Unleashed (The Gate Chronicles Book 3)

Chapter 15: A Helping Hand

Ryder sat at the foot of Cassie’s bed, reading a book to her sister. The doctor had said that it might help Cassie to improve. She didn’t think it was helping, but she had to keep trying anyway. Alyx’s spell was draining Cassie of everything.

Her cheeks were hollow and sunken. The pale tone of her skin was unnatural, and she was cold to the touch. Her breathing was so shallow that Ryder often wondered if she was even alive anymore. Cassie didn’t have much time left if things continued to progress at this rate.

She’s going to die because of you, isn’t she? Ryder asked Alyx.

He huffed. No. If you do the things I instruct you to do without causing more trouble for me, I’ll keep it slow enough that she won’t die before I’m done. Once I’m done, I’ll restore her health. But if you make one wrong move, I’ll speed things up a bit, and Cassie might not make it.

Monster.

Tsk, tsk… Did your mother never tell you that name calling is rude?

What are you planning to unleash on us after you close the Gates?

I’m going to rend this place apart, stone by stone.

If you do that, you’re going to kill everyone in the building.

That was the plan.

You can’t.

Actually, I can. And I will. Your people ruined me. Now I’m going to ruin them. Alyx spat.

You don’t have to do this, Alyx. You don’t need to kill everyone to destroy this place. Ryder plead, playing with the corners of the book’s pages.

Oh, but I do. Or rather, I don’t have to. I just want to. They need to suffer as much as I did. Your father should suffer as much as I did. Alyx whispered.

You think that destroying this place will make him suffer? Ryder laughed. He’ll be sad, but it won’t make him feel the way you did because he still has his family.

Alyx was silent for a moment. Well, then, I guess I’ll have to take that away too.

You’re going to kill me. Ryder didn’t bother questioning him because it was already clear what he meant.

He laughed. Course… But I’ll have some mercy and keep my bargain with you. Your sister will still live. But I have to make him feel the pain I felt. To do that, I have to steal one of the people he loves most. That means you. He cleared his throat. Pity. I did so love our chats and getting to know you.

You liked controlling me, you mean. Ryder slammed the book shut and stood up.

Throwing her book down on the chair, she stormed out of the hospital.

Oh, don’t be mad. It’s just a necessary step.

You’re talking about killing me to get revenge on my father! How is that not something to be mad about? Ryder growled at him.

Everyone has their time to go.

Yeah, and you’re just planning to make mine come a little quicker, right?

Exactly. See, not too bad…

If that’s how you rationalize my possession and murder in your mind… Ryder stopped speaking to him and blocked him out of her mind.

Since Donnovan’s visit, she’d found a way to retreat in her mind to a little, enclosed corner on purpose. It was a corner of her mind that she was able to block Alyx out of without being unable to take the wall down. She’d started to spend more and more time in there, brooding and mentally weeping. Alyx had control while she did this, of course, because she wasn’t able to control anything from that tiny, isolated space her mind, but it was worth it.