Dulane is dead and Magnus and Alice both still live! The story however is far from over...

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I was exhausted. The adrenaline of the rebellion, of stabbing my greatest enemy in the heart, all that had worn away now. We had made it safely from the estate. I was certain of that much at least. It had now been two days since the fateful night and we had been walking almost constantly.
   
I no longer knew exactly where we were. How could I? I'd never dared wander so far before and even Rebecca's stories could not help me. We'd gone in the opposite path of the others after all. The cold, coupled with my growing hunger and exhaustion, was only further dulling my senses. I knew only that we were continuing away from the horror I'd left burning to the ground.

    As we walked I wondered about those I'd left behind. The path Rebecca had set them on should have lead to thick woods. I hoped those who escaped had found shelter. That they were running still. But I knew the truth. Traveling in such a large group, they might have already been found.

    I could only pray that Dreda and Gregory had been able to navigate the danger and lead the others. That they would reach the gorge and, hopefully, safety beyond it. That at least some would truly find freedom. But though hope remained for my friends, I knew with certainty that Magnus and I would also be discovered soon enough. I would have to act before that happened.

    The sibla man continued to follow trustingly. Surprisingly so. I had just murdered one of his own kind before his eyes! It seemed however that having saved his life was enough to earn his faith.

    Still, I knew the truth. We had escaped now. We hadn't eaten properly in days. Even my stomach, so used to neglect, was making its complaints in gurgles and cramps. Magnus was a full-grown sibla male, a large one at that. I could only imagine how hungry he must have grown.

    The time had come for me to depart this world and I was glad to do so. I had accomplished my goals. The evil creature who had tortured so many was now food for the worms. The kind sibla man, perhaps the only one of his species, was spared and my Master's efforts to annihilate his enemy, thwarted. I would happily join my child and mother in death.
   
The night was cold. The days had been too, but at least the rain had stopped. Magnus and I were able to collect enough kindling to start a fire in spite of the damp. I was glad to see that in spite of his clearly affluent upbringing, the man was self-sufficient. He'd had no difficulty navigating the rough terrain nor creating a bonfire. He was a man of the land. A farmer. That was to my benefit. He would have experience with the slaughter and processing of an animal. He would know how to complete the task painlessly. At least I hoped so. Either way, it would be over relatively quickly.
   
Sitting across the fire I stared at the man who would take my life. In the light of the dancing flames, his sibla features looked fierce. I felt my heart speed with anticipation of danger. I would have to ignore it. My mother had taught me to embrace death when it came. She'd made it clear my ultimate end would be at the hands of a butcher. I was ready. I needed only to find the nerve to speak. Another deep breath.

    Magnus too was staring through the fire, eyeing me intently though I could not quite parse out the thoughts in his head. He expression might have been one of guilt? Maybe he was only deciding how best to make his move without my running. No doubt he was considering my end, and if not, It would only be a matter of time before he did so. It was only the compassion I had glimpsed so clearly on our first meeting that likely held him back now. I knew it might very well be up to me to take the initiative and grant him absolution. I continued to stare.

    "What is it?" Magnus asked, clearly confused by my gaze.

    "I'm trying to figure you out," I answered honestly, not turning my eyes from him. I would face death head-on.

    "I'm trying to do the same with you," he said. "I believe I am failing."

    His tone was light-hearted though his expression was tense. He'd even attempted a small half-smile and a laugh. Nerves perhaps. I imagined sibla did not particularly like talking to their victims as they prepared to take our lives. That made us too much like them. Not animal enough to face slaughter. Only Everett had been sadistic enough to enjoy the pain. But he was ended now. As I soon would be.

    "I wouldn't blame you, you know," I said quietly, picking up a blade of grass and worrying it with my fingers as I made the overtures to my death. "You have that knife there. There is no way I might escape. In fact, I will offer myself up willingly and promise not to fight." As I said the words aloud I felt my confidence growing, my anxiety melting away. Death was my destiny. Mary waited for me. I turned my gaze back to Magnus, holding his eyes locked with my own. "My only wish was to die having obtained revenge on Cedrick Dulane. I have done that now. My purpose is complete."

    I watched as a true cloud of confusion washed over his features.

