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I laugh, always trying to get a rise out of Miss Ella. She’s so easy to tease.

“Actually,” I say, walking over to Sophia, “I wanted to steal Sophia for an hour. I think it’s time she meets everyone.”

“You can have her for an hour, but bring her back so she can finish helping me.”

I take Sophia’s hand and pull her behind me. “Thanks, Miss Ella.”

We slip out the back door and walk in the direction of the farmland. “We farm our own vegetables and fruits here,” I start to explain to Sophia. “We have some cattle and fowl, as well, but that falls under Tristan and Miss Ella.”

We approach a group of girls and they all smile when they spot us. Diane is still careful around us all. She was the last slave we saved. She’s only eighteen and her life has already been so hard. I don’t blame her for being careful. The other girls, Lizzie, Varsha, Jane and Kgomotso have all settled in. They work the piece of land we grow our vegetables on.

“Girls,” I greet them with a smile, “this is Sophia. Please make her feel at home.”

Varsha has a bubbly personality and she’s the first to step forward. She’s gentle as she hugs Sophia. “You’re going to be so happy here!” Varsha has been with us for seven years. She was taken as a child. We think she’s from the middle east. Most of the people come here with only their names, no past and no family.

Kgomotso is next. She’s an African beauty. She also hugs Sophia. “Welcome.” She’s not one to talk much, but when she does have something to say she doesn’t hold back.

Lizzy and Diane just smile at Sophia. For some reason Diane has taken to Lizzy. I think it’s because Lizzie is only seventeen. With their age being so close, and their dark hair and grey eyes, they could have been sisters in another life.

“The girls tend to the vegetables. We have potatoes, carrots, peas, pumpkin, tomatoes,” I take a breath and laugh, “we have it all here. You can get to know them better over dinner. Let me go show you the others.”

We find the other girls picking apples. This group is really tight. The two groups are polite to each other but it’s seldom that they socialize.

Jamie is another young one. She just turned twenty, but she’s been with us four years. She’s one of the cases that broke my heart. It’s her friend, Lolla who died. She took the blow really hard.

Savannah, Beverly and Julie are glued to each other. They were freed from the same asshole. I suppose they’re a little family. Jack and Sophia might be the same. Usually if people are freed together they cling to each other and the bond they’ve already formed.

April is our oldest girl, or woman. At thirty three, she’s a year older than me. We got her just in time. They were going to kill her because she was too old for the sex trade.

When everybody has had a chance to meet Sophia, we walk in the direction of the cattle. Kevin, Joe and Theo help Tristan with the cattle. Then there’s Maddie. She stays away from the girls. The person who took her sold her to a bitch of a woman, who took great pleasure in hurting Maddie. She’s got a fear for women since then. We leave her with the men. They make her feel safe, especially Christopher. He guards this side and he keeps a close eye on her.

I take Sophia back to the kitchen and notice that she’s very quiet. “Do you have any questions?”

She drops her eyes to my feet, a puzzled look on her face. “They’re all your slaves?”

I shake my head quickly. “No, Lovely. No one here is a slave. They’ve all been a slave at one point but just like you and Jack they are now free. Any of you can leave at any time. You are no longer someone’s property and you can make eye contact with all of us. You never have to submit again.”

Sophia frowns and I can see something is worrying her. I take her hand and hold her back. “You are not a slave. No one will use you for sex or beat on you again. You’re safe here. You can now live your own life.”

Tears well in her eyes and she whispers, “I don’t know how to live my own life. I’ve only been a slave, my entire life. It’s all I know.”

“I understand, Lovely. With time you will adjust to this new life. There’s no rush. Take it one day at a time.”

When I start to walk again she says, “Mistress…”

I swing back, shaking my head hard. “Your first lesson is that no one is the boss of you. I’m not a mistress. No one is. There is no such thing as a mistress or master. I’m River Sinclair.” I cup her cheek with my hand. “Say my name.”

I see her swallow and then she whispers, “River Sinclair.”

“You’re going to be just fine. If you need anything just ask myself, Adam or Miss Ella.”

She nods, looking a little calmer. There’s a hard road ahead of Sophia and Jack.

~*~

Just before dinner I run into Adam. I’ve been meaning to talk with him. “Do you have a few minutes?”

