Page 9 of The Healer and the Vampire
"Remi was going to take Conrad back to the coven." Henrik jumped to his feet and grabbed his phone. "He can't leave the Hotel, that thing will attach itself."
"We have to figure out a way to kill it," Javier stated.
Remi put in a call to the Master and explained his situation. “He knows of the paranormal, but he has not yet been claimed.” He told him about the random attack and his concern for his beloved’s safety.
"Bring him home, Remi." Master Emmanuel stated. Remi was relieved and was about to close the call when Koa reentered the room.
"You can't leave Remi, the danger is outside," Koa said with a distinct urgency that caught Remi's attention. He stillheld Conrad to his side, having not released him since the attack. Remi liked him there, and Conrad wasn't complaining.
Remi spoke with the Master and explained further the current situation. "I will head home as soon as it is safe to do so, sir."
“Do you need support?”
"No, sir, I have it in hand, but thank you." He closed the call and stared at Koa. "So, what's going on now?"
"Sasha did an intensive sweep of the Hotel and the grounds. The protections are holding strong, but he detected a presence beyond the barrier."
“Something is watching?” Remi erupted, a new tension coursing through him.
“Is it Patrick?” Conrad asked, also alarmed.
Koa shook his head. "It's demonic, and it has been following your Conrad since he left Louisiana." The idea that a demon had trained its sights on Conrad hit hard because such beings do not give up until they are dead. Instantly, Remi began running ideas through his head on how to end the creature.
"Is it a danger to anyone other than Conrad?" Remi asked, concerned for the paranormal staff.
"As far as Sasha has determined, it is focused on Conrad singularly, but as we know, a demon will cut through anyone to get to its desired goal." Remi nodded, his mind still running possibilities and plans. He glanced around the room speculatively.
“Is this an interior room?”
“Yes.”
"I'll keep Conrad in here. The further he is separated from the demon, the better."
Koa pointed to a room off to their right. "That's an office, it's even more interior than this room. It is surrounded by the kitchens, storeroom, and a string of offices and closets." Remi walked over, still holding tight to Conrad, and opened the door to inspect the room. It was a basic office setup with a desk and chair, along with a sofa and a matching chair.
"It's deep into the center of the Hotel with no windows or access points apart from the door there and one that exits into the main lobby. Both can be secured if need be." Koa stood in the doorway. Remi looked down at Conrad and saw panic and fear in his face, and felt him trembling in his arms.
"You're safe here, nothing is going to touch you. They will have to go through me first."
“And me.” Koa chimed in.
"And us." Javier, who had just entered the outer room with Sasha, joined.
Conrad laughed. “I guess I’m pretty safe.” He said.
"We'll handle this, don't worry, and very soon I will take you to my Coven on Old Mission Peninsula and introduce you to Master Emmanuel. You're going to adore him and his sweet beloved." Remi was attempting to get Conrad's mind on something other than the demon, and it was somewhat a success.
Sasha stepped up. "I'll stay with Conrad, and it will give you a chance to do some surveillance." Remi did the introductions and explained Sasha's skills, which put Conrad at ease, although he seemed reluctant to part from Remi.
Remi walked him over toward the sofa and bent, placing a soft kiss on those lips he wanted so badly. Timing was not working in his favor, but as soon as he figured out the demon problem, he planned to take Conrad home and get to know him properly. I won't be long." He said and then left with Koa and Javier. Walking away from Conrad was difficult, but he knew he was safe and protected.
Conrad sat down on the sofa, and Sasha took the chair. He could easily feel the power radiating off the man and knew he was something special. Remi had called him a mage, but Conrad wasn't exactly sure what that was. He assumed it was like an enchanter or a wizard, but he wasn't sure. The energy he emitted was clean and pure, so that was good, and it was natural; the guy was born with it, he didn't barter for it.
“The demon knows that I’m here?”
“Yes, and he waits and watches.” That wasn’t spooky at all. Conrad gave a slight shiver.
“What does he want?”
