Chapter 1

I cross my black nylon clad legs and gaze out of the limos tinted window watching the sun set once again on a long dull typical day. I chew on the peppermint gum in my mouth as I listen to my target drone on and on about how much they despise so-and-so and how much his wife complains about performing certain sexual acts on him. Hence the reason I dressed myself like a hooker, dumbass, I think to myself. His driver had pulled the car into an empty lot, how fortunate for me. I rolled my steel gray eyes and ran my red painted fingernails through my platinum blonde hair. I glanced over at the man and watched his jowls quiver as he spoke. He smelled of sweat, cheap bourbon and cigarettes, it nauseated me. I pulled my cell phone out of my leather jacket pocket and scrolled through my music playlists. Finding one that would be ideal, I slipped in my wireless earbuds and hit play. The music vibrates through my entire body and drowns out the filthy pig's banter. I rotate my shoulder blades to loosen them. I felt his fat fingers brush against my cheek. I grinned slightly exposing my extended canines to him as I pounced and ran my taloned fingernails into his jowls. I twisted my body and slit the driver's throat, his blood wasted, shooting against the windshield. I insert my fangs into the huge asshole and drink my fill as his heart slowly stops. I climbed up over his grotesque corpse and licked my fingers clean. I opened the back door not caring about leaving fingerprints and walked away from the two dead men. I stripped off my bloodsoaked outerwear and adjusted the skimpy little mini dress that remained. I pulled out my earbuds blaring Skrillex and dialed my client.

"Deposit the other half, the fat fuck and his accompliss are both dining with the Devil," I mumbled sourly, wiping my lip and ended the call. My cell beeped showing a deposit of ten million. I grinned slightly, spit out my gum I still had tucked in between my cheek and gum as I headed back to my single story home.

My real name is Hera Constantine, a five hundred and thirty eight year old le femme vampire who is a paid assassin for the uber elite, there are only a handful of us. I'm petite, ruthless and very blunt. My clients call me Pandora because I listen to my playlists on the app as I make my kills. I hate other vampires although not many remain, after the governments of the world started destroying us, but that's another story. I have one rule, I won't kill anyone under eighteen. There are others that kill kids, but I'm not one of them. I live by myself and have no desire to get mixed up with anyone else. I'm happy with myself, Pudge, my Irish wolfhound and my familiar Flora, my housekeeper.

Chapter 1

A night in my life

Contrary to popular belief vampires can be out in full sun and we tan, we love to sleep, we eat normal human foods and blend in very well with them. We also have great skin with no wrinkles and perfect abs without having to hit a gym. I'm as strong as three men combined and at my tiny size  that's amazing. Although I do continue to strive for more strength, quickness and better methods of completing my client's requests. I rolled my eyes at my thoughts as I entered my back gate of my northern Oregon home and walked up through my back patio area full of lush plants, patio furniture and medium sized koi pond. I could hear Pudge whining for me. He was such a needy pooch. I slid open my glass patio door and my huge dog came to tell me hello. I scratched his big wiry haired head as I pushed past his doggy kisses to get inside, telling him I'd take him for a walk in an hour. I was looking for Flora, my housekeeper and frowned upon seeing a note on my stainless steel fridge. Going home for the night, I will get groceries in the morning, dinners in the microwave. I rolled my eyes and looked at the plate of whatever she had made sitting in the appliance and sat it on the floor for Pudge. I was stuffed already from the blood I'd drank.

"Eat it all buddy," I mumbled softly and grabbed some water to drink. I showered and wrapped myself in a robe. I went into my office and logged into my account to see if I had any more potential clients. I scrolled through my emails and paused over one. I grit my teeth and scroll past it. My notifications ding and I scroll up to the top to see a foreign language. I clicked on the email and read it's from another country's leader I'm acquainted with. I chuckled and read the correspondence. I was invited to attend a ball in two days with Andre Emery of Andorra and offered to dispose of his wife Irene who would also be present and had just given him an heir, apparently an unwanted female heir. The email went on to say that they were going through a messy divorce and with her elimination everything would be much less troublesome. What a class A dickhead, I think about Andre wanting his lovely wife gone. I saw the price of fifty million and my eyes widened. I replied back that I was interested and to send plane tickets if I was hired. I then forwarded it to Irene with an explanation that I could reverse it with a simple ten added million. I pressed send and leaned back as Pudge laid his head on my lap. Seeing this kind of shit day in and day out made me positive about my lifestyle choices of no relationship...ever. Well besides my first sorta past boyfriend Ezra, who captured my heart briefly along with my cherry and then crushed it by leaving and never returning. I squinted my eyes and frowned slightly wondering why I'd think about him all of the sudden. 

