Forever in the Past and Forever in the Future

Chapter 71

We sit and chat a little about our mates for a while until we finish the milkshakes and set the glasses aside.

"Alright ladies, I have some things I want to discuss with you, but I need your word that you will keep this between US," I say solemnly. "Of course, Kas. You know you can trust me with anything," Delilah shakes her head, not understanding why I would question her loyalty.

"Kas, you can trust me. I keep plenty of secrets about my research from many people, even you sometimes," Musu takes my hand and looks me in the eye. 'Thank you ladies. This all stays with the three of US in this room. If we want to speak about it again, it is only between the three of US," I reaffirm my words.

They both look at me and nod. I tell them about my conversation with Leticia. Everything from my abilities, her abilities, and the various abilities of our sisters. "Why do you want to keep this a secret?" Delilah asks, "It seems like information any of your sisters who are downstairs could easily provide or if they don't know, they would want to."

'That's the thing, that concerns me. I had a vision while I was sitting with Leticia. It was from the past. She said it was from the time of the War of 1812.1 gave her the silver knife she has been using to kill the Guardians. She said I was the one that ordered her to do it. She seems convinced that the Mavri Magea are the way we are to create balance among the Manae. It seems like being able to control all these abilities is going to be important."

"What does that have to do with the rest of the Manae?" she looks at me, confused.

"Delilah, if Leticia can perform magic, that means so can 1.1 need you to teach me, but we can't let anyone find out. What if my sisters see it as a threat? And can you imagine what Bronx would say if he found out? Leticia

is not okay in the head. It sounds like I would be the only one who could stop her if necessary," I sigh heavily, "Something I have done in the past has sent her down a dark path. I need to be prepared in case I need to defend myself against her or, Goddess forbid, stop her. If there is any way I can help save her soul, then I need to do that too."

Delilah nods in understanding and holds my hand tightly, 'Til help you, Kas. Of course I'll help you."

"You need to unlock more abilities?" Musu asks tentatively.

I sigh heavily, "Musu, this is where you come in, I think. If you find out about more details on these abilities, I need you to let me know. If one of my sisters can do it, I need to figure out how to do it."

"I can definitely do that. We found out about the factions while you were at Silver Moon. We just have not had time to tell you about it. Not the parts about you having everyone's abilities. Just the factions each having their own specialties," she confirms, "I probably shouldn't tell you this, but including you, all the leaders of the Manae are here. Right now. They all work for Santoro Enterprises."

"Y-you mean other than Amari and Tessa?"

"Yes, Katherine and Persephone or Cora, I'm not sure exactly which she prefers. She is kind of quiet, keeps to herself," Musu taps her finger on her lip as she speaks, "Regardless, they are all in the conference room right now. It is a legitimate business deal. They are building a facility in Montana and want MasonCo to provide security forthem."

I scan my mind for a moment, trying to process it. All five of US are here. The four women who sat back and watched through cameras as I was tortured, almost to death, are downstairs in the conference room. The little storm cloud I was feeling earlier edges its way back. It feels different now that I have more information about the Manae and my role amongst US. Maybe that little storm cloud is justified in hanging out after all.

Why now? They have known for over a year that Leticia killed Cordell Santoro, right? So why now? Leticia didn't tell me when she killed Dante Ferox, but it must have been in between Cordell and Alexandras.

"On a scale of one to 'the day he recorded that media message', how mad do you think Bronx will be if I go to the conference room right now?" I ask my friends.

"Kas, you don't want to fight pregnant women to get out of this apartment, do you?" Musu asks with a little growl in her voice.

"Okay, fine," I say with a huff. I cross my arms and lean back on the pillows, 'Well, if I'm stuck in here. At least I have good company."

I take Musu's hand and lean against Delilah's shoulder, "Please tell me more about your pups. I can't get enough."

"What about you and your mate? You're planning on having pups of your own, aren't you?" Musu asks.

"It's not that simple for US, according to Lady Camille," I reply without actually answering the question. Bronx and Lenora are the only ones who know about my conversation with Zeus. I smile, thinking about the giant walnut sitting in a drawe in my closet.

While she doesn't know the situation, Delilah knows me well enough to know its time to take the attention off of me, "Well, I will tell you one thing, growing a pup is exhausting."

"I agree with that," Musu exaggerates her head, nodding in agreement.

"I mean, if you want, I can give you both a little boost of energy. I would be happy to help," I smile.

"Kas, no. You just woke up from removing a disease from someone's blood. You need to conserve what energy you have," Delilah scolds.

"Delilah, I wouldn't have offered it if I didn't think I could do it," I try to convince her, "Please say yes, then I will take another nap. I will be right as rain by the time my mate gets home."

Delilah looks at me tentatively, "Are you sure? Do you really feel up to it?"

"Yes. I'm sure. I can give you a boost and some calming energy so you don't use the boost all at once. Please? I really want to do this for you," I explain shamelessly.

Delilah sighs heavily, "Alright fine. But if you feel ill, you stop right away."

"I promise," I hold up my right hand to show how serious I am, "Musu?"

'Well, I could use some energy, so yeah, I guess that's fine."

I feel my mood brighten, "Okay, hold hands. It will be easier for the energy to flow through all three of US."

We all join hands, making a little circle.

"I feel like we are a tiny little coven," Delilah giggles.

I close my eyes and let a boost of energy to help the fatigue flow from my right side and a calming energy from my left side. As I concentrate, I feel the bits of the energy that didn't get absorbed by the women or their pups come back to me We stay like this for a few minutes until I feel a sense of relief from both of them. 1

I open my eyes to see two very happy, smiling faces. They both look refreshed, energized, and calm at the same time.

"Better?" I ask.

"Oh yes, I haven't felt this good in weeks," Musu sighs happily. Delilah nods on the other side.

"Okay, good," I smile in return before I pull both of them back to the pillows. I don't want them to leave my side yet. I feel like it has been an eternity since I have had time alone with friends.

'Want to hear about the latest from the bakery?" Delilah asks, as she leans her head against my shoulder again. I feel comforted by her warmth.

'Yeah, that would be great. How are people liking the autumn specials?" I feel a little sleepy from healing both of them at the same time. I interlink my arm around Musu, "I also want to hear about as much of your research as you're allowed to tell me, Musu. If that's okay?"

"Of course, Kas. I would be happy to. I want to hear about the bakery first, though. That is much more interesting than what I have to say, I'm sure," Musu agrees.

As Delilah gives her updates, I feel my eyes get heavy. Musu leans against me and ultimately needs to lay her head on my lap so she can lie on her side in a position comfortable for her and the pups. Her breath becomes slower and more steady as Delilah's voice lulls both of US into a gentle

sleep. I feel Delilah leaning more heavily against me because she falls asleep as well. I give her hand a gentle squeeze before I let myself do the same.