Chapter Fourteen

K elvin could feel Key’s fear through their connection and tried to remain positive, but he, too, was a little afraid. He knew what the law demanded if broken, and here he was about to try to reason with their council as to why the law should be struck down.

At least Key had some clothes on now, and had gotten his wounds treated. Seeing the bruises on Key’s face had Kelvin seething and wanting to track Maxim down to give him a taste of his own medicine. Gray was tracing his whereabouts, and Kelvin knew Maxim wouldn’t remain hidden for long.

He was up to something, or he would never have come out in the open to take Key.

Outside the council chambers, Kelvin paced the floor, ignoring the chairs placed outside. The hallway was long and had many large windows on one side. The cream color gave it the appearance of glowing, but it did nothing for Kelvin.

His life and his mates’ hung on how he performed in the very chamber he stood outside. He was hoping the emergence of Maxim would sway the council to his side, but they could easily blame his mating as the reason for Maxim returning. He had no idea how they would look at it, and second guessing and creating scenarios in his mind only added to the tension he could feel strangling his body.

Rolling his shoulders back, Kelvin moved his neck from side to side, then cracked his knuckles. Shaking his arms, he continued to pace, trying to loosen up, but all the moving he did had little effect. He was stiff, tight, coiled like a spring ready to go off.

At least Key wasn’t here. Kelvin had managed to convince Peter—Blond to Key—to let his mate stay away. It was daunting enough when you knew the people and the process, but it would have been far worse for Key. Peter had agreed without arguing, giving Kelvin a glimmer of hope that he might be on his side when it came to him challenging the law.

“Kelvin. The council will see you now.”

Kelvin spun on the spot and stared at the open doorway. He inhaled, his chest expanding, then slowly released it before walking towards the chamber. He nodded to the male standing at the door, one of the council guards, and stepped into the wide circular room.

A large, semi-circular podium stood at one end of the room where the council members sat. Thirteen members. It had been arranged that way so there would never be a deadlock, and so far it had worked out well.

The room was once again decorated in cream shades. Only the podium stood out with its dark wood; the same with the chairs. Everything about the room was meant to highlight the council members who were already seated, waiting for him.

Taking a deep breath, Kelvin approached and stood next to the desk and chair placed in front of the podium, waiting for one of the members to tell him to sit or stay as he was. This was their show, and he was a participant waiting for them to speak.

“Please sit, Kelvin.” Kelvin nodded and sat, placing his hands on the desk in front of him. “You know why you’re here?”

Kelvin once again nodded. “I do, Councilwoman Alma.”

“Please inform the council.” She smiled at him as she spoke, and Kelvin decided to take that as a positive.

“I mated a human, breaking one of our fundamental laws.”

He heard the creak of someone moving on a chair and turned his head toward the sound. An older vampire watched him, his eyes narrowed. “You broke one of our most important laws. You know the penalty is usually death.”

“I did and I do, Sir.” Councilman Jenkins preferred to be addressed as Sir. “I had my reasons, Sir.”

“Speak.”

“Maxim attacked him.” He heard several indrawn breaths when he mentioned Maxim’s name. “He became aware of my interest in him. It hadn’t been my intent to mate him due to our laws, but I did want to see him. He’s my mate. It was difficult to stay away.”

“I understand the need to be close to one’s mate. I am also mated.” Oskar, another council member, folded his hands in front of him, frowning deeply. “The need to be close is overwhelming. I sympathize with you in this, however we do have laws in place to protect humans, including the one that forbids us from mating them.”

“I’m aware, and I was intent on watching over him and ensuring he lived a happy, healthy life, but when Maxim attacked and I intervened to save him…” Kelvin paused, choosing his words carefully. “Being in such close proximity to him, I struggled to stay away when his safety was at risk. I couldn’t watch him be attacked, or worse.”

“Maxim.” Councilwoman Therri sighed deeply. “He has been a thorn in our side for decades. Why has he made an appearance now, and to kidnap a mate?”

“He may not have been aware they had mated,” another council member said, one Kelvin didn’t know.

“He would have known the moment he scented Key. Our scents are interwoven together now we’ve mated.”

An older councilwoman nodded. “I’d heard of that happening between vampire and humans. Strange as it doesn’t happen between vampire mates. Maybe a warning system of some sort. Still, you broke the law even though you had legitimate reasons to do so.”

“I challenge the law.” The moment the words left his lips, Kelvin wanted to claw them back. All the council members stared at him and he wanted to hide behind the desk, but if he wanted a life with Key, then he needed to be strong.

What’s going on? You ‘feel’ tense.

I’ve challenged the law and let’s say I’m a little nervous now

Little?

“Pardon?” Councilwoman Alma watched Kelvin intently. “Please repeat yourself for the record.”

Swallowing hard, Kelvin inhaled swiftly, then slowly released it. “I challenge the law regarding vampires not mating humans.”

“Are you sure this is the path you want to travel?”

