Shackled (The Lord Series) by Amy T

195. Olivia - Choises II

I don't know what this Blight they are talking about is. "Living only means more suffering for me. I am so, so tired."

Wasp gives me a gentle squeeze. "There is no happiness without suffering and no love without hate. There is no life without death and no smile without tears. Whatever ties you to this man is stronger than love. The bond is so strong, I'm

afraid nothing will break it."

The bond is there to stay. Why am I so surprised?

Despite my better judgment, I ask, “If I can't break the bond, what should I do?"

"Return to your men and embrace them as they are. Bond with all of them and when the Blight is upon us, fight for our world," Wasp replies.

Embrace them as they are. It should be easy, right? Yet... this is not what I want.

"I'm not a warrior," I whisper.

"You could learn, but even if your only role is to save five demons from ending up in the Catacombs, then it is enough," Mantis chimes in.

Letting five demons anchor themselves to me should be an honor. But...why would they want me?

want me? Or... what if I'm not capable of love

and kicks the snow. "Men are pigs

I can't put Wasp and the others in danger. They don't understand how dangerous my brother is. Not wanting anything to happen to them because of me, I say,

have two options—the farm

everyone at risk. The guest house is in shambles because of me. Rueben was shot

the others, it's only a matter of time until Jason finds me and something

farm or us? We can't stay here any longer. The blizzard will get even

pressured to pick one, I croak the first thing that comes

because not even in a million years would I choose Tyson. Nor Rueben. Definitely not Rueben. Never these

takes out her

there," I protest. Right? "They

they bonded with

to get me out of this mess? "Don't say anything about the old bond." I don't mind everyone knowing about Ansel and me, if that is something he wishes to share with the others, but the bond with him... I will take the

walks away from the

in

shrug. "Between two evils, I prefer the

not

they might be hellstars but I don't know them. At least on the farm, I have Ansel and Jasper. But Jason won't give up until he takes me back to where I belong. If something bad happens to Ansel or his blood-brothers because of me choosing to go to the farm, I'll never forgive myself. But.....what else am I supposed to do? It's like I'm at a crossroads in the middle of the night, and I have to choose one dark path or the other. The only option in which no one gets hurt is for

she is too far

always light in the darkness and darkness in the light. No one is truly