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.

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

I have are those of misery and absolute despair. My instincts are screaming at me to run. I swallow hard and take a step forward. Something brushes

Ansel starts to scream.

try to find Ansel in

eyes appear

Ansel keeps screaming.

the demon speaking to me. "I came to retrieve the box I left here years ago. And I would appreciate it if you left

a few more times before he

also stole something from us-something that didn't belong to you. It was our duty to guard it. And for that, you will die. Unless you bring it back." "No!" Ansel

to find Ansel. Where is he? "It was 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 all. And for that,

"No, no," Ansel says.

the Fallen,"

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

can't kill her! She's a hellstar!" Ansel reveals

demons gathering around me. Why did Ansel

pay the price for taking the Dybbux box from

the demons in

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

Oh no, he has to open his

Pandora hellstar." I'm 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?

Guardians," a demon

me for Olivia. You can take from my blood so you can see my past and know that I'm telling

has a lot of explaining to do when we get out

away from me. "The Fallen will pay the price instead of his mate. He

I whisper. They can't take away

Ansel starts screaming again.