Don't Say a Word

Fourteen

As they entered the Elysium all eyes turned to her. Her pace faltered under their gaze. Nicholas placed his hand on her lower back guiding her on. Her gaze turned to the stairs, not meeting the gaze of those who seemed to be either undressing her with their eyes, or wondering if she was food. She straightened her shoulders and walked up the stairs to the office of the Prince.

The Salvador brothers stood guarding as usual. Frank stepped forward, offering a slight nod to Nicholas before coming to stand directly in front of Nicolette. His gaze traveled over her as he inhaled deeply, a smirk lifting the corners of his lips.

"I'm not sure she will accept that as a reason for your tardiness, Nicholas." Nicolette looked up to meet Frank's gaze, a deep blush on her cheeks. "Just open the door."she growled at him. His laughter filled the hall as he stepped back opening the door for the pair.

Madeline did not lift her gaze as the door was shut behind them. "Get out Nicholas, we will speak later of your tardiness. Come forward child, sit, I will be with you in a moment."

Nicholas stopped where he stood, nodding toward the chair for Nicolette before taking a step back and retreating outside. Nicolette watched him leave, frozen in her spot. "I will not ask again."

Nicolette flinched at her tone, the authority in her voice pressed against her very soul. She bit her lip but moved forward lowering into the offered seat. She crossed her legs firmly hoping to hide what Frank could smell on her. 

Madeline glanced up at her briefly, her gaze returning to her computer screen. She finished her message and turned her attention to Nicolette. She stared at her a moment, Nicolette focusing her attention on the toe of her own shoes.

She reached out pressing a button on her desk. "I don't have time for your shame child, we have limited time and I simply want details." She let her power take over Nicolette. "You will tell me what you are currently capable, and what you believe your powers will grow to."

Nicolette gasped as the strength of her power hit her. If she wasn't a witch she would have felt nothing, but because of her powers she felt it crawling over her skin, rocking her very core. She didn't dare struggle against it, that would no doubt end in her own demise.

She exhaled and trembled as it took control. She spoke, openly and freely of everything her Mother had been capable of, what she had been told her father was capable of. She told her what she feared the most, what she was incapable of doing before but would one day do without batting an eye.

When she finished she closed her eyes, shaking the remainder of the power off of her. Madeline raised a brow, but remained silent in her contemplation. She stood and circled Nicolette before leaning against her own desk facing her.

"You're stronger now than you believe, no need to keep wasting away in the forest. I believe there are better ways for you to learn. You will join our Sheriff. He will take you with him for the next month. You will obey him and his orders. Wait downstairs while I discuss this with Nicholas."

Nicolette met her gaze. "Alone?" She laughed. "No one will harm you child. Now, go." Nic bit her lip but slowly stood before her. She bowed her head as she had been instructed to do and took a few steps back away from her around the chair before turning to the door.

As she stepped out of the room past the Salvador brothers she walked into Nicholas wrapping her arms around him for a moment. She was honestly frightened of what was to come. She knew what to expect with Nicholas, but the Sheriff was who upheld the laws, killed those who broke the laws.

Nicholas blinked at her sudden affection toward him, his arms wrapping around her fingers slipping into her hair. "She wants to speak with you now." she whispered against his chest. "Very well, wait for me here." Nicolette did not agree, but she didn't tell him of her other instructions either. She stepped slowly away from him out of his path.