* A/N : Alice was in a really bad place last chapter. But maybe there is still hope she could regain her place? ....

My new life was more hellish than anything I could have conceived. In the kitchen, Madam Rin was committed to doing her part to reform the wayward actions of my past. No longer did I have my own belongings. Everything I'd ever owned was confiscated. The books, the special treats I'd hoarded from Lexia's gifts, even the small handwritten recipes left behind by my mother. I was left with nothing but two worn dresses and a thin coat to my name.

"Perhaps now you will see what you truly are," Madam Rin said coldly as she forced me to watch each of my possessions destroyed or given away to others. "You are an animal and have always been one. I only wish I had the chance to give your previous overseer a piece of my mind for the havoc she has wrought on these kitchens in her leniency.

Indeed there was no "leniency" or special privilege in Madam's household. Rin ruled us all with an iron fist, liberally dispensing blows with her club or hand whenever she felt the urge.

In order to cement my place, Rin continued to assign me the most deeming tasks in the kitchen and around the estate, from cleaning the bathrooms, to butchering, to staying late to scour all pots and pans used throughout the day by myself. I was allowed nowhere near the stove and denied the chance to cook or perform any other task that might earn me praise or give me the chance to be in my Master's presence and make amends.

The other humans were hardly sympathetic. I knew many resented the favor Lexia had shown me, in spite of the efforts I'd made to use my position to help others. Seeing me as a greyskin, many likely believed I'd received exactly what I deserved. Besides, I could hardly blame them for their abandonment. I was out of Dulane's good graces. Everyone knew it was best to leave me to my punishment and keep their distance least his anger turn to those aligned with me. After just a few weeks, my hands were raw from harsh soaps and cold weather, my soul worn in its isolation.

Sadly, it was not just Rin whose resentment continued plagued me. Embolden by Dulane's order to act as my reformer, Everett lurked around every corner, waiting to hear of an excuse to drag me away for more "training."

A true monster, Everett took full advantage of his position, beating, whipping, and otherwise inflicting suffering whenever we crossed paths. And, of course, there were more trips to the breeding sheds...

If the mood struck him, Everett would come to take me from my tasks, claiming report of some misdeed I had done. No one dared to question and why would they? I was a wayward animal known to be in desperate need of taming. He was the head overseer, a sibla man of fine moral standing and the trust of Cedrick Dulane. I was entirely at his mercy.

Having been trained to allow my body to be used since my first breeding years before,  I knew the feeling of unwanted assaults, but nothing had prepared me for Everett's particular predilections, and it seemed my first experience with him had barely scratched the surface of his dark fantasies.

Working to degrade me in every way possible the overseer would use me as if I were not a living being at all. Though I did my best to comply with every demand it was never enough to escape the pain he enjoyed inflicting.

The feeling of his teeth upon my skin became all too familiar as he dug them into my neck, arms, and legs, whatever he chose to sample, leave horrible patterns of blue, green, and purple bruises all over my body.

"One day," he would whisper, "these samples will not be enough. One day I will devour you."

I knew it was the truth. That was all I amounted to. An item to be consumed. My flesh, the flesh of my children, it was all the same. I was a commodity, nothing more. He could do whatever he wished to me and none would come to my aide.

Though I knew that humans and sibla mating could not create a child I could not help but fear that this unnatural coupling would somehow give rise to a sort of monster within my womb. My entire being was tainted by his touch and no amount of scrubbing could make me feel clean. Worse, in submitting to a sibla, whether against my will or not, I felt all the more certain that I had now become irredeemable as a human being. How could one claim to be a true human while working as a sibla man's whore?

Ashamed of my new status as his plaything I was desperate to keep the level of my suffering secret. I did my best to hide the embarrassing injuries. I kept my head down and tried my best to be an obedient slave, healing my wounds with whatever supplies I could gather on my own, never complaining to any about my treatment. I wanted nothing more than to go back to a favored position on the estate and could only pray that hard work and complete subservience would eventually earn me forgiveness. Fate managed to give me that chance.

My Master did not frequently visit the kitchens but one day, two months after my low existence began, Dulane himself came storming into our domestic sphere.

I was on my hands and knees at the time, scrubbing the floor of the larder when the sound of his voice surprised me.

"Rin!" Dulane called out, from the kitchen. "Where the hell are you?"

I felt a chill run through my body. My Master was angry. I froze where I was, listening intently, my ears alerted to the danger in his tone.

Through the open door to the kitchen, I could see I was not the only one waiting in fear. Every human had stopped in their tracks, eyes focused in the direction of the voice of the one who owned us. It was only a moment later that I saw a flurry of skirts rush forward as Madam Rin went to greet our Master.

