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 need

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

slams the door, closing herself

hear a bird squawking and loud

are several crashes of glass breaking, then silence.I back away slowly

of the room as if nothing happened, looking like she is fresh out of the shower even though she closed the door to the room two

long enough to

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 these days.I approach her and

breath as she buries her head in my

pulls away from me, "To what doI owe

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

conversation

our laps, exposing a bowl

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

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

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

"Box of notecards?"

you unless things are at ‘ critical mass’.I think we’re

as she disappears into the depths of a closet, and comes out dragging a foot locker sized chest with

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

at the chest, not sure what to make of

no separation where it would hinge open.I run my

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

"Blood magic," she mumbles.

doesn’t help me,

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

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

not trying to trick you,

at you earlier, but you have to understand my position.I

I find out about my sisters and me, the more messed up being a goddess

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

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 I

slides back onto

everyone else seem to remember all of their

yeah.That is

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

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

hand away from me into her lap

What’s wrong?" I brush her sparkly hair away from her face and tilt my head,