Faith Unbroken, an Outlander Fanfiction

New Masters

"Did he kill her?" A woman with a thick accent asked.

"No, he said she was struggling and wouldn't settle." A male's voiced stated. "Wait, she's stirring." My eyes popped open. They darted around the beautiful room.

"Oh honey, you're safe. Settle, rest." The woman stated. She had kind brown eyes and a warm smile. She was a slave. I could place her accent now as I saw her tousled coils and beautiful ebony skin. "You're at the Greenbriar Estate. Master Iverson bought you."

Panic filled my gut. This was his revenge. Hugh Iverson was going to make my life hell for what Kaeden and I did. My stomach flopped at each thought of what he'd do to me and my unborn.

"No no. I have to go. I cannot be here." The words fumbled out of my mouth quickly. The woman's hands steadied my shoulders.

"Miss Tanner?" Jon's voice called from behind the man.

"Jon!" I exclaimed. His face came into view above the woman's. "Where's Mama Lucy?" I asked, begging almost.

"She passed. Sickness got her." He stated, sitting next to me. A slew of curses left me. Not ladylike, but what is a woman to do.

"I need out of here, Jon. Iverson will kill me for helping Ivy. Where's Ivy's father?"

"He... Iverson shackled him in the hot house. He didn't much like what Ivy did. He's been in there for a while now. I don't think he's alive." Jon's face was solemn. The young boy I knew was gone. The pains of this world had stripped all innocence from him.

"Master Iverson has requested you." A new man stood tall. He was dressed perfectly. Tate's replacement. His face was stern, detached. I rose to my feet with Jon's help. The back of my head was sticky with blood that I could now feel as the air shifted behind me.

"Annabelle, you may assist her since she's unstable." He motioned to the girl who'd been by my side when I woke up. She offered another kind smile, taking my arm into hers as we followed the new Tate. We traveled from the little houses where the slaves slept to the big house. My eyes grazed the land. I don't know why I expected to see Kaeden. He wouldn't be there. This wasn't like the past. He wasn't welcome here. He wouldn't be hunting here. I found the little cabin I once loved. It stood empty, vines over growing the walls.

"Miss Tanner." Hugh sneered from behind his desk. His eyes were dark like they always were. Excitement danced across his face at my appearance. "I've missed your wonderful presence here."

"Iverson." I nodded my head. What was I supposed to do, he had me basically on my knees at his mercy. There was no rescue in sight. Bonnet ensured my family wouldn't find me.

"I've envisioned a great many ways to make you suffer. For all you've done. For all Kaeden did. I lost one of my best maids, my hunter, and my butler." He paused, pouring himself a glass of dark liquor. His old hands swirled the glass, stirring the liquor. "I've decided that since you so eagerly want to free my slaves, you may live among them. You can get down in the dirt with them. You are now one of them." He nodded his head, satisfied with his answer. "George, please take her away. She can get acquainted with her new home." He waved us away. Anna gripped my arm harder, pulling me out of the room. I was speechless. I'd be dead before the week was out.

Annabelle and George took me back to the tiny homes. Anyone around paused to watch me in my misery. I wasn't going to be just any slave. I was a white woman who'd helped a slave escape. The whips would be harsher on me for being a sympathizer in their eyes.

Weeks passed. Annabelle helped me get acquainted with their way of life. She helped me dress and undress. She braided my hair back so it wouldn't be in my face during the work in the fields. Anna found me clothes to hide my growing belly. She cared for my wounds. The community took me in with open arms when Jon explained who I was. They protected me. Some of the men even took beatings for me, knowing I was pregnant.