Shackled (The Lord Series) by Amy T

391. Olivia - Meeting III

Murmurs erupt all over the Inferno Room.

Ansel looks so... lonely on the dais.

I've asked him to let me stand beside him, but he told me it's something he has to do on his own. Bullshit! He's not alone in this. He has blood-brothers. He has me!

I should have never agreed to this meeting or let Ansel expose himself like this in front of everyone. He did nothing wrong. No one understands Ansel as I do.

He left his old life behind when he chose to save the one who was meant to be my Guardian. After we returned from Malta, I had several conversations with Ansel. He told me about Andy and how they became one. How he started falling in love with me even before we met. How everything was so confusing to him, how he had to fight his inner demons. Why he had to stay away from me even when he knew of his duty.

I had to make it clear once more that I never blamed him, Tyson or Rueben for what happened to me. On the contrary, if I had been more mature and trusted Tyson or my grandparents more, things might have been different. But I'll never know that, so dwelling on the past is a waste of time. I can only learn from my mistakes so I won't repeat them.

Ansel traces the scar on his chest. When I first saw it, I thought that he had had heart surgery, but it is only now that I learn about Nephilims not having a heart. How awful. Ophyr took that part from them, not wanting the Nephilims to have any sort of feeling-the perfect soldiers.

No wonder Ansel is so good at keeping his emotions in check. He had centuries or more of practice.

Several Lords stand. "If he's a Nephilim, why was he allowed in here? Better yet, why isn't he in the Catacombs?"

A chill runs down my spine. Ansel barely made it out alive from the Catacombs the first time he was there. The sound of his wings being ripped from his back still echoes in my ears.

My darkness rises, ready to protect Ansel from any harm. Ready to protect those I love from anyone who wants to harm them.

to all of us!" one

no idea what danger

Nephilim but a Lord. I still have the memories of my past life, although some are confusing, but I no longer have an immortal body or the ability to steal divine power from demons or angels," Ansel explains. More murmurs rose in the air. "If you wonder about what I just revealed, let me tell you another thing: Nephilims fight dirty. They have no code, no honor, no shame. Their only

much I asked, Ansel couldn't reveal

was a source of constant pain for God, whose heart was broken by

wants to restore everything to how it

softly. "In the beginning, it was nothing but God. Why would the Nephilims want to restore everything

that he leave Ansel alone. Since he is not about to keep his end of the bargain, I might as well take matters into my own

spiteful toward Ansel, who did nothing to him until I teach him a lesson. I'll kick him in the ass and even tie him with those ropes of his that he has promised to use on me when he shows me how much he loves me and restrain him against a tree for

is close to Rueben's and I don't doubt that he heard me even if he pretends otherwise. Rueben's hand pauses.

I keep my voice low, not wanting everyone to listen to what

about while in my arms?"

with me for more. I never thought I would end up loving Rueben so much. Not the way I do now. All

I want to live with him and the others, with

Khloe used to say that a man will let go of his mom's tit the day he starts sucking on his

Ansel. His wings are spread wide as he says, "Ophyr destroyed too much. The time to end what Pandora started and to stop the Nephilims has finally come. I will share everything I know about how Nephilims can be

you are telling us the

to have prepared for this question, replying quickly, "If my years of loyalty are not enough, nor all

turn to

not the only one. Rueben, Tyson, Jasper, and