Shackled (The Lord Series) by Amy T

193. Wasp - Bonds, new and old

Beetle helps me spread the spike strip on the snow-covered road before we hide behind trees. I would have much preferred to stay in my office and enjoy some hot cocoa, but alas, shit happens every single fucking day. This world wasn't always this violent and the hate between the Dukes and the Lords wasn't always so strong. It changed about six years ago when a teenager killed her best friend out of jealousy or something like that. Carlos took the lead of the Celestial Heaven soon after the horrible crime. It was around that time that men started becoming more... ruthless, treating women even worse than before. Abuse, torture, rape, crimes, only increased since then. Which led my mentor to step in and create the Sanctuary within Veross City. Then he found me. When he extended his hand, I grabbed his entire arm. He taught me everything I know. I am Wasp today because he really saw me for what I was. Beetle glances at her watch. "It shouldn't be long now."

My gloved hand wraps around my firearm. The mask I always wear keeps my face protected from the cold.

From the other side of the road, Mantis and Cricket wave, letting me know everything is ready for our little mission.

The waiting always kills me. Adrenaline rushes through my veins, fueling me, as i wonder if something will go wrong. If I ever fuck up, a woman, a potential bonded to some of these pricks that call themselves Lords and Dukes, like they are fucking royalty on Earth, can get hurt, or worse-killed. Demons and angels will be lost, cursed to join the others who didn't find a bonded in the Catacombs specially created to keep them prisoners. I can't let that happen, not when the Blight is coming. Without the help of the Outcasts, this will be over before it starts. With God still locked in his palace, not wanting to talk to anyone, and Heaven and Hell not letting anyone enter or leave, I took it upon myself to do what was and wil be necessary to save Earth. This world will not fall. The Blight will be defeated. And for that, sacrifices must be made. Yet sometimes, I wonder if the price is really worth it.

A car is quickly approaching the extraction point. Thanks to the blizzard, they won't see the spike strip.

Time seems to slow around me.

My heart beats faster, blood roaring in my ears, and I exhale loudly when the car reaches the spiked strip and comes to a halt.

My instincts take over and I jump from behind the tree, ready for action in case the men inside the car try anything funny.

"Hands where I can see them!" Beetle yells, a semiautomatic gun in her hands.

The three assholes inside the car don't listen and when they try to reach for their guns, Mantis points her gun to the sky and shoots. The men put their hands in the air. The woman we are here for seems to be asleep in one of the backseats, her head leaning against the window.

I open the driver's door. Mantis and Cricket open the passenger doors and we point our guns at the men. Who the fuck leaves their doors unlocked?

"Don't make me blow your useless brain out," I yell at the driver.

The man to his right, the only one I recognize―Jason Deymar―looks at me. "If it is money that you want, we can—”

Mantis hits Jason's head with the back of her gun, silencing him. "I can't stand him," she shrugs. Jerking her chin at the man in the back seat, she adds, "Nor his rapey friends."

car, but this one is locked. "We only want the woman. Give

wrist with his other hand and looks at the bullet wound, then screams. Olivia doesn't wake up, making me think she

my patience," I

a drug

I remind myself that all life is precious. Although, I have a hard time believing some people are redeemable. One of those people is Jason. But I want to try to save

find out

with us. When she throws the smoke bomb inside the car, we quickly close the doors and wait for the men to fall

I end the call, I hear the sound of a car approaching us. Knowing it can't be Moth, I say, "Let's get Olivia out and hide in the surrounding woods." We

plates stop close to Jason's car and five bulky men get out. They mean business. I point my gun at them, but their only objective is to retrieve Jason and the other two men. Beetle presses the trigger but when I place

them go, but I am not here to start a blood bath. I don't even know how many more men are in the cars and

for the two cars to disappear in the direction they came from,

have killed them when we had

are not criminals," I

You know this. Must I remind you of what they've done to so many women? To FireFly? Jason used her, then sold her to Azael, and we had to send

my firearm even harder. "She didn't and

before we get out of the woods and go to the car. The doors are open and after I check it for explosives and make

whimpers and I turn my attention to her. "You are safe now," I tell her but I doubt she

drugged.

again

is Ansel?" Mantis asks no

of the men from the farm," I let her know

a secret from the

Mine is rather peculiar.

few minutes to see what no one

fragile, while the other is old and strong but with hundreds of tiny notches cut into it. It only happens when one of the bondeds cheats.

bond breaking. It is very painful on both sides. But if Olivia's old bond is still

what Bumblebee told me, Olivia was a pornai for the Dukes and if she was bonded to someone, then... one cut for each time she was raped, as I doubt she fucked men out of