A fish tank filled with water. There’s a compartment above this tank, one that has a wire leading back to a second purple door that leads in here. Shining the light on that compartment, I see the Princess of Cups hanging above the tank.

With a sigh of relief, I realize that I chose correctly, at least according to Carson Perilli. If I had somehow entered through that purple door, it would have dunked the Princess into the tank. Understanding how thin this line remains, I rush forward to grab the card before anything tragic can happen to it.

Holding the lost Princess of Cups in my hands, I see she has been painted to resemble Lily, just like the rest of the Baxter Cups royals. Instead of her usual flowing femininity, this Princess has Lily’s simple style and short hair. She holds a cup on her stomach as she floats face up on the surface of the ocean. I then make out a symbol painted lightly on this cup: the Hebrew letter Mem.

Part of me wants to linger beside the tank and soak in my success, but I know it’s time to leave. I stride forward and climb the stairs, feeling lighter with each step. At the top I find a vaulted attic that smells of cedar and sawdust. Moonlight spills in through the windows, making it slightly less dark, but still I shine my flashlight across the space. First I see another staircase at the opposite end, one that must lead back into the house. I gasp, however, when I see what waits between me and that exit.

Lady Azure stands and stares at me, looking almost like a ghost herself.

“Did you secure the Princess of Cups?” she asks, before her eyes travel down to see the card grasped in my hand. That’s when I hear a banging coming from across the attic, traveling up the second set of stairs. I also hear muffled voices and a doorknob rattling. Could that be Lily, Cleo, and Anwar? Why would Lady Azure block them from meeting me this way?

“Carson’s Princess, the source of our powers. The heart of the Isle of Baxter,” Lady Azure begins, tears sliding down her cheeks. “You weren’t supposed to…”

My skin prickles cold. Suddenly I feel sick.

“You must understand, the Princess belongs here,” Lady Azure pleads, her watery eyes boring into me.

“You… you never wanted me to find the card, did you?” I ask.

“Our talents sharpened after Carson hid this card on our island. I would never disrespect Carson’s wishes. I never entered the maze below our feet, but I sat up here often, soaking in the presence of Carson’s hidden card.”

Lady Azure looks away from me then, her eyes falling to the floor. “But I cannot let go of this final gift. I would have preferred it destroyed, its energy resonating here forever.”