Don't Say a Word

Twenty Four

"I'd prefer you walk to the car Miss St. James, but it is not required. Everything will be explained in time, but you are expected to behave in a manner expected of one in your position. You are bypassing things that have been set in stone for hundreds of years, do not embarrass us by being insubordinate." His grip on her arm tightened and she felt more power hitting her, fighting her own. "What are you?" He frowned at her but kept walking, his hand firmly gripping her arm guiding her along the hallway. "Enough of this."she grumbled reaching up to grab his hand with her own. She focus and began to pull power from him. His eyes widened and released her stepping away from her suddenly.

Laughter was heard behind him in the darkness, he attempted to regain his composure, but couldn't help but stare at Nicolette who was flaming mad. Not literally, but close to it. "Magnificent isn't she?" Nicolette stepped aside to watch the woman approach. She had hair as red as her own, beautiful pale skin that seemed to glow with radiance, and her eyes were emerald green. If she didn't know better you might think they were sisters the resemblance was so striking. Her jaw dropped slightly, though her stance did not relax.

"I am so pleased you have returned, I thought we had lost you forever." She slowly advanced, unafraid of Nicolette she reached out brushing her hand along her hair. "I'm sorry but we've never met, so I haven't returned to you, and there's no way I'm going to Vienna." The woman smiled, brushing her fingers along her cheek. "Of course you are, you've been given an honor, one that was planned for long before you were born. I am pleased at your progress without our guidance, but once you return home we will begin your proper education. But for now, I need you to relax."

She kept her gaze, speaking softly and forced her will upon her. "You will come quietly, with the grace you were born with. You will be respectful when spoken to, and you will not argue with those trying to tend to you, understood." Nicolette shivered as her power hit her, she could sense it, knew it was wrong, but it was stronger than anything she had felt before and she couldn't resist her. "Yes, Ma'am." "Wonderful, shall we." She turned and the three of them left the Theater.

Thirty minutes later they were boarding a private jet. Nicolette sat across from the woman. "Why do you look so much like me?" She asked, just barely over a whisper. The woman laughed. "You mean why do you look so much like me? Because you are my great great great granddaughter. Your mother volunteered her eggs for testing before she was embraced. She was powerful, as we all were even before embrace. But you, well you are much more than we had expected. The addition of your fathers power has allowed you to grow into your powers much earlier than those before you."

Nic stared at her in disbelief. "My mother died when I was young, I wasn't a test tube baby." The woman smiled but it lacked the sympathy Nicolette expected. "Yes, your Mother. She was the surrogate that offered to carry you through your term. Before you were born she vanished. We believe she was able to absorb some of your power during her pregnancy, and hoped to continue once you were born. So much time wasted." she shook her head. Nicolette felt the tears in her eyes and turned away from her to look out the window.

The Mother she had mourned wasn't her Mother, but just another person trying to use her. Everything she knew about her life was a lie, and this time the truth would not set her free. Before they landed she had fallen asleep against the window. Cold fingers brushed her cheek jolting her awake. She gasped and pulled away from her. The woman smiled, but didn't speak. She stepped back and waited for her to join her. Nicolette obeyed the silent command and lifted to her feet heading for the exit.

She had hoped to see some of Vienna, but they were tunneled from the plane underground. Nicolette gasped as the power of the wards hit her. Her eyes widening as she stopped and looked around for the source. The woman stopped and watched her a moment, a light smile upon her lips. She moved forward brushing her hand along Nic's arm urging her forward. Nic bit her lip but followed her inside.

Those that passed her regarded her as an intruder, the glares were enough to melt her flesh. The rooms were filled with books so old you could smell it in the air. The walls hinted of their age, and she wondered what they would say if they could talk. She was led into a great room, with a long table. Behind the table sat Seven Kindred. She could feel power radiating from them. Without thinking she lifted her hands as if touching it, closing her eyes as she slowed to a stop beside her distant grandmother.

She shivered at the power feeling her body respond to it, as her eyes opened they glowed emerald green. Her hand slowly lowered to her side gripping her dress. No one spoke at first, each staring at her. Two actually stood and walked forward, slowly circling her as they examined her.

"She will be tested." a small voice at the end of the table proclaimed. "Before it is done, we must be sure." Several nodded. Nic looked slowly between them, her attention pulled to the door as it swung open forcefully.

Nic turned and faced who must be her Mother who stopped midway to her, her delicate hand covering her own mouth. Nic took a step back from her, unsure she was ready for such an encounter. Her hands reacted on instinct, flames forming at her palms. Her body shook as the tears threatened to fall from her eyes.

No one interrupted but sat forward in their seats. Her mother caught her gaze and tried to force her power on her, persuasion. "Please, Nicolette calm yourself. I won't hurt you, you're safe here. You're finally home." Nic's body tensed and she shook her head shaking her power off. "No, you're not, you can't be."

As her mother stepped forward, Nic lifted her hand to resist her. Suddenly her vision tunneled, her power faulted, she gasped as she felt a hand grasp her arm just before everything went black. Her body slumped toward the floor and was caught by her mother. Her mothers pleading gaze fell over the elders.

"Advance level powers without the assistance of the blood and the ability to resist domination, this is pleasing." "She's a conductor as well, she's unstable, untrained in the power she has and you intend to give her more?" The masculine voice questioned from the doorway. "You should be pleased with your offspring, her apparent abilities are pleasing and she will be a great asset once trained. Imagine the possibilities. Waste no time, prep her for surgery, we harvest first."

The council stood and departed leaving Nicolette to be carried from the room by her mother. The possibility that her power could be harvested and passed on to another with her eggs was still left to be tested. Once surgery was complete she would be given time to adjust to her new life before a decision would be made. She could join and become incredibly powerful rise in power within the sect, or she could be tested, probed, and live what life she could as a test subject. One thing she would eventually have to pledge is Sect first, Camarilla second, Self last. This may take a while.

**This won't be the last you've heard of Nicolette, but for now I am going to begin a new story. If you enjoyed this keep an eye out for Forbidden Love. A story about an innocent catholic girl dragged into hell itself only to fall in love with the beast that controls it, Malik. (Sound familiar? It should!)***