Page 34 of In the Dark

Maxim screamed up to the ceiling, then grabbed Key by the hair again and dragged him out of the room. Key tried to get up onto his feet, but Maxim saw and kicked him in the side. Grunting, Key gritted his teeth, wincing as Maxim somehow managed to hit him with every object as he dragged Key along.

He knows you’re here.

Figured he would. We’re inside now.

Why didn’t you just poof inside?

Don’t know the layout.

Oh, okay. That did make sense. Wouldn’t want to poof inside a wall or a chair.

Suddenly Maxim released him and disappeared, and a split second later, the door Maxim had been dragging Key towards banged open. Key held his hands up, lowering his head, shouting, “Don’t shoot or bite me or whatever you do to people you hate!”

“Key.”

Key looked up to see Kelvin coming towards him, and slumped to the floor. “Fuck.”

Kelvin hauled him up, holding him so tightly Key thought the vampire would crack his ribs. “Key.”

“I’m good. A bit battered, but fine.”

“Where is he?”

“He poofed away before you came in.”

“Poofed? Interesting way of putting transportation.”

Key looked over at who had spoken, recognizing Gray, and realized he was in a room with several people he didn’t know. Kelvin slowly released him and gently touched his face. Key winced, knowing he was going to be several lovely shades in no time. Fucker could hit hard.

“This is your human mate.”

Key felt Kelvin’s body still and held his breath, waiting. “He is.” Kelvin moved Key behind him as he faced the vampire who’d spoken. “He’s mine.”

“You have broken one of our most important laws.”

“I have.”

The one speaking looked at Key, who was peeking over Kelvin’s shoulder. His dark eyes narrowed. “You and your mate will be punished.”

“I request an audience with the council.”

Dark eyes arched an eyebrow. “You do, do you?” he murmured. He shook his head, his long, thick blond hair flowing around him. “And you think they’ll grant it?”

“They will.” Gray walked over and stood next to Kelvin. “The laws worked when we needed them, but we’ve moved past those times now. We’re not those vampires anymore.”

“No, we’re not, but they weren’t put in place for our benefit, as you are aware.”

“I know. My grandfather was one of the original vampires who created the laws and he would also be one of the first ones to agree all laws need to be re-examined as times change.”

“You may be correct, but for now, Kelvin has broken the law and must face his punishment.”

Key shrank back behind Kelvin.What’s going on?

I’m trying to speak to the council direct so I can put my case across to them and hopefully have them examine our laws. Gray is right. We needed the laws back then, but things are different now.

Will you still be punished and what about me?

I’m going to see what I can do about that, but if they want to punish us, I’ll ask that they don’t do anything to you. You never asked for this and shouldn’t be penalized because of something I did.

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