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.

she pouts at the thought of having just performed magic on Tyree without asking

“We good, T?” Tyree gives a thumbs up and

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

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

biggest rules for me is to never stand around waiting where someone could approach me without

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

The privacy laws in France are much better than they are in the United States, but certain public

out the tinted windows with

Keep your 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. Marco will lead us in. Just don't stop until

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

color, put these on. By the time we finish eating, the police will have made them

or waffles, Kas?” she asks, still

asking how she should hold 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

places outside the car and Marco opens the door. I step

Tyree and Marco block their path and get us into

When we get

good to see you! Delilah,

to see

requested a bottle of wine. I hear they have a master sommelier who is the best around,” Leticia says,

I don’t drink, remember? And Delilah is pregnant, so she

serve us, Kas,” Leticia winks. Delilah nudges my foot under

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

wait. Let’s make a deal. You eat the eight-course meal that we are going to be eating, and I will try the wine the sommelier brings,” I smile warmly at Leticia. She sits up straighter and looks at me 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

treat for you this evening! A wine truly worthy of gods and goddesses!" A familiar

a ponytail. His

whisper in

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

eye as she holds her

hair in defiance, “It’s good

Leticia hisses, “Don’t be rude to

Dionysus leans forward and grits his teeth with a