Unleashed (The Gate Chronicles Book 3)

Chapter 14: Discovered Truths

Donnovan sighed as he materialized in his office.

“What news did you get?” Andrew stood up and took the boy by the shoulders. “Is she okay?”

Donnovan shook his head. “You were right. It’s a possession. I couldn’t get much else because the possessor threatened to hurt her if I kept asking questions.” He bit his lip. “She had to fight to tell me anything, and even then it was vague. But she opened up when I bluffed about how much we already knew. And she told us that the person was a male.”

Andrew nodded with a sigh. Running his fingers through his hair, he sat back down. “I suppose I knew this was a possibility.”

“Well, now what?” Donnovan took a seat as well and stared at Andrew. “She needs help, Andrew. She was desperate for comfort and contact with someone else.”

“Knowing her, she’s probably shut everyone, even Kane and Ansgar, out. She’s like that…”

Donnovan laughed. “Oh, don’t I know it… She’s been like that since the day I met her.”

“It says a lot that she’s willing to let you in when she won’t let anyone else in, you know.” Andrew mused.

“Yes, well… I…” Donnovan went red and cleared his throat. “What are we going to do about it?” He blurted out.

Andrew shook his head and drummed his fingers on the grey glass on top of the desk. “She’s the only one who can get rid of whoever this is. But if what you said is true, she’s ready to give up on fighting him.”

Donnovan nodded. “It’s because of Cassie. That’s my guess. Ryder’s always loved her sister greatly. We both know how much Cass means to her. I’d bet that this person, whoever he is, is using her sister’s condition against her.”

“You’re probably right. If that’s the case, Ryder’s not going to do anything that he doesn’t want her to do.” Andrew glared at the desk and snapped, “If I ever find the person who’s doing this, I’m going to make them pay.”

“Maybe it’s best we focus on getting rid of them, not revenge. You of all people know what that does to people.” Donnovan murmured.

Andrew closed his eyes and nodded, remembering what it had done to his brother, Amory. “Fair enough. Listen, you should go back and talk to her tonight. Perhaps you can catch him off guard and speak with her when he’s distracted. Ansgar told us she wrote that warning note to Kane the night before the attack on those agents. Maybe his control is weaker at night? Or perhaps he isn’t paying attention because he assumes that they’ll both be resting.”

Donnovan nodded. “I’m up for it if you’ve got a handle on things here.”

Andrew laughed. “I was the General for years before I ever retired the position. I’ll be fine, Donnovan. Just take care of yourself and my daughter.”

“Yes, sir.”

***

Ryder woke up in the abandoned room by herself. She stayed still for a moment, soaking up the feeble rays of sunshine that came through the huge windows beside the window sill. She shivered a bit as the chill made itself apparent to her. The night before, Donnovan had kept her warm, but now he was gone, and she blew into her hands in an attempt to warm them up.

This part of the Base wasn’t heated anymore, and that made for some chilly weather in the fall conditions right now.

She sat up and pushed herself off the window sill. Brushing the dust off her clothing, she walked out of the room with a mechanical gait. Last night didn’t change anything. She was still on her own with this, and her sister was still dying.