Kimberly is a Monster Slayer and I’m a vampire — basically, we’re like a lion and a gazelle. And the fact that the gazelle is , even though I’m a vampire while she’s just human, is pretty damn depressing.
At this point, all my intense training with John Hardley should have lost its aning, considering that Kimberly, despite everything, has no intention of killing . Right?
And yet, here I am, stepping out of John’s villa — there’s still an hour before sunrise, and there isn’t a single living soul around.
I an, just because she doesn’t intend to kill doesn’t an others won’t try in the future. You always have to be ready for anything, especially when you live a life as far from ordinary as mine.
I’m lazily walking through the dark streets on the outskirts of New York, lost in my thoughts and exhausted from the brutal training that drained every last drop of my Sanguis energy, when...
«Jace, you should really get into the habit of watching your back more carefully, especially when you hang around people like that,» a voice hisses behind .
I recognize it instantly — it’s Kimberly’s voice.
I spin around, and there she is, leaning against a wall with her arms crossed, her gaze fixed on in a tough-girl pose that looks straight out of a dramatic movie entrance — all she’s missing is a cowboy hat and a cigarette hanging from her lips.
But above all... damn it, how did I not notice her?! How long has she been following ?! Judging by her words, I’d say for quite a while, since she knows perfectly well where I’m coming 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 argue with her.
John Hardley is extrely powerful and, as a result, he must have plenty of enemies — not just Monster Slayers, but also demons or God knows what other entities from who-knows-what world. I probably really should be more careful and discreet when leaving his villa.
«I was thinking about sothing, Jace,» she says, pushing herself off the wall and walking toward . «I haven’t seen you hunting humans for several weeks now. Is that why you’ve been sticking so close to John Hardley lately? Is he the one supplying you with all the blood you need? Or is it because of your sudden increase in strength that you’re spending more and more ti with him? You know, I realized that between our first clash and the second, your power — even if it’s still inferior to mine — has grown in a way that’s far too unnatural. And above all, you’re now able to use magic that would be impossible to learn without soone teaching it to you.»
«What nonsense are you talking about? I don’t see how a cri boss could help increase my vampire powers,» I reply, playing dumb.
Kimberly spreads her arms and lets out an exasperated sigh.
«Oh, Jace... when are you going to stop taking for an idiot?» she grumbles, clearly offended — and it’s obvious she didn’t buy it. «As I already told you yesterday afternoon, I didn’t move to New York to hunt you, since I didn’t even know you were a vampire. I ca here to kill a demon known as Vadhim, who’s been hiding in this world in human form for a couple of years now. But I’m certainly not the first to have received the assignnt to track him down, and other HESPARC agents had already linked Vadhim’s identity to that of the well-known mafia boss John Hardley. And your constant coming and going from his villa over the past few days does nothing but confirm those suspicions.»
«I know nothing, and I haven’t told you anything...» I limit myself to replying.
An answer that pretty much amounts to admitting she’s right, without actually saying it out loud.
When you deal with cri — especially when demons are involved — the less you say, the better. I still rember all too clearly that terrifying dark elf who addressed John by calling him Vadhim, and above all how furious John got at hearing that na. And the worst part is that I was there too when it was spoken.
Yeah... I should probably start worrying for real.
«All right... anyway, where are you headed now?» she asks, now walking alongside .
«Where do you think I’m going at this hour of the night? I’m going ho. Classes start in a few hours, and you should probably take advantage of that and get so sleep,» I mutter, quickening my pace in an attempt to shake her off.
No luck — she keeps up effortlessly, as if it were nothing.
...and above all, I’m already late for what has now beco my usual morning appointnt with Mrs. Fenwick, who in less than an hour will show up at my place for her customary breakfast of coffee, cake, and a nice, invigorating fuck under a hot shower.
«All right. Then do you mind if I walk you ho?» she suggests with a radiant smile, taking by the arm.
I don’t know whether it’s a gesture of affection or not, but the fact is, I feel like a delinquent being escorted by a cop.
«Are you afraid I’ll stop for a snack along the way? Co on, you can be such a pain sotis... but if walking ho makes you feel safer, then go ahead. I’ve got nothing to hide.»
Kimberly shakes her head.
«No, that’s not the reason. I imagine you’ve already had your fill at John’s place. It’s just that, for a young, defenseless maiden like , it’s really dangerous to walk alone at this hour — you should know that well, given your extensive experience in the outskirts. But luckily for , there’s you, ready to defend if I were attacked by so wrongdoers... like what happened in that bar in Long Island City,» she replies with a playful smile.
Yeah, sure. As if so random thug could really be a threat to soone who can take down a vampire without even breaking a sweat...
We cross a couple of blocks in silence, but I stop dead when I notice what looks like a couple kissing and touching each other with far too much passion to be out in the open.
She’s sitting on his lap, on a bench hidden among the trees in a children’s playground — obviously deserted at this hour of the night.
Normally, so well concealed in the darkness, no human eye could have noticed them, much less recognized their faces.
But my eyes aren’t human.
He is... Tyler — Naomi’s boyfriend. Yeah, I can’t forget that damn face. But the girl with him...
No. That’s definitely not Naomi.
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