AN: First author's note for this posting of the book! Hehe. Hope you are enjoying the story. As grim as "better" looks in this world, things were going better for Alice in the last chapter. Let's see how long that lasts...

Just a heads up, wattpad content sweeping is getting more intense. Idk if even watty winners are safe tbh. Make sure you keep your writing work backed up off wattpad too! (Always good practice). ❤️

With my role fully established and purpose in life clear, my existence was far more tolerable than most humans might claim. For the years I worked by the side of my sibla protector I was happy. Lexia ensured I had everything I might have wished for and more. My position allowed me to feel useful to my Masters and the aide I offered Dreda and other suffering humans on Dulane's estate gave me pride. Though my life was one of hard work with little reward, I truly had found the contentment my mother had wished for me. Unfortunately, it wasn't meant to last.

    Lexia was old, even for a sibla, nearing one hundred eighty. I didn't like to think on it much but I knew that not even sibla were immortal. As the years passed I saw her slowing, relying on me more and more to ensure the kitchens and household continued to run smoothly. I knew it was inevitable. One day she could not be able to continue in her role.

    It was in the middle of a particularly cold winter that she told me the news. The others had retreated to the dorms to weather a snowstorm that had blanketed the estate and made it nearly impossible to do work outdoors. Only a skeleton crew of servants and slaves were permitted to remain in the cozy warmth of the main house where central heat protected from the elements in a way the drafty slave quarters did not. Of course, Lexia had selected me to help her run the kitchen.

    Having ensured Dulane and his family were fed and the house was tidy, I made tea for myself and Lexia and happily joined her by the fire I'd set in the hearth, glad for the chance to relax for once.

    "I am leaving, Alice."

    It was the first thing she said after I settled into my chair. I remember the cold chill that ran through my body even as the heat of the fire pressed against my skin.

    "I must consider my family," Lexia continued. "My age and health. It's time for me to move in with my daughter and enjoy my retirement. She has a lovely sheep farm not far from here."

    I didn't answer. What could I say? I had come to see Lexia as my friend. I did indeed want her to be happy. But what would happen to me when she was gone?

    "I have never met another human quite like you," Lexia said, staring at me with her now rheumy eyes. "I can not deny that. You are strong, Alice. Intelligent, talented. Your mother would be very proud of what you have become."

    "Thank you, "Ma'am," I answered quietly.

    "I want to take you with me."

    My eyes opened wide at her words. Was it possible? Could Lexia really save me from my Master and my life on his estate?

    "I don't want you to get your hopes up," she said, no doubt sensing my excitement. "Cedrick might not be willing to sell and I don't have much to offer in payment."

    I nodded, unswayed by her concerns. I was meant to be by this woman's side. She had protected me, taught me so very much. How could I continue without her? Surely my Master would allow me to go with her if she offered him payment. Lexia and Dulane were friends after all and she'd given him so many years of service.

    "I live to serve," I said, and meant it. "Nothing would please me more than the chance to care for you and your family as long you will it."

    The old woman smiled and took my hand, squeezing it slightly in reassurance. "I will do my best, Alice," she said. "I will do my best."

    I smiled back, overwhelmed by her care. I vowed then and there that if Lexia would take me with her I would serve her till my last breath. I would serve her daughter, her daughter's family, and any that she asked me to. The sibla woman had given me so much and I wanted to prove my loyalty.

    Of course I worried about the others I would leave behind but without my kitchen guardian, I knew I might be unable to help them anyway. As selfish as it might have been, I was fully prepared to leave my Master's home to spare myself.

Sitting with Lexia that afternoon, sipping tea and caring for her needs I imagined a future where I might devote my life to her alone. An existence where I might be spared from the fate I'd been born to. I pictured a small farmhouse, a flock of sheep, kindly sibla Masters who would ask nothing more of me but obedience and I would offer it to them with all my heart. Surely Lexia's family would be just as gentle as she and I was eager to meet them.... It was less than a week later that I went to the kitchens to find a new sibla overseer had appeared.

    The woman was tall, all sharp angels and glares. Nothing like the kind pale blue eyes and soft physique of my beloved Lexia. After ordering us to stand in a line for inspection she introduced herself as Madam Rin.

    "You all are to call me 'Madam' or 'Ma'am," she informed us coldly. "From this day forward, I am in charge of these kitchens and all that happens in the main house. Should any human in my purview step out of line, rest assured it is me you will answer to."

    She was young and power-hungry. It was clear immediately that she would do whatever she had to command our obedience. As if to confirm my assessment she touched the handle of the wooden baton strapped to her belt as she eyed us all critically. Lexia had barely even carried a baton let alone resorted to using it.

    "When I point to you, you will state your name clearly," Madam said.

    All were quick to comply, no doubt sensing the same danger I did. But when I stepped forward to give my name, Madam's cold glare focused all the more intently.

    "So you are, Alice?" she asked.

    Chills raced along my skin at her tone. Where was Lexia? How could she have just left without saying goodbye? I couldn't quite believe it.

    "Your master has requested your presence, slave," my new supervisor informed me. "You are to go to his office immediately."

