Marcus studied the crowd below; The Pit was one of his first investments after moving to Dals to establish his House and the club was still going strong. It was one of the top pces where Demi-Humans and norms could interact safely. Any violence between the two would result in swift and brutal discipline of the offending party.

  Marcus worked with a small group of Beast-Kin for security and services needed to maintain the pce, and few things could match a four hundred pound pissed off Bear-Kin in intimidation. "They are here sir," Sally reported.

  Marcus nodded his head. "Have them escorted up. Any guards can remain on the main floor; the others can come up," he told the head of the security team he had on hand.

  House Aldbridge was one of six Houses scattered around Dals, Fort Worth, and the surrounding areas, it was rare for all the Patriarchs and Matriarchs to come together but Victor's appearance had called for it. This meeting would let him get a feel for the other leaders and see where they would fall on supporting or opposing him. With everyone coming, Marcus had the security for the club beefed up and had even hired a few Orcs just in case but he didn't want to unleash them unless he had no choice.

  Once Orcs got going, they were worse than Vampire in their need to kill any possible opposition. "Marcus!" Neil called out causing the Patriarch of House Aldbridge to smile as he turned to look at the Irishman.

  Their first meeting about thirty years ago had been...hectic, but they both walked away and had become friends. "How are you doing Neil?" Marcus called out as he embraced one of his oldest friends.

  Neil chuckled, "Not too bad, been a little hectic with clearing the test level of the tower but things are settling now. What's the emergence?" Neil inquired as he poured a drink and offered it to Marcus.

  The rger Vampire took it without hesitation, "We are waiting for everyone, once the other four get here then we will talk Neil." Marcus told him causing the Irish Vampire to frown but nodded, he learned long ago not to push Marcus before he was ready.

  We were in a McMansion on a rge plot of private nd, "Marcus has this house generally set aside for foreigners when they come in from other Regions but has allowed you to barrow it until you fully recover and have established your House." I snorted, that wouldn't be for a while. Sara continued the tour as she led me down the stairs of the oversized house, "The house had six guest bedrooms and baths, that does not include the main bedroom and bath. The house has two living rooms, a media room with a theater setup, two dining rooms, an oversized kitchen, an office with a computer that you will have access to, a small gym, pool, hot tub, and a smaller house away from the main where the security people stay. The staff generally work from eight to five, you have a driver on call at any time, and if you have any requests or concerns, you can tell me or Shawn, the head of the security detachment assigned to you." I nodded my head absently as I studied the interior of the house.

  "Why do you think I will create a House? I have no interest in doing so." I told her causing her to smile.

  She thought she knew me better than I did, "While you may not have pnned it or feel a need for it yet, it will come to you eventually. All Pureblood Vampires that have Awakened, have started to establish their House within a year of their Awakening." I shook my head at her expnation. Sara sighed and pced her hand on my arm, "You might have started down this path for revenge, but you don't have to let it control you. Not to mention, did you ever think that establishing a House could help you get what you wanted?" Serafina prompted me.

  I opened my mouth to respond before closing it, "No, but I didn't pn on dragging anyone into my problems, much less anyone I recruited into a House." I told her. I was uncomfortable with where this discussion went so I changed the subject, "Are you going to be changed into a Vampire, or do you pn on staying human?" I asked her as she led me to the kitchen.

  Sara hadn't lied; the kitchen wasn't industrial-sized, but it was a near thing. "Marcus paid for my college and in return, I agreed to serve his House for a set amount of time with the option of being turned after my contract was up. I have not decided one way or the other if I want to be changed into a Vampire, but my future isn't in question. Tell me, why did me giving you oral stimution embarrass you?" Sara inquired as I headed for the nearest fridge.

  I scanned the contents as I considered her question, "I haven't had casual sex in over ten years, not saying I didn't enjoy it, just I thought that part of my life was behind me. Not to mention you are...twenty-two or three?" I asked her earning a smile.

  Serafina patted my shoulder, "I am twenty-four at my st birthday, and sex as long as it isn't rape, is very healthy for both your body and mind. I enjoyed it and had a small orgasm, I would have preferred you to have taken more of an active involvement in the situation, but we can work up to that once you are comfortable with our physical interactions." Sara commented causing me to look over at her. Whatever she saw caused her to giggle, "Yes I have an oral fixation, and can orgasm from it, yes it will happen again, and we will eventually have sex unless you say otherwise. As you grow accustomed to your physical and mental changes, I don't doubt your libido will greatly increase. Vampires are horny bastards that like to fuck as much as they like to fight." Sara commented as I pulled out the fixings to make a sandwich, an apple, some juice, and a small bottle of chocote milk.

