Khawla: No way! It's out of the question!
I say so, standing up, and thrashing my hands in the air, letting very clear my position. I'm exasperated.
"How dare he proposes me such a thing?!"
Nicolae is dumbfounded by my vicious reaction. Although I have read about it in the book about new vampires and its efficiency in the baby steps of a transformed person, it is out of any possibility that I would give my mind to the dangerous bloodthirsty creature that's in front of me. I don't want him to read my memories or my thoughts. I have hard work enough, keeping him out of my brain.
Nicolae argues back, trying to convince me that it's the best and only option on the table at this very moment.
Nicolae: Why? Hypnosis is a proven efficient method that many doctors and psychologists use in the treatment of their patients.
Khawla: Nicolae, you AREN'T a doctor or a psychologist. And they don't have the ability to read minds either. No! Thanks! I pass!
Nicolae is an engineer and a businessman, areas of knowledge utterly different from the biological and humanities. Although he could be a psychologist, indeed, as he knows too much about the human soul and its mechanisms.
I'm still with all my shields up and thrashing my hands in the air, showing that my decision is taken, and nothing that he says would make me change my mind. I'm not that crazy to invite a vampire in.
Nicolae opens a warming and welcoming smile. Now, he understands why I'm so reluctant to accept his offer. He assumes his paternal side, and his voice tries to pass me some comfort and reassurance that his intentions are the best for me.
Nicolae: You have my word that I won't try to read your mind, my child.
I hesitate as I'm desperate in need of controlling my abilities, and this method may work, as I have read it in the book written by his Father. I sit again beside him. I'm pondering about his proposal if I must trust him or not.
"Hmmm... Nicolae is a gentleman and always honor his oaths. Contrary to Viktor Bartholy, that old fox. Hmmm..."
Nicolae insists, as the matter is serious and may represent a life risk to me. It requires prompt action to avoid disastrous consequences, like the Descendants of Templar finding out my true nature and trying to neutralize me.
Nicolae: Khawla, do you want me to swear on the Bible to you believe that I won't try to read your mind? Because when a man vowed a vow unto the Lord, or swear an oath to bind his soul with a bond, he shall not break his word; he shall do according to all that proceeded out of his mouth. (1)
I know how Nicolae is religious, that an oath on the Sacred Book is valorous to him, and that he would do whatever to keep his formal promise made before God.
He insists as I'm still hesitant, and we don't have time to waste. The clock is ticking against me.
Nicolae: You can't lose your control over your abilities with the Descendants of Templar around. You are at risk, my child.
I let out a defeated sigh. Yes. Nicolae is right, as always. And it's so annoying!
Khawla: Okay... okay... I don't think I have another option... But swear on the Bible, Nicolae. I want to be sure you won't try to enter into my mind.
Nicolae nods, agreeing with my imposition, mainly because it was his suggestion to make up my mind to accept his proposal.
Nicolae: Sure. You'll feel better after the hypnosis, Khawla. Believe me. And your powers will be under control as well. Please, wait for me here while I bring the Bible and another thing for the hypnosis session.
With these very words, Nicolae stands up, goes to the door, unlocks it, and leaves. I stay sat, shaking my legs nervously, praying not to regret accepting his offer, but unprecedented events require desperate measures. And it's how I'm right now, desperate.
***
In no time, Nicolae is back with the Bible in one of his hands and, in the other, a small rectangular navy-blue velvet box with something inside it. He closes the door behind him and locks it again to avoid someone entering and disturbing us in our hypnosis session. Then, he puts the box on the table beside the sofa, knells down on one of his knees like a knight, handling me the Bible, that I hold with my both hands.
My gray-blue eyes sink into his piercing blue ones; he is entirely calm and master of his attitudes, while I'm apprehensive and hesitant, with my heart racing in my chest. The fear and the will of running away from everything is growing bigger inside of me.
Nicolae's deep and firm voice tries to give me some courage and reassurance that everything will be alright, that I have nothing to fear.
