"Really now?" she raised an eyebrow. "You want me to kill the oldest vampire alive? You do know everyone who's tried has failed. Why would you expect me to accept this job?"

"I don't. No one else has, but..." the man sighed and shook his head, getting up out of the chair.

Kali stopped him with two words, "Twenty thousand."

The man froze, half way out of his seat, "What?"

"I'll attempt to kill the Messenger for twenty thousand dollars. Four hundred people exactly have been killed making the same attempt, I think it's only fair."

The man's eyes went wide, "You'll take the job?"

"I'll take the job," Kali nodded. "Usually I ask for half before, half after, but considering the peculiarity of this case I will get fifteen thousand beforehand, and five thousand afterwards should I survive. I will be getting the advance a month beforehand in order to prepare and enjoy the cash as I'd like. Just in case this is my last mission. Those are my terms, take them or leave them."

The man nodded eagerly, "Yes, of course. That is more than fair."

Kali scribbled something on a crisp yellow notepad, tore the sheet out, and passed it to him. "I expect the money to be in this account by the end of the week. Once it arrives the month has started. You may go."

He nodded and headed quickly out of the office at the dismissal.

"Wait," Kali called as he just passed through the doorway. "I didn't catch your name."

"Clarence," the man answered, and closed the door quietly behind him.

A/N: Hello! It's been a while since I've last done a fanfic, but I got this idea and I'm just going to roll with it. Hope this is an enjoyable adventure for anyone who reads it, and I guess we'll see where it goes. Remember to review so I can hear what you think, good or bad. :)