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.

dirty],” she pouts at the thought of having just performed magic on Tyree without asking his permission, “Cleansing

a thumbs up and wanders

and goes back to his position

make our way to the restaurant. We wait in the car while Marco speaks to the maitre d' and announces our arrival to make sure our table

never stand around waiting where

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

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

see Delilah looking out the tinted windows with a

ground. Don't answer questions, even if they seem innocent, okay? Tyree is going to block their path. Marco will lead us in. Just don't stop until we're inside and at our table,” I give her the instructions I have memorized from the MasonCo PR team and

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

eye color, put these on. By the time we finish

waffles, Kas?” she asks, still looking out the

my hand. Waffles means 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 fingers, squeezing tightly, "Don't

I

and French. Tyree and Marco block their path and get us into the restaurant safely, but it definitely feels like more people surrounding

my friend is already at the table. I blink for a moment and realize it must be Leticia. When

good to see you! Delilah, you

see you,

a master

drink, remember? And Delilah is pregnant, so

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

Even with the delicious

curiously. She nods in agreement and asks the chef if she can have the chicken fingers in a to go box. We fall into a somewhat comfortable conversation while we wait. Leticia and Delilah trade stories about me that are actually pretty funny. I think hearing Leticia speak so lovingly about me gives Delilah a sense of

for you this evening! A wine

look up to see a tall man with dark ringlets pulled back into a ponytail. His eyes are a piercing light blue, watching us

I whisper

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

eye as she holds her head in her hand, admiring

good enough for gods and goddesses, but

Leticia hisses, “Don’t be rude

Dionysus leans forward and grits his teeth with a forced smile, “from the