“Whoa. Slow down, cowboy. I never said?—”
“Yes, you did. You emailed me from the future about planning a funeral for my mentor. Or did you forget?”
“Argh! Do you know how confusing the future can get?”
“Yeah. The professor tried to tell me that even with his precognition, he only sees possibilities. You, on the other hand, are a time-traveler. You actually experienced planning a funeral, and apparently without my help. So, where was I? Off saving the world? You need to tell me, so I can be prepared!”
Brianna took a deep breath, clearly trying to organize her thoughts. "Okay, let's take this one step at a time. First, yes, I did email you about a funeral in the future. But time travel isn't always straightforward. What I experienced might not be what actually happens. The future can change."
Chad ran a hand through his hair, frustration evident in his voice. "But you were there. You lived it. How can that change?"
"Time isn't linear, Chad," Brianna explained patiently. "It's more like a web of possibilities. Every choice we make, every action we take, can alter the course of events. What I saw was one possible future, what would happen if we continued on this path, but it's not set in stone."
Chad slumped onto the couch, feeling overwhelmed. "So, what does that mean for us? For what we're supposed to do?"
Brianna sighed. “There’s nothing we can do right now. Unless Professor Emerson told you to do something…”
“Yeah. He gave me a huge tome to read. If I have to prepare lesson plans and grade papers, it will take me three years to get through it.” He rose from the couch and retrieved his backpack, pulling out the assigned book. “I don’t suppose you have a Cliff Notes version of this, do you?”
Brianna examined the large book Chad held out with both hands. Her eyes widened. "The Compendium of Clairvoyant Practices? That's some heavy reading, even for an English professor."
Chad nodded, feeling the weight of the tome both physically and metaphorically. "Tell me about it. Emerson wants me to work through these exercises alongside my psychometry practice. I'm not sure how I'm supposed to find the time."
Brianna's expression softened. She reached out and squeezed Chad's hand reassuringly. "Hey, don't get overwhelmed. Remember, you're not in this alone. I can help you with some of the exercises, and I'm sure the League has resources we can tap into."
Chad managed a small smile, grateful for her support. "Thanks, Bri. I appreciate that. But you still haven't told me what you know. I get the feeling the league knows a lot more than Bas let on.”
Brianna's expression darkened again. “Bas had a vision.” She took a deep breath before speaking. “No, it wasn't about the Library of Congress, Chad. It was about you."
Chad felt a chill run down his spine. "Me? What about me?"
Brianna hesitated, clearly struggling with how much to reveal. "She saw you in danger. Real danger, Chad. You were surrounded by darkness, and there was this sense of... malevolence. Like something was hunting you."
Chad swallowed hard, his mouth suddenly dry. "Hunting me? Why? What did I do?"
"I don't know," Brianna admitted, frustration evident in her voice. "Visions aren't always clear. But she got the strong sense that it was related to your growing abilities. To the role you're meant to play in whatever's coming.”
Chad slumped back on the couch, feeling overwhelmed. "So not only do I have to learn all this magical stuff and potentially save the Library of Congress, but now I'm also being hunted by some dark force? Great. Just great."
Brianna sat beside him, her expression sympathetic. "I know it's a lot to take in. But remember, these visions show possibilities, not certainties. We can change the future, Chad. That's why we're preparing you."
Chad nodded slowly, trying to process everything. "Okay. So, what do we do now? And do you have any idea how many times I’ve asked that same question today?"
Brianna's eyes lit up with determination. "We train. We prepare. And we stay alert." She picked up the Compendium of Clairvoyant Practices. "Let's start with this. I can help you with some of the exercises, and we can work out a schedule that doesn't interfere with your obligations to the university.
“I don’t know what I’d do without you, Bri. Emerson talks in riddles. The league is secretive and vague. You’re the only one willing to give me straight answers. Or at least as straight as a meandering river…” He gave her a sardonic smirk.
She put an arm around him and looked into his eyes. “I know this must be overwhelming.”
“You could say that.” He inhaled deeply, and instead of opening the book, which he probably should have done, he leaned in and captured Brianna’s lips in a long-awaited kiss.
16
The next morning, Chad found himself back in Professor Emerson's study, this time accompanied by Brianna and Bas. The room seemed different somehow, as if the very air was charged with anticipation. Sunlight streamed through the stained-glass windows, casting colorful patterns across the worn wooden floor.
Emerson paced before the fireplace, his silver hair wild and his light blue eyes gleaming with an intensity Chad had never seen before. Bas stood by the window, her emerald robes shimmering in the sunlight, her gaze fixed on something only she could see.
"It's time," Emerson said, his voice carrying a weight that made Chad's breath catch. "Time for you to understand the full scope of what we're facing, and the role you must play."
