Bitter Fruit

Mr. Brand left me in a bit of a quandary. I truly wanted that scholarship, but I also didn’t want to subject Tamara to a Victorian lifestyle. As it was, she had lived in that period long enough. She needed to go home.

“Trevor, I would never stand in the way of your happiness,” Tamara admitted. “If you want to stay, I’ll be fine. We’ll make the best of this world. As long as we’re together, I’m happy.”

She was sweet, but I knew what had to be done.

My second visit to the Abra Guild Hall wasn’t as foreboding as the first. Mr. Brand met me in the courtyard outside the building.

“Mr. Cuthbert, it is a pleasure!” He took a seat on a bench.

Sitting beside him, I said, “Alas, my news is not pleasurable.”

“You’ve decided to return with your female friend?”

“Yes.” Then, something occurred to me. “Is it safe for us to go?”

“It is. We were able to undo the damage Arabella created. I saw that you had made your home in 2017. You have our permission to return to it.”

“Thank you.”

Mr. Brand eyed me for a moment. “You’re certain about your decision?”

“I am. This place hasn’t felt like home ever since I lost my father.”

“I understand. Great things await you, Trevor.” Mr. Brand reached into his jacket and removed an envelope. He handed it to me. “References and information you’ll need in the future. There are Dyads in the future who will need someone like you. Learn your craft any way that you can.”

Mr. Brand’s knowledge of my dual nature should have surprised me but it didn’t. The Guild knew everything—the past, the present, and even the future.

“Thank you.” I rose to my feet.

“One more thing, Trevor.” Mr. Brand rose from the bench. “If anything should happen and we need you…”

“I’ll serve anyway that I can, sir.”

“Good. My descendant, Thomas Brand, will be a good ally should you ever need one.”