Donnovan bit his lip. This wasn’t making any sense. He decided that he needed to get some help. Andrew wouldn’t appreciate that Donnovan was implying that Ryder may have been the one to harm her sister, but he would still try to uncover the truth.

He keyed a code into his holograph and typed out a brief message.

Need to talk.

-D.

Then he hit the send button and leaned back in his chair. He rubbed his eyes. This was taking its toll, and he needed to get to the bottom of this as quickly as possible. Fortunately, he didn’t have any meetings today, so he had time to talk it out with Andrew.

***

Andrew smiled when he walked into Donnovan’s office and found him slumped over in his chair, sleeping. The poor boy didn’t sleep like he needed to, and he refused the doctor’s sleeping pills. Said they made it ten times worse because he actually had to live through the nightmares once he fell asleep. Andrew guessed that once he fell asleep, he wouldn’t wake back up until the drugs wore off in the morning. That was a problem for Donnovan.

When Donnovan was still too young to be in the dorms for agents, Andrew and Allayra had taken him under their wing and let him and his younger brother stay with them. There were many nights where Donnovan would either disappear to wander around outside or around the Base or wake up shouting.

Ryder had often woken and calmed him. Andrew remembered many nights spent listening to his daughter calm a terrified, weeping boy. He remembered listening to his daughter tell Donnovan that it was going to be all right. That the dreams were just dreams. He always quieted after listening to her for a few moments. Most mornings, Andrew got up to find that his daughter had fallen asleep next to Donnovan or on the floor beside his mattress, exhausted from calming him down at three in the morning.

Donnovan had always offset those sleepless nights by sleeping during lunch period or through classes. He always managed to do well in class, however, so Andrew kept quiet and left him alone about it. Now, his duties had increased, and he still wasn’t getting enough sleep. It wasn’t as though he could sleep through meetings, so Donnovan often appeared out of it when others weren’t paying attention. With the added stress of the situation with Ryder, it was little wonder that Donnovan had fallen asleep.

“Donnovan?” Andrew murmured the boy’s name and gave him a gentle shake.

Donnovan started out of sleep and pushed Andrew away. He rubbed his eyes blearily. “What? I’m awake. Just resting my eyes…”

Andrew laughed. “You were out, Donnovan.”

Donnovan nodded, blushing. “Guess I didn’t sleep last night.”

“You never do.” Andrew sighed and sat down in the chair opposite Donnovan. “You should take the medications the doctors want to prescribe.”

“They just make my night worse. At least when I sleep at night, I wake up in the middle. Give me those infernal pills, and I sleep right through it. So much worse.” Donnovan mumbled with a yawn.

“I’m assuming you needed to talk about the situation with my daughter…” Andrew leaned forward.

Donnovan nodded. “I know you won’t like what I’ve come up with, but it’s got to be said.”

Andrew grimaced. “Fire away. Better to know what you think we’re dealing with.”

“I think she’s the one who put Cass into the magic-induced coma. From Ansgar’s reports, her life-force is slowly draining. They can’t stop it, but they’re trying to slow it down by keeping her system running and sustained. Whatever happened, Cassie’s soul is literally being sucked right out of her. Once it’s completely sucked out, she’ll die.” Donnovan rubbed his temples.

“And you think that Ryder did it?” Andrew frowned. “Why?”

“Because she was the only one who was there when it happened. She said so herself. And she found Cassie. Or rather, Cassie found her. Kane said that Cass went to go talk to Ry about something… The two of them were concerned about her behavior lately, and rightly so. I think that Cass figured something out, and Ry had to keep it quiet.” Donnovan shook his head. “I’ve got no idea what it is, but I think it’s something to do with that anomaly we found. The one that caused a seizure in Ryder.”

Andrew nodded slowly. “Makes sense.”

“You aren’t mad at me for suggesting this?” Donnovan bit his lip.

“No, I’m not. You’re doing your job. And I know how much you love her, son… You’d never say this sort of stuff about my daughter unless you really did believe it or had concrete evidence.” Andrew tapped his fingers on the metal surface of Donnovan’s desk. “Have you considered possession?”

