Chapter 15 #2
Chad nodded slowly, feeling the weight of responsibility settling on his shoulders. "But how? I'm just starting to learn about all this magical stuff. How can I possibly be ready on time?"
Emerson smiled reassuringly. "You won't be alone, Chad. You'll have the support of the League, and of course, my continued guidance. And don't underestimate yourself. You've already shown remarkable progress in a short time."
Chad took a deep breath, trying to calm his racing thoughts. "Okay. So, what's next? More psychometry practice?"
"Actually," Emerson said, rising from his chair, "I think it's time we took your training to the next level.
" He walked over to a large oak bookcase and pulled out a thick, leather-bound volume.
"This book contains exercises for developing clairvoyance.
I want you to start working through them, alongside your psychometry practice. "
Chad took the book, feeling its weight both physically and metaphorically. "Clairvoyance? You really think I can do that?"
Emerson nodded confidently. "I do. And more importantly, you need to believe you can. Remember, Chad, belief is a powerful force in magic. Your own doubts can be your biggest obstacle."
Chad nodded, trying to push aside his skepticism. "I'll do my best."
"Good," Emerson said, clapping him on the shoulder. "Now, I think that's enough for today. Go home, rest, and start working through those exercises as soon as you can."
Chad nodded and tucked the book under his arm. As he turned to leave, a thought struck him. "Professor, one more question. You mentioned that words have more power than most people realize. What did you mean by that?"
Emerson's eyes brightened. "Ah, now that's a lesson for another day. But let's just say that a well-crafted phrase can be as potent as any magical spell. Your skills as a writer may prove more valuable than you know."
With that cryptic statement, Emerson ushered Chad out of his study. As Chad walked down the hallway, his mind was buzzing with everything he'd learned. Magic, secret artifacts, potential disaster. It seemed as if an attack on knowledge was in the offing!
How long did he have to prepare? Was three years enough? Did Brianna’s inadvertent revelation of the future mean he had to take over for Emerson? When was this attack supposed to happen?
He needed to talk to Brianna.
As Chad walked back to his apartment, his mind reeling from everything he had learned, he pulled out his phone to call Brianna. He needed to process all of this, and she was the only one he felt he could truly confide in.
The phone rang several times before going to voicemail. Chad frowned, a twinge of worry creeping into his thoughts. It wasn't like Brianna to ignore his calls.
"Hey, Bri, it's me," he said after the beep. "Just had another session with Emerson and... well, I really need to talk to you. Call me back when you can, okay?"
He ended the call and continued walking, the weight of the clairvoyance book heavy in his bag. As he approached his apartment building, a familiar figure caught his eye. Brianna was sitting on the steps, her posture tense, her eyes wide.
Chad quickened his pace, concern flooding through him at the sight of Brianna's distressed expression. As he approached, she stood up, her eyes darting around nervously.
"Bri? What's wrong?" Chad asked, reaching out to steady her.
Brianna grabbed his arm in her tight grip. "We need to talk. Inside. Now."
Nodding, Chad fumbled for his keys and led her into the building. Once inside his apartment, Brianna paced the living room, rubbing her hands over each other.
"Bri, you're scaring me," Chad said, setting down his bag. "What's going on?"
Brianna took a deep breath, visibly trying to calm herself. "I had a vision, Chad. A bad one."
Chad felt his stomach drop. "About the Library of Congress?"
Brianna's eyes widened. “The what now?”
“I was trying to get in touch with you because Professor Emerson told me about the catastrophe I’m supposed to prevent. The responsibility… It’s huge! If you foresaw Emerson’s death in three years, and I have so much to learn…”
“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.