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 her.I also don’t want to set her

since I need her

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 a

the door, closing

hear a bird squawking

away slowly into the living room and wait for her to

nothing happened, looking like she is fresh out of the shower even though she

long enough

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

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

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

from your perspective, please," I sigh, letting my hands fall heavily to my sides, then plop onto

a conversation that

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

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

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

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

"Box of notecards?"

give it to you unless things are at ‘ critical mass’.I think we’re there,"

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

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

chest, not sure what to make

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

I open it?" I look

"Blood magic," she mumbles.

doesn’t help me, Leticia.I don't know

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

is not one of them.This was your idea.I just keep the trunk safe.Not that anyone could get

trying to

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

like the more I

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

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 to

cards to add to the trunk that I will bring

and slides back onto

all of their lives

yeah.That is a good

both lose the memories of your previous lives.The rest of us do not.We remember everything.The good and the

two from being corrupted by dark forces.The kicker is, you guys are the most powerful of

pulls her hand away from me into her lap and

sparkly hair away from her face and tilt my head,