Forever in the Past and Forever in the Future

“Leticia, what are you doing here?” I whisper loudly, taking her by the elbow. Out of the corner of my eye, I see Marco step forward and unholster his gun. Tyree also shifts his position. Securing the door so no one can get in or out. I put my hand up and motion for them to stand down.

“Hello, you must be the light witch,” Leticia says sweetly to Delilah, “Since you're Kas’s friend, I will let it slide that you tried to hit me with a blasting spell.”

“Leticia,” I growl, putting my arm protectively in front of Delilah, “Why are you here? And be nice to my friend.” “I'm protecting you. And I'll be nice, but she was the one who threw a spell at me, So maybe tell her to be nice too,” Leticia retorts in a low tone.

“I appreciate you protecting me, but my guards are on duty. You don’t need to be here, darling,” I move my hand from in front of Delilah to take Leticia’s hand. I feel our energy start to merge and comfort both of us.

I see her face turn down slightly, “Oh. Okay. I-I just wanted to help.”

“Leticia, I apologize for attacking you in the packhouse. I was trying to protect my Alpha,” Delilah speaks up, “I would like to make it up to you, if you'll let me.” Leticia looks at Delilah suspiciously, “ How do I know you won't trick me?” “Because Kas has told me how important you are to her, Leticia. And if you're important to Kas, you're important to me. Even if our magic is on opposite ends of the spectrum,” Delilah reassures her.

“Okay, so how do you want to make it up to me?” Leticia clasps her hands together in front of her, trying to act as professionally as possible. Anyone walking by the window would assume she was a regular employee helping clients.

“We are going to a Michelin rated restaurant for dinner tonight. Why don't you glamour, so people don’t think you are a Kas copycat and join us? I would love to get to know more about you,” Delilah uses her most diplomatic tone. She sounds so much like Lady Camille. It’s uncanny. She would have made a great Mother to the Coven.

“Really? You want to eat with me?” Leticia looks surprised and confused.

“I would like to show you my respects. I want to show you I’m willing to give you achance. Please don’t make me regret it,” Delilah clarifies. °

“Alright. Where are we eating? Hopefully, somewhere with chicken fingers,” Leticia says innocently. Her ageless features are happy, but she also looks like she could lose her shit at any moment and start attacking people, too.

We give her the details for the restaurant and time to be there. She giggles and turns around, opening a glowing purple portal in the middle of the store, and disappears. The lights flicker again and everything around us seems to be normal again.

“Kas, why did you stop me?” Marco rushes forward, Tyree is right behind him, with his back facing us just in case Leticia comes back.

“She won't hurt me, Marco, and I need her to trust me. I need her help. Besides, I definitely didn’t want her to hurt you,” I explain my actions.

‘I'll call the restaurant. Ask them to update the reservations. Do you think she was serious about the chicken fingers?” Marco asks earnestly.

"Wait, wasn't that the sister we're supposed to be protecting you from?" Tyree asks, "You just invited her to dinner like it was nothing.”

Delilah approaches Tyree and looks him directly in the eyes. A slight sound of tinkling bells fills the air when she speaks to him, “What are you talking about, Tyree? That’s the Luna’s friend. They met at a MasonCo event. They get together every time Kas is in Paris.”

“Oh yeah, I-I forgot about that. Yeah. Okay, the Luna’s friend,” Tyree says in a bit of a daze. Delilah looks at him sympathetically, then comes back over t ome.

having just performed magic on

at Tyree, “We good, T?” Tyree gives a thumbs up and wanders back to

Sometimes you scare the shit outta me in ways I don’t even get,” Marco shakes his head and goes back to his position as well. Behind us, the saleswomen, who somehow didn't notice Leticia, come to help

time to make our way to the restaurant. We wait in the car while Marco speaks to the maitre d'

to never stand around waiting where someone

we sit, the more crowded the sidewalk gets as the crowd of people wanting to get someone’s photograph builds. Somehow, the word

Tyree on the phone with the local police but they won't make it in time to make the growing crowd disperse. The privacy laws in France are much better than they are in the United States, but certain public figures still cause a stir. In the human world, Iam, unfortunately, one of those people.

Delilah looking out the tinted windows with

head up so they can see your face, but look toward the ground. Don't answer questions, even if they seem innocent, okay? Tyree is going to block their path.

more than we have in front of the bakery,” her voice is hollow with disbelief. I rummage through one of the shopping bags and

By the time we finish eating, the police will have

she asks, still looking out the window.

we lace our fingers together, pancakes means we keep her fingers between my thumb and forefinger. She nods, slips on the sunglasses, and slides her hand into mine without lacing our

and Marco take their places outside the car and Marco opens the door. I step out first and pull Delilah with me, so she won't lose her

out questions in English and French. Tyree and Marco block their path and get us into the restaurant safely, but

blink for a moment and realize it must be Leticia. When we get to the table, a tall, muscular, dark-haired

so good to see you! Delilah, you

It’s so good to see

hear they have a master sommelier who is the best around,” Leticia says, raising her an eyebrow as she

don’t drink, remember? And Delilah is pregnant,

what this guy is going to serve us, Kas,” Leticia winks. Delilah nudges my foot under the table

and explains what the courses will be for dinner. Even with the delicious sounding menu, Leticia requests chicken fingers with honey mustard

and asks the chef if she can have the chicken fingers in a to go box. We fall into a somewhat comfortable conversation

Ladies, I have a treat for you this evening! A wine truly worthy of gods

into a ponytail. His eyes are a piercing light blue, watching us all with delight, holding a

I whisper

Deon Nise,” he rocks on his feet slightly, shifting his eyes to make sure no one heard me before he gains his composure again, “You can call me Deon, Mrs. Mason. I will be your master sommelier for the evening. Tonight's selection is Greek. It may as well be directly from Mount Olympus. Think of i tas a gift from the God of

has a sparkle in her eye as she holds her head

Ilook at him carefully and flip my hair in defiance, “It’s good enough for gods and goddesses, but what about a monstrosity like me or

Leticia hisses, “Don’t be rude to

teeth with a forced smile, “from the God of Thunder,