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?"

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

I

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 second.I’ll meet you in

slams the door, closing herself

I hear a

slowly into the living room and wait for

like she is fresh out of the

nearly long enough to

resolve softens as I look 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 and

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

and pulls away from me, "To what doI owe this pleasure,

want to know more from your perspective, please," I sigh, letting my hands fall heavily to my sides, then plop onto the sofa, pulling her down

like a conversation that needs snacks," she

waves her hand over our laps, exposing a

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

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

where I give you

"Box of notecards?"

always said not to give it to you unless things are at ‘ critical

and comes out dragging a foot locker sized chest with her.She sets it down in front of me

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

look at the chest, not sure what to

run my finger across the

I open it?" I look up at Leticia, who

"Blood magic," she mumbles.

magic? That doesn’t help me, Leticia.I don't know

don't remember that you do.Extend your fangs, slice your finger, and let it bleed onto the

of dark shit.Blood magic is not one of them.This was your idea.I just keep the trunk safe.Not that anyone

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 I

you, either.It just seems like the more I find out about my sisters and me, the more messed up being

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

to decide what to do, "I’m not opening the trunk today, Leticia.Lex says it's going to keep me busy for a long time.I would rather spend my time right now speaking with

to add to the trunk that I

slides back onto the

everyone else seem to remember all of their lives except for

yeah.That is

memories of your previous lives.The rest

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 a problem with our family that needs your

her hand away from me into her lap and

hair away from her face and tilt my head,