Don't Say a Word

Eight

It had been two weeks since Nicolette was brought into the woods against her will. She'd accepted at the moment that she was not allowed to leave. She'd attempted twice, nearly reaching the city before being brought back. As long as she stayed within a certain distance of the house Nicholas allowed her freedom of sorts. She'd feel him watching her as she worked on understanding her power surges, and controlling her healing. She tried to keep up her exercise routine here, running, climbing, and even sparring with Nicholas. He seemed impressed with her drive and devotion to her physical strength, but pushed her to strengthen her spiritual side. She could block him out completely now, but didn't have to anymore. He only invaded her mind to communicate with her.

"I'm leaving for a meeting, please remain closer to the house in my absence. I will not be back for a while Nicolette, I am saying this for your protection as well as my desire to keep you with me."

Nicolette did not lift her gaze to him, her eyes focused on the garden before her. She watched as plants grew before her eyes, fruit exceeding their expected size and vibrancy. Nicholas squeezed her arm, startling her. She jumped and spun in defense, the entire garden withering to nothing immediately as if dehydrated and neglected in direct sunlight for weeks.

"I'm leaving for a meeting, please remain closer to the house in my absence. I will not be back for a while Nicolette, I am saying this for your protection as well as my desire to keep you with me." he repeated.

Nicolette sighed relaxing, but nodded in response as she lifted from her knees. Glancing back at the dead garden with a frown. Things dying around her was new. The longer he kept her, the less control she had, the more upset she got. The more upset, the more desolate the forest around his home became. She needed a sense of self control. She nodded in understanding to Nicholas before heading inside. He watched her, curious how strong her powers would become. He was glad he spoke with Raven, he needed to come clean of what he had found and finally accept guidance on what to do with the witch.

Nicholas left for the meeting at the Elysium. The Elysium was a meeting location designated by the Camarilla. Though there were few of his guild that still attended such meetings, Nicholas was their voice at these meetings. He turned off of I-75 onto I-275 South for St Petersberg, it would be another 30 minutes before he would park in front of the Dali Museum. He was early so there was only six cars parked. That didn't mean much as the Nosferatu would probably not use typical transportation and the Ventrue and Toreador would have a service drop them off. He walked into the main hall, ascending the staircase to a private office upstairs. Two guards stood at the door. "I have an appointment." They nodded having memorized the schedule, the Salvador brothers were private security for the Prince, they were Brujah. Frank, the youngest, opened the door for him.

Madeline stood at the floor to ceiling windows looking out at those arriving. "Good evening Nicholas." She welcomed him as he entered without turning. "Evening, my Prince. You're looking lovely as usual."

Madeline smirked as she turned from the window to face him. She wore a simplistic black suite, that appeared to be painted on her very slim form, her ebony hair framed around her face. His gaze was drawn briefly to her red lips before returning to her eyes.

"Don't flirt with me Nicholas, I unlike the others in these walls am not swayed by your" her gaze held his as she spoke "physical attributes. What does intrigue me was the purpose behind this meeting. Raven insisted upon giving up his meeting for you. It's not often one is granted a meeting in this manner." She motioned to the seat across from her desk as she lowered into her own, raising a hand as she opened a drawer and pressed a button. The room was now private, their conversation free from the ears of those in the halls. A must in a facility full of hearing sensitive vampires. She nodded for him to continue.

"I've found someone of interest," he paused still pondering how to explain her. "Please tell me this isn't a request to sire, I have more pressing matters Nicholas." The amusement gone from her face.

"No Majesty," He continued calmly. "I've found a witch. She's young in her powers I believe, but she's learning quickly." Madeline raised a brow. "Where is this witch?" Nicholas leaned forward in his seat slightly. "At my home currently."

"I see, so she's controlled then? Perhaps swayed by your affection into submission?" The grin slowly returning to her lips, it was common knowledge that before Nicholas was sired he was very desired by several Toreador women, he had been a Model in his youth. "Actually, no. She was easily controlled when I first met her, but within two days her mind became" he paused thinking of the right way of describing it. "impenetrable."

Madeline didn't speak, leaning back in her seat absorbing this information, her legs slowly crossing. Again, Nicholas' gaze drifted following the movement of her slim legs.

"Powers?" "Healing at first, when I found her she had been attacked and it was a miracle she was alive, by morning you couldn't see a mark on her. She also healed a bear in the forest, calmed the beast to rest against her lap as she healed it. But as of late she has learned to call forth vegetation at whim and destroy it as well."

"Destroy how?" Madeline watched Nicholas as he spoke, picking up clues hidden in his descriptions. "Once thriving gardens reduced to dry desolate wastelands in seconds. Its as if she absorbs the life of the vegetation around her to prepare for an attack. It's happened mostly when she's startled.

"Has she done this with any living creatures or humans that you've seen?" "No, actually she appears to dislike this ability, it seems to upset her." Madeline nodded. "Very well. Take her to Griffin. That will be all Nicholas." "Griffin, Majesty? I was hoping.." Douglass Griffin is a Malkavian elder, wise and powerful, but frightening man.

"I didn't say give her to him Nicholas. I will contact you when I have reviewed the report from him. Until then, I have a meeting to prepare for." Nicholas nodded, rising from his seat to leave her office. "Thank you for your time Majesty." He left without waiting for a response, he knew he wouldn't get. He didn't look forward to his meeting with Griffin, and he was worried what would become of Nicolette once Griffin toyed with her mind.

He sighed as he descended the stairs and returned outside to find those of his clan that would have made the journey to the meeting. He couldn't think of Nicolette anymore tonight, he had an important role to play and if his clan felt any sway in his guidance they were likely to drift away. It was hard enough keeping the Gangrel loyal without having to prove his loyalty to their cause. Unfortunately, Nicholas was unaware he would be returning to an empty home, Nicolette no where to be found.