    "I don't understand," he answered. I wondered if he could possibly be so naive. He didn't strike me as a man of lesser intelligence.

    "I am an animal to you," I replied. "I know well that you eat my kind. We might both starve to death at this rate and there is no need for that. It was my intention to save you after all. Given your trade, I trust you have skill enough to make this relatively quick and painless if I remain compliant."

    Magnus's eyes grew as wide as saucers, the horror in his expression undisguised. It was a reaction I was wholly unprepared for. He was a farmer. Surely he'd slaughtered his share of animals.

    "Alice," he said, recovering himself enough to find words once again. "Let me make one thing perfectly clear. You rescued me. You helped me out of blind faith and I could never betray the trust you offered me in sparing my life from horrific ends. I will never do the thing you suggest. Truly, I would rather starve."

    I frowned slightly at his conviction, trying to asses his sincerity. Of course, I'd saved his life, but what did human service matter to a sibla? Lexia had made promises too. She'd sworn to "do her best" to keep me safe. She'd failed. She took her leave and abandoned me after 19 years of dedication and hard work, given to her without question. Why should I trust that this strange sibla man would be any different? He barely knew me at all.

    "We shall see," I answered, unconvinced, "promises made to a human are meaningless." I thought of Dulane's promise after Mary's birth. His assertion that I would be rewarded for my loyalty. My daughter's deadened gaze flashed in my mind and I closed my eyes for a moment, determined to keep the tears at bay. I would not show this man weakness. I turned my focus back to the dancing fire, unwilling to be swayed by Magnus's false vows.

    "If your trust has been betrayed before I am sorry for it," the man said, trying to call back my attention. "I swear I am sincere."

    Another foolish claim. I didn't doubt his current assertion but others had been just as "sincere" when they made such pledges. It would mean nothing the moment he picked up a knife to end my life or worse, absolved himself of the sin by sending me to a slaughterhouse.

    A wind picked up and I felt the chill slipping through the protection of my meager clothes. I wrapped my arms around myself in an effort to capture my own body heat, leaning towards the flame for relief from the chill. It was only a moment later that I looked up to see the sibla rise from his seat. I tensed as he walked around the fire, continuing until he was right beside me.

    I didn't dare move, but I couldn't prevent the cringe that traveled through me at the touch of his hand on my arm. My stomach dropped. Perhaps this man's craving for living flesh still outweighed the hunger of his belly.

    "We will be warmer if we sleep together," Magnus said, coaxing my body to the ground by his side.

    I didn't resist, knowning I would never be able to fight him off, but my heartbeat quickened. I thought of Everett and the abuse I have faced at his hands. The unwelcome feeling of another forcing themselves upon of me. I closed my eyes tight, unable to release my clenched fists, my whole body stiff as I lay trapped in his arms waiting to endure whatever might come next. But incredibly? He just lay there.

    As close as I was I could feel the comforting heat of his body. His manhood was not aroused, his arm draped loosely over my shoulder, not constraining me in any way. Was this truly an act of kindness? Dared I believe this man was asking nothing of me but my continued companionship? It seemed impossible. I was a human, an object bred to be used by his kind. But Magnus's touch was full of nothing but compassion. A certain care and gentleness I was not sure I'd ever before experienced in my life from any but my own mother.

    "I knew you were kind," I said, the incredulity of my tone undisguised, all artifice stripped away in my genuine shock, "but I could never have imagined this."

    As tired as I was, my body responded with relief though my mind remained skeptical. I moved in closer to the heat of his form and could almost feel the smile on Magnus's face at the action. His hand gently reached out a stroked my hair. Closing my eyes I could almost imagine my mother's hand, running along the top of my head in that same soothing motion. It had been so very long since anyone had shown me such affection. And for a moment? I felt like a child again. Desperately craving that strong arm wrapping around me and keeping me safe. Protection I never thought any would offer again.

    "Goodnight, Alice," he said.

    "Goodnight," I paused a moment. "Goodnight, Magnus."

    No reaction. Imagine that I would be on first name terms with a sibla farmer? I found a smile of incredulity and delirium on my own lips as I sighed a deep sigh, letting slumber overtake my senses.