CHAPTER SIX

T alk was circulating around the Coven regarding the Charmer, and many had doubts about the frail young man's ability to face evil, the likes of which was inhabiting the Hadden Center. Conrad heard the talk, and it made his heart clench, and fear for his beloved filled his every thought.

He stopped to have coffee in the dining hall with Dumas, a hellhound shifter and one of the new members. Conrad liked him and respected his competence as a soldier and guard for his beloved Evan. Master Hadden assigned Dumas to Evan's protection because hellhounds were impervious to magic.

If Manfred showed up he would have no power over Dumas. Also, Dumas could cut a frightful visage the man was scary in human form but was absolutely chilling when he shifted. "I appreciate your help." He told him and Dumas waved it off.

"No problem. I'd love the opportunity to take out Manfred." He took a sip of his coffee. "Killian has gone looking for him, so we may not be bothered with the man." He smirked.

"True." Conrad agreed. "Killian wanted him taken out back in Toronto, so he feels more than justified in hunting him down."

"I say good luck. There's enough to deal with as it is. I'd prefer to have Manfred out of the equation." Dumas was always honest and clear.

"I agree with you there." Conrad joined. He then turned the subject to the current discourse regarding his beloved. "What have you heard about Evan?" He asked and Dumas knew what he was referring to. He set his coffee down and regarded Conrad with an expression that implied all was not good.

"There are some who worry that Evan isn't the Charmer that we have been searching for. They are concerned for his safety and fear having him enter the Hadden Center." Dumas stopped and observed him for a moment before continuing. "I heard a theory about Batiste and the fact that he's a trickster. He could be lying."

"It was Master Louis DuCane who gave the location of Evan McCormick and referred to him as a Charmer. He received the information from the Black Knight from what I've been told." Conrad clarified.

"Then people are mistaken regarding Batiste, but your Evan does not look like someone who is fit to battle the levels of evil that have taken over the Hadden Center." He finished.

"Yeah, that's what I've been hearing, and although I do fear for Evan and doubts fill me from time to time, I trust Master Hadden to never put my beloved in an unwinnable situation." Conrad paused and glanced around the room thoughtfully. "Evan is much more than meets the eye, and I know that for a fact."

Conrad was to return in four hours and although Evan appreciated working with Marek he also kept watch on the clock and there was less than an hour remaining before Conrad's return. Marek had certainly put him through his paces, and he felt stronger and more in control than ever in his life. But he had yet to feel the intensity that Marek spoke of in regard to the Charmer that supposedly existed within him.

"I haven't called forth the Charmer Evan." He stated having picked up on Evan's concerns. "I needed to help you gain control and confidence of the powers that have presented before you can take on the Charmer. It won't be long. The process comes naturally, and if you had been in an atmosphere more inclusive than what you experienced, the Charmer would already be present."

"The Charmer is a part of me," Evan stated.

"You are the Charmer." Marek corrected.

"I am the Charmer." Evan repeated. It was at that moment as the words left his lips that he sensed a change, he felt his body vibrating and his mind expanding. He could vaguely hear Marek saying something to him, but he couldn't make out what it was.

The room became hazy for a moment and then cleared and suddenly his vision was sharp and precise. He looked at himself, and he had changed. He was taller, amazingly taller. He was looking down at Marek. His clothing was different. He was wearing a thin covering of fabric around his hips and thick boots. Giant wings unfurled at his back, made of gold and pure light. He was the Charmer, a muscled perfection and suddenly he possessed a complete understanding of what he was and why he existed.

There was a sword strapped to his waist and he knew how to use it. He'd never touched a sword in his life and yet he was proficient as he was with the dagger strapped to his left thigh. Everything was falling into place clear and to the point. There were no gray areas and no misunderstandings, he could feel the length and the breadth of the evil within the Hadden building. He knew he'd battle that evil before years passed in a land far from here.

"You are amazing Evan you are the Charmer." Marek's tone was soft and deep. He stepped back looking up at Evan who was now standing head and shoulders above him. A warm, loving rush ran through him a comforting sense of home, and he saw Conrad enter the room.

He loved Conrad, and that truth was as strong as everything else that had come clear to him. Conrad was his true one, his flawless and faultless lover, and that was certain. He reached out his hand toward his lover and saw the wonder and surprise on Conrad's face.

He rushed toward him, and the instant that their hands touched, Evan returned to his former self. The energy remained, and he still felt the power of the Charmer within him and realized he could call him up at any time.

Conrad took his hand and pulled him forward into his arms. "You are magnificent, my love." He gushed and held him firmly flush against his chest as he turned to regard Marek.

"He is the Charmer," Conrad stated sharply and distinctly.

"He is the Charmer," Marek repeated.

"I control him Conrad I now control all my powers Marek taught me how to harness all that I am." Evan was bursting with pride and released Conrad to take a step back. He looked Conrad in the eyes with a teasing expression and in a flash shifted into the Charmer. He saw Conrad's amazement and his delight, and it was all he needed his true one was pleased and life was perfect.

Conrad raised his hand. "Come to me Evan." And that fast he was Evan once again and he was rushing into Conrad's arms. "You have complete control, baby." He kissed him just a quick kiss, but it conveyed all that Evan was feeling, love, excitement, and amazement all packed into one kiss.

"I see everything so plainly now. I know who I am and what I can do. It's like a light was turned on, and I see everything now. I know this darkness, this evil that resides in the Center. I have fought it before, and I know you, Conrad; I know who you are. You are my true one."

