The caesar, though indulgent, was not stupid. He knew of his wife's activities, but the evidence of that activity was what led him to seek Griffith deaths. The caesars wife had become pregnant, with Griffith's child. Not uncommon for this particular woman, but unacceptable to the caesar. Griffith had more than enough wealth to care for the child, and was willing to as he had become bored with his lovers whining. Instead, the childe was killed without his knowledge. Griffith went mad with rage when he found out, striking down more than a dozen of the caesars guards before laying siege to the caesar himself. He was allowed a long cut across the man's abdomen before being retrained by the caesars reinforcements. Execution would be the price he'd pay, and would have died that night had not a creature intervened on his behalf. Bewitching the caesar and his wife, Cleo claimed Griffith for herself. 

Arrogant, and wary of this woman who had thought she'd purchased him, Griffith kept his silence until they were well away from Rome. Then he made his escape, expecting to be followed by her entourage of guards. He was brought up short when he realized that the ethereal Cleo was his pursuer. Too intrigued to be bothered with pricked pride over being caught by a mere woman, Griffith was led back into her captivity, a little more willingly this time.

She explained all to him that night. And that night Griffith became the champion of the beautiful creature, Cleo. For years he remained at her side, learning to move, act, and think like a true vampire. His skills paid off in the end, to the consternation of Cleo and Alexander. Alexander, thinking he was coming to meet his sister, instead met with Griffith's sword and a furious battle ensued until Cleo herself stepped in from the shadows. 

He became fond of his mistresses brother, and was hardly surprised when Alexander offered him the Embrace. Griffith accepted, on the condition that he was free, no longer Cleo's personal champion. She agreed, and Griffith was turned. 

He still holds great affection for Cleo, perhaps more than he should considering she is the sister and most trusted advisor to his Clan's Lord.

Loyal to his Clan and brothers, Griffith has returned to New York to meet the encroaching Clans at sword point.