Page 25 of Stolen Choices
“I knew my brother was misguided and desperate for power, but this…? I can’t believe he’s capable of it. Jackson must be lying. This could be a trap. It’s the only explanation. My grandfather can’t be alive again. It’s not possible—even magically, it can’t be.” Kas tried to reason with his own commonsense. He wasn’t used to not being in control of his own thoughts, but they were currently jumbled together in a complicated knot of truth and lies—the latter being the majority of it, he hoped.
Zain stepped up to help Tyler and Scott take Kas’ weight. His legs still weren’t steady enough to support him, following the revelation about his grandfather.
Selene stood behind Brayden and worried her lip with her teeth. Her hand rested on her protruding baby bump as her skin color turned green again with Wicca symbols dotted all over it.
“Not now,” she said, looking down at her stomach and stroking it to offer comfort.
“Even the baby is worried,” Kas stated, and Brayden turned instantly to reassure his wife and mischievous unborn child.
“It’s ok. Daddy’s here, and he’s going to protect you.” Brayden got down onto his knees and spoke to Selene’s stomach. It seemed to work because the multi-shifter’s skin changed back to normal.
Kas looked over to where Jessica was still working on Jackson.
“Is he ok?”
“The spell is strong. I’m not sure I can break it. I think there’s only one person who can,” the witch responded and stopped her magic since it was evident it wasn’t working.
“Who’s that?”
“Jackson himself.”
“Typical Ciaran magic.” Kas shrugged.
Kas noticed Jessica was white as a sheet when she stood up. She came over and joined the others in their little huddle surrounding Kas. It felt comforting.
“You believe what he said was true?”
Jessica swallowed deeply and momentarily stayed silent. Kas had known her long enough to know she was choosing her words carefully. Wondering how best to placate him with the truth. He reached out and took her hand.
“Jessica, tell me the truth. Not what you think I want to hear.”
“Do you remember the disturbance we felt when Isobel’s father died? Well, when I was with Ciaran, I heard of a spell that was about resurrecting the dead. We researched it together. It was shortly before I realized he was getting into things I didn’t want to be a part of. The spell involved bringing a shifter back to life by putting its soul into a human’s body. Shifters couldn’t hold the spirit of another shifter, but a human could. It was said that when such a spell was cast, it would create a rift in the Wiccan world, which we would all feel.”
A cold shiver went down Kas’ spine. He recalled seeing the horror on Jessica’s face that night. He’d known then it had been something disturbing, but not this. He still couldn’t believe Nuka capable of such a thing. How could they be so very different? Nuka was his younger brother. They’d played together as cubs and settled down to sleep and cuddle together. Where had it all gone so badly wrong?
“Take me to my brother.” Kas held his hand out to Jessica.
“If Ciaran achieved this spell, then I don’t know what other magic he possesses. I may not be able to match it.”
“You’re always so uncertain of your abilities because of what that druid did to you. But don’t doubt yourself now, Jessica. Katia’s life may depend on it. If Jackson was sent to lead us into a trap, then I want to outsmart my brother for once. However, should he be telling the truth, then we will go in en masse and destroy Weston while retrieving Katia. The only way we will know for sure is to confirm whether my grandfather is still alive or not.”
Jessica took Kas’ hand and started to chant a spell. He turned to Brayden and set about giving his beta orders.
“Prepare for battle while I’m gone. Get the cubs to safety—Selene as well. Take them to Molly’s cave. We’re all going to be needed on this one.”
Brayden nodded his head in acceptance of his task.
“What about him?” The beta motioned toward the unconscious black panther on the floor.
“I’ll deal with him when I come back. He took one of ours. He’ll pay for that.”
The air crackled around them, and Kas and Jessica disappeared from the dungeon in the Glacial Blood mansion to re-appear in Nuka’s home. His brother was sitting in a chair nestling a brandy in his hand and reading a book about communist countries.
“I don’t believe I invited you,” Nuka stated, placing the book down. As he spoke, Ciaran appeared in the room and threw a protective shield around his alpha. “There’s no need for that, Ciaran. I know my brother has his angry face on, but I’m sure he’s not here to kill me. He doesn’t have the guts to do it.”
“I’d be more worried about the bitch accompanying him actually,” Ciaran spat at Jessica and formed an energy ball. Jessica responded by doing the same.
“She’ll not harm Nuka. I’m merely here to ask him a question. Jessica, lose the magic,” Kas ordered.