Shackled (The Lord Series) by Carlos
377 Olivia - Punch I

Spencer's little arms circle me, and he buries his little face into my neck as I sit in my grandparents' car. A few seconds later, his breath evens, letting me know he has fallen asleep. My emotions are all over the place. The day I found out my son was alive, his entire life blew up because of me.

For a moment, I thought I could be happy. I thought I could have a family with my men, Spencer, the baby, and my grandparents. But life has a funny way of reminding me that everything I love will be taken from me sooner or later. I don't even know why I keep trying.

Because there's no other way for me. I have to keep fighting or die trying.

Mose puts his palm on my thigh. His touch offers me some comfort.

After Grandpa Jon took us to the airport, Mose remained with me in the car while the others are arranging things so we can leave Malta tonight, if possible. Grandpa Jon has copies of all the important documents in a small safety box in the car, and they are trying to find out if it is enough to let them and Spencer board the airplane.

I glance out the window. Valletta is quiet compared to Veross City-no wonder my grandparents moved here.

Jasper is returning with a bag full of snacks. He looks lost in thought. Learning the truth about Ansel took all of us by surprise. I'm still trying to wrap my head around it. For better or for worse, I know that Ansel is not the enemy. He's nothing like Azael or Carlos. He even bought us time to get away from the other Nephilim. He tried to warn us, but we didn't listen.

I turn my attention to Mose. "We should have listened to Ansel."

Mose's shoulders tense. "Ansel is not even his real name. It's Samael. He lied to us for years about who he is. He even tricked you into believing he is your Guardian or some shit like that." He almost sounds like he hates Ansel. Jasper opens the front passenger door, and without saying anything, he enters the car.

"Ansel or Samael, it's the same to me. Names are irrelevant. What is important is that we know who he is!"

Mose scoffs. "But do we know, Olivia? He is a Nephilim! He is the general of Ophyr's army. Think of how many he killed. He will destroy this world as well. He will kill Spencer."

My hold on Spencer tightens. I will never let anyone harm him. Thinking of what Ansel said earlier, I ask, "So what if he's a Nephilim? You are wrong about one thing, Mose. Ansel loves us and would never do something to put Spencer in danger."

"For fucks' sake, he broke your ribs," Mose reminds me.

Jasper takes out a bottle of water from his bag and starts drinking.

I chew my bottom lip, thinking of the events of the night they found me. I took all my frustration off what happened back then on Ansel. "Malaky kicked me several times before Rueben punched me. My ribs were already hurting by the time Ansel kicked me. He didn't even do it to hurt me."

Jasper chokes on his water before turning around to look at me. "I forgot about Malaky and what he did to you."

My body tenses for a moment. Mose wraps his arm around me. "It was horrible," I whisper. "Ansel and you," I say to Jasper, "were patient with me." To Mose, I say, "So how can I hate Ansel when he loved me when those around me loathed me?"

"I liked you from the moment I saw you," Jasper corrects me. "Why else do you think I fought so hard to keep you alive? I even made Rueben think I wanted you around so we could make sex tapes with you." I can tell he is being careful with his words in case Spencer wakes up and hears us.

A crease appears between my brows. "So all the talk about using me to take down my father was a lie?"

Mose sighs. "Rueben took it seriously." Of course, he did. Not that I blame him. I would have done anything to ruin my father's career. I still think the same. "I was just going with the flow."

Suddenly, pain ripples through me, knocking the air out of me.

"What's wrong?" Mose asks, worried.

I shake my head. "I don't-" Another wave of pain hits me hard. "Ansel. We need to go back to the house."

"There's no way we are returning there," Mose refuses.

Can he feel Ansel is dying? "Fine." I give Spencer to Mose. "I'll go by myself, then."

Before Mose and Jasper can stop me, I get out of the car and start running. I was never a fast runner, but I need to get to Ansel so I force my legs to move faster. Jabs of pain make my stomach churn, letting me know that I need to get to Ansel

now.

"Olivia!" Mose yells behind me. I don't stop. I can't afford to waste time. We should have never left Ansel alone with Asa. The bond with Ansel starts to fade away. Tears blur my vision. Mose catches up with me and grabs me by my arm, forcing me to stop. "Wait!"

I try to keep calm, but my voice cracks as I say, "He's dying!"

"Do you love him? Truly love him despite what he is?" Mose inquiries.

I jerk away from him. "And what do you think he is?" I ask while I walk fast. I try to think in which direction I have to go, but everything looks the same.

A feeling of uneasiness and helplessness grips my heart, and I almost collapse to my knees.

Mose rushes to my side. "You shouldn't be doing this in your state."

"You didn't reply to my question. What do you think Ansel is?"

Mose pinches the bridge of his nose. "The enemy. Think of how much suffering he caused."

I understand what Mose is saying, but I'm not being logical right now. "He changed. He's one of us now. Imagine how much we can learn from him about the Nephilims."

"If you trust him so much, why didn't he say anything about who he is?"

Why are Mose and I arguing about this? "That's something only he can tell us. But if we don't hurry, he will die. Losing him will break me."

A moment of hesitation before Mose says, "I can't believe I'm doing this. The house in this direction," and guides me to my left.