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?"

remember I’m not

I

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

the door, closing herself

inside, I hear a bird

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

out of the shower even though she closed the door to the room two

nearly long enough to take

huge grin on her face.My resolve softens as I look at her.I can’t imagine there are many

as she buries her head in my shoulder.I rub her back slightly and let her

and pulls away from me, "To what

sit.I just found out a ton of stuff about myself.I want to know more from your perspective, please," I sigh,

seems like a conversation that needs snacks," she

she waves her hand over our laps, exposing a bowl of popcorn, glazed pecans, and mugs of

seem to always know exactly what I need," I give her cheek a

learned over the past day about the Manae and about myself.She nods and listens intently as I tick

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

"Box of notecards?"

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

into the depths of a closet, and comes out dragging a foot

go," she puts her hands on her hips,

look at the chest, not sure

is no separation where it would hinge open.I run my finger across the edge, trying to figure

it?" I look up at Leticia, who looks

"Blood magic," she mumbles.

magic? That doesn’t help

you do.Extend your fangs, slice your finger, and let it bleed onto the chest until your

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 notes in there

trying to trick

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 so much I would love

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

you can trust

blow out as I breathe out heavily, trying to decide what to do, "I’m not opening the trunk today, Leticia.Lex says it's going

the trunk that I will bring with me next

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

seem to remember all of

is a good

hand, "Darling, every time you and 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

is, you guys are the most powerful of all the Manae and Guardians, but because you don’t have any previous memories, you just

hand away from me into her

her sparkly hair away from her face and tilt my head,