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?"

frustration, trying to remember I’m not upset with her.I

since I need

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

door, closing herself

a bird squawking and loud

away slowly into the living room and wait for her

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

nearly long enough to take

face.My resolve softens as I look at her.I can’t imagine

buries her head in my shoulder.I rub her

throat and pulls away from me, "To what

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 plop onto the

seems like a conversation that needs

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

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

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

I give you the box of note cards?" she

"Box of notecards?"

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

disappears into the depths of a closet, and comes out dragging a foot locker sized chest with her.She sets it down in front of me

there you go," she puts her hands on

look at the chest, not sure what to make

is no separation where it would hinge open.I run my finger across the

I open it?" I look

"Blood magic," she mumbles.

magic? That doesn’t help me,

and let it

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 notes

trying to

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

seems like the more I find out about

a bed of roses.But on this one, you can trust Leticia.That trunk will keep you busy for

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

probably have note cards to add to the trunk

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

all of their

is

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

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

into her lap and twists her fingers

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