Marked by the Billionaire Vampire

CHAPTER 1

Cassandra Williams

“Cassy, are you ready?” my manager said loudly when she saw me just sitting there, doing nothing but staring at her while chewing bubble gum.

“Oh my gosh, Cassandra, what is this? Sit properly so I can retouch you. Where’s your makeup artist, huh?” she snapped, then grabbed a makeup brush and started applying foundation to my face.

“Why bother applying make up when I am wearing a mask?” I told her.

Anyway, she’s Amanda Sy—45 years old, and you still wouldn’t guess she’s 45. I don’t know much about her background. All I know is that she’s alone in life, and her only daughter is missing. From what Amanda told me, her missing daughter is about my age.

What a coincidence—I’m alone, too. They say my mother is already dead, but I don’t believe it until they place her body in front of me. I won’t believe it… because I was with her during the accident and I survived, so I’m sure my mom survived too.

Yes, we got into an accident on the day Mommy and I were supposed to fly home from Korea. I was only twelve years old then. I woke up and my mo—

“Shhh… it’s fine, Cassandra. Stop crying,” Manager Amanda said, cutting off my thoughts. She wiped my tears and retouched my eyeliner.

“Stand up and go. Face them with your chin up,” she said gently.

I nodded and stood up. I fixed my posture and mask then walked out of the dressing room. I could feel my manager following behind me. Before stepping backstage, I pulled the bubble gum out of my mouth, wrapped it in tissue, and tossed it into the nearest trash can—shoot.

I closed my eyes tightly and took a deep breath, then flashed a seductive smile.

“Let’s all welcome the most outstanding stripper” That was the signal for my entrance.

Yes, I’m Cassandra WILLIAMS—the most outstanding ‘virgin’ stripper.

Hunter Aurelios Blood

BOGSH!

A body slammed into the trunk of a massive tree—so hard the tree shook from the impact. I slowly approached the vampire and opened my large black umbrella. Strange writing was etched across it—prayers.

“D-don’t… I didn’t hurt anyone. Why are you punishing me?” the male vampire begged, voice trembling.

“I don’t need to list your sins. Lavender is waiting for you,” I said coldly, then drove the tip of my umbrella straight into his heart as if it meant nothing.

The umbrella began to draw out his soul. I smirked when I saw how dark it was.

‘He says he didn’t hurt anyone, but with a soul this black… he must have killed thousands,’ I thought, shaking my head.

I turned my back on the lifeless body. One hand slipped into my pocket while I planted my umbrella on the ground, then I walked out of the forest as if nothing had happened.

Since it was still early in the night, I went straight to a bar owned by someone I knew.

The bouncers didn’t stop me—they already recognized me. I walked in without slowing down, and I could clearly see people pause mid-conversation, their eyes following me.

I feel you. I can feel every stare.

I reached the bar counter, where another acquaintance was waiting.

“Looks like you got lost,” I said as I sat down.

“Same as always?” he asked. I only nodded.

While he mixed my drink, he discreetly added the blood I always wanted blended into it—it gave my alcohol a distinct aroma.

“I’ve got nothing else to do, so I helped Kuya Drei for a while,” he said with a smile. I only nodded. I didn’t ask where his brother was—he was probably in one of the rooms upstairs, that vampire.

“Here—another shot,” Drew said, sliding it toward me.

Without looking, I took it and turned away. I scanned the dance floor: women moving to the music, barely dressed, some already making out shamelessly. I shook my head and looked elsewhere, but no matter where I looked it was the same.

With no view worth watching, I downed the shot. Heat burned down my throat and I stood.

Silently, I left the bar, got into my car, and drove to the hotel where I was staying for the meantime. I arrived quickly and noticed an expensive-looking car parked in the lot.

This was where the Black Night party was being held. There were probably plenty of beautiful women here—but none of them were my type.

I walked straight inside and rode the elevator up. With every second, my body felt hotter. My throat tightened too.

Something was wrong with the last drink.

I was thirsty… thirsty for blood.

When the elevator doors opened, I hurried to my room and pushed the door open. I couldn’t handle the heat anymore. I ran inside and didn’t even check if the door locked behind me—what mattered was getting rid of the burning sensation.

I went straight to a large refrigerator with a passcode and typed it in quickly. The moment it opened, I grabbed a bag of blood. I was so thirsty and overheated that I didn’t bother finding a glass—I pierced the plastic and drank straight from it.

Third Person

Hunter’s thirst and the heat in his body slowly eased after he finished one bag. He pulled off his black clothes and grabbed another bag of blood, then headed to the bathroom.

What the hell did that bastard put in my drink? Hunter thought as he drank from the expensive pouch.

When it was empty, he tossed it into the trash and stepped into the shower. Cold water poured over his body.

A large scar was visible across him—left behind by an accident years ago. His muscular, gym-trained frame carried it like a mark of survival, adding a rough edge to his already striking appearance. His jet-black hair soaked under the water as he bit down on his red lips, trying to force the heat inside him to disappear.

He finished quickly, changed, then collapsed onto the bed wearing only boxer shorts.

“f**k…” he muttered as the heat and thirst returned—what had disappeared earlier came rushing back.

