Shackled (The Lord Series) by Amy T

Shackled (The Lord Series)

120. Reyes

I never liked Christmas, it reminds me of all the times Roxanne spent all the money my father earned with his hard work on booze and drugs. Even on Christmas he had to work, leaving soon after Alec and I opened our presents. As soon as the front door closed, Roxanne would take away our gifts and leave to exchange them for cheap vodka or shrooms. But this year will be different as Angel put a lot of thought into our first Christmas together as a family. I hope she likes what I got her, as I’ve never bought a woman presents.

I left the apartment in the middle of the night, wanting to return before the others woke up. And now I am standing in front of an old house that is in shambles. Part of the rooftop is caved in, and some windows are broken, making me wonder how someone can live here. Many times, I found myself standing in front of it, but never had the courage to go inside, not wanting to face my past…but now, I want to put an end to it.

I enter. The stench of human feces and vomit hits me hard, making me gag, and I cover my nose with my sleeve.

Most of the furniture is gone, and what is left is broken. Trash, roaches, and rats are all over the place. My OCD is starting to go wild, and I make my way to the top floor, wanting to be done what I came here to do. The door to the master bedroom is open, and I enter. A woman who is only skin and bones is sleeping on a dirty mattress; bottles and syringes are piled in a corner, confirming what I already know.

fear flash

When I stand next to the mattress, she wakes up, fear flashing in her green eyes. Her hair is greasy, and her clothes are full of stains, the body odor coming from her makes my eyes water.

“Hello, mommy dear,” I sneer.

I always hated my eyes because they reminded me of my mother. Why couldn’t I inherit the amber color from my father, like Alec did?

She tries to grab my legs, but I move away from her. “My son.”

I pull out a knife. “I am not your son,” my voice comes out so calmly it surprises me. I thought I would sound as angry as I

rel, all this hatred I harbored for this woman since she sold Alec and me, eating me from the inside out. “You sold me. And Alec. Remember?”

“Forgive me,” she whimpers.

one who can decide if your sins are forgiven or

are going

We will start with a shower, as I don’t think I can stand

“A shower? But I haven’t

have running water. I will have to endure her stench

know.” The tone of her voice lets me know she is

410

120. Reyes

I am done with you, you will

her beg for

find Azael,” she finally tells me what I want to know after blabbering a bunch of

about

her head and closes her eyes, taking her last

when their mother dies, right? Yet I

used to share. I expect to see it full of filth, but it is surprisingly clean. Memories rush to me and I know I can’t linger too long here, but before I leave I take the only picture I see on the nightstand. I am three in this picture, and I straddle Alec’s right thigh. My mother looks healthy, while my father smiles happily. I rip the part of the photo that has my mother in it and let it drop on the floor, put the rest of

the bottom floor, hoping

other side of the sidewalk,

you are going to be

again and of what I would say to him, and now my

did well,” he says before

me know

heels. “Your wife, she is a rare jewel. Treat her well.

this his way of telling me