"The true one is the Charmer's mate. He sees you, Conrad." Marek clarified.

"I see you too, my love," Conrad responded tenderly.

"It is all so clear now no more shadows or fog just pure light." Evan grabbed Conrad and pulled him down for another heart stopping kiss.

Conrad was shocked beyond belief he had never expected anything like what greeted him in the ballroom when he went to meet Evan. He was anxious to have his beloved back in his arms. The vision that greeted him upon his arrival was magnificent to say the very least.

He knew it was Evan even though it looked nothing like him. He saw his beloved below the surface of the brilliant creature who stood nearly nine feet tall and glowed of gold and light. His energy and purity were breathtaking.

When they touched the beauty and serenity of their bond overwhelmed him. Evan knew him even as the Charmer he recognized Conrad and claimed him as his own. He called him his true one and their bond was forcefully pushed forward. Doors opened and light illuminated the shadows, the confusion and the doubts. As Evan stated, everything was clear and that was true for Conrad as well.

"He's ready Conrad. Your beloved is fit and prepared. The Charmer is here." Marek announced and Conrad had no doubts that he was correct he saw it and he felt the power and control that filled the room belonged to Evan.

"I'm taking him to the dining hall; he needs to eat," Conrad announced.

"I am rather hungry," Evan admitted.

"I'll report to Master Hadden and let him know you two will stop by after Evan has had a bite to eat." Marek smiled. "Your connection makes the Charmer even more centered and powerful. I would suggest you complete your bond as soon as possible."

"We will take care of that you have my promise." Conrad smiled with a nod and held tight to Evan's hand.

They entered the dining hall, and all heads turned in their direction. They weren't negative just curious but also unsure. He couldn't blame them since he'd had the same misgivings before the truth was brought out.

He still feared for his beloved, but he believed Evan was more than capable of handling the curse and the evil it brought forth. Their hearts were bound together, and he could feel the Charmer. Evan was imbued with a confidence and ability that would see him through anything that might come his way.

He could see that Evan had noticed his interest and did not look away. He met them head on and did not show an ounce of uncertainty. This was Evan this was the man buried beneath all that exploitation and abuse. He needed to be free to thrive and he needed the love and support of his true one.

"Have a seat, and I'll get you something." Conrad made sure he was seated and comfortable before heading up front, where he was met with a barrage of questions from his fellow soldiers.

"He's different." Dumas was the first to speak and kept casting glances back to where Evan was seated. "He's radiating strength and authority that was not present before." Others nearby agreed with his assessment.

"Marek has awakened the Charmer, and let me tell you, he is magnificent."

"I feel that." Dumas smiled. "For a small human, he presents like a mighty warrior."

"He is a mighty warrior." Conrad stated and then turned with Evan's plate and saw that Michael and his beloved Cole were at his table speaking with Evan. The mood of the room had altered as soon as they began to sense Evan's intense aura and the change of mood in the atmosphere. He loved his baby no matter his form as either a hapless teen or a mighty warrior he was Conrad's beloved, and he was perfect regardless.

"I heard of Marek's success," Micheal said when Conrad approached and placed the plate and drink in front of Evan. Conrad smiled and nodded.

"Marek taught me how to reach inside and draw out that part of me that has been suppressed." He instinctively glanced at his wrist where the bracelet used to reside. "I'm not wearing the amber, and yet no one is affected by my presence. They lied to me for so many years. Only those possessing magic are affected because my presence burns it off." He shook his head. "I'm glad I'm here, Conrad."

"I'm glad you're here too."

"We're all glad you're here, Evan." Everyone in the dining hall responded.

"The Charmer has arrived," Cole added with a chuckle.

Marek met with Master Hadden and shared the outcome of the session with Evan McCormick. "He's a new breed of shifter, Nik, and his shifted form is definitely something to behold," Marek reported. "He is everything you hoped he would be."

Nik held him with a stare that begged for this to be true. "He is the one?"

"He is absolutely the one," Marek assured.

He let out a long, drawn out breath and then threw his head back laughing softly. "I hoped for this so hard I thought it would never happen." He leaned forward in his seat with Marek seated across from him and reached out his hand to him. Marek took his hand and held it. "Thank you." He told him and Marek shook his head.

"I need no thanks. All I did was connect him to his inner being. He would have done it on his own in time with the removal of that god-awful bracelet. This was all Evan. He is more by far than just that scrawny young man you met."

Marek described their time together and the insights he gleaned working with him. He also let him know that the connection between Evan and Conrad made his power even more potent and directed. "Fate smiled on Conrad, but Fate also did well by you, my friend. You didn't just get a Charmer. You got a Charmer in love, and that man is unstoppable."

Evan finished eating not realizing how hungry he was and also polished off two slices of pie along with three glasses of milk and a cup of coffee. "Training has given me quite an appetite." He commented as he downed the last of his milk.

"Shifting has given you the appetite." Conrad corrected.

"I'm a shifter?"

"In a way, yes, but a magnificent shifter." That made Evan smile, loving the easy rapport they now had. "When you've finished, we need to meet with Master Hadden."

"Could I get some fresh air first? I'm feeling lightheaded, and I think I need fresh air." Marek had mentioned that he might suffer some lightheadedness, but it was nothing to be concerned about. It was just a reaction to the physical changes he was going through, and he shared this with Conrad.

"Sure, we can go out on the back terrace it's a pretty space with trees and plants. It's not large but it's outside and private." Conrad suggested and Evan thought it sounded great.