He clutched the grey fur pelt in his claw as he turned towards the female vampire that stood near what looked like a destroyed computer console. He wasn't done till every vampire in this tower was dead. He would make sure of it.

He stepped toward the two vampires with his claws clenched at his sides, "I wonder, will you smile at me too?"

"I would suggest you leave, werewolf." Nova said with quiet certainly.

"Oh, I will, after I deal with both of you." He took another step towards the two vampires.

The elevator doors exploded open, ripping themselves out of the wall. William stopped and jerked his attention to the explosion and the screech of twisting metal as seven people rushed into the room.

"Where's Kenneth?" The tall, dark haired lead person said as he stepped into the room looking at the three inhabitants.

"Kenneth isn't here right now, but if you leave a message, I'm sure he'll get back to you," William said gesturing to the body and head of the vampire which was already starting to dissolve into ash as the blood pooled around the severed neck.

"This animal was just leaving, or are you going to try and fight everyone here?" Nova commented.

"And why would I want to do that? Seems to me the party's get getting started," William took another step forward.

"If you look out the window, you'll have your answer." Nova said calmly.

William scoffed at the easy, grade school level ploy, but something in her look made William turn to look behind him. On the street far below them, was a stream of red and blue lights. He couldn't hear the sirens yet, but he knew they would be here soon.

Shit!

"Sorry to rush off like this, folks. I'll be seeing you soon, Miss. And you," William nodded to the tall dark haired man, "If you are one of these people, you'll be seeing me too."

William stalked around the vampires, giving them a wide berth, before bolting back into the elevator. He dove down through the hole in the bottom of the elevator leaving the office the way the others had come.

Nova turned to the newcomer and asked, "Who are you?"

Simon looked at the beautiful young vampire and stated calmly, "My name is Simon."

"What are you doing here, Simon?"

"I came to avenge my friend, the late House of House Dukart, Alessandro."

"Then you will be killing me, and Brian, then?" Nova asked without changing her tone.

Simon regarded the young woman, "I have no cause to kill you. I was here to kill Kenneth. Since he is dead, my friend is avenged, regardless of who carried out the deed, my work is done." Simon turned back towards the elevator.

"What House are you from, Simon?" Nova asked.

Simon stopped, curious what difference that would make to this young vampire. He turned and spoke proudly, "I'm of House Ghatti."

"So, the Duces sent you, Simon of House Ghatti?" Nova pressed.

Simon wasn't sure where this was going. The police lights far below them on the surface streets, were getting closer to the tower.

"No, I was not sent by anyone. I'm here on my own, to settle business which I have already stated."

"A fallen House, destroyed by Retribution, on behalf of the Duces would never allow you to have murdered a legitimate Head of House. You are an outcast, are you not? Hunted by the Duces with a bounty on yours and the remaining members of House Ghatti. Or do I not understand our laws enough to know what I'm talking about?" Nova was calm and her voice never lost it's even tone.

Simon was stunned. Who was this woman to sit in judgement of him? His curiosity got the better of him. But he was not the one to speak first.

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"Just who in the hell do you think you are?" Silvia blurted out. "Talking like you have any idea who we are or what we've been through. You can go fuck yourself miss mocha ass!"

Nova didn't take her eyes off Simon, ignoring the outburst entirely, "Who sponsored you to be here, Simon? What House?"

"I think my House member deserves an answer to her question before I answer any more of yours," Simon replied.

"I was the mate of Kenneth Pacifico."

The proclamation landed like a thud of concrete in the middle of the group. Only Brian seemed to be aware of anything. He looked around at the group of newcomers, but knowing he was better off staying silent.

"Now will you answer my question?" Nova asked.

Simon felt a small tug, not compulsion or domination, but something else. This woman might be a young vampire but she possessed other traits. He could have walked away, but something made him stay and answer, "House Himura."

Nova nodded, "So your business is done here?"

Simon nodded.

Marco patted him on his shoulder and pointed out the window at the nearing line of red and blue lights, "Its time to leave, we don't want to be here when those guys get here."

