Shackled (The Lord Series) by Amy T

234. Olivia - The Gurdian IV

The cemetery is dark, silent, and creepy as hell. I point to an old crypt. "There's a secret tunnel inside. Which leads...."

"To Hell," Ansel grumbles.

I press my lips in a thin line. "I thought Lords were not afraid of Hell. Don't you make a pact with Lucifer when you receive your demon?"

Ansel squeezes my hand. "The pact is with Cain."

We head inside the cemetery. Ansel wraps an arm around me while putting the other one on his holster.

The wind rustles some branches and Ansel swears under his breath.

"Boo," I whisper in his ear.

"Come on, let's get this over with. I just keep having this feeling that something is wrong."

"You really are scared," I grin.

Ansel tenses up. "Not for me, but for you. The demons in the Catacombs might not like me, and I might not come out alive. But I'll do whatever it takes to keep you safe."

We enter the crypt. "What is that supposed to mean? That the ones in the Catacombs won't like you?"

"My demon is...different."

"Oh, I knew that," I say. "Your eyes are not the same shade of red as those of your blood-brothers. Do you want to wait for me here?" I joke because I know Ansel won't leave me alone. Ansel's hold on me tightens. "Hell no. I would gladly let those demons tear me apart if that means I'll keep you safe."

I roll my eyes. He's so dramatic. "I don't think that will be necessary."

Luckily, no surprises await us in the crypt and I show Ansel where the secret traps are. Camila and I had quite a hard time trying to figure them out. It takes around half an hour of carefully walking to reach an old metal door that guards the entrance to the Catacombs. I press my palms to it and it opens. We enter. The door closes behind us. Shit.

I forgot how awful this place is.

that the Catacombs are endless and guard the entrance to Hell. The Blood Lodges and other places were built above them to prevent people from finding a way to get inside. Because once inside, it's almost impossible to get out. The demons living here have to let you out. Good luck with that. There's a reason why

so cold in here that I wrap my arms around me. The only feelings I have are those of misery and absolute despair. My instincts are screaming at me to run. I swallow hard and take a step

Ansel starts to scream.

try to find Ansel in the dark, but all I can

pair of red eyes appear

Ansel keeps screaming.

box I

more times before he finally

yes, but you also stole something from us-something that didn't belong to you. It was our duty to guard it. And for that,

my friend who took it, and for that, I'm truly sorry. As for returning it, I'm afraid it's impossible. The seal was broken, as I assume you already know." "You have doomed us

"No, no," Ansel says.

Fallen," another demon

I need you to hold onto that thought until I send my father and brother to hell or whatever place the Dukes go when they

a hellstar!"

more demons gathering around me.

to pay

all the demons in the

it. I wanted to return it, but...all hell broke loose, and she...died," I say. "Look, I only need the daggers I left here so I can make some things right. When I return with them, you can do whatever you want with me. Azael is stirring up something bad and he needs to

but not Ansel. Oh no, he has to open his mouth and speak

a what? What's a Pandora hellstar? "You can't kill me either since I'm her Guardian, but you can punish me for whatever Olivia and Camila

Ansel is my what?

What's a Guardian?

are never Guardians," a demon says.

demon short. "My...demon was specially put inside me for Olivia. You can take from my blood so you can see my past

has a lot of explaining to do when we

yanked away from me. "The Fallen will

I whisper. They can't take away Ansel's

Ansel starts screaming again.