Deck of Fate

Elora walks into the Assembly knowing full well that her chances of becoming anything other than a powerless Club, her family's symbol, are close to zero, and she is grateful for it. She has no desire to become a Diamond, with their supernatural intelligence, or a Heart with elemental magic, or Gods forbid, one of those pretentious special-powered Spades. She has always been resigned to serving the symbols she loathes, hoping to escape poverty and provide a better life for her mother. But when the Assembly brands her as a Spade, Elora's world is upended. Thrust into a deadly training base where survival is a test of will, she must navigate a world of privilege and power while grappling with her own prejudices. Rhiya Evergreen, Elora's best friend, has long dreamed of escaping Umbralyn, their shared city of the powerless. When assigned to serve one of the most prestigious families in Arcana, she believes she's found her way out. But her newfound life of luxury comes at a cost, as she uncovers dangerous secrets that threaten to shatter everything she thought she wanted. As Elora and Rhiya's paths diverge, they must navigate the truth about their society, their symbols, and themselves. When the Clubs disappear and Arcana's fragile balance of power starts to crack, Elora and Rhiya must choose between embracing their new roles or dismantling the system that defines them.