"I'm probably losing my mind and need entertainment, Pudgy," I sigh and scratch his head. I scrolled back to the email I'd avoided for the past few months and clicked on it. My stomach dropped at the words that were written in bold typeface. Your father Mikhail Constantine requests your presence in celebrating his two hundredth millennium birthday. You and one guest that you will bring are invited to join in the festivities on this very fall, October 31st of this year, two plane tickets and invitations are attached. Do attend this my child or feel my wrath. I shivered thinking of my late brother that had refused to attend and cursed to myself. I rolled my eyes and closed the email. It was still August and he sent an invitation several months earlier so I would definitely see it and have ample time to adjust my schedule. Clever father, I think as my cell phone started ringing. I see that it's Irene calling and I answered to tell her all about the email from her husband. She thanked me for letting her know and I told her us females had to stick together and she laughed saying all but Stephanie, the trollope Andre was wanting her assassinated over. Since we were long acquaintances I told her I'd kill the homewrecker as an added perk. She loved the idea and told me to keep her updated on when to send the payment. I agreed and hung up feeling like I'd done a good deed. Maybe it was because I never knew my mother but Irene treated me like a daughter and I liked it. My cell phone beeped a notification and I saw I received a correspondence from Andre. I opened it and swallowed uncomfortably. I won't be needing your services at this time Pandora. A close friend of mine has suggested another, a fellow that names himself Aeron or Slaughter. I'm positive that you are aware of your competitors or have heard his name, thanks, good day. I gritted my teeth as my eyes went over his name slowly. That bastard, I've heard about, if he's doing it, Irene is as good as dead along with her baby girl. I rubbed my eyes over the dilemma. I'm not a bodyguard but I liked Irene. 

"FUCKING HELL!!!," I yelled loudly, causing Pudge to start howling like he was agreeing with me. I patted his head and told I'd take him for a walk as I thought. I dressed quickly, in a tee and loose cotton pants. Slipping on a pair of sandals Pudge carried his leash to me and I told him he was a good dog as I latched it on his collar. I grabbed my house keys, doggie poop bags and headed outside. We were quite the silly sight, five foot two inch me walking my three foot tall, 120 pound dog down the block. Pudge's craps were bigger than me I sometimes thought as I bagged the monstrosities. Thankfully being a vampire and the alpha, he listened to my orders and was relatively easy to handle. As we walked I thought about what I should do. My sensitive side said to protect Irene, my other half said to just ignore it and go on with my life. But if I have nothing to fight for or care about, is that a life? No, it just means I'm simply existing and not living. I thought about it all and decided that I would fend off the Slaughter for Irene and her baby girl. How far from an assassin I have fallen, I frown and start jogging, making Pudge keep up with me. I decided to do some research on this Aeron character to find out if he was human or vampire, each would mean different approaches. When I got back to the house I hurried to my computer and started my search. I found a site on the dark web full of information. I asked about the assassin named Aeron and I got several replies. Apparently he was ruthless, coldblooded and had a dislike of anything breathing. I lol'd and added that it sounded like a male version of myself. Whomever I was responding to asked me who I was and I answered Pandora. The next thing I see is a black screen pop up with read letters telling me to wait for a video call. I rested my chin in my palm as I waited. I watched the spinning icon and tapped my fingernails on my desk, I was an extremely impatient person. A bright screen flashed with flickering bars across it and then a figure came closer. I squinted my eyes to get a better look. Whoever it was, was donning a wooden tribal mask over their face. I swallowed seeing light glowing crystal blue eyes, vampire eyes and grinned slightly.

"Are you the real Pandora," a deep voice Inquired. I breathed in deeply and sighed.

"Yes, I am the real individual who uses that name in my line of work " I answered plainly.

"You're a vampire," he asked roughly and I nodded. He made an odd hmmm sound and I raised my brows and glanced at the screen. 

"Who are you, I can tell you're a vampire as well from your eyes but they aren't familiar to me since I know several thousand," I growled through the lie threateningly.  He chuckled heartily and the sound was warm and comforting. I frowned upon experiencing the feeling. He slipped off the mask and I melted into my chair. He was gorgeous. Face of Adonis and surprisingly blue highlighted black hair that looked really edgy but sexy on him. I concentrated on slowing down my breathing and acted nonchalantly. I know my gray eyes lit up showing him my appreciation for his good looks. It was something out of my control and annoying as hell.

"I am Cassian, assassin extraordinar, it's a pleasure to meet such a stunningly beautiful woman with such a delightful reputation," he said firmly with added influence that would never work on me. 

"I assure you my reputation is far too kind, I'm honestly a ball shredder and enjoy it immensely," I stated as I licked my fang. Cassian tilted his head and gritted his teeth.

"What do you want with Aeron," he finally asked. I glanced up at him with squinted eyes.

"He's been hired to kill two individuals that I intend to guard, meaning he and I will come to blows. I only wished to understand the man I intend to destroy," I replied and he furrowed his brow. 

"Who are the targets," he asked.

"Irene Emery and her infant daughter," I mumbled sourly. Cassian frowned.

"It's unfortunate for the child, but Aeron is unfeeling and cares for no one," he growled forcefully and I chuckled.

"Neither do I, so ripping his heart out of his perfect muscular chest won't matter to me," I stated firmly, my eyes shining as I stared at his glowing ones through the screen.

"Guess we shall see who is victorious, my dear Pandora. My talons will sever your delicate neck like butter," he smirked. 

"I can't wait to tear your balls from between your legs and shove them down your tempting mouth," I retorted, making him chuckle. 

"I will spare the infant if you take her, but that's all I can offer," he said softly and I nodded.

"Also, please save me a dance at the ball," he added and the screen went black. I shook my head, smiling and dialed Irene to let her I could save her daughter and kill Stephanie but she was on her own.