He rolled across the sheets, eyes squeezing shut.

Maybe when I wake up, it’ll be gone, he told himself, staying still with his eyes closed.

Meanwhile…

Cassandra Williams

I scanned the room, searching for my manager. I’d been looking for her for a while, but I still couldn’t see her anywhere. Maybe she went ahead to the hotel room we booked so we wouldn’t have to travel home tonight.

I stood up to head there too, feeling slightly dizzy from the alcohol I’d had—when I spotted one of the women I hated: Tricia.

And beside her was Nathan—my boy… I mean, my ex-boyfriend.

“Hi, Cassandra… I didn’t know you didn’t have a date tonight,” she said with a grin, then glanced at Nathan, who stared at me in silence.

“Nah. I don’t need a date. My manager is enough,” I said coldly, turning as if to leave.

“So rude. We just got here and you’re leaving already,” she said sweetly. “Why don’t you drink with us, Cassandra?” Then she smiled at Nathan like she was proud. “It’s fine if you can’t socialize with me and Nathan. I understand—you’re still bitter because I’m the one he chose.”

She smirked… and kissed Nathan right in front of me.

I looked away, took a slow breath, then sat back down and reached for a glass of wine. The alcohol tasted strong—too strong—and the dizziness hit harder.

Third Person

Tricia’s smile was taunting, but whenever she looked at Nathan she turned soft and sweet, which only irritated Cassandra more. To Cassandra, the woman’s personality was painfully fake.

“Have more, Cassy,” Tricia said brightly, pouring more wine into Cassandra’s glass.

Cassandra rolled her eyes at the act. She didn’t know Tricia had slipped something into her drink. Wanting to get away—disgusted by Tricia’s hypocrisy—Cassandra drank it in one go.

Less than a minute later, Cassandra’s vision blurred. She tried to fight it, forcing herself to keep her eyes on Tricia. She managed a cold smirk and stood.

“I’ll go ahead. I might get poisoned if I stay here,” Cassandra said, struggling against the heat rising through her body and the worsening dizziness.

“Are you okay, Cassy?” she heard Nathan ask—but she didn’t answer. She turned and walked away.

Nathan watched her, seeing how she stumbled like she couldn’t hold herself up. He stood up immediately—only for Tricia to grab him.

“Don’t you dare, Nathan. Or I’ll ruin your career,” Tricia hissed.

Nathan froze.

Fuck… he cursed silently.

While Nathan kept watching Cassandra disappear down the hall, Tricia discreetly typed a message.

It’s done. Bring her to Dave’s room. The key card is in your polo. The room number is on it.

She sent it quickly, then faced Nathan again.

“Let’s go,” Nathan said coldly. “We’re going home.”

Yes—they lived together, like Tricia always bragged. According to her, Nathan loved her.

Meanwhile…

Cassandra couldn’t walk straight anymore. Her vision was darkening. She knew something was wrong—Tricia must have put something in her drink.

I should’ve been careful around that witch, Cassandra thought.

She was about to enter the elevator across from their room when someone grabbed her and dragged her into a different one.

Weak and half-blind with dizziness, she couldn’t fight back. She let the man pull her along.

The elevator chimed. Cassandra jolted when he lifted her into his arms. She didn’t resist—she barely had strength. Heat burned through her body, the same unnatural heat that made her feel like she’d been drugged.

“Sorry… I was just ordered to do this,” the man whispered as he pulled out a key card.

The number 666 was printed on it. He hurried down the hall, nervous someone might see him. When he found the room, he swiped the card. In his rush, he didn’t notice the door wasn’t even locked.

He set Cassandra down, forced her forward, and shoved her into the room.

A dark room swallowed her whole. Cassandra nearly collapsed—but then strong arms wrapped around her from behind.

Even in her weakness, Cassandra could feel him kissing the back of her neck again and again.

Cassandra’s body felt even hotter. She pulled away from his embrace and faced him. Even though it was dark and her vision was blurred, she could see a man with an Adonis-like body, a sharp nose, and hair that fell softly as if it were very smooth.

The man yanked Cassandra closer and kissed her on the lips. Even though she was shocked, Cassandra couldn’t do anything. Possessed by alcohol—and by the drug Tricia had put in her drink—she kissed him back.

Cassandra tasted a minty mouthwash flavor on the man’s lips, and their kisses deepened even more.

The man carried Cassandra without breaking the kiss. Cassandra felt a strange longing in his touch, as if she’d known him for a long time—even though she couldn’t clearly make out his face in the darkness.

She felt her back sink onto a soft bed, but she ignored it and didn’t let go of his kiss. It was as if Cassandra were experienced in this—though it was only her first kiss.

“Ahh…” Cassandra moaned when the man slipped his tongue into her mouth, circling it inside.

Cassandra broke the kiss because she felt like she was going to vomit from the alcohol she drank. And she was right—she threw up, and it hit the man.

“Wait, I’ll get you water,” Cassandra heard—a deep voice that sounded sexy to her ears.

Cassandra couldn’t stay awake any longer. She fell asleep.

When the man returned, he only shook his head, then turned away from the woman and got dressed.