel thoroughly scooped, since I’m due to meet Anwar any minute.

“Solvang may be my new favorite California town,” Chase says.

“I absolutely have to doodle us in front of every windmill we come across.”

“Cleo, that would take all day,” Logan laughs.

“Well, we need to occupy ourselves somehow while Lady Piccolo entertains her suitor,” Cleo replies, rolling her eyes.

“Yes, but Chase only allotted Amelia an hour before we go to Azure Tarot.”

“Indeed I did,” Chase says. “So when is Sir Anwar slated to arrive?”

“He’s on his way from Los Olivos, the next town over,” I answer.