Ryder sat at the foot of Cassie’s bed, reading a book to her sister. The doctor had said that it might help Cassie to improve. She didn’t think it was helping, but she had to keep trying anyway. Alyx’s spell was draining Cassie of everything.

Her cheeks were hollow and sunken. The pale tone of her skin was unnatural, and she was cold to the touch. Her breathing was so shallow that Ryder often wondered if she was even alive anymore. Cassie didn’t have much time left if things continued to progress at this rate.

She’s going to die because of you, isn’t she? Ryder asked Alyx.

He huffed. No. If you do the things I instruct you to do without causing more trouble for me, I’ll keep it slow enough that she won’t die before I’m done. Once I’m done, I’ll restore her health. But if you make one wrong move, I’ll speed things up a bit, and Cassie might not make it.

Monster.

Tsk, tsk… Did your mother never tell you that name calling is rude?

What are you planning to unleash on us after you close the Gates?

I’m going to rend this place apart, stone by stone.

If you do that, you’re going to kill everyone in the building.

That was the plan.

You can’t.

Actually, I can. And I will. Your people ruined me. Now I’m going to ruin them. Alyx spat.

You don’t have to do this, Alyx. You don’t need to kill everyone to destroy this place. Ryder plead, playing with the corners of the book’s pages.

Oh, but I do. Or rather, I don’t have to. I just want to. They need to suffer as much as I did. Your father should suffer as much as I did. Alyx whispered.

You think that destroying this place will make him suffer? Ryder laughed. He’ll be sad, but it won’t make him feel the way you did because he still has his family.

Alyx was silent for a moment. Well, then, I guess I’ll have to take that away too.

You’re going to kill me. Ryder didn’t bother questioning him because it was already clear what he meant.

He laughed. Course… But I’ll have some mercy and keep my bargain with you. Your sister will still live. But I have to make him feel the pain I felt. To do that, I have to steal one of the people he loves most. That means you. He cleared his throat. Pity. I did so love our chats and getting to know you.

You liked controlling me, you mean. Ryder slammed the book shut and stood up.

Throwing her book down on the chair, she stormed out of the hospital.

Oh, don’t be mad. It’s just a necessary step.

You’re talking about killing me to get revenge on my father! How is that not something to be mad about? Ryder growled at him.

Everyone has their time to go.

Yeah, and you’re just planning to make mine come a little quicker, right?

Exactly. See, not too bad…

If that’s how you rationalize my possession and murder in your mind… Ryder stopped speaking to him and blocked him out of her mind.

Since Donnovan’s visit, she’d found a way to retreat in her mind to a little, enclosed corner on purpose. It was a corner of her mind that she was able to block Alyx out of without being unable to take the wall down. She’d started to spend more and more time in there, brooding and mentally weeping. Alyx had control while she did this, of course, because she wasn’t able to control anything from that tiny, isolated space her mind, but it was worth it.

Anyway, she was already his puppet in order to save her sister’s life, so what did that matter? Not to mention that he’d just decided he was going to kill her after all. That was by far the most disheartening news she’d heard so far.

You know what? Alyx laughed with glee.

She didn’t respond.

You’re going to tell your father and Donnovan both about your imminent death.

Ryder took the control of her body again as he let her. She gasped. I won’t. I will not tell Donnovan weeks or months, or who knows how long, before my actual death. I won’t do it. Not to him or my father. I won’t let them suffer like that. She stopped, eyes wide with surprise. I know why you’d want to make me tell my father, but why Donnovan?

She could almost sense his shrug. He’s too smart for his own good, and I want him focused on something else. How to save you. Because that’s impossible. And you will tell them because your sister will suffer if you don’t. And in the end, I’ll still make you do it.

Ryder closed her eyes and took a shaky breath. I’ll do it.

***

Donnovan materialized in the empty room where he had spent the night with Ryder last time. He wasn’t surprised to see her sitting on the window sill waiting for him. Ever since his last visit, he suspected she’d wait here every night, hoping he’d come back.

“Hey…” He whispered.

She jumped, and turned to him. Her gaze had been focused out on the night scenery through a circular, cleaned portion of the window. Her eyes widened, and she pulled her knees up to her chest as though she was trying to remain under control.

“Hey, Ry… What’s wrong? Other than the possession and Cassie, I mean. Did she take a turn for the worse?” Donnovan sat down on the window sill beside her and pulled her into his arms. “Ry?”

Muffled sobs met his questions. “I… I have to tell you something.” Her voice was barely audible and wavered as she spoke the words. She was shaking in his arms, and her gasping cries were becoming less controlled by the moment.

