Chapter II Dimitri Monroe

My lips quivered as the straps on my back were tightened. Jane, a small petite girl with mousy brown hair and delicate blue eyes brought me the towel and dressed me in my uniform. She was soft, and evidently a survivor. Having been here for almost three years under Master Titus, the youngest brother. A big deep part of me wished I worked for him too. However, that was not my luck.

So you are working for the eldest son of the Monroe family, and heir to the estate...or more like castle and people and army. He is only below his father...you must be careful," Jane warned me. I nodded and glanced into her eyes.

"How long do they tend to survive under his care?"

"Let's not speak of it now," Jane hushed me. "You are to address him as Sir, or Master Monroe, as he is head of the house while his father is gone. However, you are only to speak when spoken to, and be careful where your eyes stray..."

I nodded. All of this I had learned during the vicious training, but somehow her stressing on it made me far more aware of how a mistake now could cost me.

"What year are you from?" I asked her. She sighed.

"I was taken from England near the end of 2016," she whispered. "But those lives must be forgotten. This is your new life now, however short it may be. Don't make it any worse for yourself."

"Of course," I whispered again. Soon Jane gave me a tour, rattling off the chores and expectations often expected from Dimi...I meant Master Monroe. As soon as the sun started to set, Jane took me to the kitchens, close to the dining hall. Jane combed and braided my hair into a half up, half down. For the first time I actually felt clean and presentable.

"Nobody really knows what it is like to serve under Master Monroe...I wish I could tell you more," Jane responded. "He's a mystery...be careful."

"Thank you, for all your kindness," I said and she nodded.

"It's the least I can give to those of your kind...I myself know how privileged to have survived this long. I am gratefully for Master Titus...but I do not know what is worse..."

"What?" I asked her.

"Being the one who dies, or watching the ones I care about die..." Jane whispered. I nodded as she said this. Who knows what horrors she had witnessed. Yet knowing that she survived had given me a newfound hope. Nathan walked into the room and he nodded.

"You are to be presented in front of the entire Monroe family, do not say anything unless spoken directly to, and if you can, find it best to avoid Madam..." Nathan spoke to me. "It would be a shame to lose you the day you came."

I nodded and swallowed. My heart was pounding in my chest. In my entire life, as short as it may have been, I had never seen this coming. It was so hard to wrap my head around the fact that I am a servant, taken from the past into the future...now to serve one of the most powerful men in the Monroe family.

That thought terrifies me. I didn't want to die. Yet it seemed, fate would not be so kind to me. I followed behind Nathan. My chains had fortunately been removed before the bath, but my wrists still throbbed and my hands stung. I was grateful to see, except for a rare one or two, no one wore them. However, was my master going to make me an exception? I gritted my teeth. Of all I heard, I should not put my hopes in a merciful man. I will have to treat him as if he would end my life at any second. Nothing more, and nothing less.

I heard laughter, and my heart skipped a beat. It was an awful long time since I heard that. The sound of joy.

"Oh Titus, you are absolutely beguiling," one of the woman giggled.

"What's begiling?" a younger voice came through with a horrid imitation of the word.

"Ah, Nathan, please do come in," I heard Madam invite him. "Dimitri, my dear, this is a gift...considering my indiscretion with the last one."

"I told you, Madam, I did not want another bloody servant," a younger voice rang through. My heart sank to my boots.

I would give myself two days tops.

"Oh, please do present her, I would love to ravish her with my eyes...and maybe more, of course," a deeper more sinister voice rang through.

No, please, heavens no.

"Uncle! behave yourself!" the same young voice came through. Like a child. Yet mature.

"Bring her in," Madam ordered. I swallowed hard. Trying not to cry. this was such a horrible nightmare.

I took a few steps forwards until I came into view of the dining room. It was a long, dark polished table slap in the centre. I could take a glimpse and see a large number of them. It must have been a large family.

"Oh, my," the deep voice which I assumed was the Uncle spoke again. "No matter of he doesn't want her. I will..."

"I'll take her," Dimitris voice interrupted. "You are indeed right Madam...she is a rare find."

Questions swirled in my mind. I gritted my teeth as the man circled around me. I took this moment to observe his build and clothing. Unlike his mother's...his clothing were tattered, that like a farmers, with a loose blue shirt, and brown dirty pants. He wore dark black leather boots, and he had the stench of sweat and blood all around him. He was sculpted for sure, a warrior's build or that which I had seen in movies anyhow.

"What is your name?"

I glanced at Nathan, who nodded at me.

"Ava...Sir

"And what gutter-market did you pick this one up from, Madam?" I remained still as I felt Dimitri walk behind me. I still had not the opportunity to see his face, but I was too scared to take a chance. I tried not to jump as both his hands gripped my shoulders. Sturdy strong hands that could potentially strangle and kill me in seconds.

"A redhead of all kinds...fascinating..."

"I was in the market, browsing...when I saw her up on that platform...I knew you wouldn't resist. You like the oddities and rarities...she is very rare..." Madam spoke. "So, I assume you are taking her? Do you forgive me?"

I kept my eyes to the floor, keeping as still as possible. He still had not released his grip on my shoulders, and I grew terrified that he would squeeze them till I screamed. His hold was firm, and I'm sure it wasn't even close to what he could do.

"Apology accepted," Dimitri spoke. "If you don't mind...I'd like some time, to get acquainted. New toy and all."

I swallowed my anger. I was a human being, but I was treated like property. I hated every single second of it. I sorely wished I was back home, with my parents, and my little brother...safe and sound.

"But Dimitri, you'll miss dessert," the girl's voice nearly whined.

"I'll have some later," Dimitri squeezed my shoulders again, and I flinched slightly. "Come Ava."

I scrambled to follow Dimitri, and followed him through a hallway. I could observe the back of his head now. His hair was a dark chocolate brown cut short. Not exactly what I expected. However, my curiosity succumbed to fear. What was he planning to do? He lead me up to a room I was not yet familiarized with. it certainly was not his bedroom, but looked an awful lot like a study. He dragged a wooden stump and pointed to it.

"Sit,"

I did what he told, and for a quick second glanced at his face. He had large, hazel eyes, sharp jawline with a stubble beard. And in that split second I knew why the girl was flirting with him so much. Had he been in my world, my time, I probably would have done the same. Dimitri took no notice of this however, as he leaned against an actual chair and stared at me.

"Let's make this clear. You obey me...all will be well. Disobey me, and suffer my wrath. You look like a clever girl...so don't get any ideas of running away or try to kill me? Understood?"

I nodded and bit my lip again. "Yes, Master Monroe..." I uttered. I moved my hand to remove a piece of hair that was out of my way. I gasped as Dimitri grabbed it and growled. His hands were calloused, rough and warm.

"Seriously? Damaged? On your hands?" Dimitri dropped my hands and circled in the room. "Well, here is your first command of the day, find Mary. Get that cleaned up, then you will prepare my bath, a fire at my hearth, and ready my bed. I'm tired. Ok?"

"Yes, Master Monroe..."

"Just call me Master, adding Monroe gives me a headache..."

"Yes Master...."

"Actually, Sir will do just fine," Dimitri stormed past me. My head was abuzz with questions. For first impressions, he came off completely conflicted.

No wonder he was a mystery. But now, I was somewhat grateful he accepted me. Because that Uncle would have been far worse. Or maybe not either way. I needed to obey his orders. They were clear cut and simple, and I did not want to receive a flogging on my first day. After all, my mission was to survive.