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 with her.I also

since I

"O-of course, I always have time

door, closing

inside, I hear a bird

silence.I back away slowly

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

enough to take a

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 returns the

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

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

please," I sigh, letting my hands fall heavily to my sides, then plop onto the sofa,

seems like a conversation that needs

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

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

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

I think this is the part where I give you the box

"Box of notecards?"

at ‘ critical mass’.I think

foot locker sized

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

look at the chest, not

run my finger across the edge,

it?" I look up at Leticia, who looks slightly

"Blood magic," she mumbles.

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

fangs, slice your finger, and let it bleed onto the chest until

shrugs, "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 for you.You’ve been

trying to

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

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

not always a bed of roses.But on this one, you can trust Leticia.That trunk will keep you

breathe out heavily, trying 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

the trunk that

slides back onto

all of their lives except for

is a good

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,

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

her hand away from me into her lap and twists

hair away from her face and tilt my