Have you ever been "beeped" by the light?

The vampire woman’s expression shifted at least four times in a single instant. If one were to put it into words, Jos was certain it would be something along the lines of, “Are you freaking kidding me?”

Right now, she was genuinely bewildered. She didn’t mind spending a pleasurable night with any handsome man, but wasn’t he a vampire hunter? Wouldn’t any normal person see his words as a provocation? Shouldn’t a hunter’s response be something like, “Filthy wretch, I’m here to purify you evil creatures,” or, “By the holy light, this enemy is worthy of battle”?

Why did he take it seriously instead? And wait—why was he starting to undress?

Unfortunately, Jos’s plan to show her his “great treasure” was cut short when a group of vampires, long hidden behind him, pounced and brought him down.

...

“Well now, little hunter, your combat experience is seriously lacking, isn’t it? Didn’t even think to check your back?” The woman teased, eyeing Jos, who was now bound to a chair with chains as thick as her finger.

“Do you know what happened to the last person who tied me to a chair?” Jos retorted with a hint of annoyance, but his tone betrayed no weakness.

He had to admit, this time the fault was his own—a moment’s carelessness, and he’d let this bunch of half-rate vampires ambush him. They wasted no time knocking his silver dagger out of reach, depriving him of his most effective weapon. Then, relying on their nearly immortal bodies and sheer numbers, they forced him down and managed to tie him up like a rice dumpling.

“There’s no need to look so grim, darling. While I certainly intend to kill you, I have to admit, I wouldn’t mind sharing a bit of fun with you first,” Cardis said, reaching out to hook a finger under Jos’s chin now that he was immobilized. The words were the same as before, yet this time her tone was far more sultry.

“Looking at you up close, you’re rather cute. If you can satisfy me, perhaps I’ll consider making you one of my blood kin,” she cooed.

Cardis was indeed blessed with both beauty and a figure that exuded the particular allure of a Western woman. With just a few words and little gestures, Jos keenly noticed that the surrounding vampires were all bending forward ever so slightly.

Yes, any man would guess the reason for that.

Hearing Cardis’s words, Jos’s expression became one of genuine interest. “If I’m not mistaken, you must be the mistress of this place. Doesn’t your so-called clan chief care at all about things like Thunder Bluff?”

Even though she couldn’t quite decipher what Jos was getting at, Cardis easily grasped his meaning from his expression and merely smiled, lips pressed together in amusement.

“It was only after that old fossil Walker turned me into a vampire that I realized he’s long since lost any ability to care,” she said. Though she didn’t spell it out, Jos understood immediately from the playful glint in her eyes.

“Lately he’s been acting even stranger, abandoning the clan, muttering to himself all day, eating like a savage wolf—he even gnaws the bones. Even if you hunters didn’t come, we’d have to get rid of that useless old man sooner or later.”

Jos had little interest in the internal power struggles she mentioned, but the change in this Walker character piqued his curiosity. Such abnormal behavior was a sign that something unusual was happening—an opportunity for him to stir up even more trouble.

Suppressing his intrigue, Jos studied the woman before him anew. After such a bold declaration, the surrounding vampires seemed utterly unshocked, even calm. That alone spoke volumes about her methods; clearly, she had long since taken control of this vampire clan.

“What’s this? Suddenly interested in me?” Cardis asked, swaying her body seductively as if she’d noticed Jos’s gaze.

“Sorry, but I’m really not that interested,” Jos replied, rolling his eyes.

Cardis laughed lightly. “Men all like to play the gentleman, but how could anyone in this world not desire me? Look at this flawless skin, this perfect face—surely a treasure of the world!”

“Hah! You really think highly of yourself, don’t you?” Jos couldn’t help but snicker. “As for reasons, I have two. Which one would you like to hear?”

“What did you say!”

This time, Cardis’s face twisted with genuine rage. No one likes being rejected—least of all a beautiful, high-ranking woman making an overt offer. Even when she was human, she was a well-known model, and after gaining an immortal body, she’d had all the time in the world to perfect her appearance. Not only Walker, the clan chief who turned her, but even the ordinary vampires were all enthralled by her beauty.

And yet, when she herself made a move, she was refused!

“Two reasons? Go ahead, let’s hear them. If your reasons fail to satisfy me, I’ll turn you into my blood kin and make you suffer for all eternity!”

Her anger now directly affected her control over her body, and she could no longer hide her vampiric visage—her beautiful features twisted into a ghastly, pale vampire’s snarl, fangs bared.

Never mind that she wasn’t the type to listen to explanations; any normal person would be too terrified to speak at this point, regardless of their reasons.

“Just because you’ve got a pretty face, you think the whole world will fall at your feet?” Jos ignored the worsening look on her face and went on relentlessly.

“And just because you’re a woman, you assume everyone should submit to you. How is that any less deluded than some terminal narcissist?”

Seeing the smile on Jos’s face, Cardis finally lost control and let out a furious roar.

“I’ll tear that thing right off and chew it to pieces!”

As Cardis’s claw swung toward his most vital spot, Jos knew his initial assessment had been correct—this woman was stronger than the average vampire, at least at the level of a first-rate hunter.

As the force of her blow sliced through the air, Jos didn’t even blink.

Cardis’s claw stopped a dozen centimeters from his body, as if blocked by some invisible wall.

“What… is this?” Cardis was stunned by the growing brilliance of the light.

“So…” Jos smiled at her, “have you ever been [bleep]ed by the light?”