Donnovan had dropped his gaze to the surface of his desk, but at that, his eyes snapped back up to meet Andrew’s gaze. “What?”

“Possession.” Andrew repeated.

“That art has been lost for over twelve centuries, Andrew. No one knows how anymore. People have more efficient ways of mind control now that don’t involve placing their own consciousness into the person.”

“Yes, but those ways are all detectable. Possession was the only way we ever found to control someone and remain undetected to all but those who have the gift of Sight.” Andrew rubbed his hands along his legs. “And Cassie has that gift. As soon as she saw Ryder, she would know.”

“Then why didn’t she say anything when Ryder first visited you after leaving the hospital.”

“Because she never saw Ryder. She was working too late, and she doesn’t share our dorm anymore, if you recall. Ryder was always away when Cassie was free the first two days… Then you sent Cassie on that one training mission for the last week that Ryder was here.” Andrew explained.

Donnovan closed his eyes with a sigh. “If that’s the case, we’re in trouble. There isn’t anything we can do about a possession. Especially since almost no records remain about it.”

“She’s the only one who can stop it if that is what this is.” Andrew murmured. “And we can’t talk to Cassie, so how are we to know? Seers are rare.”

Donnovan glared at the stacks of paperwork on his desk. “Believe me, I know… Cassie’s the only one we really have here. This just makes our problem worse. Seriously, why do our problems always pile on top of each other here?”

 Andrew shook his head. “That’s how it always is when a crisis comes up.”

The two men sat in silence for a few moments.

“So where are we going to find another Seer to tell us if she’s possessed?” Donnovan asked.

“We can’t. If we expose another Seer to this, they’ll be killed. If the possessor did this to Ryder’s sister, imagine what he or she will do to someone who isn’t related to Ryder. My hunch is that she stopped them from killing Cassie immediately. She won’t be able to stop this person from killing a random Seer.” Andrew sighed. “It wouldn’t do any good. The Seer would be dead before they could tell us anything.”

“Maybe. But if we put the two of them together in a room and watch what happens, we’ll be able to see if Ryder is the one who causes the death. I mean, if Ryder doesn’t do anything to the Seer, we can be almost certain that she isn’t possessed. If she is possessed, then whoever is possessing her wouldn’t risk the news getting out. They’d kill the Seer immediately.” Donnovan bit his lip. “But I can’t justify killing anyone, especially not someone as valuable as a Seer, just to find this out.”

Andrew nodded. “That is the dilemma.”

“So what do we do?”

“We wait for an opening.”

“Ryder warned us about an imposter.” Donnovan’s eyes widened. “What if she’s talking about herself? What if she’s trying to tell us something?”

“If she’s possessed, then her possessor would be the one who told us that.” Andrew reasoned. “Probably trying to throw us off the scent and get Ryder released. But there’s a more important question here, Donnovan.”

“What?”

“Who is possessing her, and why? What do they want, and how far will they go to get it?”

“Well, considering what happened the first time I locked her up, I’d say they’re willing to go pretty far. They killed multiple people at once in cold blood.” Donnovan hit the desk with his palm. “Why? What could possibly make someone do something like this? Who even knows about us?”

Andrew cleared his throat. “Revenge? Or to steal something we have? Most every magic practitioner in any of the realms knows of us. We may not balance magic in all of those realms, but we do have a lot of important magical items to help us to keep the Balance on track here on Earth.” He shrugged. “Think about it. If you were out to destroy the Balance, where would you strike?”

Donnovan nodded. “Here. We’re the second most powerful Base in the known universe. And the first one is lost in time, so we’re the only option available.”

“And if they wanted revenge, it would have to be someone from Earth. Because we don’t have anything to do with other realms’ Balances.”

“That still leaves us with one big question. Who is it?” Donnovan spun around in a lazy circle in his chair. “We’re not getting anywhere on that.”

“Patience, Donnovan.” Andrew pinched the bridge of his nose as he took a deep breath. “I know this isn’t easy. Believe me. Both of my daughters are at stake here, and I can’t be there for them.”

“I should go. I should go to her and talk with her personally. Maybe I can find something out.” Donnovan pushed away from the desk and stood. He began pacing the room. “I can shift through the dimensions tonight and come back tomorrow. I wouldn’t have to be gone for long.”

