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?"

trying to remember I’m not upset with her.I also don’t want to set

I

room she is peeking out from, then back out at me, "O-of course, I always have time for you.Give me just a second.I’ll meet

the door,

hear a

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

as if nothing happened, looking like she is fresh out of the shower even though she closed the door

enough to take a

face.My resolve softens as I look at her.I can’t imagine there are many people showing her affection these days.I approach her and wrap my arms around her tightly and she

ragged breath as she buries her head in my shoulder.I rub

throat and pulls away from

found out a ton of stuff about myself.I want to know more from your perspective, please," I sigh, letting my hands fall heavily to my sides, then

conversation that

over our laps, exposing

need," I give her cheek a little pinch, eliciting a giggle and a genuine smile from

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

is the part where I give you the box of note cards?"

"Box of notecards?"

at ‘ critical mass’.I think

dragging a foot locker sized chest with her.She sets it down in front of

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

the chest, not sure what to make of

where it would hinge open.I run my finger across the edge,

look

"Blood magic," she mumbles.

doesn’t help

fangs, slice your finger, and let it bleed onto the chest until

is not one of them.This was your

trying to

understand my position.I have orders from our Mother.There is so much I would love to tell you but I just

I

it’s not always a bed of roses.But on this one, you can trust Leticia.That

the trunk today, Leticia.Lex says it's going to keep me busy for a long time.I would rather

cards to add to the trunk that I will bring

smiles and slides back onto the sofa, "Okay.What’s on your

all of their lives except for Bronx and

yeah.That is a

Bronx are reincarnated, you both lose the memories of your previous lives.The rest of us do not.We remember everything.The good and the bad and trust me, there has been

choosing her next words carefully, "Thousands of years ago, Mother insisted it helps keep balance and prevents you two 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

into her

hair away from her