Voices of Humanity

Chapter Thirty-Seven

The Rebellion plans are in full swing. It is coming!! Now let's add a wildcard that might just reshape things for Alice just a bit. We know him & love him... here comes Magnus!😅

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Dulane returned to the estate two days later and immediately ordered me to his side once again. I went willingly. In just a few nights together in the nursery, the three of us had been given the chance to solidify our plans. With any luck, we would be ready to strike in a little over a month. The longer we waited, the more likelihood of discovery, but we would have to first bring as many as we could to our side. Four weeks to prepare was decided by all to be ideal.

My role in the rebellion was clear. As the one physically closest to Dulane and his daily activities, it would be my job to keep an eye out for vulnerabilities. Times of day he and the rest of the house might be distracted. Ways we might corner the various sibla who worked close to our Master and neutralize them as a threat. And of course, I was to keep track of any gossip that could be gleaned. Words that sibla or humans might leave in my ears now that they did not see me as a threat.

Every night I would report to Rebecca what I had learned and she, in turn, would share the information with Dreda. No one suspected that we had become anything less than true enemies. None of our overseers understood that beneath the broken facade Rebecca put forth daily, a vengeful monster waited to tear all grey skin to shreds. And no one suspected that Dreda, known ally to her Masters and obedient servant, might be aiding in a plot to topple the entire estate. With Gregory as link to the males to add to our reach, we were giving ourselves the best chance possible to succeed.

Still, as my hope and excitement grew daily with positive report of our spreading alliances across the estate, I could not help but pay attention to the passing days. I was near my time of bleeding again, after which I would be sent to Gregory. Though it would be the perfect opportunity to ensure all plans were in place, I knew too that this would mark the beginning of the end of my life.

If I failed to conceive once more, I doubted Dulane would be willing to keep me. Surely he was tired of his game of torture by the day. Without a baby in my womb to help keep me safe, I was as good as dead. With this truth ever-present in my mind, it was with dread that I heard Madam's instructions just two weeks later.

"Mr. Dulane has a new business acquaintance coming this afternoon, Alice. He has ordered that you be the one to serve them."

I cursed in my mind. I'd believed I would be given more time, but I knew it was all too likely that my Master's guest might himself be a buyer. If he had asked for me specifically, this "guest" might be here to evaluate my worth. We were so close to achieving our aims. The idea of being ended just before our rebellion even began was horrifying. I was prepared to face death in battle but to go out with nothing more than a whimper? That would be the worst possible end to my plans. Total utter Failure.

There was no denying his orders. I would just have to be careful. Observe what I could of his friend. If there was any sign my time was near, perhaps our plans could be accelerated. I had every intention of seeing Dulane receive his due.

"Make certain you are outfitted appropriately," Madam said, cutting into my thoughts. "Mr. Dulane has hopes you might still appear presentable and you will be given a clean dress to wear in your service." She eyed me critically. I myself was somewhat amused. Dulane himself had been beating me down emotionally and physically for weeks. Madam had been doing her part as well. How was I supposed to somehow "improve" myself when they were the cause of my suffering? Of course, I only bowed my head obediently accepting her critique.

"Rags are what you deserve, Madam continued, offering me a bundle of cloth, "but for company, we must make an impression. It is not seemly to have evidence of humans who are anything less than premium serving in one's home. Do try to refrain from embarrassing your Master."