After treating Nova's wounds, Lucius finally noticed his phone's persistent vibration. With Nova awake and watching, he checked the screen to find twenty-seven missed calls from Valerian. Without hesitation, he answered on speaker, making no attempt to hide the conversation from Nova.

  "Who do we need to kill?" Valerian's voice came through immediately, without greeting or preamble.

  Lucius's expression softened momentarily at his brother's unwavering support. "I found him, Eli," he said, using Valerian's original name. "I found Nova."

  A brief silence, then: "About damn time," Valerian responded with uncharacteristic warmth. "But before we discuss that—can you contain your powers? The entire pnet except humans is on their knees."

  Lucius attempted to rein in his power, his jaw tightening with effort, but the rage still burned too intensely. "I'm trying," he admitted, "but I can't. Not yet."

  Throughout the supernatural world, the crushing pressure diminished slightly—enough for some to rise to their hands and knees—but remained overwhelming.

  "Any better?" Lucius asked.

  "Marginally," Valerian grunted. "Enough that I might drag myself to a vehicle if necessary. The rest are still effectively pinned." He paused. "Is he the one from those rumors? The untamable pet who's resisted training for two centuries? How did you find him? And most importantly, who needs to suffer for whatever was done to him?"

  Lucius gnced at Nova, who watched him with intense attention. "Yes. He was kept by Lord Darius. For over two hundred years."

  Nova's eyes widened slightly at the confirmation that Lucius had been specifically looking for him.

  "I'm already on my way," Valerian stated firmly. "With a full complement of my guards who can operate during daylight. We'll find Lord Darius and make him pay for what he's done."

  "Thank you, brother," Lucius said, genuine gratitude in his voice.

  "Two thousand years," Valerian's voice softened. "That's how long you've waited for this moment. Did you think I'd miss being there when it finally arrived?"

  As their conversation continued, Nova watched Lucius with growing intensity, processing everything he was hearing about two thousand years of waiting and visions. A servant appeared at the door, bowing deeply despite struggling to remain upright under the supernatural pressure.

  "Your Majesty, officials are requesting guidance. Many cannot move sufficiently to maintain basic operations."

  Lucius gnced briefly at the servant. "Tell them to use human assistants," he replied without taking his eyes from Nova for long. "And inform everyone that Valerian is coming."

  Throughout the pace, messages were reyed by human servants unaffected by Lucius's power: Valerian was coming to his brother's side. The military leader of vampire society would openly acknowledge their brotherhood for the first time in two thousand years.

  The masks had fallen, the ancient deception ended—not by choice but by the overwhelming force of emotion that had shattered two millennia of careful restraint. And as Lucius held the phone, his conversation with Valerian continuing, Nova's eyes reflected the dawn of understanding about who—and what—had truly found him.