CHAPTER SEVEN

M anfred found his way to Pittsburgh easily enough, but gaining entry to the Imperial Club was impossible. He'd used several different cloaks and spells, but nothing was breaking through their sophisticated security and the magical interference Hadden had in place.

Evan was inside he could feel his energy he could also feel that the bracelet had been removed. If he got too close, he started to feel the burn of Evan's effect. He had to find a way. The evil saturating parts of town was refreshing and rejuvenating and perhaps he could find assistance from those who had emersed themselves in that dark energy.

All he needed was to be able to get close enough to Evan to slap on another amber cuff. He brought another one with him, and this one was larger and stronger than the last. It would hobble his power long enough for Manfred to take control.

He was standing in his hotel room, pulling his hair out, desperately trying to come up with an idea when the perfect plan hit him. If he couldn't get close to Evan, then he would have to influence him from afar, and the most expedient method was to use a gun. Evan's effect was lessened when he was asleep or unconscious, so he needed to render him unconscious. He could achieve this with a properly placed dart or bullet that has been treated to knock him out.

The plan started forming itself fast and furiously and Manfred felt success within reach. Those vampires believe they have control, but they don't know Evan the way Manfred knows Evan. He would fall back in line once his options were removed, the thought brought a smile to Manfred's face and he quickly jotted down what he would need and went in search of the items.

After speaking with Marek, Nik put in a call to Josef to keep him abreast of the developments. They'd spent many months fighting this evil and keeping their people safe and now it appeared that deliverance was right around the corner.

"The expectations are high around here, and everyone is anxious to return home," Josef told him.

"I haven't witnessed the Charmer in his glory yet, but Marek tells me he is magnificent. I'll admit I had my doubts when Killian came walking into the house from the back garden with that skinny kid in tow." Nik spoke of his misgivings.

"The universe operates in its own way, and it is rarely what you'd expect," Josef commented.

"Marek tells me that he's ready, and I am to meet with him and Conrad later so I will be able to see for myself. I trust Marek's judgment, but still, I need to lay eyes on the kid before I decide when we're going in."

"I'll keep my fingers crossed."

"And a few prayers wouldn't hurt."

"You got it."

Conrad took Evan to the terrace to get some fresh air. Evan's stress was obvious as the reality of facing the evil at the Center drew closer. "Would you like to sit?" he asked but Evan shook his head and walked to the edge of the terrace alongside one of the manicured shrubs and closed his eyes. Conrad came up behind him and wrapped his arms around him. Evan kept his eyes closed and leaned his head back against Conrad's chest.

"This feels so good. I wish we could just stay like this forever." Evan whispered as the soft breeze lifted the hair away from his sweet face. "My life is changing so much and so fast."

"I know, my love, and I'm sorry," Conrad responded thoughtfully.

"No, don't be sorry. I'm not sad about it. I love my new life; I'm just a little exhausted. I wish we had more time for you and me. I want to lay back like this and just be with you."

"You are with me Evan and you will always be with me." Conrad was pleased with his beloved's desires and the fact he was comfortable in voicing those desires. He too wished they could simply take the next few days to themselves and in normal circumstances that would be happening.

New bonds were always given time and space, unfortunately there was a job to be done a job that effected every single member of the Coven and many of the citizens of Pittsburgh. His Evan was the only person with the ability and the skill necessary for the job so they took their time together when they could get it.

"Soon, my love . . . soon."

Conrad was placing a soft kiss on the side of Evan's head when he felt something strike him on the shoulder. It was a quick, sharp pain that then radiated through his upper arm. He looked and saw something protruding and instantly took Evan down to the concrete of the terrace and lay over him. He pulled the dart from him and dropped it.

"Stay down. Someone is shooting at us." He stated and slowly began to feel the drugging effects of whatever that dart was laced with. He forced himself to stay conscious and started moving them into a position of better cover.

"He got me, Conrad," Evan said the words that sent panic through Conrad.

"Where?"

"My leg."

Conrad ran his hand down one leg and then the other and pulled out the dart. "How do you feel?" He asked.

"I'm getting groggy, and it's hard to move." He could hear in his voice that Evan was fading.

"Stay with me, baby," Conrad demanded. He grabbed him and, in one swift move, had him in his arms and ran for the terrace doors that led to one of the back rooms of the Club. Just as he burst through the doors, he was struck again, this time in the center of his back. He couldn't reach it. Conrad dropped to his knees, still holding tightly to his beloved, who was completely unconscious. He was struggling to his feet when he heard someone coming from behind.