Kelvin nodded. “It is. The law has served its purpose. We needed it then, but we don’t need it now.”

“I agree. The law needs updating, but certain elements need to remain.” Alma nodded. “Both vampire and human should be required to appear before this council prior to mating, to ensure the safety of our species.”

“You’re agreeing with him?” Jenkins spluttered.

“I am. Part of why we’re here is to ensure how laws are adhered to, but also to ensure they are up to date. This one has served its purpose and is no longer needed in its current form. I’m not saying to remove it altogether, but it needs updating for this modern era we’re in now.” Alma paused, her face dropping. “As you know, my brother’s mate was also human, and he stayed away from her. It cost him everything, and he is no longer with us. I don’t wish to inflict that pain on others.”

“I also agree that our laws need to be updated, and this one in particular requires closer scrutiny.” Oskar flattened his hands. “However, you have broken the law as its stands right now and must face punishment for that.”

Kelvin nodded. “I’ll face whatever the Council decides, but request that I face that punishment alone. Key is innocent in this.”

“I agree.” The councilwoman sitting in the center, Joanne, who was in charge, looked at all the other members then nodded. “You will be removed from enforcement and moved to sanitation until further notice.” Joanne stood, as did all the other members. Kelvin followed suit and waited for her to leave, and when she did, he watched the others leave, except for Alma, who came down from the podium and walked over to him.

“Come with me, Kelvin.”

He followed her out of the council chambers, aware a guard was following behind them. “We knew about your mating, of course. News has traveled fast. Most of the council didn’t anticipate you challenging the law, but myself and a couple of others who know of you, expected it and came up with the punishment. It could have been a much worse punishment, and we did consider several others but chose this. One would have kept you away from your mate for extended periods of time, and that wouldn’t have been fair to him.” Sighing, Alma took a few more steps, and Kelvin waited, sensing there was more she had to say. “Some laws do need to be reassessed, and this is one that should have been removed a long time ago. Many have suffered because of it.”

Alma slowed and turned to face Kelvin, her dark chestnut hair curling around her face. Her dark eyes watched him, causing Kelvin to lower his own. “What was needed then is no longer needed now. I wish you good luck in your mating.”

Kelvin nodded as she walked away, her guard walking next to her. Once she was out of sight, he closed his eyes and leaned against the wall, taking several deep breaths. Opening them, he almost shouted when he saw Gray standing in front of him.

“Sanitation. Sounds… pleasant. I’ve already petitioned for you to be moved back to enforcement, so I doubt you’ll be there long.”

“How did you know?” It did surprise him that Gray knew already. The decision had been made moments ago, so how did he know already?

Gray pointed up and Kelvin saw the camera. Of course. “You’re one of my best enforcers. I’ll have you back with us in no time.” With a wink, Gray disappeared, leaving Kelvin staring at an empty spot.

I’m coming home

We’re not going to die?

Not today

That sounds all kinds of reassuring

I’m working sanitation so you might die from the smell when I come home from work

Lovely. Also I told my dad. Deal with it.

Kelvin slowly closed his eyes and exhaled heavily. There went another law. How many were he and his mate going to break?

Fine.

Just fine?

Can’t change it now, can I?

Nope and he wants to meet you and see what materials you can cut through with your fangs

He wants me to what now?

Deal with it. I’ve had to deal with it all my life.

Charles is your dad.

And now he’s your father-in-law. Have fun getting to know him.

Great. Just great. When?

When what?

Concentrating, Kelvin appeared in Key’s living room, grinning when both Key and Charles jumped up. Key pointed at him. “You need a cow bell around your neck.”

“Now that is an interesting way to travel,” Charles mused.

“No, it isn’t. I thought I was going to hurl when Maxim did it to me.”

“You must be Kelvin. Nice to meet you. Of course, if you hurt my son, I’ll hunt you down with my shotgun and shoot you.”

“I have no intentions of hurting your son.” Shotgun? What family had he mated into?

“You say that now, but I’ll keep it loaded just to make sure.” Standing, Charles hugged Key. “I’ll get going. I need to get some flowers on the way home.”

Even though the words were whispered, Kelvin still heard them. “Say hi to Mom for me.”

Charles shook Kelvin’s hand—tightly—then left, leaving Kelvin alone with his mate. “I’m surprised they let you come home.”

“Me too, but I’m not complaining.”

Taking his mate in his arms, Kelvin kissed him slowly but thoroughly, leaving Key panting. “What should we do now?”

“Sex. I want sex, but not in here.” Key waved at the camera. “I’m not into voyeurism. Maybe next week.”

“Nice to know you have it planned out.”

“You gotta sort these things out.” Taking Kelvin’s hand, Key led him to the bedroom, and Kelvin grinned when Key immediately stripped naked and lay on the bed. “What are you waiting for? An engraved invitation?” Grabbing his hard dick, Key waggled it, making Kelvin chuckle. “Does this count?”

“Yeah, I think it does.”