Isabella and the Beast by Audrey Grace Read Free Book Online Page B

around, she saw a set of iron bars.
    “A prison?” she murmured to herself.
    The rattling sound of keys brought her to full alert, and she saw an old woman appear on the other side of the bars, and in her hand was a ring of what must have been two dozen keys. In her other hand was a plate of steaming food. Carrots, potatoes, and meat.
    “Where am I?” Isabella asked, her voice trembling.
    “Don’t be frightened, young thing,” the old woman said. “I’ve brought you some supper.”
    “I-I’m not hungry,” Isabella stammered, determined not to accept food from a stranger.
    “Please, dear, don’t worry. It is not tainted or poisoned.”
    “You eat some of it first,” Isabella demanded, raising her voice over the growl of her stomach.
    “If you insist,” the old woman responded, shaking her head and tutting. She ate some of the food, and Isabella waited a few moments. When she was satisfied, she nodded.
    “Thanks,” she whispered before hurriedly starting to eat.
    “There’s a good girl,” the old woman whispered. “Does it feel better to eat?”
    “Yes,” Isabella said around a full mouth of food. “I’m so hungry. How long as it been? And where am I?”
    “I’m afraid you are in a dungeon, darling.”
    “A dungeon? Why?”
    “I tried to tell him,” the old woman said morosely, shaking her head and tutting. “But he wouldn’t listen.”
    “Tell who?”
    “Why, the Master, dear.”
    “The Master?”
    “Yes. Haven’t you met? Out on the road?”
    Isabella gasped, and put her hand to her mouth. “You mean that thing, that monster with yellow eyes that attacked me and my horse?”
    “Yes, that would be him.”
    “Franco!” Isabella gasped. “What’s happened to my horse? Where is it?”
    “It is in the stables, and is being looked after, dear. There is no need to worry. It is a fine animal.”
    “Please, let me go! Franco needs me. He’s an easily frightened animal.”
    “I assure you the horse is fine, child,” the old woman repeated, shaking her head. “But there is one thing I should mention to you.”
    “What?”
    “He doesn’t like the word ‘monster’, though.”
    “What?”
    “The Master. He doesn’t like to be called a monster.”
    “Uh—” Isabella shook her head and was at a loss for words.
    “What’s your name, dear?”
    “Is-Isabella.”
    “Ah, a beautiful name befitting of a beautiful young girl like you. Do people call you Bella?”
    “They try to, or sometimes Belle, but I tell them I don’t like it.”
    “Ah, well the Master is very much the same way. He prefers you don’t call him something he doesn’t like. Monster, for example. Or beast.”
    “But he is a monster!”
    “Says who?” the old woman asked, raising an eyebrow and obviously amused.
    “I don’t know. Stories. Everybody knows it!”
    “Ah, everybody.”
    “Yes, everybody!”
    “Listen to me, young girl, for I am an old woman with many moons of experience. The Master, he is not a monster. He is not a beast or an animal. The way he looks… he wasn’t always like that. He used to be a man. He was turned into a beast. It was terrifying. I was there. I watched it. I was the boy’s nursemaid, you see. I had to take care of him, seeing the pain and anguish he was in. So I stayed by his side.”
    “He attacked me!” Isabella cried.
    “Please, you don’t know all the details. Time is running out, you see. He’s getting nervous, getting desperate.”
    “Desperate? For what?”
    “I really can’t say,” the old woman croaked, and Isabella felt suddenly very afraid.
    “Please!” Isabella begged. “You have to tell me why he has captured me!”
    “I-I can’t. It’s not my place. I’m sorry, child, but I must leave. I’ve said too much! I’m just an old woman with a big mouth. You finish your food, and simply leave the plate on the floor outside the bars. I’ll be along later to tidy up.”
    “No! Please don’t go!” Isabella cried after the old woman as she waddled