Crossword Genius

Exposed to risk alongside vampire killer (2,5)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

at stake

I'm a little stuck... Click here to teach me more about this clue!

'exposed to risk' is the definition.
(I've seen this in another clue)

'alongside vampire killer' is the wordplay.
I cannot quite understand how this works, but
'vampire killer' could be 'stake' (I've seen this in another clue) and 'stake' is present in the answer.
The remaining letters 'at' is a valid word which might be clued in a way I don't see.
This may be the basis of the clue (or it may be nonsense).

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for at stake that I've seen before include "In danger; at issue" , "where many martyrs died" , "Being risked or bet on" , "Being risked, depending on outcome of event" , "Being risked, like money with bookie" .)

I've seen this clue in The Times.
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