Page 11 of In the Dark

“Okkkaaayyyy. I’d like some of whatever you’re taking.” Holy fuck, the guy was nuts and in Key’s apartment. Shit.

“I knew that’s how you would react, which was why I wasn’t going to tell you.”

“You expect me to believe you?”

“No, but you asked for the truth, so I gave it to you.”

Key inched forward on the sofa, eyeing the front door again. He readied himself, gave Kelvin the nut job one more look, then shot up off the sofa, running to the front door. And instantly regretted it.

His head pounded and Key dropped to his knees and moaned, his hands cradling his head. He barely had any strength to fight Kelvin off when he felt him pick him up. He buried his head in Kelvin’s shoulder, instinct telling him he was safe. Something Key didn’t understand.

His mind was saying one thing and his body another.

Keeping his eyes closed, he refused to open them when Kelvin lay him on the sofa again. “Please stay still. You took a hard knock to the head.”

“I should go to the hospital.”

“Can you afford it?”

Key nodded and instantly regretted it. “Yes,” he muttered through gritted teeth.

“Let me check your eyes.”

Key shook his head and moaned. He needed to stay still. His eyes snapped open when he felt the sofa dip and grunted when a light was shined in his eyes. Pushing the hand away, he muttered, “fuck off.”

“I can’t. I need to keep an eye on you for another couple of hours.”

“I can take care of myself.”

“You can barely make it to your front door without collapsing.”

“Er, because my head was used as a battering ram.” Closing his eyes, Key pointed to where he thought the front door was. “Get out.”

“I’ll leave when I know you have fully recovered.”

“I can look after myself.” Why was he repeating himself?

“I have to stay.”

Key opened his eyes and stared into Kelvin’s, noticing how blue they were. Such a dark shade they almost appeared black. He blinked rapidly, the light from the flashlight stabbing into his eyes. “Turn the light off, please.” The light disappeared and Key opened his eyes again. “You need to go.”

Kelvin leaned back on his feet and shook his head, his black hair moving gently. “I can’t. I have to stay and make sure you’re safe.”

“Why? Do you know who that man is? The one who attacked me?”

“I know of him. He has a reputation with my kind.”

“Your kind.” Key murmured the words, watching Kelvin, feelings sliding through him. He knew this man, his follower, stalker, savior.

“I told you what I am.”

“Vampire.” Key saw the slight smile curl across Kelvin’s lips as he nodded. “You expect me to believe you?”

“No. Who would? I hope to prove it to you when you’re fully recovered.”

“I read paranormal shit.” He loved a good paranormal romance where two hot men came together and fucked each other’s brains out.

“So do I. I like to read how much they got right and wrong.”

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