Unleashed (The Gate Chronicles Book 3)

Chapter 11: More Lies

Donnovan couldn’t believe his eyes. Ryder would never have done the things he was watching right now. She wouldn’t — no, couldn’t — kill her own people in cold blood. She would never attack a group of unsuspecting agents. Not for no reason, and not without an explanation.

But the proof was sitting right in front of him. She had done it, and he had a problem to solve now. How was he going to deal with this? He didn’t want to sentence her to exile or kill her, but those were the only options for an offense of this magnitude. Agents didn’t crack. Not like this, anyway.

“I can’t do this…” He looked down at his paperweight cat, Mya. “I can’t sentence her to exile, Mya… And I won’t kill her.”

Mya purred and stretched out on the stack of paperwork on his desk. Donnovan ran his fingers through his tousled hair and grasped at the locks, pulling in frustration. Why was it that he had to be instrument to orchestrate her unappealing fate? Why did he had to sentence the woman he loved to a fate of either death or endless wanderings?

And yet the decision remained. He could either sentence her or be deposed for failure to perform his duties. Neither idea was pleasant. And if he didn’t do his duties, he would be deposed, but Ryder would still be sentenced. And whoever took over would more than likely be far less lenient than he would.

He couldn’t let that happen. For now, though, he could wait a little longer until more details came up. He needed to know why she had done it. If he understood that, it might make it easier to do his duty to his subordinates.

Who was he kidding? It wasn’t going to be any easier just because he knew all the details.

He glared at the surface of his desk for a few moments before flipping on the holograph and sending his brother a message.

I need to talk to her. As soon as you get this, let me know. I need to talk to her as soon as you can arrange it.

Donnovan.

He tapped the send button hovering in the air, and leaned back in his chair. There. He had done it. Soon he would know more. He hoped.

***

Ryder stirred in her cell, but as soon as she realized where she was, she clamped her eyes shut again and rolled to face the wall. She didn’t want to let reality flood in any sooner than she had to.

Kane had said that he knew she hadn’t done it. But he didn’t know the details. She couldn’t tell him the truth because Alyx was in control. Right now, she was the one who was controlling her body, but as soon as she had to talk to anyone, that changed. And even if it didn’t, she still had to lie to them lest Alyx decide that she was a danger to his agenda.

This situation was miserable.

A lone tear dropped onto her pillow as she huddled under the blanket on the bed. I just want this to end. I killed all those people because I didn’t stop Alyx, and if he’s willing to do that, then what won’t he do?

Alyx didn’t answer her. He’d been strangely silent since the incident with the returning agents. When she thought towards him, she got no response. She could still feel him, but he seemed to be lying quiet and dormant as though waiting for something. Whatever he was waiting for, it was bad.

A clang in the corridor indicated that the lock was being drawn back. She opened her eyes and sat up slowly. Facing the door, she watched as the guards marched in. They grabbed her by the arms roughly and restrained her. 

Ansgar stepped into the room. He nodded to the guards. “Leave us.”

“Yes, sir.” They saluted and exited the room, leaving Ryder alone with Ansgar.