Unleashed (The Gate Chronicles Book 3)

Chapter 22: Late

Donnovan landed them in the infirmary and shouted for a nurse. When the doctors and nurses came running, he stepped aside to allow them to attend to Kane. Several of them gave him wide-eyed looks as they moved about their work, trying to save his friend.

It was little wonder. Donnovan’s hair was a wreck, matted with leaves, sticks, swamp sludge, and dirt. His face was covered in grime, and the haggard look in his eyes only intensified the effect of the dirt all over him. Added to that was the presence of a stranger.

He grabbed his father’s arm and dragged him from the infirmary. “Someone go find Andrew, please.” He marched towards his office. “Tell him to meet me in my office if you find him.”

Donnovan guessed that at this hour of the night, Andrew probably was in his quarters with his wife, but he couldn’t be sure. The others on base would have a better idea since they’d been here during his absence.

He strode down the halls, maintaining a death grip on his father’s arm.

“What is this place?” His father examined the militaristic structure of the building in amazement.

“Not going to answer any questions.” Donnovan snapped.

“You will have to give me some answers, or I won’t be able to help you.” His father reasoned.

“Look, I will give you nothing beyond what is necessary to save my friends.” Donnovan turned on his father. “You are my father in name only, so you’d better not push me too far, or you’ll be seeing the side of this place that isn’t so hospitable. The dungeons.”

“You promised me safety if I helped.”

“If you help.” Donnovan spat. “If you don’t, I will kill you. Death is too good a fate for you, but as it is the best option available to me, I will make use of it.”

His father stared at him, then nodded. “Finally grew some backbone, did you?”

“I always had it, you lousy excuse for a father! You never saw it, because when you did, you punished me.” Donnovan yelled. “My friend is dying right now, my other half is possessed, and you are making my life a living nightmare just as you did when you left last time.” He was breathing heavily, and he struggled to calm himself, clenching and unclenching his fingers at his sides. “Now, I suggest that you come with me quietly and cooperate. Otherwise, this could end very poorly for you.”

His father shut his mouth and followed after Donnovan in silence after that.

When they reached the office, Donnovan shoved the door open and stormed in. Yanking his father in along with him, he slammed the door and turned to face the man who had once been a father to him. Glaring at him, Donnovan grabbed him by the shoulders and forced him to sit in a chair.

“Would you lay off? I haven’t done anything to deserve your anger.” His father snapped, face flushing.

“You didn’t do anything to deserve my ire?” Donnovan whispered, his voice like the calm before a storm.

“Name one thing I did to you for you to treat me like this.” His father demanded, crossing his arms as he stared at his son.

“You told me that you despised me, for starters.” Donnovan answered in a calm voice. Leaning forward, he got into his father’s face with a tight smile. “You destroyed my mother, my childhood, and brought about the deaths of several people I cared for very much.” He continued with the same tight-lipped smile. “You abandoned me to help our tribe’s enemies. And before you claim that you had every right since you weren’t one of us, let me say that you were one of us to the clan. Until you betrayed us.” He murmured, his voice lowering an octave as his eyes hardened. “You married my mother and professed to love her. Then broke her heart. You killed numerous innocent people…”