Hello, and welcome to chapter 6. In this chapter, I want to explore more on Nicolette and Gernick a bit more, and that is what I tried to do chapter. I also tried to slow it down, but not sure if I succeeded. Please read and share your thoughts. Let me thank you for reading the story and let you know that I really appreciate it.
Let me thank Overstar for taking time to edit this chapter, and Navaura as well for helping me dig a little deeper. I really appreciate all that you have done. Any errors are mine and mine alone and not these two willing souls.
"All problems become smaller if you don't dodge them but confront them."
~ William F. Halsey
*
Nicolette and Gernick appeared at his home shortly after vanishing from Nashville. She was devastated as they left her family, but he'd never know. She wouldn't give him the satisfaction. After they arrived at his home, Nicolette acknowledged that it was a magnificent manor, placed in on top of a hill overlooking, the ocean. The entire place was surrounded by trees and secluded. No one entered the property without clearance, and trespassers were dealt with harshly.
Nicolette admitted to herself that this was a beautiful place, rolling hills, covered with deep green grass, off the horizon a thick forest, with tall red oaks, but she didn't want to be here. The forest made her long to be with Nina and the pups. She recalled visiting the compound, hidden deep inside the thick rich hills of the Loess Mountains. She recalled the simple beauty of the land and the serene calming lake. She and Nina had strolled on her last visit, stopping at the lake to reminisce.
As she stood, she felt him move to stand behind her. He started to encircle her waist with his strong arms, but she moved away. She'd lost everything, and he would not assuage his guilt by offering her comfort. But this was Gernick, and she knew he felt no guilt. She stood on the balcony, outside of Gernick's office admiring the expansive space. "Well, what you think of our home?" he asked.
Nicolette looked around the spacious office and commented, "It's a house right." It was more than just a house, and she knew it. Gernick's abode was a veritable fortress, complete with cells for prisoners in the basement below. Nicolette shuddered as she remembered her last visit to his home. Gernick hugged her and gently lead her to a seat in his office. He motioned for her to walk with him and sit. He took great pride in showing her around their spacious home. Gernick took his time. He wanted her to see exactly what she was getting. He wanted her to love their home, the place they would raise their children. Truth be told, he built this house with her in mind. When it was finished, he knew she would love it.
Gernick laughed, "You're here for eternity; you'll make it into a home for us. Come, walk with me." He took her hand to show her around the massive home.
Nicolette had to admit that his home was lovely. It was rich in deep purple with polished oak walls. He led her to his bedroom. In the center was a giant bed with a thick pillow-top mattress. Covered in black satin, it looked sinfully comfortable. Come, let's see the rest," he said as he continued his tour. The home had every convenience one could imagine. During the tour, Nicolette also realized that there was no way she could escape without him knowing her whereabouts. She briefly thought about her family she had to leave behind and felt so alone. Gernick wasn't moving and she realized he was watching her intently.
"Thinking of them serves no purpose, Nicolette. You will forget them eventually. Once our child is conceived, you won't think about the offspring of that she wolf." Nicolette didn't answer and turned from him. Gernick grabbed her arm. "Don't forget who has the true power here, Nicolette. One order and they will no longer walk the earthly plain."
She had been here three hours, and already she'd angered him. Nicolette closed her eyes; she had to let them go. As long as he knew she cared, he'd use them against her. He, being so evil, would send someone to harm them, just to hurt her. Nicolette turned and faced the one man she hated with every breath she took. "You gave your word to me Gernick. I... I will let them go, but" her breath caught. She hated showing this weakness to him. Gernick grinned evilly. "Just give me time."
Gernick caressed her cheek, "Give me a kiss, and I will speak of them no more." He commanded. He led her to his master bedroom. She leaned over and lightly brushed her lips to his. Roughly he snatched her in his arms and kissed her angrily. "Listen to me, never again will you shed a tear for a pack of dogs in my presence. You are mine, Nicolette, and as such, you will never show weakness. Those dogs made you weak. They are no longer your concern. Forget them. If you think of them with longing again, I will have them killed. No, not all at once, but one by one. I'll start with the one you think you've hidden. What was its name? Oh right, Benny. He dies first. Now, love. You are mine and will forever be mine."
