My Horny Stepmom Turns Me into Her Vampire Slave

Chapter 217: B - Like a lion and a gazelle

Only now do I realize something. This whole time, I thought I was the one deceiving Kimberly... when she was the one lying to me from the very beginning.

Sure, I only got close to her because of a stupid bet and because, well... I definitely wouldn’t mind fucking her.

But her... she’s a fucking Monster Slayer!

We’re basically like a lion and a gazelle.

And the fact that I’m the gazelle, even though I’m a vampire and she’s just a human, is seriously depressing.

At this point, all the brutal training I’ve been doing with Frank Pyton should’ve become pointless, considering Kimberly has no intention of killing me. Right?

And yet, here I am, walking out of Frank’s mansion. There’s still an hour left until sunrise, and the streets are completely deserted.

Just because she doesn’t want to kill me doesn’t mean someone else won’t try someday.

You always have to be ready for anything, especially when your life is anything but ordinary.

I’m lazily walking through the dark streets on the outskirts of New York, lost in my thoughts and exhausted after the brutal training drained every last drop of my Sanguis energy, when...

"Axel, you really should get into the habit of watching your back, especially when you’re hanging around people like that," a voice hisses from behind me.

I recognize it instantly. It’s Kimberly.

I spin around and find her leaning against a wall with her arms crossed, her eyes locked on me.

Damn it, how did I not notice her?! How long has she been following me? Judging by what she just said, I’d say it’s been a while, since she knows exactly where I came from.

"What I do is none of your business as long as I’m not hunting humans," I reply, annoyed, even though I can’t really say she’s wrong.

Frank Pyton is insanely powerful, which means he must have a ton of enemies—not just Monster Slayers, but demons and who knows what other creatures from who knows how many different worlds. I probably really should be more careful and keep a lower profile whenever I leave his mansion.

"I’ve been thinking about something, Axel," she says, pushing herself off the wall and walking toward me. "Why have you been glued to Frank Pyton lately? Is he the reason you’ve gotten so much stronger? I noticed your power — and even though it’s still below mine — grew way too fast between our first fight and the second. The same goes for your fighting skills."

"What kind of bullshit are you talking about? How could a crime boss possibly help me become stronger as a vampire?"

"Oh, Axel... when are you going to stop treating me like I’m an idiot? Like I told you yesterday, I didn’t come to New York to hunt you. I didn’t even know you were a vampire. I came here to capture a human named Oktavian Azuralis, who’s wanted on N’Raeth for some extremely serious crimes. We can’t prove it yet, but several investigations have linked Oktavian Azuralis to the notorious crime boss Frank Pyton. And the fact that you’ve been constantly going in and out of his mansion these past few days only makes those suspicions even stronger."

"I don’t know anything, and I didn’t tell you anything," is all I say.

Which is basically the same as admitting she’s right without actually saying it.

When you’re dealing with criminals—especially dangerous beings from other worlds—the less you say, the better.

I remember that terrifying dark elf calling Frank "Oktavian" all too well. And I remember even better how furious Frank got the moment he heard that name.

The worst part is... I was there when she said it.

Yeah... maybe it’s time I started seriously worrying.

If his secret identity ever comes to light, Frank will definitely suspect me.

The last thing I need right now is having to watch my back not just from Monster Slayers, but from him too.

"Alright... so where are you off to at this hour?" she asks as she falls into step beside me.

"Where do you think I’m going in the middle of the night? Home. Class starts in a few hours, and you’d better use the time to get some sleep," I mutter, quickening my pace to try and lose her.

No chance. She keeps up without the slightest effort.

"Alright. Mind if I walk you home?" she asks with a bright smile, slipping her arm through mine.

I don’t know if it’s meant to be an affectionate gesture or not, but I can’t shake the feeling that I’m some criminal being escorted by a police officer.

Then again, the amazing feeling of her breasts pressing against my arm as she clings to me definitely makes the whole thing a lot easier to put up with.

"What, are you afraid I’ll stop to execute some criminal on the way? Seriously, you can be such a pain sometimes... but if walking me home makes you feel better, go ahead. I’ve got nothing to hide."

Kimberly shakes her head.

"No, that’s not it. It’s just that it’s really dangerous for a helpless young maiden like me to be out alone at this hour. You should know that better than anyone, considering how much time you spend in the outskirts. Luckily, I’ve got you here to protect me if some creep tries to attack me... just like what happened at that bar in Long Island City," she says with a mocking smile.

Yeah, right. Like some random thug could actually be a threat to someone who can take down a vampire with her bare hands without breaking a sweat...

We walk through a couple of blocks in silence, but I suddenly stop when I notice what looks like a couple making out a little too passionately for a public place.

She’s sitting on his lap on a bench hidden among the trees in a children’s playground—completely deserted at this time of night.

Normally, with the darkness hiding them so well, no human could’ve spotted them, let alone recognized their faces.

But my eyes aren’t human.

The guy is... Tyler. Yeah, there’s no way I’d forget that asshole’s face.

But the girl with him...

No.

That’s definitely not Naomi.