Cordelia feels awkward in this sitting room. It doesn’t belong to her, but yet…no, she wasn’t going to try to reason it right now. She’s owned that she’s in the past—as hard as it is to mentally wrap her head around it. She sighs mentally; Aleck and Calista are carrying a conversation. The two sure get along well…

Cordelia’s so focused that she jumps when Cornelius re-enters the room. That call was fast.

“Miss Deely, may I talk to you for a moment alone, if you don’t mind?” The older man’s soft blue eyes linger on hers. Cordelia surveys the room with her stare, observing the visual responses around her. It’s no surprise that alarm spreads cross both Aleck and Calista’s faces.

Her gut is relaxed. She trusts him.

“That’s fine. I’ll be back, Cal.” She shoots a look at the black-haired girl in case things went awry. Calista understands, providing a short nod before Cordelia exits.

Her grandfather brings her to his study, which Cordelia immediately recognizes to be the exact room she and Radjerd crossed paths for the first time. The layout resembles her father’s workspace almost identically. He invites Cordelia to take a seat facing the cherrywood desk; she promptly sits in the ornate chair near the door.

“Pardon the sudden intrusion,” He smiles, his grin wide with glee. “But I don’t like to mince words, so I’ll get right to it. I know where you’re from.”

“Well, it’s easy to guess that my sister and I are from Glade Bay.”

“You know what I mean.” He folds his hands together, easing his elbows on the desk. He leans forward slightly, his lips curve into a frown. “I understand you don’t want to tell me, it’s a hard thing to claim. But I understand the slow of time well, my dear. I know you’re my granddaughter.”

“How did you know?” She barely whispers.

“I’ve met you before, although you were much older than you are now.” His chuckle is similar to Aleck’s.

“How? Why?”

“Through the same means of travel you and Calista used.” He raises a brow at Cordelia’s surprise, then, a sudden realization hits his eyes. “Ah, maybe I shouldn’t say too much. I don’t want to change the course of the future.”

“Wait…how do you know Calista?!”

Cornelius smiles, “I can’t tell you that.”

“Then why mention any of this to me in the first place?” Cordelia watches her tone. This may have been a different version of her grandfather, but the fact of the matter is, this man still deserved respect. She can’t afford to be mouthy.

“Because I know you can’t go home unless the watch is charged. How else am I supposed to lead on that I know about the watch unless I tell you why?”

He has a point.

“Another thing; I can’t have my son getting any strange ideas about time travel. He’s already suspicious.”

“He told me he saw me and Cal come through some kind of portal—although I can’t tell you to be sure. My mind’s still foggy.”

“Ah, so the two of you came from the same time? Interesting…” He ponders aloud, then switches the subject. “Never mind me.” Did he know something about Calista that he was purposely omitting?

“I know you can’t tell me how you met Cal, but…can I trust her?” Her grandfather’s silent, wiping his chin with the back of his folded hand. He doesn’t seem intent on telling her. She’s surprised when he opens his mouth.

“It depends on how you treat her, like anybody else really.” He grins. “Like anyone else in your family.”

“That’s incredibly vague.” She crosses her arms in displeasure.

“The future is something you don’t want to know too much about. It ruins the element of surprise.” He smiles. “Although it doesn’t hurt to know that the Firthes have a bright future ahead. You, being the prime example.” He ponders briefly. “Which leads me to this question. Why are you so far back from your time?”

“It was an accident.” She doesn’t get into specifics. “Cal accidentally teleported us here—or whatever the word may be. I don’t even know how she got her hands on the watch.”

Cornelius raises a curious brow. “Maybe you should ask her.”

“Like she’d tell me.” Cordelia sulks. “But it’s not just Cal, no one in my family tells me a damn thing…maybe it’s because they think I’m stupid.”

“Have you considered it’s not your intelligence, but your attitude that’s keeping people from distrusting you?”

Her eyes water immediately—why did that comment sting?

“Don’t get ahead of yourself—I know my limits.” She flushes, looking down at her feet. “I was never a smart person.”

“Nonsense. I’ve seen the things you’re capable of doing, Cordelia. Just…don’t neglect your family because of them.” There’s a warning to that sentence, but she’s not sure why. Was he talking about her mother? Sudden guilt floods her stomach. She doesn’t want to talk about this anymore.

“About the watch…” Cordelia begins, delaying her words purposely to bring him to attention. “How do you charge it?”

“The charger is at Willa Corp. The watch you have may be too advanced, but who is to say? Unless I see it, I can’t tell you.”

Cordelia pauses. “I don’t think I could get Cal to hand it over. She’s not very trusting with me. And, I don’t think I should leave just yet. As you know, Merise is my mother—and she’s currently dating someone else according to Aleck—your son—my dad.” She’s not sure how to address her father here. Regardless, the older man seems amused by her uncertainty, but it quickly falls to seriousness when he speaks next.

“Meddling in someone’s past is never a good idea.”

“But if I don’t intervene, I could be Blake Stratford’s daughter!”

“Here’s the thing. We’re still talking, which means you’re still alive. There’s no harm in aiding my son to reason, but to directly intervene could damage your chances of existing. I can understand why you’d want to help my son though, he’s always had a way with words.” He reflects fondly on the memory. “He loves Merise more than I think he loves me—which is natural for someone his age.” His laugh is nostalgic. Despite the oddness of their conversation, sitting alone with him feels like a dream she’s having. All of this feels so surreal. It’s hard to explain with words.

“Then what am I supposed to do, refuse to help?”

“No, I think it may do some good for you to meet Merise. She’s a lovely girl—or should I say, young woman.”

“If she’s not dating Aleck, then how do I meet her?”

Her grandfather smiles, patting her hand. “I’m close with Merise’s family. I could introduce you to her myself.”

“But if they broke up…is that wise?”

“The two were inseparable since childhood—that kind of love doesn’t die over a mere argument. Merise isn’t unreasonable.”

Clearly, he didn’t meet the older, hardened version of Merise.

“We’ll introduce you as Deely, a niece of mine. You definitely look like a Firthe, so it’s believable.” He chuckles. “I do have one favour to ask, however. Do you mind retrieving Calista for me? There are a few words I’d like to share with her in private.” Cornelius asks kindly.

“Yeah…I can do that.” Nervousness creeps into her stomach. “But won’t…Aleck…get suspicious?”

“Let him.” He waves a hand in the air. “Not everything I do needs to be approved by my son.”

Cordelia doesn’t understand the older man’s angle, but he does as he said; it was quite nice to see her grandfather again.

“You’re going where?” Aleck stands up in alarm. “Father, is there something you’re not telling me?”

“No, but I’m kindly showing Deely the trade since she’s told me about her residence.” Aleck narrows his eyes at Cordelia, a look she would get in the future. It’s his scolding face; it’s a lot less threatening coming from his teenage self.

“But you said—”

“Not here, Aleck.” He warns in a very strict tone. “It’s not appropriate where wandering ears can hear.”

“Why can’t I go?”

“These two can help me with a special task. Don’t worry, they’ll get around to helping you with Merise.”

Was this conversation truly real? She shakes her head in bewilderment. Her father’s not as charismatic as she pictured him in his younger days.

“No, I’m confused, is all…who are you two, really?”

“All will be revealed shortly, now come.”

Cordelia and Calista are guided out by the older man. Her stomach is tied in knots, they’re in a time they don’t belong it. The mere thought makes her woozy. She’s not sure if she’ll be able to handle this.