“Donnovan, slow down and think about what you’re saying. We need you here. What happens if you get stuck over there for any reason at all?” Andrew got up and put a hand on the boy’s arm. “We can’t afford to lose you.”

“If you lose me, you can take over again until I find a way to get back.” Donnovan turned to Andrew. “I have to go. I’m the quickest traveler we have, and I can get her to talk to me. I just know it…” He looked down at the gray concrete floor and scuffed the toe of his black sneaker against it. “Please… I need to do this.”

Andrew let him go and sighed. “You’re the General now, Donnovan. It’s your choice, not mine.”

He nodded and continued to stare at the floor. “I need to go. I’ll be back by the morning. Can you take over until then?”

Andrew cleared his throat. “Yes. If you want me to, I can.”

Donnovan looked up. “I do. I’m leaving now if you can take over from here.”

Andrew nodded. “Go on, then. Good luck to you.” He murmured.

Donnovan took a deep breath and closed his eyes. Shadows filled the room, and gloom seemed to fill the already dark room. Donnovan’s body was consumed with shadow and smoke-like clouds. The fog and shadow became so thick that Andrew could no longer see him. Then, as suddenly as the shadows came, they were gone, and so was Donnovan.

***

Ryder opened her eyes to see mist and shadows coalescing in the empty hospital ward. She sighed. Of course, she’d known all along that it was possible that Donnovan would come to speak with her himself. But she hadn’t wanted to hope. While she felt that she needed him right now, she also didn’t want to involve him in her problems.

Be glad he’s hear. The happiness that you have while with him is the most you’ll have for a long while, Ryder. Alyx whispered as he withdrew.

Donnovan’s slender, muscular form appeared. His irises were swirling storms of smoke and shadows, a sign that he’d used his power. She drank in his appearance as her eyes filled with tears. He was wearing the usual. Black jeans and a fitted grey t-shirt with short sleeves. His black sneakers squeaked on the linoleum of the hospital floor as he walked towards her. His black hair was rumpled as though he’d been sleeping before he came.

She stood up and stared at him, feeling as though she was in a dream. He walked over to her and wrapped her into his embrace. He smelled of night air and water, just as he always did. She soaked his presence in and let him calm her as it always did.

His eyes met hers as he tilted her chin up so that he could see her face. “I missed you…” He whispered.

A tear fled down her cheek. “You’re really here.”

The moonlight illuminated the sharp angles of his cheekbones and danced in his eyes as he stared down at her. His eyes flicked down to the tear on her cheek then back to her eyes. “I’m really here… But it’s just for tonight. I have to go back.”

She nodded. “I figured as much.”

He ran his fingers through her hair and over her face. Then he bent his head to bring her lips to his. She gasped in surprise, but she let him kiss her as she twined her fingers into his hair. He’d only kissed her once when they were both young, and this kiss was far more passionate. It also wasn’t a no like the first had been. Instead, it whispered of possibilities and love.

He was gentle but intense as he kissed her. That was what she loved about him. He was gentle when you got to know him, yet he held onto that intensity and sense of danger that one got when they first met him. He was complex.

She pressed closer to him, closing the gap between them. Donnovan ended the kiss, but didn’t move away. He held her against him and watched her face for a reaction. “You know, you’re the first person to kiss me since that day in the rafters.” She whispered.

“I don’t think that’s bad…” Donnovan whispered in her ear.

She shivered and laughed softly. “It’s not…” She wrapped her arms around his neck. “I missed you.”

He hugged her to him and she rested her head on his shoulder. “I love you, Ry. No matter what, I’ll always love you.”

She nodded, and let out a soft sigh. “I know… But you didn’t come just so you could see me, did you?”

He shook his head. “I came to ask you some questions. And I need honest answers, Ry.” He hugged her closer. “Let’s go somewhere else. How about one of those rooms in the old wing?”

She pulled away and gave him a sad smile. “Why not?” Taking him by the hand, she led him towards the old wing.