  It took me a minute longer to find the ptes and utensils, "When will I meet Marcus?" I asked her as she went to another small fridge, which I had assumed was for wine bottles, but when opened it revealed bagged blood.

  Sara grabbed one, "Not tonight, Marcus has a meeting with all the local Patriarchs and Matriarchs to divulge your existence as well as the fact you are under his protection, as well as notifying them that all the Purebloods in the surrounding Regions are aware that you exist. You will be able to meet Marcus in two days, after you have recovered physically somewhat." Serafina informed me as she grabbed a coffee mug and poured some of the contents of the blood bag into it.

  I frowned but reminded myself he was probably doing his best to help me. "What is your impression of them?" Sara put the mug into the microwave and turned it on.

  I waited patiently as I made my sandwich and cut up the apple, "The next oldest after Marcus has been here for thirty years, but the youngest has been here for twenty. They are friendly with him, and allies, but in the end, they will do what they think is best for their own Houses. His open support of you will weigh heavily in your favor as will your actions with House Cruze. However, your support of Josephine's ascension to Matriarch will draw the ire of others, they preferred the idiot Emilio in charge of House Cruze, Josephine is smarter and far more deadly to her opponents." Sara expined.

  I smiled slightly, "I am aware, but Emilio was an idiot and that has its own dangers as well, such as following the footsteps of your predecessor." I expined which caused Sara's mouth to drop open in surprise as the microwave dinged.

  I chuckled at her response, but Sara visibly shook herself, "He was really that stupid?" she inquired as she retrieved the mug and stirred the contents.

  I shrugged my shoulders, "I didn't ask outright, and Josephina didn't outright state it, but the implication was there on both sides. I gave her a year to clean up the mess and eliminate any troublemakers within House Cruze, if she fails House Cruze will fall." I expined as I finished making my sandwiches and started slicing up the apple. Sara pced the mug in front of me as I gave her a slice of apple and half of one sandwich before I chugged the chocote milk down before and started eating my food, "Another thing I found odd about my physical changes, I am taller, have more muscur definition despite losing all my excess weight, but the oddest thing is my dick is bigger. Why is that?" I asked Sara causing her to chuckle.

  Sara shrugged her shoulders, "It is theorized that the Integration pushes the human body to its full potential initially, add in the Awakening and your body will be further enhanced and modified which includes physical and mental changes. Thus, why your body has gone and will continue to go through changes as you recover." I nodded my head absently as I focused on the blinking notification in my sight I had been ignoring.

  Spoiler<<< System Notice >>> Quest Name: Knowledge and Survival Notice: You have gained a basic understanding of Pureblood Vampires, but this knowledge is only the most basic information, Pureblood Vampires have been very closeted about knowledge of their inner working and politics, only time and research into more obscure areas will reveal more. Yet more importantly, you have gained food, blood, and shelter with a possible ally, a rare thing in a dangerous world. Rewards: You have been granted +1 Free Attribute Point and 1 of the following. Please think or say your Reward Choice. Minor Health PotionMinor Mana PotionAnchor KeyRandom Skill Primer <<< System Notice >>>

  [colpse]I blinked; I knew what three of the four things were. I focused and a prompt appeared around what I was wondering as I gave a mental thanks to the System.

  Spoiler--- General Information: Anchor Key --- Anchor Keys are almost universally Unique, and grant access to Dungeon Rifts that you can delve into. Based on the type of Anchor Key, the Dungeon may be specific such as a Dungeon generated for you to pursue a Profession change, or may be something more general. They will always scale to your personal Level measured by the System and your general capabilities. All Anchor Keys require a threshold of some sort to activate and will notify you if the Dungeon Rift is personal and only accessible by you or a rger group with you. Some Anchor Keys are Soulbound, others can be sold at an Auction House for others to use.

  [colpse]I blinked, that could be worth almost nothing or everything. After a solid minute while I finished my sandwich, I considered it before accepting the option causing a glowing orb to appear before me, as it broke down a golden key appeared and dropped onto the counter in front of me. I snatched it up and shoved it into my Inventory with a thought, "I can't establish my House even if I wanted to, until I get to Level forty and finish my Inheritance Quest I will receive." that got Sara's attention.

  "What? What do you mean Inheritance?" the shrink prodded between bites.

  I started to expin the System message I had read after I woke up as I ate my apple while I began to feel the familiar weariness of exhaustion.