Shackled (The Lord Series) by Carlos

The sword slips from my hand and I rush to Olivia. Her eyes are closed and her skin is cold to the touch. If not for her shallow breathing, I would believe she was already dead.

There's a lot of blood around her but her wounds seem to be healing slowly. I gather her in my arms and take her to the sofa. I use my divine power to speed up the healing process. Her body stops glowing and until Tyson turns on his flashlights, we are in the dark.

Tyson and Jasper crouch in front of the sofa, their gazes fixed on Olivia. They touch her, murmuring how much they need her.

The bond tying us to her feels weak but is not in danger of breaking. It's the only thing keeping me safe.

Ansel makes it to the living room. He is in worse shape than Olivia. If all Nephilims are as strong as Asa, we are in deep shit. Killing him wasn't easy. No wonder Wasp warned the Lords about the enemy army. The Elders should find ways to ally with the Sisterhood.

Ansel keeps dragging himself across the floor until he reaches us. Hesitating, he says, "I shouldn't have kept something so important a secret."

Without looking at Ansel, Tyson says, "We will talk about this after Olivia gets well."

Ansel puts his hand on Olivia's leg, his thumb gently stroking her skin.

It takes me several minutes to heal Olivia. I could always feel the baby, but now, her darkness is wrapped around him, and even with the help of my divine powers, I can't coax it to let me reach the baby.

I keep cradling her in my arms, waiting for her to open her eyes. Tyson and Jasper try to take her away from me several times, but I refuse to let go of her. Once she is well, she will refuse to have anything to do with me. I will let Mose take over before she realizes I am here.

The light returns minutes before Rueben and Jon make it to the house. They stop in the doorframe, looking at all the blood in the living room before their gazes fall on Olivia.

"Is she?" Jon asks, unable to finish his entire thought.

I shake my head and both Jon and Rueben exhale loudly.

"Why is blood around your mouth?" Rueben asks me.

"He has cannibalic tendencies," Tyson replies for me, making both Rueben and Jon to look strangely at me. "Olivia and Ansel need to go to the hospital. She was stabbed in the stomach," Tyson let them know. While he doesn't says anything about the baby, I know he is worried about him, but the focus right now is Olivia.

"The car is in front of the house. Khloe and Spencer are inside it," Jon informs us.

Jasper stands. "Since it is obvious we won't leave tonight, we should go to a hotel. At least Khloe, Spencer, and Rueben. Jon and Tyson should take Olivia and Ansel to the hospital while Mose and I will clean the house and look around in case Asa wasn't alone."

***

It took Jasper and me until later morning to dispose of Asa's body and clean the office and the living room. Tyson and Jon kept us informed about Olivia and Ansel's state all this time. Except for needing some glucose, both of them were fine, including the baby. When I learned that, all the tension in my body left me, my heart leaping with joy.

Cleaning blood takes more than I originally thought and Jasper is very meticulous about it, not wanting to leave anything behind in case police gets involved. While in Veross City Lords can easily get away with things, it might not be the case in Malta, were the majority of the population is on the Dukes' side.noveldrama

Jon comes around midmorning to see how things are. By now, the office is mostly put back together and we are almost done with the living room.

The first thing that comes out of my mouth is, "Oo-Olivia?" I don't even bother to side my stutter, that worried I am.

If Jon notices something strange about Mose, about me, he doesn't say it as he replies to my question, "She and Ansel are at the hotel, resting. Ansel promised to answer any question we have when we get there. Khloe will be here soon and we will start packing." He looks around the office. "After what happened here last night, it is clear it is not safe anymore."

Jasper feels guilty as he says, "I'm sorry for all the trouble we caused."

"This started a long time ago, but I was a fool to think that by leaving the States, everything will end." Is he referring to Azael or another thing entirely? "Besides, Olivia needs us." After clearing his throat, he adds, "Tyson told me the truth about Olivia's parentage. I never suspected that Azael betrayed my trust in such a way, but at the same time, it didn't come as a shock. As for Hannah and Wesley, I should have guest why they hated Olivia so much and only favored Jason. At least Khloe and I still have some time left to get to know our youngest daughter. I only hope she won't hate us for what had happened."

Jasper comforts Jon. "Olivia is the kindest and most loving person I have met. She's been through so much and forgave so much. Each time I see her smile or hear her laugh, it amazes me. Knowing her, she will probably blame herself." A crease forms between Jon's brows. "Why would Olivia blame herself?"

Because Olivia is used to giving everything and never receiving anything back. She experience unconditional love first with Jon and Khloe but that was probably short-lived, and recently with her bondeds. "Because that's how Olivia is," Jasper replies.

Jon thinks for a moment before nodding as if understanding what Jasper meant before saying, "I'll start packing," and leaving the office. Sometime later, Khloe and Rueben arrive, and the five of us pack and prepare everything to return to the States.