A/N We almost have all the elements of a revolution in place. But Alice & Rebecca still need more help... How does Dreda play into this? Let's find out!
   
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Dreda's power was as potent as ever. It was only two days later that I was assigned to work in the nursery. Dulane would be away on business for at least three days, I was told, and Madam had no desire to keep me in her kitchens.

    "It seems the head human has some work she needs doing in giving their kitchen facilities a good cleaning," Madam informed me. "I thought you would be perfect for the task of crawling on your knees in filth and it will keep you out of my hair. I only hope Cedrick comes to his senses soon and realizes how useless you really are. Perhaps he might find a buyer on his travels. The sooner this estate can be rid of you the better."

    I found it amusing that Madam would be so open with her hatred. Maybe she hoped she might inspire me to act out and thus condemn myself. Of course, she had no idea that my temporary assignment was exactly what I'd planned. That in sending me away, she was aiding my chance of revenge for every spiteful word, every blow ever struck by her evil hands. I only hung my head in response to her cruelty, as if I too were ashamed of my existence and grateful she would so condemn me.

    Dreda was not there to greet me when I arrived at the nursery. Instead, I was met by a younger woman I did not know.

    "You are meant to go straight to work," she informed me, her tone all business as she handed me a bucket and sponge.
    
I wasn't entirely surprised by the cold reception. Clearly, Dreda was hoping to minimize any perceived connection between us. I took up the cleaning supplies and went to the small kitchen that adjoined the nursery barracks.

    Dreda was not one to allow her facilities to fall to disrepair. The kitchen was quite clean overall making my task relatively simple. Rin might have known this would be the case if she ever thought to look beyond the main house to the rest of the estate. I was grateful for her ignorance.

    Still, I got to work scrubbing every corner, cleaning the floor, oven, refrigerator, and cabinets. I had no intention of being worthy of reprimand. Dreda did not hold ultimate domain over the nursery and if I were to be found shirking my duties, there was no question any fault would be punished just as surely as it might be in the main house. I was no longer a protected human and all knew it.

    But though the work itself was not difficult, the sounds of children's voices echoing was unbearable. In each and every cry, every giggle and shout, I heard my little girl's ghost calling. By mid-day, the emotion flooding me as I remembered happier times in the nursery was nearly paralyzing. It was at my breaking point that I first saw a familiar face.

    The babble of young voices grew louder until the back door of the kitchen swung open with a resounding bang as a clutch of five and six-year-olds came clamoring into the small space.

    "Easy now. No pushing. I'd hate to be the one to tell Dreda you were getting out of hand. Only good girls get stories before bed."

    I knew the voice even before I turned to the tall red-haired woman standing just behind the gaggle of young ones. Still, I wasn't prepared to see the small form in her arms. An infant, small head covered in red fuzz just like her mother's. The sight took my breath momentarily, my heart aching as surely as if I had been stabbed.

    The children responded to Rebecca's chastisement, quickly quieting down as she went to rummage through the cabinets I'd just cleaned to find them a snack. I watched as they happily took the cookies she offered, trying to control my breath as I leaned against the counter for support, hoping to gain my composure before Rebecca might perceive my weakness.

    The green eyes of the wild one found mine for a moment, her expression blank. I swallowed hard, unable to avoid looking again to the bundle she carried. Her prize. A little red-haired infant she could keep by her side. She'd won in the end. Her child lived while mine was dead.

    "Let's go, girls."

    At Rebecca's command, the children mercifully exited, walking right past me as if I were invisible. I wondered if perhaps I was. If the shell of what I had become was too ghostlike to even register as human. But as the wild one passed me she came close enough to pass a message.

    "I will see you tonight," Rebecca whispered. "Dreda will ask for you to help with the infants and we will talk then"

    She was gone a moment later.
——
    I took my lunch, though I wasn't particularly hungry. I went back to work. Anything to keep my mind from focusing on the dizzying sounds of human children all around, from the vision of Rebbecca's little girl. But by the time the sun began to set I was so exhausted I could barely remain on my feet. In fact, I'd nearly dozed off at the sink when a voice called me back to waking with a start.