"Don't even try vampire I put enough in those darts to knock out an elephant." The voice was familiar and as Conrad turned he saw Dumas rushing toward them but it was unnecessary because the man who had been standing behind them, Manfred was already dead.

Killian stepped over the prostrate body of Manfred and helped Conrad to his feet after pulling the dart from his back. Dumas offered to take an unconscious Evan from his arms, but he waved him off. He wasn't ready to let go of him.

"What the hell was he trying to do?" Conrad ranted once he'd shaken off the effects of the drug.

"I've been following him since he hit town. I'm sorry I didn't take him out before he got off a couple shots at you and your beloved." Killian apologized.

"You and Dumas were there in the clinch, so that's all that matters," Conrad told him. Killian reached down and pulled the amber bracelet from Manfred's pocket.

"He was planning to repossess your young Charmer."

"Fuck that," Conrad responded.

"Fuck him," Dumas added.

"Exactly." Killian finished with an evil smile. "I'll clean this up. You should take your beloved somewhere and make him comfortable." Killian's meaning was clear, and Conrad said there wasn't anything he wanted to do more than get comfortable with his beloved.

"Shouldn't Evan's aura have prevented Manfred from getting close to him? How was he going to get that bracelet on him?" Dumas questioned as Conrad turned to leave, and Killian was putting in a call for cleanup.

"His aura is muted when he's asleep or unconscious, but let's keep that as quiet as possible. I don't want anyone else thinking they can come for him." Conrad explained.

"He will be well protected, Conrad," Killian affirmed, and Dumas nodded his agreement.

"Thank you both." Conrad left, hurrying to the elevator, anxious to get Evan home and tend to his needs. He was physically okay, just drugged. Conrad could feel his heart and mind, and all was well. He just needed to process that poison out of his system.

Conrad contacted the Master's office and let him know they would stop by when Evan was able. He told him not to worry that Killian had updated him and that he would stop by their quarters later.

He laid Evan out on the bed and kissed him softly he then took off his shoes and socks and made him comfortable. He checked where he was hit with the dart and there was no sign of discoloration or swelling. He then placed a thick quilt over him and made sure he had enough pillows and then went out into the other room to wait for Master Hadden.

It wasn't long before there was a knock on his door, and Master Hadden entered. Conrad offered him a drink, but he declined. They sat together in the living room, Conrad on the couch and the Master on a chair to his left.

"Manfred has been eliminated, as you know, and there is no further threat from either his family or their kindred. I don't believe we will be bothered by them again." The Master began.

"That's a relief he has enough to worry about."

"Yes, he certainly does, and with that said, I'd like to confront this issue tomorrow at dawn." Conrad felt his stomach tighten at the announcement. "According to Batiste and Marek, the evil inhabiting the Center is at its weakest at dawn. We will meet in the main room an hour before dawn. We will make preparations, and Batiste will transport us to the Center." Master Hadden was calm, clear, and very much in control, but Conrad could not help but worry about his beloved.

"Yes, sir."

"How is he?"

"Sleeping off the drug that Manfred doused him with; otherwise, he's well and strong," Conrad told him.

"You and I and Marek will accompany him. Any more than that will just get in the way and give the evil something to latch onto." The Master looked beyond Conrad to the bedroom door. "I can feel the strength of his presence, it radiates through the room. He has changed the wavering aura he used to present has become a solid manifestation with an intensity and an impact. Marek told me he was ready, and I believe that he is."

"I witnessed his shifted form, and it was impressive. He told me he recognized the evil at the Center and that he had battled with that enemy before." That caught the Master's attention.

"He is truly the risen Charmer." Master Hadden spoke softly as if to himself.

"He also said there were more because times are such that the Charmers are returning." Conrad shared everything.

"This is our battle to end the curse and destroy the evil in our city. We will face our enemies just as others will have to face theirs because the fate of the world rests on more than just the Hadden Coven." The Master finished, and Evan stepped out of the bedroom and into the living room. Conrad and Master Hadden stood as he approached.

He was confident and clear, and his power was sharp and intense, crackling along the surface of his flesh. "This is our battle, and I will send that abomination back from whence it came. The heart of the matter lay within the ground floor. Destroy the heart, and you destroy the force of its power."

"Tomorrow morning." Master Hadden declared.

"Tomorrow morning, sir." Evan accepted.

Just as Evan recognized the evil taking over this land, the evil recognized Evan. It felt the power of the Charmer, something that hadn't been felt in over a thousand years, and it quivered. It lost its hold on the distant lands and began pulling its resources back to the heart. It must defend and protect the heart. The aged curse had opened the door to this reality filled with bountiful lush innocence, and this point of darkness was not ready to be banished.