Shackled (The Lord Series) by Carlos

My men glare at the man who said that their gazes letting me know that they want to tear him apart.

"You seem to know so much about me, so you would also know my family sold me to Carlos when I was only sixteen. Ansel and his blood-brothers saved me. Gave me a home. A family. Saved my life. All that before they realized I'm a hellstar." Most of the murmurs die when I say that. "I am Ansel's bonded. He is my ride-or-die. All my men are. The bond between us lets me know he is sincere about everything. Yes, I might have been a pornai, but the hate I have for the Dukes makes me want to see them punished for everything they did. But we have a bigger problem on our hands now. Ophyr and the Nephilims. While I understand your doubt, we can't punish Ansel for what he used to be. It's all he knew. He was made into a killing machine." I place my hand against the scar on his chest. His heart beats strongly under my palm. "He's not like that anymore. He's loyal not only to the Lords but to me as well. I want to stop Azael, Carlos, and everyone else who wants to destroy our world."

"Hellstars must be protected, not allowed to put themselves in danger."

I interlace my fingers with Ansel. "Men need to realize that a woman's place is not in the Lair popping out kids or in the kitchen making sandwiches. Wasp and many other hellstars are doing the impossible to get ready for what's to come. So am I. I faced a Nephilim. A real one. Even with my hellstar powers, he almost killed me and Ansel. Only Mose's demon was able to defeat him."

The attention turns to Mose. "In January, Olivia and I were taken to Azael's facility. I won't go into full detail about everything that went down, but I had to let my demon take over my body to save Olivia from being abused. The bond with her saved me and allowed my demon and I to have a sort of hybrid existence. As for what Olivia said about the Nephilim, it is true." Looking at me, Mose says, "I also have to beg for her and my blood-brothers' forgiveness because while Ansel had no ill intentions, I did. Especially after I found out what Ansel used to be. Scared that he was leaking information to the enemy, I contacted my parents. They are part of a cult that wants Armageddon to take place. They call themselves The Bringers of Doom."

Before Mose can say anything else, Tyson snarls, "Tell me you didn't put Olivia or Spencer in any danger. Because if what happened in Malta is because of you, I'll make you eat your own liver."

Tyson told me what Mose's demon had to do to kill Asa. He must have been so sexy scary when he did that. No wonder I love him so much.

"I didn't! I promise," Mose tries to defend himself.

Knowing that Tyson won't believe a word, I step in.

"Mose told me about what he did," I reveal to my men that I kept this hidden from them all this time. "I kept quiet because I'm not a snitch like Mose, but I did check whether what he said was true or not. After asking my grandparents when Asa started snooping around and after checking Mose's email and phone, I am sure that Mose is not at fault for the attack. But," I add, "he did reveal important information about Ansel. I'm afraid that more attacks will follow unless we find where the cult hides and put an end to it."

The Elders have been quiet until now. One of them says, "We'll look into it."

I nod, letting them know it will be for the best.

"We should send Maddox," another Elder says. I should learn their names but they already look like they are half dead, I don't think it's worth my time.

My eyes narrow to slits. "I thought you killed Maddox," I comment to my men.

Rueben shrugs. "He learned how to breathe with a straw."

"He's still buried?" I ask.

A smug expression appears on Tyson's face. "And risk him getting away? Nah, we put him in a cement block. We get him out once every few days, beat the shit out of him, give him food and water, treat his wounds, and then back to the cement with a straw in his mouth. Good thing he has a strong demon to keep him alive."

They never told me the extent of what Maddox did but they are taking this to the extreme.

"And his blood-brothers?" I should question them right now, but despite everything, I don't think Maddox or his blood-brothers are bad people.

"They are working as servants for other Lords," Jasper replies.

At least they are not dead or sharing the same fate as Maddox. "Maddox made mistakes, like any of us, but I'm sure he's sorry."

"Olivia, drop it," Ansel says.

I know this is not about Maddox but about Ansel and the Nephilims but I can't stop myself. "Maddox took care of me when I was sick."

My words anger Tyson, so he says, "Jasper took care of you, not Maddox! He drugged me, Rueben, and Ansel. He took advantage of us being drugged and made us do... things. When we brought you on the farm, he whispered into our ears, making us hate you even more. He spied on us! He kept Azael informed about you and many other things."

I didn't know things were so serious-no wonder they hate Maddox.

The Elders don't look surprised at what Tyson revealed, making me think they already know.

"I never once hated Olivia!" Ansel reminds Tyson and Rueben.

Tyson looks taken aback for a moment before saying, "The drugs didn't affect you because of what you were before?"

Ansel thinks for a few seconds before replying. "Could be. Nephilims spend a long time training with their weapon of choice, usually a sword made from metal found in meteorites. Those swords, along with removing their livers and heads, are the fastest ways to kill them. We have two Nephilim swords but we need many more. We could always try to blow them to pieces, but I never tried. Anyway, weaknesses are not an option for Nephilims, so they make sure they don't have any. I used to spend all my free time training, making sure I was the best. Drugs only numb my senses."

No wonder Ansel was so strange while we were in the facility. He was the last one brought to me, but no matter how much I tried to speak to him, he just kept quiet. The only thing he did was sit on the floor, his back leaning against the door. Someone suggests, "If the drugs numbed you, it could have the same effect on other Nephilims. We could use it to our advantage."

"It didn't cross my mind," Ansel says.

"Is there a way to test this theory?"noveldrama

"We would need a full-fledged Nephilim for that, and I don't see any around," I point out.

Ansel hesitates before saying, "The Nephilims that were once trapped inside the Dybbuk box. If we find out what happened to them, we might be able to get our hands on some guinea pigs."

**Hi all. There are only a few more chapters left until I finish the book. And after Bought, Emily's story follows. I am excited. I hope I'm not the only one.**