Page 14 of Beloved Charmer

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 Evandown 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 wasphysically 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.”

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