“What is it? Why are you crying?”

She looked up at him. “I just… I want you to know that I love you, Donnovan.” Ryder grabbed his hands.

Donnovan frowned and wiped away her tears with a gentle touch. “I know that, Ry. Why are crying about that?”

“It isn’t that. That’s not…” She put her hands on his face and pulled his head down so she could kiss him. After a moment, she broke the kiss. Their faces remained inches apart, and she gazed into his dark, sympathetic eyes. “I’m doomed, Donnovan.”

“Doomed?”

“When he’s done, he’s going to kill me.” Ryder hugged Donnovan and buried her face in his shoulder. “I’m sorry. I didn’t want to tell you, but he made me. He said he’d hurt Cassie if I didn’t.”

“You weren’t going to tell me that someone wanted you dead?” Donnovan’s voice rose an octave, and he leaned back, crossing his arms.

“I didn’t want you to have that burden on your shoulders.” Ryder whispered.

He shook his head. “I can’t believe you weren’t going to tell me!”

“I just wanted to spare you that pain.” She wiped away her tears. “Can’t you see that?”

Donnovan sighed and closed his eyes. “I know you were just trying to help.” He murmured. “I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have gotten angry.” He pulled her back into his arms and hugged her tightly. “But I’m not going to let that happen, Ry. I’ll find a way to stop him.”

“We don’t even know how he’s going to do it. We just he’s going to.” Ryder bit her lip. “How can you stop it when you have no idea what to prepare for?”

“I don’t know, but I swear I’m going to find out.” He looked down at her. “Why did he make you tell us?”

Ryder shook her head. “I can’t say. He has his reasons.”

“Reasons he shared with you, no doubt. What are they, Ry?”

“He’ll hurt Cass if I even hint at them, Donnovan. Please don’t try to make me tell you.” Ryder pressed her hand to his chest and stared him in the eye. “Please leave it be. Or else come to the conclusion on your own without my verification or help.”

Donnovan nodded. “Okay. Anyway, this wasn’t why I came. I came to be here with you and to offer support for a couple of days. I would tell you what else I’m doing while on Base, but who knows what he’d make you do if I told you.”

“By that, I take it you’re doing something he wouldn’t like?” Ryder glanced up at him.

He nodded again.

“Be careful, Nova. Like you said, who knows what he’d make me do if you’re doing something he doesn’t like.” She ran her fingers down his face, sadness etched into the lines of her face. “I’m so afraid of losing you… He knows that, and he’ll use it against us. I don’t want to kill you if he takes over.” Ryder tried to stand up and leave. “I shouldn’t be alone here with you. No one would be able to help if something happened. Those other agents were helpless against what he unleashed.”

Donnovan pulled her back down and into his lap. “You wouldn’t let him hurt me.”

“What if I don’t have a choice? He hurt Cass even when I tried to stop him.”

“I trust you, Ry. You won’t let anything bad happen.” Donnovan kissed her tenderly.

“Maybe you shouldn’t trust me. You should lock me up now that you know, Donnovan.” Ryder whispered.

“What good would it do? He’ll hurt even more people if I do that. The guards, you, anyone who stands in his way. I won’t put any more people at risk. At least if he’s just trying to destroy our organization, people will escape.”

Ryder shook her head. “No. No, he won’t…” She gasped.

“What is it? What’s wrong?”

“Pain… He… I can’t say anything else about this. Just please lock me up.” Ryder started to whimper.

“Are you sure that’s the best thing to do?” Donnovan cradled her in his arms.

He couldn’t bear the idea of locking her up. Anyway, judging by the first episode with those returning agents, she could get out no matter what. Unless he put her into a cell that nullified magic. But would he actually be able to get her into it without sacrificing even more lives? He couldn’t believe he was actually considering this. “Ry…”

“Yes, Donnovan. I love you, and I know you don’t want to do this, but you have to.” Ryder let out a loud cry and tightened her grip on his t-shirt.

He rubbed her back as she went silent, and after a few moments, she seemed to be in less pain. “You have to do it, Donnovan.” She whispered.

As soon as she got the words out, she passed out. Donnovan picked her up, alarmed by the turn of events. He had to get her to a doctor. But more importantly, since she was unconscious right now, he needed to get her into one of the magic nullifying cells before she woke up.

Ryder was right. With this other being in her head, she was too dangerous loose. He’d figure out something to get rid of her possessor, but until then, she’d stay safe and locked away as she’d requested.