    "You!"

    I turned to see a woman standing at the door. The same one who had given me my assignment earlier.

    "Our overseer says that you are to work here tonight. Ms. Dreda requested you go to her chambers to receive your assignment."

    Finally

    Of course, I realized the hardest portion of my day might still be yet to come. I had no idea how Dreda had received my message of rebellion. My desire to fight. And then there was the room...

    I had not been in Dreda's enclave of selected infants since Mary's death. The idea of facing so many children marked for the life of privilege my little girl was meant to enjoy, the idea of seeing the wild one's baby among those who were charmed while my child's bones rotted in some trash heap. It was unbearable. And still, I knew I would bear it. I would have to. For Mary's sake. For all the humans on the estate.

    Tracing the path to the room I knew so well I tried to brace myself. Deep breaths, one step at a time until I arrived at the door.

    Knock Knock

    The sound of my knuckles on the heavy wood door. A space of safety now barred to me by fate. Now occupied by my former adversary and my ally. Or perhaps their roles had reversed with the proclamation of my intentions to fight back against our masters. It was impossible to know for certain. I was willing to preach trust to others, but experience had taught me to remain wary of all.

    A young girl opened the door a moment later and I was not surprised to recognize the face. The one who was clearly Clara's replacement.

    "How lovely to see you again, Clarissa," I said, pushing aside my nerves to properly greet the child.

    "I gave your note to Ms. Dreda just as you said," she told me proudly.

    Of course, I smiled back, holding any further questions as to how Rebecca might have intercepted my communication. It could be that the wild woman was more crafty than I'd suspected. Had more access to Dreda's possessions than I'd hoped. It was not a pleasant thought.

    "You did so well," I said, without any hesitation.

    The girl beamed.

    "Clarissa, why don't you go back to help Polly. Its almost time for bed in any case."

    The deep voice that could not be refused. I looked to Dreda as she rose from her perch on the bed, an infant in her arms.

    "Yes, Ms. Dreda," the obedient girl answered, giving me one more quick smile before she ran off to do as she was told.

    For a moment, I stood there awkwardly by the door. I watched Dreda deposit the child she held into one of the bassinets and go to check on another. And then I looked to the rocking chair.

    My heart stuck in my throat as I stared at Rebecca, her expression serene as she nursed the baby at her breast. And in an instant, I felt every ounce of strength I'd try to summon drained from my body. I was certain I breathed still, but somehow there was not enough air in the room. That red-haired infant held my focus and every ounce of grief I'd felt since Mary's death flooded through me, threatening to drown me though I stood on dry land.

    "Would you like some tea?"

    Dreda's voice brought me back to myself and I managed to tear my eyes from the woman and her baby who, in their contentment, were causing such pain. I nodded and accepted her offer.

    "Rebecca is almost finished," the old woman said as she busied herself getting cups and pouring from the kettle. "We can talk then."

    I managed another nod though her back was to me now. I feared that in opening my mouth I might unleash a scream instead of words.

    "You can take my seat," Rebecca said as she stood to put her daughter down to rest. "Madeline has been so fussy it took forever to get her fed. I need to stand for a bit."

    Madeline

    So that was the name of the prize Rebecca had won. I seethed with envy, wondering if Rebecca intended to taunt me so or if I was just imagining the haughty glow on her face. She had every right to be happy in her child after all. It was not she who had caused my daughter's death in the end. I had no one to blame for that but myself. Feeling dizzy, I took the seat Rebecca offered.

    "Well, you look like hell," Dreda remarked, setting a cup of tea beside me.

     I hadn't even noticed her approach, but now I could feel her eyes roaming over my body, assessing. Of course, I knew she would see through my act. The attempt at composure. I didn't doubt her words either. I was exhausted both mentally and physically. The spirit of Revenge had reanimated my body but I knew I was one of the dead. the sight of Rebecca's child reminded me of that all too clearly.

