“We still have more clues to get through, so we can certainly try,” Kai replied.
“You think there are one hundred people who are smarter than we are?”
“I think there are way more than one hundred people who are infinitely smarter than we are.”
“You’re probably right,” Elias said as he stuffed the cryptex into his pocket and leaned closer into Kai’s touch. “I just wanted to dosomething fun. I missed being in a city. Everything around your way is so quiet. How do you stand it?”
Elias joked a lot, but his honesty came in equal measure. He didn’t show a ton of emotion, but he had a knack for dropping in little blink-or-you’ll-miss-it truths like this. Elias didn’t come off as the sentimental type, but he supposed anyone could get homesick. Kai had gotten homesick before he’d even gotten a chance to leave, so much so that he turned down his acceptance to Berkeley.
“How doyoustand it? Big cities seem so chaotic and violent and impersonal.”
“Maybe they are, but is it bad that I miss that?”
Kai gave a sly grin. “You think New York invented violence?”
“I mean, I guess not. I’ve seen your little Waffle House brawls,” Elias teased.
“I know we’re different. I grew up fishing and boating, jumping into rivers. I even went hunting a few times before I realized it wasn’t for me.”
“You? Hunting?” Elias asked incredulously.
“You think I came out the womb drinking oat milk?” Kai said dryly. “All I’m saying is that there’s chaos in what you consider quiet,” he continued. “For things to grow, something else has to die. But the violence and chaos you’re talking about, the violence that bruised that pretty little face of yours—what grows from that?”
Elias held the tip of his thumb between his teeth, but he was unable to hide his amusement. “So you think I have a pretty face.”
Kai released a slow exhale. “Don’t let that be the only thing you take away from what I just said.”
Elias gently placed his hands over Kai’s to lower them. “All I’m hearing is that I still have a chance.” Smiling warmly, he added, “I saw something at one of these tables you might like.” He closed hiseyes and tilted his head slightly, as if searching through memories. When his eyes snapped open, it was clear he’d found whatever he was looking for in his mind’s eye. With a confident smile, he said, “Don’t move. I’ll be right back,” before rushing off.
Kai watched as Elias slipped seamlessly into the crowd, weaving through the bustle. He stopped at a table they’d passed earlier, glancing back to meet Kai’s gaze. With a quick, teasing wink, Elias sent a flush of heat rushing to Kai’s cheeks. Kai looked down at his sneakers, trying to get himself together as Elias made his way back, a plastic bag held securely against his chest.
“Close your eyes and put out your hands,” Elias urged.
Following Elias’s instruction, Kai listened to the soft rustling of the bag, followed by the feeling of something rectangular being placed in his palm. The object was smooth to the touch, wrapped in a thin layer of plastic. When Kai opened his eyes and saw what it was, a genuine smile spread across his face.
“You got me tarot cards,” Kai said in disbelief.
“The lady I bought them from said that she did the artwork herself,” Elias said, his tone carrying a hint of embarrassment. “So if I see this shit on Canva, I’m coming back here.” The way he spoke made it clear that he knew he’d done something thoughtful, even if the recognition for it was a little too much for him to bear.
Kai turned the deck over in his hands, his fingers tracing the box.
“I just don’t think you should give up on your stars and tarot cards and stuff. I think it’s cool,” Elias said.
“You liked the palm reading, didn’t you?” Kai asked.
“I like anything that leads you to me,” Elias replied, his voice tender but sure. Kai swallowed hard. “Go on, then. Open it.”
Elias took a picture of Kai as he ripped open the package andshuffled the deck. He did so, hand over hand, making sure to touch each card. Then he held the deck close to his chest and imbued it with his energy and intention. Once satisfied, he fanned out the cards, catching a swath of moonlight.
“Pick a card,” Kai said, as more of a demand than a request.
Elias hesitated but obliged and said, “Don’t tell me what it means right now. Tell me if it’s true later.”
Kai reflected on the card. Four of Wands. Elias’s palm reading revealed that he deeply wanted something but didn’t know what it was, but looking at this card, maybe what he wanted was stability. This card was more than that. It symbolized weddings, community, reunions, celebrations. Four of Wands symbolized solid foundations, coming home, and laying down roots.
I knew it,Kai thought, biting his lip to suppress a wide smile. For all of Elias’s complaining about North Carolina, it was possible he was exactly where he needed to be. And maybe, just maybe, he was also put into Kai’s life for a reason too.
Kai slipped the card back into the deck and pocketed it.
