Unleashed (The Gate Chronicles Book 3)

Chapter 16: Imprisoned

Ryder opened her eyes and whimpered. Her gaze flitted from thing to thing as she took in the bare cell she was lying in. Someone had placed a table and chair in the room with a pitcher of fresh water and bread. She was lying on a comfortable mattress on the clean swept floor.

Looking up, she saw a field of shimmering magic across the empty doorway of her cell.

“You can’t cross it, and you can’t use magic while you’re in there.” Donnovan stood on the other side of the net. He walked to the door. “It’s designed to keep you in. That was what you wanted.”

Ryder nodded and continued to stare at him in silence. She knew what her actions meant for her sister. But she had to do something. “Donnovan, this is going to mean bad things.” She cleared her throat. “Cass…” She paused, unable to finish.

Donnovan moved closer. “What about Cassie?” His lips tightened, and his eyes burned into her.

“He’s going to speed up her death…” Ryder whispered.

Donnovan shook his head. “I doubt it.”

“Why not?” She looked down at the floor. “I defied him.”

“Because there’s no magic in there. He can’t use it, and neither can you. So he can’t do anything to change his spell while you’re in there.” Donnovan smiled. “I didn’t want to do it, Ry. But it’s better this way.”

Ryder nodded. “I’d do anything to keep you all safe. Even if it means my own death.”

“You won’t die. I’ll find a way to get rid of him, and you’ll go back to normal. I promise.” Donnovan pressed his hand against the magic curtain. “You just have to hold on and keep believing in us.”

Ryder nodded. “I believe in us, Donnovan. I never stopped believing.” She laid her hand against the magic barrier. She pulled away as soon as she did because a numbing cold pervaded her body. Ryder shuddered and stepped away.

“If you try to break through, it’ll freeze your body inside a magic barrier like this one so that you can’t use magic or go anywhere. It’ll keep you like that until someone comes to put you back in the cell. It also alerts us that you broke out.” Donnovan hung his head. “I don’t want you to feel like I’m trying to imprison you, Ry.”

“You are, but it’s not because me. It’s because of him. None of this is your fault.” Ryder mustered a weak smile. “I love you, Nova, and I know you’ll find a way to end this.”

Donnovan sighed and shook his head. “I’m glad you’re reassured about this. But I’m afraid that I may not be able to do anything beyond this, Ry. If what your father told me is true, you’re the only one who can overcome him and force him out.”

“What happens to him if I do that?” Ryder whispered.

“I don’t know. All the books on the subject are long lost, so far as we know, anyway.” Donnovan shrugged. “I may have a few sources who could help me find more information, though. I’ll do whatever I can.”

Ryder nodded. “I know you will. Now go do that. I’ll work on trying to rid myself of this beast while you’re gone.”

Donnovan’s shoulders slumped. “I don’t want to leave you.”

“You need to. Go on.” Ryder smiled at him, but he took one look at her eyes and knew how much she was hurting.

“I’ll be back.” He murmured.

“I’m counting on it.”

Smoky shadows danced about the edges of the room and gathered until they surrounded Donnovan. She held his gaze as his eyes danced with the same grey and black shadow flames as the mist surrounding him. He closed his eyes and with a billowing puff of shadowy mist, he disappeared.