    Still, as I looked up at Dreda I was surprised to see how haggard she herself looked. More tired than I'd ever seen her before, bags heavy around the eyes, wrinkles etched deep into her flesh.

    "You don't look any better," I answered.

    The old woman frowned though I doubted she'd taken offense at my observation. She continued to stare as if deep in thought. And then she spoke.

    "Leave us, Rebecca," Dreda said.

    I saw the rage on the wild one's face at the words.

    "I have as much right to be here as that one," Rebecca spat. "I will not be left out of any planning."

    "And have made that abundantly clear already," Dreda countered, tone sharpening. "But for the moment, Alice and I will speak alone. I do not expect to ask again."

    Rebecca's anger did not fade but even she would not dare question Dreda. We both knew that without her help, neither of us stood any chance of success in our plans. And of course, Dreda held authority over Rebecca's child. Just as she'd controlled me when Mary was an infant in her care she now held immense power over the wild woman. I watched as Rebecca bent over her daughter's cradle and placed a kiss on her forehead before turning to leave in a huff.

    The moment the door closed behind her Dreda released an exhausted sigh.

    "I respect that woman a great deal," she said, "but I can't say she is easy to work with. I understand why you did what you did. Rebecca is certainly one with her own mind. Not one to be controlled. A true free human in heart and mind."

    There was a mix of exasperation and admiration in Dreda's words. Still, it gave me comfort to know that she did not judge me too harshly for my actions against Rebecca in the past. I'd been attempting to protect my daughter from a volatile woman after all. And it seemed I had been right. Rebecca was a dangerous force. But now that might just be to my advantage.

    Turning back to me the older woman reached out and touched a fading blue-black bruise around my eye. I didn't pull away.

    "Dulane or Rin?" she asked

    "Does it matter?"

    Dreda sighed again, likely tired of my insolence as well. She went to her drawers of remedies and returned with some pain pills and a jar of ointment. I took the pills gratefully with my tea and remained still as she applied the cream on my face.

    "Should help with the swelling," she said.

    I nodded.

    "So, you plan to bring him down?" she asked, pulling up a chair in front of me to face me head on.

    No mincing of words. No avoidance of difficult topics. That was Dreda. Straight forward. Direct. I responded in kind.

    "I do."

    "Rebecca is just as intent on that cause," Dreda said. "But I'm certain you know this. I had nothing to do with that little stunt she pulled, by the way. I will be watching my belongings more closely from now on. She took that note from my desk. She had no right."

    One question answered. I nodded my head.

    "The woman seems to think that discontentment among all on the estate is at a new peak. That your instinct to strike now is perfectly timed to bring this estate to its knees."

    "And you?" I asked. She still hadn't told me of her own intentions. I trusted that Dreda would never betray me, but I still wasn't certain she would willingly help a full-scale rebellion. The woman had lived her whole life within the system. Worked to obtain a place of true power and respect among her masters.

    "Lina is dead."

    I blinked in disbelief at Dreda's words, certain I'd misheard her.

    "She never fully recovered from Dulane's attack," the woman said, her gaze wandering to the floor. "She'd been assigned to the barn. I was told an overseer was displeased with her. Perhaps used a bit too much force in correcting a perceived mistake. It must have exacerbated the other injuries. They only gave her one night in the infirmary. I didn't even have the chance to see her. By the time I tried—"

    She stopped, clearly trying to master herself before the tears could fall.

    "They put her down. It was quick. She didn't suffer."

    The pain in Dreda's voice was agonizing as she tried to convince herself of her own words.

    "I'm so sorry," I said softly. "I know how much she meant to you."

    The old woman nodded in response and we sat there in uncomfortable silence, the soft sound of sleeping babies breaths surrounding us. Every one of them doomed to the same pain.