“Sure,” He says and I follow him out on the patio where we both take a seat on the comfy chairs.

“I’ve been thinking of getting some supplies for Jack. You know, for when he’s better, then he can start with the garden.”

“I’ll send one of the men to town to get a few things.” Adam gets up, “Is that all?”

He’s always like this after we return with people. It hits him hard to see all those slaves and to leave them behind. It grates away at me too.

Another week or so and he’ll be back to his old self.

Dinner is a weird affair at the manor. Some will have their food out on the patio, where others sit at the table with Miss Ella. As long as everyone eats, I don’t care where they eat.

I grab two plates of food and go to Jack’s room. We’ve moved Sophia in with Diane and Lizzie. I don’t think it’s a good idea to have Sophia and Jack sharing a room. I have nothing against any of them dating, but when they’re raw like this, I try to keep them away from anything sex related.

I nudge the door open with my elbow and walk in. My eyes go huge when I see Jack standing in front of the window. He’s wearing a pair of jeans and a black shirt. I’m so angry with those animals for beating Jack. It’s like Cameron wanted to leave his mark on Jack and Sophia. Sadistic asshole! I place the plates on the table between the beds and take a seat on the bed Sophia slept on. “I brought you dinner.”

Jack turns his head slightly, giving me a view of his profile. He doesn’t talk much. There are times I’m scared that Cameron broke this beautiful man.

“Please come eat with me, Jack.” I pick up a fork and scoop up some mashed potatoes. I start to eat, hoping Jack will eat with me.

It takes a few minutes of eating in silence before Jack goes to sit on his bed. His movements are stilted with pain. I wish there was more I could do for him. He starts to eat and that’s all we do until our plates are empty. I’m glad he’s eating all his food, that’s one relief, at least.

Jack wipes the corner of his mouth, and with his eyes on his plate, he says, “Thank you, Mistress.”

Tears well in my eyes and I quickly correct him, “I’m not a mistress, Jack. My name is River Sinclair. Use my name and the same goes for Adam, Miss Ella and the rest of the people living here. I meant it when I said you’re free. You’re not a slave anymore. There are others here who were slaves, just like you and Sophia, but they have made a life for themselves. I hope you’ll be able to do that too.”

Jack looks up, meeting my eyes and I take it as a victory over Cameron. “So no more sex?”

I smile brightly. “Not against your will. You’ll never be raped again. The only sex you’ll be having from here on out is the kind you really want.”

He shakes his head and his eyes turn sad. “I think I’ll rather do the same as you.”

I’m not following him, so I ask, “How do you mean?”

A fire lights in his eyes, the same spark I saw shining from him before Cameron tried to break him. “I’ll be … I think you called it celibate? I hate sex.”

A sad smile pulls at the corner of my mouth. “I understand, Jack. It’s your choice and I want you to do what makes you happy.” I smile brighter, moving off the subject of sex. “On a happier note, one of the men will go get you some supplies tomorrow morning, then you can start with the garden as soon as you feel better.”

His features soften a bid. “You’ll let me work with plants?”

“If you don’t want to you don’t have to, Jack. I just thought it was something you loved to do.”

“It is.” He says nothing else.

I gather the dishes and get up. “Well then, it’s settled. As soon as you’re up to it you can start with the gardens. I’d like to introduce you to everyone,” I see his face tighten again and quickly add, “just so you know their names. You don’t have to make friends here. You can keep to yourself, Jack.”

I walk to the door and turn to wish him a good night. His green eyes have followed me and they look mystified.

“Why would you allow me to stay here but not expect sex from me?”

Poor Jack! He’s so used to people only wanting him for sex. It makes my heart cringe that he doesn’t think of himself as worth more than just being some sadists fuck.

“Because, Jack, I’m paying for the sins of my father. The Sanctuary is a place where lost souls can find themselves. It is the one place on Earth you can be safe. No one will dare to hurt you as long as you stay with us. I want you to remember that you’re free to go but once you choose to stay here there is no leaving.”

Jack’s gaze burns on mine, as if he’s dissecting every one of my words to see how much truth lies in them.

“Good night,” he whispers, looking away from me.

At least he doesn’t call me mistress. I take it as another victory. Jack’s not lost to us. He’ll find his way back and it will be a beautiful sight to see the whole of him.

