Unleashed (The Gate Chronicles Book 3)

Chapter 6: His Reasons

Blackness held her in its tight grip, and Ryder called out, wondering if anyone was there or could hear her.

It’s all right, Ryder… I’m here.

Alyx?

Yes… Now watch.

But where are we?

You’re in your parents’ dorm right now, in a deep sleep. Remember? You decided to stay with them last night instead of sharing a dorm with one of your old friends.

Oh… Right.

Now be quiet and watch. Alyx ordered her.

She fell silent and watched.

A light bloomed in the darkness and she saw that they were in an empty barn. Hay strewed the floor and giant piles of it were pushed up against the wall.

My parents were farmers by trade and sorcerers in secret. Alyx explained.

She nodded and continued to observe.

The peeling paint on the barn’s walls and the worn state of the equipment hinted that Alyx’s family hadn’t been anywhere near wealthy. They were probably just barely middle class. If that.

The door to the barn creaked open slowly and a woman walked in.

Ryder stared at her. She had long, luxurious black hair and cat green eyes. Her milky skin accented the darkness of her hair, and she was thin. She was somewhat short, but still elegant.

That’s your mother?

Yes…

She’s beautiful, Alyx. Who do you look more like? Your mother or your father?

You’ll see… The sadness in his voice was unbearable. She was as kind as she was beautiful, you know. She didn’t deserve her fate…

What happened?

Just watch…

A man followed Alyx’s mother into the barn. She smiled at him and took his hand. “Is Alyx asleep, Bjarn?”

Bjarn had an Irish look to him with his wild red hair and blue eyes. It was a strange mix. “Aye… He’s asleep, Ella. Don’t worry about our son.”

They should’ve checked better. I wasn’t asleep. Alyx laughed. Look over at the window.

Ryder looked over at the window.

A young boy of ten or eleven stood watching. He took after his mother, Ella. His shock of black hair and green eyes blended into the night. His eyes were wide as he watched his parents clasp hands. As they began chanting, Alyx’s younger self smiled.