Page 8 of The Healer and the Vampire
“Yes, but I didn't recognize what it was at first. It was honey and lemon, so fresh and clean. It was out of place, but I wrote it off to something environmental, and then I met you, and the facts just kept stacking up until suddenly I knew exactly who you were, and my heart melted on the spot." Remi smiled, and Conrad dropped his head for a moment before responding.
"Okay, I'm sorry I overreacted. I'm so used to people taking shots at me that I tend to snap back without thinking. I'll do more thinking, I promise, and I do appreciate your calm and steady attitude and the way you're able to channel that to me." Conrad relented, and Remi felt his attraction to this young man grow.
He was outrageous and wild in a lot of ways. His problem-solving skills were mostly impractical and foolish, but his heart was in the right place. He endeavored to do right and be good, and that was all that mattered.
"Now, why don't we sit, and you tell me what you're running from, so I know how to protect you." Remi gestured towards the chair Conrad had been sitting in, and they both returned to their seats, but they moved closer, and Remi maintained physical contact with his hand on Conrad's forearm, and then his hand, and then he rested it on his knee.
He told him about being in his brother's care and how his brother exploited his gift after witnessing him healing a pet, and then how his Aunt and cousins got involved. Although none of them believed Conrad actually had the gift of healing, they still marketed him as such. "I got tired of the shtick, and Patrickwouldn't just let me leave. I was his meal ticket. The others were there for whatever they could get, just basic hangers on, so they did whatever Patrick wanted. My Aunt handled the contacts and worked with the people they set me up with. She has a charm and sincerity that they buy into." Conrad took a breath and placed his hand over Remi's.
"Healing is very taxing and leaves me drained sometimes for days, depending upon the issue I'm dealing with. They didn't believe or understand, and scheduled sessions back to back. I wanted out, and I'd wanted out for a long time."
“They never considered that you were legitimate?”
"No, they thought I was a performer and that the clients were delusional, it fit their view of life. I healed a lot of people over the past four years . . . and I need a rest." Conrad glanced up at him, looking for support, and he found it.
"You have every right to rest and restore," Remi spoke up.
"Running was the only way out. I got on the highway and just started going north, and I figured I'd stop when I felt a pull to stop. I felt that pull in Eastport, and it led me to the Indigo Hotel. Fate was guiding me to you." Remi nodded and was delighted that Conrad understood what was happening.
“Do you think that your brother will pursue you? Is he a threat to you?”
"I thought he might, but then he called me hours after I'd disappeared, and he acted really weird." Conrad paused as he tried to remember and get his words right, and then the door exploded inward and several security people charged into the room.
Remi jumped to his feet and pushed Conrad behind him just as one of the security people tore after him, shouting thingslike abomination and loathsome, etc. He noticed Koa coming from behind, attempting to calm the situation, but it was too far out of hand.
He could feel Conrad's panic and fear, and it infuriated him. Remi grabbed the guard by the throat and flipped him onto his back on the floor and pressed his knee into his chest. He was still strangling the guy until Koa came up and eased his grip.
"No need to kill anyone, Remi." Way to casually. Remi didn't back away from the man and continued to press his knee into the wolf's chest while staring him down. The anger and hatred he felt were immeasurable. "It's okay, Remi, we got it under control." Koa continued in his calm approach. The other guards had stepped back the minute Remi attacked their ringleader.
"The guard will be dealt with. Your beloved is safe, Remi. You can get up I'll take him.” Remi glanced behind him and saw Conrad looking from one to the other, still scared, still off balance, and it pissed him off.
"My respect for Koa is the only thing that keeps me from ripping out your throat. Come near my beloved again, and I will kill you." He reached his hand back for Conrad, who took it readily, and he stood pulling the young man to his side as he glared at the men in the room.
The guard on the floor was jerked to his feet by Koa, who immediately placed him in custody and handed him off to one of the other guards. "I'm sorry that happened, Remi. My only excuse is that the threat of magics has escalated everyone’s fears and prejudices. I promise you that such a display will not happen again.” Remi nodded his head and looked down at his beloved.
“Are you okay, my love? He used the endearment, and it felt natural and fitting. Conrad nodded but did not speak. Hiseyes continued to study the men still in the room as if waiting for one of them to attack. "They are not going to hurt you," Remi stated firmly. "I promise you that." Conrad nodded again, a quick and barely there nod that again spoke to his discomfort and fear.
"I'm going to take him home to the Coven," Remi announced. "I don't believe he is safe here."
"This incident was unfortunate and will not be repeated, you have my word on that," Koa told him as he motioned for the remaining guards to leave the room. "But I understand your position and your need to keep him safe."
Henrik was furious that one of his men had tried to attack the young healer, and the vampire, Remi, had to put the guy down. "Koa is dealing with him," Javier told him. "But we have another problem." Henrik turned to him, still seething at the behavior of the guard. Master Emmanuel was a valued ally, and he didn't want to damage the fragile trust that existed between them.
“What is it?” He asked. “Does it involve the healer?”
“I believe so, yes.” Javier walked over to the window in the Alpha’s office that looked down on the main street. Alpha Henrik walked over to stand beside him. "Sasha conducted an analysis of the Hotel and the surrounding area to make sure the protections were holding strong, considering our recent incidents and the presence of the healer."
“What did he find?” Henrik could feel the tension in Javier’s tone and knew without him saying anything that he was not going to like the answer.
"The protections are holding strong, nothing has gained entrance. He reinforced the shields surrounding the Hotel and added to the interior defenses just to make sure.” Javier paused briefly and then turned to face Henrik. "The problem is what's beyond the barrier. Sasha said a significant force of energy lies at the edge of the barrier, and it's bad."
“What kind of force?”
"It's demonic, and it wants the healer. Sasha said that it followed him here from Louisiana, and it's not going to leave without him."
"Fuck." Henrik went back to his desk and sat down with a heavy sigh. "Wants him or wants his power?"
"It's a demon; they only want power. It will endeavor to drain him. He's a young human and is seen as an easy target. I'm sure the supernatural element has thrown it off a bit, but it's not going to let go." Javier glanced back out the window.
