Chapter 2

I grabbed my keys from the dish on the entry table and headed out to my Bugatti. I clicked the unlock button and my driver's side lambo door flung open, allowing me to step inside and take a seat before closing. I set the keys down in the console and pressed my push to start, listening to the purring of those horses again. That was one of my favorite sounds. 

"Jarvis, call Shadow." I commanded. He obliged when the 20 inch digital display on the dash lit up. Seconds later a male appeared on the screen. “Checkmate.” I said, while holding up the chain with the ring attached to it in front of the camera so he could see. 

“Well done, Snow. You've outdone yourself. Your deposit will be in your bank by morning.” He said, and then he ended the call. Good. This was a $500,000 hit. He was somewhat of a high roller, I guess. I shrugged it off. 

“Jarvis, navigate me to the nearest Academy.” I said. “As you wish, ma’am.” He replied, and we started heading that way. I threw on a pair of black sunglasses even though it was 2:00am. I never actually drove this car, it drove itself so I didn't need to see anyway. I planned to just lie down and take a nap on the way there but I decided against it. 

"Jarvis, show me available contracts." I asked. "As you wish Ma'am." Jarvis replied. I looked at my screen as multiple new contracts appeared in a list. I scrolled through them slowly, reading the information regarding each one. "Dakwood huh? They are Royals. Hmm, offering 1 million for the hit… That should be an insane job. Ah, it's across the country. I'm definitely not in the mood to drive that far." I mumbled to myself as I kept scrolling through the available hits. 

"Ah, Vanderwood. Oh? This is a double hit? Looks like the man and his brother. Well, well, well, challenge accepted." I said out loud, as I pressed accept, and watched as file after file downloaded to my app. Now to study my prey. The GPS said I had an hour to the closest Academy, so I had time to do some research. 

"Jarvis, what can you tell me about the Vanderwood brothers?" I asked him. "The Vanderwood brothers are James and Joshua, twins by birth, with James being a minute older than Joshua. They grew up in France and moved to the states 300 years ago to form a colony here. They live at the Vanderwood estates in Maine, along with the rest of the Vanderwoods in the states and most of their colony." Jarvis said. 

Shit, so these guys live in a colony? That would make it a lot harder to kill them. I would have to catch them outside of their home, and alone. Most likely individually as well. Not that I can't do it, it just makes it that much more of a challenge. Good thing I'll be getting paid for two hits when this is over. That makes it worth it. 

I have never missed a hit. Sometimes it takes me a little longer to achieve my checkmate, but I always get it. I spent the rest of the car ride doing my research on these brothers. But I was already tired from my last hit and my mind kept wandering making it hard to concentrate. I would have to resume this after I got some sleep. 

"Ma'am, we have arrived at The Academy." Jarvis cut through my thoughts. "Ah, good. Thank you, Jarvis." I replied. I pulled out a pair of long lace gloves from my console and slipped them on. I stepped out and tossed the keys to the young boy working the Valet. "Not a scratch, kid." I purred while narrowing my eyes at him. 

He looked nervous. "Of course, Snow… I wouldn't dream of it." He replied. Hmm, he knows my name. That's not uncommon. I'm one of the top Hunters within The Academy. But still, it always surprises me when I'm traveling and they know my name. I shot a quick wink at the kid, whose face turned beet red as I walked towards the doors. 

I had never visited this specific Academy location here in Pennsylvania, but it was just as gorgeous as the others. Everything was white, with large picture windows and tons of angled architecture. 

You could definitely tell this was a high class place, and if you were to walk in here unknowing of what you were walking into, I’m not even sure what you would actually think this place was. 

I eyeballed the multiple chandeliers adorning the high ceilings, and looked at the fancy decorations and paintings adorning the walls. My eyes fell onto the front desk where I could see a pretty little thing working. She looked young as well, and she was definitely eyeballing me as I walked up to her. 

“M-miss Snow, I-I can't believe you are here!” She stammered. I raised an eyebrow at the girl while reading her nametag. “Jenny, huh?” I said. She looked as if she were about to pass out in my presence. “Y-yes ma'am.” She said shakily. I chuckled under my breath. “No need to panic dear, I just need a room for the night.” I said softly. 

She nodded her head and started typing my information, that she clearly had memorized, for whatever reason, into her computer. A few seconds later she slid me a room key. “If you need anything just call room service.” She said, and smiled at me. I took a second to admire her beauty. 

