Shackled (The Lord Series) by Amy T

374. Olivia - Asa II

The guest room is next to Spencer's room, which calms my anxiety. Grandma Khloe brings me a pair of her pajamas to wear for the night. After I change in the bathroom, I sit on the bed next to my grandma. A brush is in her lap. "Do you remember when you were little that I used to braid your hair before you went to bed?" I nod before a big knot in my throat prevents me from speaking. She starts to brush my hair.

After she braids my hair, I touch my stomach. "If I have a girl this time, you will have to brush her hair every night." I face her. "I missed you so terribly," I say and bury my face into her chest, like I did when I was little. Tears run down my cheeks while I tell her everything that has happened to me. She listens to me patiently, her hands gently stroking my head and back.

When I am done, Grandma makes me look at her. Her eyes are red from crying. Whipping my tears away, she says, "If I had suspected what your father did to you, I would have fought tooth and nail to get you out." She seems to hesitate a bit before asking, "Tyson told me he hurt you. If you want to get away from him, you only need to say the word and Jon will deal with him."

"If you had asked me in December, I would have begged you and Grandpa to take me far away from Tyson and the others." The tips of my fingers trace the scars on my right arm. "I was so depressed I tried to take my life several times. Jasper, then Ansel found me in time. They were the first to love me, to make me want to live. Being together with them wasn't a decision I made lightly. They proved to me they wanted a life with me. I let go of the pain, the suffering, the torment they put me through and embraced them completely. I wasn't lying when I said that I love them. They make me feel *alive*. Without them, I feel like I can't breathe."

Grandma hugs me. "I am so happy you found happiness, Olivia."

She has no idea how happy I am. It feels surreal. Like a dream.

We spend the following hours speaking, until Granpa Jon comes looking for us. "Ansel is back. He said we have to leave tonight."

"And go where, Jon?" Grandma Khloe asks.

we should leave Malta," Grandpa Jon

are on the other island. At least we have our passports and wallets

three of us go to Grandpa's office, where my

hears us entering. Our gaze lock. "Whatever happens, whatever you hear, remember I love you." He sounds like he

Mose snorts.

I swore allegiance to you." He rubs his

you lie about

my side. But if Ansel is not my guardian,

before slowly shaking his head. "It's...complicated. I

and Rueben narrow their eyes. "You said you were born as a guardian and have a spear behind your right ear. Did

runs his fingers

rings, and we ignore it because who

Pandora would have protected this world so well against the Nephilim army?" Ansel's wings come forth. "While you and the others turned to Abandon, the Archangel who guards the entrance to this world, I used my power to do the same. I didn't realize how much it would cost me. I was angry for a long time, even blaming you for losing the glory I once had. But at least I had

infant came to life there. For the first two years, she spent most of her time cleaning the place, making it ideal for the child to grow. I think she knew I was spying on

the one whose entire life was dedicated to protecting the heir of Pandora. I knew