Unleashed (The Gate Chronicles Book 3)

Chapter 25: Rampant

“Get up.” His voice was cold and emotionless as he stood at the foot of the bed.

His father was lucky that he got anything more than a cell and dirty straw to sleep on. It was only because Andrew had insisted that they weren’t barbarians that Amon was occupying a locked room in the Base. He still didn’t have free reign of the place, and he was always under guard, but at least he was comfortable. Or so he was saying.

Amon moaned and rolled over. “Is this how you treat your poor father?”

“You long since ceased to be anything but a scoundrel to me.” Donnovan answered, turning away.

“That’s harsh… I’m wounded, son.”

“Don’t you dare try to wheedle your way into my good graces. Not after all the things you’ve done to me.” Donnovan snapped. “Now, you are going to tell me everything you know about possession just like you promised.” He turned back to his father, eyes blank.

“Fine.” Amon sat up with a sigh and crossed his arms. “What do you want to know?”

“I just told you. Everything.”

“Start with what you want to know most.” Amon grumbled. “At least narrow it down.”

“Whatever…” Donnovan glared at Amon, his own arms crossed. “I want to know how to banish the spirit or whatever that is possessing my friend.”

“Friend?” Amon’s bark of laughter rang in the small room. “She’s so much more to you than that.”

“How do you know anything about me?” Donnovan grimaced. “You’ve been out of my life for years. You can’t march back in and act like you know anything about me.”

“I raised you for years, kid. I know what you’re like. You love her.” He sighed. “Whatever you think, I’m not that heartless. I may hate you, but not enough to take away your happiness.”

“Thought you said I ruined you.” Donnovan gritted his teeth to keep his angry words in.

He had already determined not to let his father get any emotional response from him at all. No sense in ruining that now.

“You did. But unlike you, I’m willing to forgive it if you apologize.” Amon smiled at him. “Just say you’re sorry for it, and we can start over.”

“Liar.” Donnovan laughed. “You’ll never start over with me because I’m evil in your eyes. And anyway, I’ll never forget the many days you beat me and the day you abandoned me.”

“Hasty judgment.” Amon waved a hand.

“No, it was calculated down to the last, heart rending word.” Donnovan whispered. “You meant all of it.”

“No… Of course I didn’t, son. I was simply angry with your tribe for things they hadn’t told me.” Amon reasoned.

“You’re lying. Whatever you found out, it didn’t justify killing so many innocents.”

“No one is truly innocent in life, kid.” Amon laughed again, waving off his son’s remarks.

“I don’t want to talk about this. What I want to know is the truth. How do I free my friend from this malediction?” Donnovan snapped.

“You don’t. You can’t.” Amon let out a cackle. “She has to do it herself. All she has to do is find a reason to fight that is stronger than the possessor’s reason for being within her mind and body.” He twirled his finger in the air.

“You’re insane.” Donnovan grunted. “You always were, but solitude did not improve it.”

“How unkind of you to say such things. Surely I taught you better?” Amon whispered.