Free Saved By Him (The Monster Series Book 2) by Michelle Horst Page A

comes into the kitchen and I have to concentrate hard to not look down or kneel. It feels wrong.
    “Morning,” I take a deep breath, “Adam.” He smiles at me, looking proud. If it pleases him to use his name then I’ll do it. It’s been a very nice four days and I’ll do anything for it to stay this way. No one has shouted at me. No one has hit me.
    They are so nice. I look down at the coffee and then back up to Miss Ella. “Can I work, please? I’ll do anything.”
    “Oh, dear child.” She pats the space over her heart. “When you say things like that I just go and get all tearful. Finish your coffee and I’ll give you something to do.”
    I drink the coffee as fast as I can. It’s still a bit hot but I really want to work. I take the mug over to the sink and quickly wash it.
    “You can break these open in this bowl.” There’s a bowl with eggs in it and an empty one. “Just leave the shells in this bowl.” She points to the one with the eggs in it.
    I nod and take the first egg. I crack it carefully. I’m on my sixth egg when Master Adam comes to stand next to me. He leans against the counter and tilts his head slightly towards me. “How do you feel today?”
    I smile widely. I’ve noticed that he likes it when I smile. “I’m feeling much better.”
    “That’s great. Don’t overdo it today. Take it easy. I’ll be out for a while but if you need anything just let Nanna know.”
    I’ve also learned that he calls Miss Ella Nanna. It always makes me feel a funny warmth in my chest when he calls her Nanna.
    Miss Ella shows me how to make pancakes. I’m so excited when I manage to make one that doesn’t break before I can get it on a plate.
    I’m just about to pour more pancake mixture in the pan when a strange man comes into the kitchen. I drop the measuring cup and sink to my knees. My heart is beating out of my chest as I stare at the mess I’ve made. Oh no! I’m going to get into so much trouble for this!
    “Fuck, I forgot,” the man snaps. I duck my head lower to the floor and bring my arms close to my sides so I can cover them when he kicks me. My sides are still hurting from the other punishment.
    “Tristan! Now look what you’ve done,” Miss Ella scolds. She takes hold of my shoulders and pulls at me. “Get up, child. There will be no kneeling in this house unless you’re kneeling to the Lord.”
    I stand up next to Miss Ella and she pats my dress, straightening it out.
    “Get to work, Tristan. Don’t just stand there!” Miss Ella scolds him again.
    “I’m sorry, Sophia. I didn’t know you were up and about. I’m Tristan, one of the guards.” He looks at Miss Ella and he smiles at her. “Can a man have some coffee before work?”
    Master Tristan is a guard, like Master Sven. I wonder if he will be the one in charge of me and Jack.
    “Drink your coffee and get going! You’re scaring the poor child.”
    Master Tristan takes a mug and leaves. He listened to Miss Ella? “Are you in charge of everyone?” I ask. I want to know who I have to please the most.
    Miss Ella lets out a little burst of laughter. “No one is in charge here. We’re all one big family, which you’re a part of now.”
    Family . The word sinks warm into my heart. I want a family. Things were good back when Mamma used to be alive. Family makes everything better.
    ~*~
    The next morning, I get up early with Miss Ella. I want to learn everything I can from her.
    We have coffee and I learn how to make fluffy scrambled eggs. After breakfast I help wash up all the dishes.
    I put the last plate back in the cupboard when Miss Ella goes into the little room next to the kitchen. She comes out with a whole bucket full of potatoes. “We need to get all of these peeled. I want to make cottage pies.”
    Miss Ella gives me a knife and I get to work peeling the potatoes. I really like working in the kitchen. I would be so very happy if I could stay here and just help Miss Ella the whole day long.
    “If you’re not