***

“Ry…” Donnovan pulled her over to the cushioned window sill of the deserted sitting room. Sitting down, he pulled her into his lap and began playing with her curls. “I need to know the truth. What happened that night with those agents?”

She stiffened against him, and then relaxed. “You already know.”

He shook his head and rested his chin on her shoulder. “I know you weren’t telling the truth. Or at least, not the whole truth.”

She nodded. “I didn’t want to lie. But I didn’t want to disappoint you either.”

“Why would you disappoint me?” He rested his hands on her waist.

She turned her head to the side so that she could see him. “Because I can’t tell you the truth.”

“Why not?” Donnovan whispered.

“I’m not allowed to.  He’s keeping me from saying.” She murmured back.

Alyx stirred. Don’t even try it, love. I will take over. Don’t break our deal.

I’m not breaking it.

“He? Who?”

“I can’t tell you that either, Nova… I’m sorry.” She turned so that she was sitting sideways in his lap. “I don’t want this time together to be filled with suspicions and fighting… Please…”

He nodded. “What about Cassie? What happened there?”

“It wasn’t me.” Her eyes filled with tears. “It was him. It’s because she’s…”

Alyx cut her off. Stop. You tell him that, and he will know. He already suspects something. And your father knows at least a little about possession. As soon as your lover tells him, he’ll recognize this. You’re done being in control if you keep going.

Ryder stopped.

“She’s what? A Seer?” Donnovan murmured.

She shivered, but remained silent and didn’t respond.

“Ry, I know what’s going on. I didn’t want to believe it, but I do know. The seizure at the warehouse. The strange behavior since then. The deaths of those agents. Cassie’s illness… You were possessed.” Donnovan spoke with a quiet, gentle tone. “What does he want?”

Ryder shook her head. “I-I’m not possessed, Donnovan.” Tears fell down her cheeks.

He wiped them away and kissed her gently. “Shh… You don’t need to hide that. I already know about it. I just want to know why you.”

“He won’t let me tell you.” Ryder whispered. “He’s telling me to tell you that if you keep asking me questions, he’ll take control…”

“If he hurts you…” Donnovan whispered. “I’ll make him pay.”

“Donnovan, please… Just… Let’s do anything except talk about this. He said he’ll hurt me if I try to answer any of your questions.”

“Why didn’t he stop you from telling me the truth about your possession?” Donnovan asked.

“Because he believes you when you say you already knew.” Ryder whimpered. “But he’s not going to let me tell you anything else. I don’t know much, but he won’t let me reveal what I do know.”

“Okay…” Donnovan hugged her closer to him. “Okay, I’ll stop asking questions. What do you want to do?”

“Let’s just do what we did when we were kids… Remember when you used to wake up from the nightmares, and I used to tell you a story to calm you down?” Ryder nestled up against him.

He nodded.

“And then we used to fall asleep in the middle of it?” She laughed. “I never finished my stories before I fell asleep.”

Donnovan smiled. “I remember. I used to watch you sleep until I fell asleep too…”

“Will you stay here with me tonight? I need you to be near me.” Ryder whispered. “I can’t take any of this much longer.”

Donnovan laid down on the cushioned window sill and pulled her down next to him. She curled up against him and rested her forehead against his chest. There was no way to tell him how much she’d missed him or how much she needed him tonight. But his presence beside her was enough to calm her for the time being.

“You comfortable?” Donnovan asked, pressing a kiss to her forehead as she looked up at him.

She nodded. “Are you?”

“As long as you’re next to me, I’m fine.” He smiled. “You always chased off the bad dreams.”

“Perk of being part nightmare, I guess.” Ryder ran her fingers through his hair.

He took her hands in his and kissed her lips gently. She gave a yelp of surprise when he unexpectedly poked her in the side. “Still ticklish I see.” He grinned as he pulled back.

“That was uncalled for, Donnovan Benet.” Ryder scolded.

“You’re right. I’m sorry…” He gave her a contrite look.

She snuggled up against him again. “Well, I forgive you then, I suppose.” Ryder closed her eyes with a sigh as she relaxed into his embrace.

“Don’t worry… I’ll keep watch. Just go to sleep.” Donnovan whispered to her as she drifted off.