To his surprise and relief, Damien vanished.
Chad turned toward Bas. “Did I do that or did he? Or, for that matter, didyoubanish him?”
“Not I,” Bas said. “I think your dedicated practice is paying off.”
The days followingDamien's intrusion were tense at the L.A.W. mansion. Bas had ordered a complete overhaul of their magical defenses, with every witch contributing their unique skills to strengthen the wards. Chad threw himself into his training with renewed vigor, determined to never again feel so vulnerable in the face of Damien's temptations.
One evening, as Chad was finishing up a particularly grueling session with Dr. Emerson, Brianna appeared in the doorwayof the training room. Her expression was troubled, and Chad immediately sensed something was wrong.
"Bri? What is it?" he asked, concern etched on his face.
Brianna hesitated, glancing between before responding. "I... I need to talk to Dr. Emerson. Alone, if that's okay."
The elderly professor nodded. “Of course. We’re done for today anyway. Good work, Chad.”
“Will I see you back at the mansion?” Brianna asked Chad before he departed.
“Yes. I know I’m safer there, but to be honest, I think I’m gaining enough self-confidence to rebuff Damien anywhere.” He wrapped his arm around her waist and pulled her close to kiss her on the side of her head.
As Chad left with a swagger, Brianna turned to Dr. Emerson with a worried expression. "I'm concerned about Chad. He seems so confident now, almost cocky. I'm afraid he might be underestimating Damien's power and influence."
Dr. Emerson nodded gravely. "I understand your concern, Brianna. Chad's abilities have indeed grown tremendously, but overconfidence can be dangerous, especially when dealing with entities like Damien."
Brianna bit her lip, hesitating before voicing her next thought. "There's something else... I'm worried about the future I saw. Your..." She trailed off, unable to say the words.
"My death," Dr. Emerson finished softly. He sighed, his eyes filled with a mixture of resignation and determination. "Brianna, the future is not set in stone. What you saw was one possibility of thousands.”
“Are you sure?”
“Absolutely. Why are you continuing to worry about the one you saw?”
Brianna felt a palpable pain in her chest and didn’t know if she could spit out the truth.
Eventually, he tipped his head and studied her reaction.
Damn, I’ve never been very good at hiding my feelings.“Okay, here it is. Bas gave me permission to go into the future to see if we would find a way to banish the Aether Pirates for good. Each time I try, I always land at your funeral.”
He rubbed his chin in concentration. “Are you trying to go to other times and places?”
“Yes, I’ve tried a year ahead and five years ahead, but every time…”
“Interesting,” was all he said.
Brianna was glad herdilemmadidn’t seem to worry him, but he might be hiding it. “I don’t know what I’m doing wrong.”
“I doubt you’re doing anything wrong, Brianna. You’re just focused on the wrong thing.”
“I—I don’t know how to change that. Both of my parents died in a car crash. My grandpa died years before that. It’s just been my grandmother, my sister, and me for most of my life. I’ve come to think of you as a surrogate father or—don’t take offense—grandfather. I can’tnotworry about you.”
Dr. Emerson laughed. “I’m not offended in the least. I’m honored to be thought of as your surrogate grandfather. But worrying about me is exactly the part you need to let go of. That’s why you keep being dragged back to my funeral.”
“You think so?”
“I’m not a psychology professor, but it makes sense, doesn’t it?”
“Yes, in a morbid kind of way.”
He grinned and patted her on the shoulder, but worry now creased his brow.