At this point he had led her to his private recreation room, and he sat on his overstuffed lounge chair. Her anger grew, festering, as a tangible living thing. "Gernick, if you harm one hair on either of their heads, you will regret it. I will never do what you have demanded of me. You want me here, then you keep your promise. There are other ways to leave this place."
She meant it. He knew she'd end her life before she gave him a child. If he followed through on his threat, she'd never stay with him. "Nicolette, I can always choose someone else to bear my child. Before these wolves weakened you, you were a worthy adversary, now you sicken me." He sneered; then turned and called for one of his servants. "Claus, get this ungrateful bitch out of my sight. Throw her in the room she stayed in during her last visit."
Claus grabbed her forcibly and led her to the basement. Nicolette wanted to fight, struggle, refuse to enter, but she wouldn't give Gernick the satisfaction. Stoically she entered the room where they beat and tortured her years before. She sat on the bare wire cot, forcing her body not to react as the guard locked her in the cold dark room. Nicolette refused to cry. He said if she shed a tear, he'd kill Benny. So she had to fight back the tears. She lay awake, for hours. She had no idea how long she stayed in that room, but it felt like a millennium.
As she was lock away, Nicolette had time to think and remember everything that led to this moment. Gernick was wrong, and no matter what, she had to find a way to fight back. But she didn't want to risk her family. Nicolette realized fear could be a very powerful emotion. It could spur you to action or render you catatonic. More time past, and she grew weaker. Soon she realized she hadn't eaten and her body grew weaker. She wanted to scream and curse, but she would not allow him win. He had her in a horrible spot, but she'd be alright.
Nicolette thought about Nina, and how over time her friend helped her. One day she was feeling particularly angry when Nina walked in. Her friend wouldn't leave until she'd vented. Nicolette appreciated it, and after that she often talked with her. Even when Nina moved to her own home, she called periodically to check on her friend. She missed Nina, but she had to accept that she'd never see her again. Then she thought of Mrs. Valdez. For over three centuries, since she'd been turned to this life she was with her. Gernick could never know the truth, because out of all of them, if he took Mrs. Valdez from her, it would kill her.
Nicolette cried for several days, silent sobs, so she would not be heard. He threw her down in the basement and no one came to check on her. She was forgotten. She suspected that was what Gernick wanted. Since he sired her, he wanted to get rid of that mistake. And that's what she felt like, a mistake.
Gernick sat in his private room above her in the basement, and listened to her cry. For days, he wanted to free her, hold her, beg her forgiveness, but he had to break her spirit. She was too strong, too willful, and hard to control. Once he got her to submit, then he'd give her some of her freedom back. Until then, he had to be strong. He loved her but would not let her know the control she had over him. The time she was locked away, he checked on her each time she slept. He knew she hungered, for he could feel her pains. It pained him to treat her this way, but until she accepted him as her true master, he had to be cruel. She left him no choice. A week later, Gernick decided to visit her in the basement.
"You reek; wash yourself." He demanded. "Make yourself presentable and I will allow Claus bring you warm blood."
Nicolette, weakened from lack of food, stood as tall as she could to walk past her captor. As she passed, he turned his head, grabbing his nose as if to block away a horrid stench. Claus escorted her to a private bath and informed her that her clothing would be burned. "I will bring you fresh clothes. Take your time. I know that was extremely unpleasant for you. I apologize...", she glared at him. Claus quit speaking and quickly excused himself.
As soon as he entered the kitchen, Gernick's was there. "How was she? I've warmed this for her. Make sure she drinks it all." He ordered. "Bring her to me in my office when she's done", He demanded. Claus was dumbfounded. Gernick prepared her meal. He'd never known Gernick to do anything for anyone. This was a first. It seemed the lovely Ms. Vlad had some sway over his boss.