Nicolae: You have to put your hands down the Bible and offer it to me, like a tray. So, I can make an oath upon it.
I nod, and I do as Nicolae explained to me. I'm a little bit trembling, thinking about the implications of inviting a vampire to enter wheresoever. He puts his left hand on the Bible and, the right one, he holds it raised, level up with his head, palm to the front. Then, his firm and masculine voice echoed through the office.
Nicolae: I, Nicolae Bartholy, promise, before Almighty God, that I will use the hypnosis techniques only in the best interests of Khawla Jones and that I will not try, by any means, to read her mind or memories or use it on behalf of my own interests.
With these very words, the oath is made. Nicolae is bind to his vow, and it's a sure-fire that he'll do as promised. I let out an alleviated sigh, as having the sexy vampire as an ally is always comforting, mainly because he is a dangerous and powerful one, losing only for the Originals.
Nicolae stands up, gets the Bible from my hands, and places it on the table. Then, he gets the small rectangular navy-blue velvet box and opens it. Inside, there is a gold necklace with a huge diamond as a pendant. It's so beautiful!
"Wow!"
Nicolae starts to give me instructions to begin the hypnosis session, bringing me back from my astonishment. We don't have time for distractions.
Nicolae: Remove your boots and jacket. You have to lay down, in a comfortable position, to us get started.
I nod and remove my black boots, then my black woolen coat. It is warm inside the office, as Nicolae keeps the central heater of the manor always on in this time of the year, even they don't need it, but he tries his best to keep an aura of normality and humanity at home not to raise suspicions on what they are.
I lay down on the small sofa with my hands crossed on my belly. Nicolae gets one squared pillow that decorates the couch, sets it comfortably under my head, and advises me.
Nicolae: Don't cross your hands. Put your arms beside your body.
I do as commanded. Although I know I can trust him, I have butterflies on my stomach due to the apprehension of letting a vampire entering and playing with my mind. It's like playing Russian roulette.
Nicolae: Are you ready?
I take a deep breath, taking the courage of inviting a vampire in, and nod.
Nicolae: So, let's get started.
Nicolae gets the collar and starts to swing the pendant in front of my eyes. His voice is hoarse, deep, and calm.
Nicolae: Keep your focus on the diamond and on the commands of my voice... You start to feel relaxed as you concentrate on the swing of the pendant. You have only the diamond and my voice in your mind right now.
With my gray-blue eyes fixed on the huge diamond, I begin to feel relaxed. Nothing more is in my mind at this very moment. No fairies, no vampires, no werewolves, no druids, no riddles, no mysteries, no puzzles, no enigmas, no Ice Figure Skating, no Master, no University, no alcohol, no pain. Nothing. Only the diamond swinging in front of my eyes and Nicolae's voice.
Nicolae: You relax your left foot; it starts to feel heavy... Also, your left leg starts to relax and feels heavy and numb... Now, your right foot is getting relaxed. You feel it heavy. This sensation of relaxing climbs to your right leg, making it feels heavy and numb as well.
I'm getting more and more relaxed. My legs and feet aren't under my control anymore. I can barely feel them.
Nicolae: Your entire body relaxes while you focus on the swing of the diamond and on the commands of my voice... Now, your both hands begin to relax... You feel them heavy and numb... This relaxing sensation takes over your both arms, and you feel them heavy and numb as well...
My arms and hands are not under my wills any more. I'm totally at the mercy of the sexy oldest brother from the Bartholy's clan. Although it would make my body in frisson under other circumstances, at this very moment, I'm only relaxed, and no sex appeal or desire is running in my veins.
Nicolae: Now, you close your eyes and focus only on my voice...
I do as commanded. Nicolae is the master of my wishes and wills. He can do whatsoever with me. I'm a helpless prey right now, ready to be feasted on.
Nicolae: You relax your shoulders... They feel heavy and numb... Now, you relax your neck and your forehead entirely.
I'm feeling so out of my body that I swear I'm levitating. I think I have never been so relaxed in my entire life in the way I am now, and the sensation is so damn good.