My stomach dropped. The kitchen overseer was likely to take out any criticism on everyone under her purview and as her most despised animal, I had no doubt I would face the worst of it. Creeping on my hands and knees I made my way to the larder door to watch the proceedings. Dulane stood in the center of the kitchen, staring down at our mistress, his face plastered in an expression of displeasure.

"Mr. Dulane," Rin answered, "to what do we owe the pleasure?"

"The food coming from this kitchen of late is unacceptable," Dulane replied. "I have already made it quite clear that I expect a certain quality in my meals. You and your human crew continue to disappoint."

"I assure you that I have instructed all that they must improve themselves. Tell me what has displeased you and I will make certain those responsible are punished."

Like I expected, Rin was shifting all blame to the humans under her command, but I could see my Master was not placated by her words.

"Which of these slaves has been acting as lead here?" he asked, his tone no less deadly than before.

I bit my inner lip as I watched Hattie step forward. I knew that the kitchen's failures were not her fault. She had always been a competent second, but she was still young, inexperienced. Rin had no doubt been stretching her skills past was she could feasibly accomplish. I felt nothing but sympathy for the poor girl as Dulane's eyes narrowed.

"Where is Mariana's daughter?" Dulane asked.

As Madam Rin looked up at him in confusion I felt my heart thud to a stop in my chest.

"Where is Alice!" Dulane demanded, making his request all the more clear. I could see Madam's bewilderment only increasing in response to my Master's frustration.

"Alice?" she asked. "That one has been banned from her former position in the kitchen. I have been working to ensure she fully understood her new place. I hardly thought that."

"But she is here?" Dulane pressed, cutting Rin off before she could finish. "Get out here, girl!" he shouted, clearly directing the command at me. I jumped to my feet and brushed off my skirts as best I could. Though I knew I must still look a mess, I hurried to answer my Master, going to the kitchen to stand before him.

I could see his frown only increase as he stared at me, assessing. Most evidence of my abuse was covered by the fabric of my clothing, but I knew the corner of my lip was currently bruised an embarassing deep purple where Everett had taken to sucking at the skin a few days before. Having spent my time in squalor on my hands and knees, the stockings on my legs were ripped and my dress was littered with patches where I had hastily repaired wear as best I could. In Dulane's expression I could see his disgust at my appearance, but perhaps there was an ounce of remorse hidden beneath. I'd never done anything to deserve this pain. I had taken all without complaint. I only hoped he could see that. That he would end this suffering as I knew he had the power to do.

"Ms. Rin," he said, addressing my overseer again. "You will see to it that Alice is once again installed as head of the humans in my kitchens. Clearly, there is no other here who can rival her competence."

The words were too good to be true. Was it possible he really had decided to restore my old position?

"You may keep whatever watch upon her that you deem necessary to ensure she remains in line," he continued, "but I will not tolerate subpar quality when it comes to what I serve my guests. There is to be a banquet here at the end of the month and I expect that all will sing the praises of the meal they receive as the best they have ever tasted." He turned his attention back to me.

"I assume you have learned your lesson well enough now?" he asked.

I nodded my head, all too eager to prove my contrition.

"Consider this a second chance, Alice," he said. "Prove to all here that you are deserving of taking back your place and you will find I can be quite forgiving. Particularly for one who might finally fill my plate with the meals I have been craving."

"I will not fail you, Master," I said, daring to speak only to affirm my desire to please.

Dulane nodded once, accepting my words. "I wish for one of Mariana's signature recipes tonight," he said. "It has been too long since one has executed them properly. Use your discretion in choosing a menu."

I could see Madam practically fuming as my Master completely ignored her, addressing me as if I myself had run of the kitchens. I knew I would have to be careful to both comply with his demands and avoid running afoul of the woman who would still be in charge of my life.

"I will make some suggestions to Madam Rin," I answered, bowing my head respectfully to the kitchen overseer. "You will not be disappointed."

A small but genuine smile came to Dulane's lips. "I'm so glad to see you have indeed been learning to better respect your masters," he said. "I look forward to whatever you might prepare. Dinner should be on the table at exactly 8 o'clock," addressing the latter comment to Rin. The sibla woman nodded.

"And do make sure Alice is given the chance to clean herself properly before she takes her place at the stove," he added. "She looks like something the cat dragged in. I will provide funds to properly outfit her again."

I stared after him as he left, unable to believe my good fortune. I knew I would do anything to keep my restored status.