Simon nodded and turned to leave.

"I have business I would like to discuss with you," Nova said, with the faintest trace of emotion.

Simon couldn't quite place it, but it was different from her earlier words, with more raw emotion. He responded, "What business is that?"

Nova answered directly, "This House is finished. The Duces will find out that we were all but destroyed by the werewolves. You know better than anyone, that mine, Brian here, and anyone else who may have survived the wolves will be hunted by the Duces for our disgrace of losing."

"You have my sympathies," Marco said as he patted Simon impatiently on his shoulder. Marco was watching the approaching cavalcade; it was getting closer.

"What are you proposing?" Simon asked, genuinely intrigued.

"I propose the joining of two broken Houses, and an attack upon the Duces to regain our lost favor and position," Nova stated.

Simon noticed a change in Nova's eyes. They revealed the tiniest sliver of pleading as she spoke those words.

Sophia breathed almost too soft to be heard, "Is that even possible?"

Simon nodded slowly, "Its possible, a broken House could in fact launch an attack on a single member of the Duces. Or an attack upon the werewolves, something so great that would garner attention. If the attack was bold enough, and successful, the Duces might grant clemency and rebrand the House, giving them back full honors. It has happened before."

"One time before," Nova said.

Valentina and the rest of them looked towards Simon. They would follow him anywhere, but was this the chance they wanted? Was it worth the risk? She would have taken on just about anything to go back home to Rome. But taking on the Duces directly? She had to think it was a fool's errand. But after three hundred years, did they have any options left?

Simon considered what Nova said very carefully. It had been over three hundred years since his mistake and his House was all but destroyed. They had been running and ducking various agents of the Duces in every country around the world in all that time. None of them had known any respite from the relentless chase of the Duces hunters. House Dukart was destined for the same fate. But their numbers could bolster his, give them a little more muscle and a welcome ability that House Ghatti just did not possess. If they combined forces, they would gain in numbers. It would give them more of a fighting chance then he had now. It was the best chance that he had come across in three hundred years. He would be a fool not to take it.

He looked at the young woman in front of him. Nova was dangerous, anyone with eyes could see that, but maybe she would be an ally, instead of an enemy? As a mate she would turn her abilities to aid him, and he would aid her. In the five and half hundred years or so that he had been a vampire he had never taken a mate. This woman was as dangerous and beautiful as a viper. Something about that was fitting.

Simon stepped forward and offered his hand. "Since you were the mate of the former Head of House, you have say over what becomes of the remains. If you will join with me, two broken Houses, making a whole, to take on the task of Vindication from the Duces, then I offer myself as mate, to lead with you by my side."

"I shall name our new House, as is custom. Do any here object?"

Noemi almost lost it. Her eyes darted up to Simon's and he held her gaze with his. This was their first best option in years. Noemi knew it, as did they all. But Ghatti was a part of her, a part of her being. How could they just throw it away like this?

Nova steps forward and lifting her hand, sliced it open with her finger nail. Then as her hand bleed, she quickly sliced Simon's hand. She lifted Simon's hands to her lips and drank, as she softly pressed her bleeding palm to Simon's lips.

"I accept your obligations, your trials are mine to face, your burdens are mine to bear. Our House, House Gatralis will thrive and will see the end of both our wanderings. We shall be vindicated, or I shall die with you, and for you."

Simon thought about his new House name, Gatralis. It was a good name, noble, and the dialect might be off, but in the right context it loosely meant "cat master." This Nova was far more than she seemed. The name was new but essence of his old House name remained.

He found himself smiling and nodding to his new mate. "It's time for us to leave before we are unable to."

Nova nodded, "Brian?"

Brian shook himself. He was in shock over what had just happened and wondered if he was caught in a dream.

"Brian, get our people to the roof. Those animals came in with helicopters, we'll leave in the same fashion, Go." Nova said.

Nova's voice was steady and even, Brian didn't need any coaxing but moved to obey without question. It was in his best interests to follow along and see just where this whole thing was heading. It might end in death, but isn't that what made life worth living for?

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