Page 12 of In the Dark

“Mpreg?”

“Not for me, but if you like reading that, then go for it. I’m not going to say to one person they shouldn’t read something because I don’t. We all have our likes and dislikes.”

“This is a strange conversation.” Key closed his eyes and relaxed on the sofa, his body growing heavy. “Maybe I have a concussion and this is all my imagination playing a trick on me. Maybe I’ll wake up in the morning and realize I got so drunk I imagined it all.”

“Maybe you’ll wake up and know this is true.”

“Vampire.”

“Human.”

Key yawned, then grimaced with pain. “Tired.”

“Sleep. I’ll keep you safe from him.”

“Who will keep me safe from you?” Key mumbled, sleep taking over before he could hear Kelvin’s reply.

Chapter Six

“Who will keep me safe from you?”

Kelvin didn’t answer, and he didn’t need to as Key fell asleep. No one would hurt his mate, including him. He would die to protect Key.

Reaching out, Kelvin stroked the brown hair from Key’s forehead, pushing it back and staring at his mate’s beauty. The bruising was already evident on Key’s pale skin, and Kelvin fisted his hands. Breathing deeply, he slowly unclenched his fists and watched his mate sleep. He would deal with Maxim when the time was right, but here and now, his mate needed him.

Sitting on the floor next to the sofa, Kelvin sighed heavily. He wasn’t entirely sure how the conversation about him being a vampire went. He sensed Key didn’t believe, or a part of Key didn’t. Just because you read about a mythical paranormal entity didn’t mean they actually existed. Mythical being the key word.

Key murmured something and Kelvin turned to watch him, noticing how his brow furrowed. A dream or his pain, he didn’t know which, and checking the time, Kelvin realized Key was duemore medication for his injuries. He loathed to wake him up, so decided to wait.

His mate wouldn’t be suffering like this if Kelvin had approached him sooner. They could have been mated already, and Key would have developed some of Kelvin’s abilities, healing being one of them. They were stronger, faster, healed quicker than humans, but there was always a trade-off.

Vampires couldn’t reproduce like humans. They tended to only have one or two children and their pregnancies were longer. Almost double that of a human female, which was understandable considering what they gained. Kelvin was glad to be a male. He wasn’t sure if he could do the whole pregnancy and giving birth thing. Vampires were strong and their females were stronger still.

He needed to call Gray and have him check the area around Key’s apartment to see what time Maxim appeared. How long had Maxim been tracking Key? When did he first show up? How long had he known of Kelvin’s interest in Key and when did he figure out who Key was to Kelvin?

He’d put his mate in the firing line, and now Kelvin had to keep him safe.

Grabbing his phone, Kelvin called Gray and quickly told him what had happened as soon as he answered.

“Not good, but it does tell us something. He’s either watching you or he has someone watching you.”

“He knows who I am. He could be keeping an eye on those of us who police the vampires.”

“True, but now he knows you have a mate. That puts him in danger. Have you told him who and what you are?”

Kelvin turned to Key and softly stroked his fingers over Key’s cheek. “I tried, but he’d taken a knock to the head, so I’m not sure he believed me.”

Gray grunted. “Might not even remember the conversation.” Key heard Gray tapping away. “I’m in. I’ll go back thru the CCTV footage and… Got him.”

“Is he still here?”

“No, he left after your altercation. He arrived around ten minutes before your mate, so he knew what time to expect him. What’s security like where he lives?”

“You can’t tell?” Kelvin continued to watch his mate sleep, chuckling softly when Gray snorted.

“I can, but you’re there, so confirm it for me.”

“He has the usual security in his apartment and its key access to enter the main block.”

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