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?"

arms in frustration, trying to remember I’m not upset

since I need her

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

door, closing herself

inside, I hear a bird squawking and loud

breaking, then silence.I back away slowly into the living room and wait

is fresh out of the shower

enough

arms out for a hug, a huge grin on her face.My resolve softens as I look at her.I can’t imagine there are many people showing her affection

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

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

ton of stuff about myself.I want to know more from your perspective, please," I sigh, letting my hands fall

a conversation that needs snacks,"

she waves her hand over our laps, exposing a bowl of

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

tell her all the things I have learned over the past day about the Manae and about myself.She nods

give you the

"Box of notecards?"

are at ‘ critical mass’.I think we’re there," she frowns a little

watch as she 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 and waves at

her hands on

at the chest, not

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

I look up at

"Blood magic," she mumbles.

doesn’t help me,

do.Extend your fangs, slice your finger, and let it bleed onto

"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

trying to trick you,

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

with you, either.It just seems like the more I find

on this one, you can

out heavily, trying to decide what to do, "I’m not opening the trunk today,

to the trunk that I

slides back onto the

remember all of

is

are reincarnated, you both lose the memories of your previous lives.The rest of us do not.We remember

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 if there is

hand away from me into

I brush her sparkly hair away from her face and tilt my head, trying to get her to look at