Forever in the Past and Forever in the Future

Chapter 91

"fastest dinner ever..."

I hear Bronx say, but he sounds like he’s underwater.

The high pitch buzzing sound is trying to push its way forward, but I fight against it with all my concentration.

Lex is trying to speak to me, but she sounds like she’s miles away.I stand up so I can join Bronx in front of the table, but Milo and Lenora take my hands and pull me into my seat.

Codi is in my lap, hugging me tightly.I can feel the warmth of our special connection and hug her back.

Pack members cheer and howl silently as Bronx gives his speech.He paces slowly and confidently while his hands add emotion to his words.

Our pack looks so happy.

That’s how it should be.

Happy.

A plate of chicken cordon bleu is in front of me.I look at it curiously.

My mind can’t seem to remember how eating works.I dip my finger in the sauce and give Codi a taste.

She claps her hands, but there is no noise.

Lenora gives Bronx a worried look and shakes her head as she pulls her pup from my lap.

Red, gold, and white decorations glitter in the background, slightly out of focus.

People look up from their dinner.I can sense their worry.It hits me in crashing waves.

Milo and Reggie are on either side of me, helping me to my feet.We are walking down a hallway.

Marco is ahead of us, holding his phone to his ear.I feel a hand on the small of my back.I look up to see who it is and trip over my feet.

Bronx catches me and picks me up, carrying me the rest of the way.I don’t even know where we’ re going.I close my eyes and let the scent of coffee and dark chocolate lull me into a relaxed sleep.

"Leticia? Are you here?"иσνєℓєвσσк.¢σмI call out as I walk into the apartment.

"To..uhh...Kas?"

Leticia pops her head out from what appears to be an office.There are small symbols painted on her face that look like runes.She has her hair pulled back into a black bandana.She wipes her hand over her face and the markings magically disappear, "I wasn’t expecting you.What’s going on?"

"I have some questions.Do you have time?"

my arms in frustration, trying to remember I’m not upset with her.I also don’t want

I need her

from, then back out at me, "O-of course, I always have time for you.Give me

door, closing

inside, I hear a bird squawking and loud

crashes of glass breaking, then silence.I back away slowly into the living room and

fresh out of the shower

enough to take

face.My resolve softens as I look at her.I can’t imagine there are many people showing her affection these days.I approach

head in my shoulder.I rub her back slightly and

her throat and pulls away from me, "To what doI owe this

about myself.I want to know more from your perspective, please," I sigh, letting my hands fall heavily to my sides, then plop

seems like a conversation that needs snacks," she

hand over our laps, exposing a bowl

know exactly what I need," I give her cheek a little pinch, eliciting

the past day about the Manae and about myself.She nods and listens intently as I tick off the list of important things I have

where I give you the box of

"Box of notecards?"

give it to you unless things are at ‘ critical mass’.I think we’re there," she frowns a little and gets up from

a foot locker sized

you go," she puts her hands on her hips, looking at the

look at the chest, not sure what

no separation where it would hinge open.I run my

it?" I look up at Leticia, who looks

"Blood magic," she mumbles.

That doesn’t help me, Leticia.I don't know

and let it

your idea.I just keep the trunk safe.Not that anyone could get into it except for

not trying to trick you,

finally chimes in, "I’m sorry I yelled at you earlier, but you have to understand my position.I have orders from our Mother.There is

okay, Lex.I shouldn’t have gotten upset with you, either.It just seems like the more I find out

bed of roses.But on this one, you can trust

today, Leticia.Lex says it's going to keep me busy for a

have note cards to add to the trunk that I will bring with me next

onto the sofa, "Okay.What’s on

does everyone else seem to remember all of their lives

is a good

you both lose the memories of your previous lives.The rest of us do

from being corrupted by dark forces.The kicker is, you guys are the most powerful of all the Manae and Guardians, but because you don’t have any previous memories, you just don’t know it.We're

hand away from me into her lap

hair away from her face and tilt my head, trying to get her to look at me