~*~

Chapter Nine

Jack~

My hands are itching for the feel of ground. It’s still early in the morning when I watch a truck pull up to house. Two men get out and I watch them off load plants, flowers, bags, pots and a hose.

My craving to be outside becomes overwhelming and before I can over think it, I’m out the room and finding my way to the nearest door. As I make my way through the kitchen, Miss Ella comes in with a basket filled with eggs.

“Morning, Jack!” she greets me with excitement. “It’s good to see you’re up and about. I noticed Colby and Ian drove up with a truckload of plants for you. I hope that means you’ll be adding some color around here now?”

I can only nod, and then I move as quickly as I can by her and out the door. 

The men are still off loading, so I decide to keep my distance. One of the men spots me as he’s placing a bag with pebbles on the ground. He smiles but doesn’t come any closer. “It’s all yours, have fun!” he calls out, and then both men walk away.

I wait until they’re gone before I walk to the truck. There’s so much! A Wheelbarrow, shovel, rake and three hoses. Rose bushes! Ferns and shrubs, so many bags of pebbles. For the first time in a long while, excitement wells in my chest and I feel my eyes mist over with emotion. I quickly look around me, not sure where to start.

I look back at the feast in front of me and kneel down so I can touch the flowers. I to the kitchen and decide these flowers would look best there. I grab the shovel and start to work the ground against the wall, on both sides of the door. When I’m done I realize that there’s no fertilizer. I can’t stop now! I need to do this.

I wipe my hands on the back of my jeans and pop my head into the kitchen. Miss Ella is busy mixing something so I clear my throat. When she looks at me I quickly drop my eyes to the floor. “I … I was wondering where I could get some fertilizer,” I mumble, hoping I won’t get in trouble.

I hear her move closer and then her soft hand presses against my chin. “Look up, Jack. I want to see those eyes of yours. Don’t go hiding them from me.” I look up and she smiles softly. “Ahh … there they are. The angels knew what they were doing when they gave you green eyes, it’s like you’re carrying a tiny bit of nature around in you.”

My mouth drops open. No one has ever said something like that to me. Usually, I’ll only be told that I’m a good fuck, or have a huge cock, or great body – but never something like this! My throat closes up and I quickly pull away. I take a few steps away from the old woman, not sure what she’s playing at with her nice words.

“Will cow manure do? There’s plenty of that. Those cows just eat and crap the whole day long. Let me go show you where.” She walks by me and then calls back, “Bring your shovel and wheelbarrow!”

I quickly grab the shovel, place it in the wheelbarrow and then follow her. We walk quite a distance and I can feel it’s going to be a hot day. My body is itching from all the scabs.

When I see all the cows, sheep and pigs, my eyes grow huge. I’ve never seen animals up close. My feet slow down until all I can do is stare.

“Over here, Jack,” Miss Ella calls out, and I rush over to where she’s standing. There is large heaps of manure. Wow, I’ve never seen so much manure!

I start to shovel some into the wheelbarrow. I notice that Miss Ella is waiting for me so I pick up the pace even though my body is protesting.

“Morning, Miss E,” a man calls out. I quickly hold the shovel in front of me, ready to fight. I was told no more sex but I’m not sure I can believe a word any of these people say.

“I told you before and I’m telling you for the last time, my mama named me Ella not E!” Her voice sounds harsh but there’s a smile on her face as she looks at the man. “Theo, this is Jack. He’s new here so be kind and not your usual crazy self.”

Theo keeps his distance, which is a good thing as he’s much smaller than me. He smiles at me. “Welcome, Jack.”

“Now run along and go work.” He listens and with a quick wave he runs off in the direction of a huge building. It’s made of sturdy wood, and it’s huge!

As soon as Theo is gone I get back to shoveling the manure into the wheelbarrow. When I’m sure the wheelbarrow can’t take anymore, I stick the shovel into the manure and take hold of the wheelbarrow. Without a word Miss Ella starts walking back and I follow behind her.

When we get back to the house, she goes straight into the kitchen.

I bring the wheelbarrow close to the piece of ground I’m working with, and start to work the manure into the ground. It takes me a long while to get all of the manure nicely worked into the dry ground. I need water.