Shackled (The Lord Series) by Carlos
315. Olivia - Blood Lodge III

My life might have changed, and I might be on the path of becoming a Lady, I guess, but I *was* a pornai. Why is Tyson lying? Maybe he doesn't want anyone here to learn of my past.

"They aren't wrong," the woman defends Tyson and Rueben. "After spending most of the day on my knees sucking cock, it's impossible not to smell like cum. I'm afraid I can't return to my room to take a bath, as my services are still needed here. I wish you all an excellent night," she says before leaving.

Jasper exhales loudly. "Thank fuck she left."

"Agreed," Mose growls.

Men don't understand what it is to be a woman. There's always talk of equal rights between men and women, but that's all bullshit. Men will never know what women have to do to protect themselves from them. For them, no means yes, or they simply don't give a fuck about our feelings or rights.

"Why are you all so hostile with her?" I can't help but wonder. "Do you think she is here because she wants to be fucked day and night?"

Jasper folds his arms against his chest. "Giselle is here because her mother tried to kill one of the Elders."

So Giselle is her name. "What does that have to do with anything?" I try to advocate for her. "Giselle is guilty of no crime."

"You don't understand the ways of the Lords," Tyson dismisses me.

"Fair," I say, "but teach me then. If you keep saying I am your bonded, which makes me a future Lady. How can I be one if I don't know what happens in our world?" Rueben says, "Many centuries ago, the Dukes had the idea of corrupting unmarried Ladies. They were seduced and trained to become the perfect spies. When the truth was finally revealed, the Lords had already suffered many casualties. The women had to be made an example of so that others would think twice before doing the same. Torture was effective, but the Elders wanted something that would be long-term. That's how the first pornais came to be. They were so brainwashed that many pornais taught their children the things they learned from the Dukes. This wasn't known in the beginning, as children were seen as innocent. The Elders wanted to assign the babies born in the Blood Lodge to good families, but the mothers were hysterical any time the subject was brought up. The Elders made the mistake of taking pity on them. It cost many lives. Not wanting to risk the same thing happening again, the Elders reunited all the Lords and talked about what to do about the pornais and their children. Many options were given, but in the end, it was decided that the girls born to pornais would remain in the Blood Lodge to serve unbonded Lords, while the boys would become servants and work for families who needed them."

It takes a few seconds to assimilate everything Rueben told me. "This is bullshit. There are so many ways to go about this without punishing children who did no wrong."

Rueben shugs. "I don't make the rules. I just follow them. Besides, Giselle is not as innocent as you think. Remember Alekos and his blood-brothers?"

I can't say I do, but for the sake of the conversation, I reply, "Yes. What about them?"

"Alekos' father got Giselle out of here, and she worked for many years in his house. When he was killed, Alekos became her new master. She never gave trouble until Alekos, Reyes, and Stefan brought home their bonded, a former Dutchess named Angelica," Rueben explains. Blood roars in my ears. I didn't know Angelica married Lords. When she ran away from her father's house, Carlos was so furious. He hurt me so badly that day. He made me pretend I was his new wife before he did horrible things to me. "Giselle tried to frame Angelica as a spy. After shit hit the fan, Reyes returned Giselle to the Blood Lodge and let the Elders know what she did. They were not happy and made sure Giselle would never make the same mistake twice."

I wince internally at the implications of what Rueben said. "I don't know Giselle, but imagine how she felt when Angelica became Alekos' bonded. If she became a pornai because of her great-great-great-grandmother or something like that, she might not have been happy with a Dutchess in the house she saw as her home. Maybe Giselle did think Angelica was a spy and tried to protect those she cared about." I can tell the guys don't agree with me, which is totally fine. "I wonder if anyone bothered to talk and really listen to what Giselle had to say on the matter," I mumble to myself.

"If you want to know, you can ask Alekos and his blood-brothers. They are here tonight," Jasper suggests.

I quickly shut that down. "So you want me to approach a group of Lords that have nothing to do with me and ask them about Giselle? Anything else I can do for them while I am there? Take care of their needs?"

Maybe I shouldn't have said that because five pairs of red, angry eyes stare at me. Tyson wraps his fingers around my neck. "You don't want me jealous in a room full of Lords," he snarls in my face.

I should get the hint and keep my mouth shut, but I still ask, "What will you do to me?"

Tyson runs his thumb along my bottom lip making my pulse quicken. "My blood-brothers and *I* will make sure everyone present knows you are ours."

What did I get myself into this time?