She may have been young, but she was gorgeous with her long blonde hair and neon green eyes. She had a little spatter of freckles across her nose and I definitely loved her pale skin. “Why don’t you come by my room later, if you aren’t busy.” I said with a little wink, and then I turned and walked past her up the stairs. 

I swear I thought I heard her pass out and hit the floor behind me, but I didn’t turn around to see. I was about halfway up the stairs when a sexy baritone voice rang out from behind me. 

“Well, if it isn’t the legendary Snow.” He said. I contemplated ignoring him, but decided against it. It may be late, but who was I to turn down an old friend? I stopped and slowly turned around, locking my black eyes onto Xavier’s crystal blue ones. 

“Xavier, it’s been too long.” I purred. I remained in my place, as he walked up the stairs to greet me. I extended my gloved hand and he kissed the back of it softly. I was thankful I had put my gloves on, I was not interested in reading his thoughts. 

In fact, I wasn't really interested in reading anyone’s thoughts. I rarely took my gloves off, except when hunting. I found that hearing thoughts while hunting was very beneficial, but any other time it was more of a nuisance. “And what brings you to the beautiful state of Pennsylvania?” Xavier purred. 

“What do you think?” I replied, I mean the answer was obvious. We were both clearly here for the same reason. He chuckled to himself. “Well of course, and where to next?” He asked. “Maine, actually. I will be leaving in the morning.” I said. “Maine? Well that sounds interesting. Let me walk you to your room?” He asked. I smiled at him. “Sure.” I said while linking my arm within his.

“Rumor has it that you’re at 148 confirmed checkmates now, color me impressed.” Xavier said as we headed up the stairs. I was surprised that he would know that, but word does travel rather quickly around here. “You would be correct, and this doesn’t include those I've killed outside of hits.” I said with a smirk. 

“Oh Snow, you always were an ambitious one.” He chuckled. We got to the door of my room and I released his arm. I tapped my keycard to the door causing it to swing open slowly. “Jarvis, turn my lights on, set my air conditioner to 70 degrees, and run me a hot bath.” I said out loud. “Yes ma’am.” Jarvis replied and I could hear the water running inside. 

“Well, I’ll let you get to it. It was good to see you again, good luck on your next hit. The Vanderwood twins are going to be quite the challenge.” Xavier said, and then he turned and walked down the hall. I rolled my eyes, nothing gets by anyone apparently. I barely accepted the hit an hour ago and people already know about it. In this world, nothing is really a secret. 

There is one thing they don’t know though, they don’t know what my gift from The Academy is. There is no way to tell, and they can’t force me to reveal it. I never have. I have kept it a secret since I realized what it was. It’s the only thing I have complete control of, the only thing no one can take from me, or force me to use. It's the only thing I have that is truly mine. I snickered to myself at the thought. Mystery was my specialty.

I walked into my room, closing the door behind me. I pulled off my gloves, and set them on the table. My heels followed. “Jarvis, turn on the jets in the tub.” I asked. “Your will is done, Snow.” He replied. “Thank you.” I said, and slipped out of my dress, letting it fall to the floor. I walked over to the bathtub, pulled my hair up, and searched the bathroom cabinet for hair pins. They always provided them as this is what I requested. 

The Academy has locations all over the world, and in order to keep its members comfortable no matter where they may be, they provide your specific amenities. So it doesn’t matter what location I go to, once I check in, the room will be prepared with the amenities I have chosen and requested. I can change my request at any time through my app or using Jarvis. 

We all have an artificial intelligence that assists us. Mine is Jarvis, taken from Iron Man, of course. Who doesn’t love a little Tony Stark? I can access my assistant from any of my digital devices. This includes my car, my phone, my watch, my hotel room. He is programmed into everything I own in order to have easy access. 

Honestly, he may be my only real friend. Computer or not. You’d be surprised how lonely this life can get. I just stay busy and I don’t have to worry about it though. I slipped into the bath and let my body soak. Not that I needed to get clean, but the hot water felt so good on my muscles. 

I always loved a hot bath before going to bed. I felt myself slipping into sleep, and decided it might be best to cut this bath a little short before I drown by accident. “Jarvis, wake me up at 10:30am” I said while getting out and drying off. “Yes ma’am, sleep well.” He replied. I fell asleep as soon as my head hit the pillow.