Nicolae: Now that you are entirely relaxed, you're going to connect with your druidess side... You're in command of it, only your human side and not the other way around. You can assume your druidess form only when you wish to do so, in the moments you want to do so... You have full control over yourself and over your abilities...
In my mind, there is only Nicolae's deep, hoarse, and calm voice, guiding me through the darkness of my soul.
Nicolae: Repeat after me; I have full control over myself and over my powers.
I'm like a robot under Nicolae's commands. I don't have wills or wishes. I'm entirely under his spell. My voice is a murmur while I repeat his very words.
Khawla: I have full control over myself and over my powers.
Nicolae: I'm in command of myself and my abilities, and I only shift to my druid form when I wish to do so.
Khawla: I'm in command of myself and my abilities, and I only shift to my druid form when I wish to do so.
Nicolae's deep, hoarse, and calm voice keeps me guiding through the session.
Nicolae: Now, you're feeling more and more relaxed. Your limbs are still heavy and numb, the muscles of your neck and shoulders completely relaxed... Also, the muscles of your face are relaxed... Your forehead is relaxed... your jaw is relaxed... and your mouth opens slightly... You will inspire deeply, and hold the air in your lungs while I count till four, and then, you will expire while I count up to eight... Inspire...
I take a long deep breath, and hold the air in, following Nicolae's instructions.
Nicolae: One... Two... Three... Four... Now, expire...
I start releasing the air out of my lungs, as commanded.
Nicolae: One... two... three... four... five... six... seven... eight... Again... Inspire...
We do the inspire and expire thing for more a couple of times. I'm even more relaxed, almost in a trance-like state. Then, Nicolae restarts with the affirmatives to me repeat after him, about control over myself and over my abilities.
Nicolae: Repeat after me; I have full control over myself and over my transformation into druidess.
Khawla: I have full control over myself and over my transformation into druidess.
Nicolae: I have full conscience of my abilities and when and where to use them.
Khawla: I have full conscience of my abilities and when and where to use them.
Nicolae: I'm in command of myself and of my abilities, and I only shifted into druidess when I decide to do so.
Khawla: I'm in command of myself and of my abilities, and I only shift into druidess when I decide to do so.
Nicolae: Now, you're getting more and more relaxed... You begin to feel your body recovering its strengths and healthy. Your healing abilities work inside of you 24/7, without the need to you assume your druidess form, or to go to meditate under your tree. Your body starts to produce healthy blood cells, and your anemia disappears completely. You're back to your best health conditions.
Little by little, I begin to feel very well. I stop feeling drained, and the tiredness vanishes. I can feel the colors coming back to my complexion, and a sensation of well-being takes over me. Nicolae's suggestions are, indeed, powerful.
Nicolae: All your body is numb and relaxed. Your mind is also worry-free at this very moment while you focus back on your respiration.
We restart with the exercise of inspiring and expiring.
Nicolae: Inspire... one... two... three... four... Expire... One... two... three... four... five... six... seven... eight...
The only thing that keeps me in touch with reality is Nicolae's voice, as I feel I'm not on the Earth anymore. I feel like I'm in another realm, far away from my problems, far away from Mystery Spell, far away from the US.
Nicolae repeats the words that my human side is in command of myself and not my druidess side. That I decide when and where to assume my form, and so on. His suggestions invade my brain, and I feel empowered, invincible. His very words are getting stuck in my mind. It's like he's doing brainwash in me. He can suggest to me whatever that I will accept and obey like a puppy, like a puppet, without contesting.
However, suddenly, sitting in one move and gasping for air, I wake up from the trance-like state I was due to the hypnosis. A sensation of danger has engulfed me. I'm alert. All my six senses are at their peak.
Nicolae is disturbed. He wasn't expecting me to wake up till he says so. His deep and hoarse voice displays all his worry and surprise.
Nicolae: What happened, my child?
My voice is like a whisper, but he can hear me very well thanks to his vampiric hearing-sense.
Khawla: I dunno... Danger.
(1) Numbers 30:2