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?"

I’m not upset with

since I

the room she is peeking out from, then back out at me, "O-of course, I always have time

door,

hear a

are several crashes of glass breaking, then silence.I back away slowly into the

happened, looking like she is fresh out of the

nearly long enough to take a

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

and pulls away from me, "To what doI

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

seems like a conversation that needs snacks," she

exposing a bowl of popcorn, glazed pecans, and mugs

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

the next hour, I 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 things I

I think this is the part where I give you the box of note

"Box of notecards?"

‘ critical mass’.I think we’re there," she frowns a little and gets up from

a closet, and comes out dragging a foot locker sized chest with her.She sets it down in

puts her hands on her hips, looking at

at the chest, not sure what to make of

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

I look up at Leticia, who looks slightly

"Blood magic," she mumbles.

That doesn’t help

slice your finger, and let it bleed onto the chest until your wolf heals you."I look at

shrugs, "Hey, Kas.I won't lie to you.I mess with a lot of dark shit.Blood magic is not one of them.This was your idea.I just keep the trunk safe.Not that anyone could get into it except for you.You’ve been putting

to

in, "I’m sorry I yelled at you earlier, but you have to understand my position.I have orders

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

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

trunk today, Leticia.Lex says it's going to

I probably have note cards to add to the trunk that I

slides back onto

seem to remember all of their lives except for Bronx and

yeah.That is a good

lose the memories of your previous lives.The rest of

pauses, 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 know it.We're only allowed to call on you

her hand away from me into her

her