Forever in the Past and Forever in the Future

Chapter 81

As I calm down, I feel the women back away, still staying close by.I turn slightly in Cora's arms to see what is happening.

The beautiful blonde hair woman is standing the closest, beaming at me.

On the surface, the gesture seems genuine but everything else about her screams of false presences.

"Hello Iokaste, I'm Katherine, your oldest sister, and Luna of the Manae.It's a pleasure to meet you again," she says to me.

All I can think of is how odd of a way to introduce yourself to someone.I look at her carefully.She smiles slightly and reaches out to brush my bangs out of my face.

It is meant to be a caring movement, but instinctively I feel myself flinch.She seems to ignore my tiny movement, but I can see a minute change in her eyes as she notices.I don’t know what to make of it.

It almost feels like she was pleased to see me react that way, but she doesn’t want to let it show.

"Please, call me Kas and it's nice to meet you too,"

I pull myself from Cora's arms and collect myself before shaking Katherine’s hand, trying to be cordial.

There is an uncomfortable energy coming from her as our hands connect.

"Katherine fears you, Kas.Can't you feel it? Don't let her intimate you.Be confident.Pretend you're me.Maybe we can earn her trust, " Lex says quickly.Her words come out so fast, I almost can’t catch them.

"Yeah, something is definitely off about her, but she wouldn't try to hurt me here in front of all these people, would she? We're in the human world.Even if we weren’t, we have 2 guards and a witch with us."

"No, I don't think she would try anything here.Let's get to know everyone else.That will help us figure out who we can or can't trust," there is the slightest of snarls in Lex's voice as she becomes more protective of me.

I feel myself pushing her back, trying my best not to let her influence my feelings toward my newly found siblings.

Katherine steps back and the rest of the women start to introduce themselves.

They are all so warm and inviting and happy to meet me.I notice Cora stands close to me the whole time.

almost as if she is just

all chit

and friendly, but Cora still stands

me, "Kas, you okay with Persephone hanging that close or you want me to

seems like she wants to protect me, but please monitor Katherine.Something’s not

the word if you want us

the corner of my eye, I

curator interrupts to let us know there are refreshments set up

gentle squeeze before she leads me down the path where the staff has set up chairs and little tables for us

watch as a carefully orchestrated hierarchy unfolds amongst my sisters, with the leaders sitting closer to me and the younger

notice how miserable Tessa looks.I look around at everyone else who doesn’t seem to notice.I internally wrestle with the fact that she kidnapped me and wanting to help take her

compassionate side

you alright?" I ask, leaning forward and

our joined hands,

from her already

please, let me help you.Let me take some of this pain away.You don’t

easily helped Tessa with whatever

damn manipulation, Kas.There’s only one way for you

and rushes down the path, away from

the women with black hair and green eyes stand up and rush

the difference between

cry

fresh.She’s

shakes her head as she looks down the

she didn’t have to

your mate

at her curiously.She seems much more stoic than Tessa

to protect us.You are the same,"

to say is, her group is called Agrios.In