Page 38 of Banishing Regrets

“There is no redemption for you, Nuka Lincoln. Your continued existence will only cause more devastation. As the most powerful being here, I sentence you to death.”

The magic left her finger and wrapped itself around Nuka. It entered his body via his eyes, ears, nose, mouth, and other orifices. She watched as it twisted around his organs. She wanted to skin Nuka alive, to burn his body while he still breathed for all the trouble and torment he’d put them through, but she couldn’t. Kas was watching and she needed to make Nuka’s death appear painless for him. Kas would be finding this execution distressing enough. Jane knew Nuka would be in agony, and he’d be wishing for death to come quickly. He’d be suffering, but Kas would only witness a peaceful death. This was the death Nuka deserved, but Kas was unable to carry out.

The magic dug itself deep into Nuka’s organs. It drained the life from them. It disintegrated his lungs to nothing. His liver, stomach, and kidneys stopped working. His heart began to beat slower until there was nothing. But his brain was still active—it was the last thing to die. Jane wanted it to be that way. She wanted Nuka to be conscious of everything that was happening to him. It was her vengeance for Heath’s death. It would free her spirit forever.

“Rest in Hell,” Jane whispered as Nuka fell to the ground, dead. Every organ in his body disintegrated to dust.

She turned to where Kas stood. He solemnly nodded at her before they both ran into each other's arms.

“Thank you. I couldn't do it.” Kas kissed her hard.

“You didn’t need to. It was always going to be my responsibility. I’m just sorry I never accepted my true self a long time ago.” She kissed him back.

“Kas.” Both of them turned toward the voice of his grandfather. “How could you? You’ll regret this for the rest of your life.”

The old man stumbled toward them. With Nuka dead, he was dying as well. He fell to the ground, and Kas went to comfort him as he took his last breath.

“I’m sorry, Grandfather, but I never will regret what happened here. It was the only way forward. The only option we had because of my brother’s actions. He’s gone, but so is the chance for humans and supernaturals to exist together.” Kas shut his grandfather’s eyes and stepped away from him. “Selene, make sure this can never happen again,” Kas instructed as he looked up at the dragon form of Jane’s daughter-in-law.

Everyone lowered their heads as Selene swooped down and with her dragon’s breath burned the bodies of Nuka and his grandfather to ashes. She landed on the ground next to them and returned to her human form.

“It’s over.” Jane held Kas’ hand.

“Not yet.” They all looked to where the humans’ had their guns drawn again, pointing directly at them all. The President of the United States of America stood at the forefront.

The first confrontation was over. The second was inevitable.

“Jessica. It’s not time yet for shifters and humans to coexist. We may have saved the lives of these people here today, but they’ll still incarcerate us. They’ve seen too much. Reverse their history, their minds, and their data. Hide shifters from existence again,” Kas ordered.

Jane made her way over to Jessica and took her hand. Selene did the same on the other side, her skin turning green with symbols of witchcraft on it as she embraced her Wiccan side.

“Whatever you’re planning on doing, stop it now,” the president ordered.

“I’m sorry. It has to be this way,” Kas responded with great sadness in his voice. It made Jane feel a great sense of loss. The dream of coexistence was over, for now.

Jessica started her spell, and speaking in an ancient language, she changed the history of that moment forever.

“Chan e a-nis an t-àm airson a bhith a ’fuireach còmhla.

Chan eil thu a ’tuigsinn ar coibhneas fhathast.

Anns an àm ri teachd is dòcha gu bheil thu.

Ach airson a-nis.

Tionndaidh air ais inntinnean.

Tionndaidh air ais eachdraidh.

Falaich na h-os-nàdarra bho bhith beò a-rithist.

Thig an ùine againn aon latha.”

Jane had never understood the magical words Jessica had spoken before, but this time, every one of them was clear in her head

“Now is not the time for living together.

They don't understand our kindness yet.

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