    My stomach sank. Though some kernel of hope remained that Lexia's bid for my life had been accepted, I already knew the truth. The fact that my Master called for me now could not be a good thing. The timbre of Madam's voice made that clear enough. I had learned to observe those around me closely, to watch for any hints in the stoic faces of the sibla I dealt with on a daily basis, always looking to avoid offending. My intuition was seldom wrong.

    As I climbed the steps to Dulane's office my mind raced and my stomach squirmed uncomfortably. I hadn't even been granted breakfast and yet already I felt queasy. I rarely had to face Dulane in his office alone save to deliver a late night snack and even then, I always left as soon as I could. In life, Mama always advised me to keep my distance from him, though she herself had often been forced to act as his personal handmaiden. I knew that she didn't like the assignment. She did what was required to maintain Dulane's favor but hurried back as soon as she could. I always wondered what he did to her to make her fear him so. A premonition of danger washed over me as never before.

    "Come in"

    My Master's voice was cold and intimidating as he answered my knock. I took a deep breath as I opened the door and prepared to weather whatever awaited with dignity but nothing might have prepared me for the sight I faced.

    Dulane was sitting at his desk, his expression as unreadable as ever. Beside him, Aaron Everett stood, glaring at me distastefully.

    Why would he be there? My mind began to panic. I already knew the overseer as my worst enemy...

    "Close the door," Dulane said, his tone hard.

    My hand was shaking as I obeyed his command, alarms of danger ringing in my head as I shut myself in and went to stand before my Master.

    "Tell me, Alice," Dulane said as I faced him, "are you happy here on my estate?

    As his eyes bore into me, my heart thudded in painful bursts, stomach churning. There was only one answer to such a question.

    "Very happy, Master," I answered, keeping my head lowered in deference.

    "Is that so?" he asked skeptically. I felt a shiver travel through my body. What could I have done to make him question my loyalty? More importantly, what would my Master do if he truly believed me guilty of offense...As silence hung uncomfortably in the air I could not help but attempt some form of defense for whatever crime he believed me guilty of.

    "Forgive me, Master," I said, naively expecting innocence to protect me, "I know not what I might have done to suggest otherwise." I heard a dull chuckle from my Master's lips.

    "You see this, Aaron?" Dulane asked rhetorically. "How the creature speaks as if she is so high and educated. I should have known better than to trust that old age would not blind poor Lexia to this animal's deceptive tactics."

    Lexia

    The name echoed in my ears. The sibla woman I had come to love. Had she truly abandoned me? I hadn't meant to sound anything less than submissive. Could it be that I no longer knew how to speak properly to my Master? Had Lexia's lessons made me forget my place? I could hear the accusation in Dulane's words.

    "Is it true, Alice?" Dulane asked. "Did you try to run from me? Deceive a helpless old woman for your own gain and manipulate her into taking you from your true home?"

    A sick feeling welled in my stomach as the pieces began to fall into place in my mind.

    "There," Dulane said, not waiting for me to answer his damning accusation. "See the guilt on her face? She knows what she has done."
    "Indeed," Aaron answered, glowering at me. "I have long been of the opinion that Lexia was coddling the animal to a dangerous degree. This is proof."

    My mind raced. I tried to imagine what I might say to absolve myself of the sins I was being accused of. But how could I speak up when doing so would only prove my rebellion?

    "Master, please hear me, I —"

    Dulane held up his hand to silence my words of protest and I immediately closed my mouth, not daring to press him further.

    "It has come to my attention that you are far too comfortable in your position, Alice," he said. "You must remember who and what you are. You must clearly understand your role on this estate. I was mistaken to believe Lexia capable of keeping you in line, but I intend to correct that error immediately."

    I could see the grotesque smile growing on Everett's face and felt the panic surge within me. No. Dulane couldn't think I was disloyal. I hadn't been the one to suggest Lexia take me away. I'd done nothing wrong! But it was clear he had no intention of listening.

    "You are lucky, Alice," my Master continued. "Mr. Everett is quite adept at reforming even the most rebellious of your species. He has assured me that you are not beyond repair and that I might retain my investment in you and even keep you within the kitchens after his work is done."
   
Bile crept up my throat, threatening to make me retch at his words. Not only was my protector gone, my worst enemy had been given free reign to do as he wished with me. I felt no relief at the assurance I would be "reformed" and allowed to remain in the kitchens. This meant only that Everett would not be permitted to kill me. There were many fates worse than death.

    "Aaron," Dulane's voice said, breaking the temporary silence in which my new horrifying reality had settled into my brain. "Take the animal outside and prepare her to receive her first lesson. I will inform Madam Rin to gather the rest of the kitchen staff.

    "With pleasure, Sir," Everett answered.

    No! My mind raged. He couldn't do this to me. I was loyal. I'd done everything I could to serve. But Everett's hands were already upon me, taking firm grasp of my arm. I couldn't fight without further proving my "rebellion." It didn't stop me from trying one final plea.

    "Master," I said, desperation unmasked. "Please forgive me for any offense I have committed. I intended none. I swear I will not step out of line again!"

    I watched as Dulane rose from his desk, his action giving me hope though his expression remained stern. "Worry not, Alice," he answered cooly. " With penance, you will indeed be forgiven. Mr. Everett will make certain you do not fail."

    I had no further chance at protest as Everett dragged me through the door and away from any chance of reprieve.