Katie Salidas - Pandoras Box (Immortalis, Book 3)

Immortalis: Pandoras Box

Copyright 2011 by Katie Salidas

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in or introduced into a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form, or by any means (electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise) without the prior written permission of both the copyright owner and the above publisher of this book.

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, brands, media, and incidents are either the product of the author's imagination or are used fictitiously. The author acknowledges the trademarked status and trademark owners of various products referenced in this work of fiction, which have been used without permission. The publication/use of these trademarks is not authorized, associated with, or sponsored by the trademark owners.

Book Cover Art Claudia McKinney http://phatpuppyart.com

Cover model is Elandria http ://elandria.deviantart.com

Cover Layout by Willsin Rowe

Interior Layout by Katie Salidas

Editing by Sharazade

ISBN 978-0-9844196-8-5

Rising Sign Books

4600 E. Sunset Rd. 279

Henderson, Nv 89014

To my many, many, many beta readers, thank you. All of your comments, criticisms, and compliments helped shape this novel. It would not be what it is today without your help.

You make living with vampires look easy. I chuckled, watching Fallonmy very human best friendstake her claim in the den.

Since moving in, Fallon had taken over the empty room in our house, turning it into her own ultra-modern studio apartment: half bedroom, half office space. Shed even begun hanging picturessomething Lysander had never done the entire time hed lived here. On one wall shed hung a large abstract painting in muted tones of blue and green. She was well on her way to making the room feel homey and completely separate from the rest of the house.

Ive had some pretty scary roommates in the past. You guys are nothing! She waved a flippant hand in the air, downplaying the strangeness of our situation.

Fallon was a rarity, a human possessing knowledge of our kind, who hadnt been turned or killed. She was never supposed to know Id become a vampire, but after a hasty retreat Id made while dodging a hunter from the Acta Sanctorum, I accidentally let the cat out of the bag. My clan, the Peregrinus, werent too keen on the idea at first, but after Fallon showed them she was capable of keeping our secret as well as being helpful, they gave in and allowed her to stay.

Oh, hey, has Lysander called the cable company yet? Fallon asked as she shoved her head below a small glass-topped computer desk and began fumbling with wires.

For the last few weeks, Fallon had taken it upon herself to bring my two-thousand-year-old boyfriend into the modern era.

And he wasnt too happy about it.

You just cant teach an old vampire new tricks . I stood against the wall, remembering Lysanders first lesson with the computer. It had been hilarious. Not realizing his strength, he crushed the first mouse with a forceful click. The keyboard barely stood a chance.

Fallon had spent many days rebuilding her desktop computer after their last lesson. Still, she hadnt given up on him. You had to admire her persistence.

Cables snaked across the top of the desk while Fallon bumped and grumbled underneath. Everythings plugged in. I dont know why it isnt working. Ah ha!

I heard a loud thump. The whole desk shifted, and Fallon shouted, Sonofabitch !

You okay over there? I asked , trying to stifle my laughter and sound concerned.

You know, Lysander may be old and wise and all that, but the mans an idiot when it comes to modern technology.

No ones disputing that point. What did he do this time?

Fallon pulled herself out from under the desk and scowled at me. She rubbed a spot on the top of her head, messing up her already-wild blonde pixie haircut. Damn cable was plugged into the wrong hole. I dont even want to know how he managed to make it fit.

I shrugged. Well, what do you expect? The guys ancient.

Her deep brown eyes narrowed as she shot me one of those I-dont-think-so looks. Thats no excuse, Alyssa. Living for two thousand years gives you plenty of time to learn things. You know, adapt with the times, and all that jazz.

I nodded. She was right. But it did make me wonder: if I managed to live that long, would I be so out of touch? I hoped not.

Fallon stopped rubbing the sore spot on her head, and then pressed the power button on the sleek new flat-panel monitor sitting on the desk. Sighing with contentment as the screen came to life, she flopped down onto the office chair. Time to start creating user accounts. She rested her hands on the desk and absently tapped a finger on the edge of the keyboard as if contemplating what to do next. You know, it would be better if Lysander were here. I dont want to set up his account yet. He needs to learn how to use this computer.

Youre gonna have to wait then. Hes off hunting.

The sweet smell of fear suddenly permeated the air. Human noses cant detect the subtle scent, but I wasnt human, and the sugary fragrance teased my senses. Friend or not, Im still a vampire, and instincts are hard to ignore. Hunting means blood. Fresh, human blood. Fallon knew this, but she had no reason to fear. As far as the Peregrinus were concerned, criminals were the preythose deserving of our deadly kisses. No vampire in this house would ever harm her, especially since shed been made an unofficial memberbeing human and allafter helping us fight the Acta Sanctorums last attempt to destroy us.

At least hell be in a good mood when he gets back, she said, trying to sound as if it didnt bother her. I could tell she was lyingbeyond the smell of fear, I sensed her uneasebut nodded as if I accepted her words at face value. It was understandable and expected of her to be squeamish about the whole blood thing. You cant truly appreciate the need for blood unless thats the only thing you can consume. For what it was worth, though, she was handling it well.

Guess Ill just check my email while we wait. She immediately began tapping away at the keys.

I shrugged and turned toward the futon in the center of the room, and spotted a cardboard box sitting on it. Hey, whats this? More computer stuff?

Fallon still tapped away at the keys. Dunno. It was on the doorstep when I got home.

I walked over for a closer look. Oddly, there was no address or any kind of shipping information on the box. I picked it up and looked at the bottom, hoping to find a label there. What I found instead was weird symbol: a large circle with what looked like a horizontal capital I dividing it, drawn in something maroon-colored. I hoped that was just a new Sharpie color, but after a quick whiff my nose said otherwise. Blood. Old blood.

You didnt think it was strange? I asked , a little annoyed that she hadnt mentioned this sooner. No tags meant that this hadnt been dropped off by the postal service.

We lived in the middle of a quiet suburban neighborhood, hiding in plain sight from the humans surrounding us. Thankfully, in a city like Las Vegas with a thriving nightlife, no one ever questioned our nocturnal habits. Maintaining secrecy was rule number one in our clan, and we did our best to remain inconspicuous. That meant whoever stopped by to drop this off must have known whoand potentially whatwe were.

Sorry, Lyssa, I had my hands full with the new monitor when I came in. Honestly, I had forgotten it was here until you mentioned it.

I hadnt been a vampire long enough to know all the ins and outs of our culture. Maybe this was a way new vampires announced their presence in our territory. Maybe our recent defeat of Quentin and the local branch of the Acta Sanctorum operation had earned us some respect. Maybe it was a parting gift from Santino, our old nemesis-turned-ally.