    "I've failed so many," Dreda said finally. "Mariana, Clara, Lina, Mary...And you."

    I was almost surprised by the vehemence with which I felt my head shaking, bringing me to my feet as I rejected her self-condemnation. It wasn't true! Dreda had not failed us. She'd worked so hard to keep those she loved safe, but it could never have saved us. She was never given the chance to do anything but watch suffering and death over and over, unable to do more than try to mitigate the pain for as long as possible. She'd been helpless. Just like me. Like Rebecca and Gregory. Like all of us.

    "You did everything you could," I said, taking her arms in my hands and forcing her gaze.

    "And here I was thinking you would never forgive me," she answered with a mirthless laugh as I released my grasp. "I was certain that was why you hadn't reached out before now."

    Guilt filled me thinking that I had caused her to ever doubt my gratitude. That she might have been suffering thinking that I held her responsible.

    "No," I insisted. "Please hear me. I'm sorry I ever questioned you in the past. I know what you did to ease my way now. I know I would be dead ten times over if it weren't for your help."

    I took a deep breath

    "And I know you would have saved Mary if you could have."

    There it was. Full absolution. Dreda deserved it. So did Lina. Only the evil of our Masters perpetuated the horrors we faced.

    "I will get revenge," I said. "For all of us."

    But I saw no rage in the older woman's expression in response to my battle cry. No fire in her eyes. Only sadness.

    "I will not try to dissuade you," she said. "You are all I have left, Alice. I vowed long ago to protect you until my last breath. I will not abandon that pledge now."

    The older woman's eyes met mine with an intensity that was hard to bear but I did not look away. Dreda was all I had left as well. The only person who had truly cared for me aside from my own mother. I would fight for Dreda too.

    "But before I agree to help I have one vow to ask of you, Alice," Dreda said, still refusing to loose her gaze. "Promise me that you will do everything in your power to survive."

    Her words caught me entirely off-guard, breaking my stoic resolve with pure confusion.

    "You were a survivor from the moment you were born," she continued, not waiting for my response. "Your life gave me hope. Again and again, you came back from so much pain. Your rose anew every time. I only ask that you pledge to attempt that miracle once more. For me."

    I shook my head as I retook my seat, not so much in rejection of her plea but in lack of comprehension. We were planning a full-scale revolt. One that would leave every sibla on the estate dead. I knew if we did not act I would die. Dulane would not keep me much longer if I could not reproduce. But I also knew that death was inevitable if we fought back. Surely it was so. I just hoped to take my oppressors down with me.

    "I don't know what you think we can—"

    "Escape, Alice," Dreda said, interrupting me before I could finish my thought. "True freedom. Rebecca is already committed to death. She has told me of her desire to fight until life leaves her body, but you...Alice you were never meant to be a slave. You should hear the stories the wild one tells of her life before she was captured. I am too old to hope for much life beyond what I have known but you, Alice, you could have a new future. The life you always deserved.

    "Rebecca nearly made it in her last attempt. She can help map a path. She already vowed to do so for any who wish to attempt emancipation. I know it might be impossible but if there is any chance." She stopped, taking my hands in her own and squeezing them tight. "Promise you will try. Give me the hope I need and I will help you."

    I didn't know how I might respond. Freedom was an entirely foreign concept and one I'd never thought to wish for. Escape from Dulane, perhaps. Lexia had almost offered me that. But the idea of breaking free from sibla control save to death's embrace? It felt impossible. And still, I agreed that night, if only to humor Dreda, to give her hope just as I had found hope in the idea of true vengeance. With Dreda on our side, I knew my Master's time of reckoning had finally arrived.

—-

A/N

And there we have it, the final linchpin! Rebellion is imminent. One character is missing though from the story we know... Magnus Monday comes next week! Hehe. Hope you enjoyed this chapter. Its one of my favorites. Dreda is awesome. Hopefully by now its clear how much of the Alice we see in AH was influenced by her. Have a great weekend!