Chapter 17 #2
"And what about the anomalies?" Future Brianna asked, her voice laced with concern. "They're getting worse, aren't they?"
Chad's grip tightened on the steering wheel. "Yes. The temporal disturbances are increasing in frequency and intensity. It's like the fabric of reality itself is starting to unravel."
Brianna felt her heart sink at these words. The situation seemed far more dire than she had imagined.
"Do you need a break? I’m sure Bas and the L.A.W. witches can hold them at bay while you rest a bit. You won’t do anyone any good if you burn out.”
Chad shook his head, his expression resolute. "No time for rest. The Aether Pirates won't wait, and neither will these anomalies. I have to keep pushing forward."
Future Brianna sighed, concern evident in her voice. "I know, but I'm worried about you, Chad. You've been pushing yourself so hard since Emerson..." She trailed off, unable to finish the sentence.
Chad's expression softened slightly as he glanced at her. "I know you're worried, Bri. But this is what I was trained for. What Emerson prepared me for. I can't let him down now."
As they drove, Brianna noticed they were heading towards the outskirts of the city. The urban landscape gave way to more secluded areas until finally, Chad turned onto a hidden driveway, barely visible among the dense trees.
“Where are we? I don’t remember coming this way before.”
Chad smiled and pulled over. “I wanted it to be a surprise. I found us a hideaway. Our own little private headquarters that no one else knows about.”
“Seriously?” She chuckled despite the heavy situation they had been discussing.
“Yup. And it’s all ours.” He resumed driving down the dirt road until they came upon a cabin in the thick woods.
Future Brianna exited the car, leaving her passenger side door open as she inhaled the scent of pine in the chilly air.
Present Brianna carefully slipped out behind them, her cloaking spell still in effect, but for how much longer?
She watched as Chad led Future Brianna to the cabin, a small but cozy-looking structure nestled among the trees.
"Chad, this is amazing," Future Brianna breathed, taking in the secluded hideaway. "But how did you manage this? We've been so busy with everything else."
Chad smiled, a hint of his old self shining through the hardened exterior. "I've been working on it in secret for months. It's completely off the grid and protected by some of my strongest wards. Not even Bas knows about it."
Brianna felt a twinge of unease at these words. Why would Chad keep this place secret from the L.A.W.?
As they entered the cabin Chad pulled Future Brianna by the hand.
“Let me show you around. This is the open-plan great room, with kitchen and dining that you can plainly see… I’d like to show you the bedroom as soon as I’ve had a quick shower.
” He yanked her to mold her body next to his and gave her a long, searing kiss.
Oh, no! Brianna thought. I don’t want to hear myself scream in ecstasy. Plus, my cloaking spell is starting to slip.
Future Brianna cozied up to him, rubbing against his pelvis. “Hurry back, lover.”
He growled low in his throat, gave her another scorching kiss, then sauntered off to the bathroom.
As soon as the shower sounded, Future Brianna whirled and glanced around the room. “Okay, me. Where are you?”
Happy to drop the cloak, Brianna appeared and said, “How did you know I was here?”
“Oh, please… I smelled your cheap perfume in the car. Don’t worry, we get a better one. Now, you need to get out of here. I know Bas sent you to spy on Chad. He’s fine. Trust me. Go back to my past and don’t do this again. If he had caught you…” She let out a huff.
“Right. I’ll go, gladly, but first, I didn’t think we could appear in the same place at the same time. That it was some sort of time-travel no-no.”
Future Brianna sighed, glancing nervously at the bathroom door where the shower could still be heard running.
"Look, I don't have time to explain the intricacies of time travel paradoxes.
Just know that the rules aren't as rigid as we once thought.
Now, you need to leave. Immediately, before you inadvertently change something. "
Brianna hesitated, her curiosity battling with her sense of urgency. "But what about the temporal anomalies? And why is Chad keeping secrets from the L.A.W.?"
Future Brianna's expression hardened. "Some questions are better left unanswered. The future isn't set in stone, and the less you know about specific events, the better. Trust me on this."
The sound of the shower shutting off made both Briannas tense.
"Go. Now," Future Brianna hissed.
“Okay. I’m going, I’m going.” Brianna closed her eyes and concentrated, feeling the familiar pull of time tugging at her. Just as she began to fade from view, she heard the bathroom door open, and Chad's voice call out, "Bri? Who were you talking to?"
The last thing she saw before the cabin disappeared was Future Brianna's panicked expression as she turned toward Chad’s voice. “Oh, you know… Just talking to myself.”
Brianna materialized back in her suite at the L.A.W. mansion, her heart pounding. She slumped against the wall, trying to process everything she had seen and heard. The future seemed far more complicated and dangerous than she had imagined.
Chad's apparent secrecy from the L.A.W., the worsening temporal anomalies, the escalating threat from the Aether Pirates… it all painted a grim picture. And yet, she and Chad seemed to still be together, stronger than ever. At least there was something good in her future.