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

I

"O-of course, I

slams the door, closing herself

inside, I hear a bird squawking and

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

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

nearly long enough to

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 these days.I approach her and wrap my arms around her tightly and she

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

pulls away from me, "To what doI owe this

please," I sigh, letting my hands fall heavily to

like a conversation that needs snacks,"

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

what I need," I give her cheek a

all the things I have learned over the past day about the Manae and

I think this is the part where I give you the

"Box of notecards?"

always said not to give it to you unless things are at ‘ critical mass’.I think we’re there," she

comes out dragging a foot locker sized chest with

hands on her hips,

chest, not sure what to make

run my finger across the edge, trying

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

"Blood magic," she mumbles.

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

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

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

to

to understand my position.I have orders from

either.It just seems like the more I find out about

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

to do, "I’m not opening the trunk today, Leticia.Lex says it's going to keep me busy

probably have note cards to add to the trunk that I will bring

slides back onto the

remember all of

yeah.That is a

tucks her legs under her, and takes my 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

pauses, choosing her next words carefully, "Thousands of years ago, Mother insisted it helps keep balance and prevents you 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

into her lap and twists her

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