A/N- Sorry for the long wait for this. It takes me so long to get back to my original fiction. Anyhow, I hope you enjoy this chapter!

Chapter Three

“I have met my sister for this first time this evening. I must admit, I am underwhelmed. She is a frail creature, though she is older than I, and ignorant. Perhaps not of her own world, but most definitely of ours. She stares, doe-eyed, at every one of Father’s friends and allies that pass her way. She quakes in fear at Father’s approach. Though Father is, indeed, a fearful vampire, there is no need for all of that. I find myself annoyed at her presence and, yet, saddened by it as well.

“She represents our mother. The mother I know very little of, for both she and Father chose to live separately. I never questioned this. Now, I wonder what my existence would be like had I known Mother and Juniper, even for as long as my short, seven years. Would I be as annoyed at the frailty of humans had I met them? Would I be as disgusted?

“Father begs patience from me. He begs me to love Juniper, his Juni. And for him, I will attempt nothing but my best. I will please Father. My existence is nothing if not to serve him, my master and Lord of House Wraithwood. Juniper is kind to us, despite her general stupidity towards our kind. Perhaps I can come to truly love her if I obey Father’s requests of me.

“I am determined. I will not displease him, and I will remain his ever calm Flower, although I am now one of two in his Garden.”

--Journal of Flora Wraithwood, penned June 20, 1998; Midnight

…………………

Juniper stood, slowly sliding back into the position, as her father’s clear gaze watched her. She felt her breathing growing out of control and her heart begin to try and pound its way free of her chest. She shook her head, trying to remind herself that she was the master of her body, not the other way around.

“Father…rule of House Wraithwood? I…I couldn’t possibly,” she said, her knees quaking while the rest of her stood stock still.

Dominic smiled graciously up at her. He folded his hands across his stomach pensively.

“And why not? Do you find yourself incapable of being a leader? I’ll tell you now, daughter, that is not the case,” he chuckled.

She bit her tongue against snapping that nothing was funny about what he had told her, about the situation at present. She was in the presence of her fading father, and no matter how unnerved she was at his pronouncement, neither her sadness nor this fact had been forgotten. Dominic patted the bed, and Juniper sank, again, back into her seat upon it. He slipped an arm around her waist and pulled her so that she sat up right beside him, like she had been frightened by a bad dream.

“I…have a job, Father. I have a responsibility to it,” she said, trying to find the words to put her thoughts before him.

“You only work in the day, love. And do you not remember when I asked you to take on responsibilities for me when you moved in? This is all this is, Juniper. More responsibilities, and, like any Wraithwood, you will rise gloriously to the occasion.”

“But I’m a human!”

She clapped her hand to her mouth, finding that the words had come out a bit louder than she had intended. Dominic laughed, the sound still strong and echoing around the otherwise quiet room. Richard, at his place at the door, had not made any move or sound during this conversation.

“Then become one of us, if that is really what your problem is,” Dominic said.

“No. I told you before, Father. This life isn’t mine. I enjoy my humanity.”

“So like your mother,” he smiled. Then, his soft, fair-featured face darkened as he added, “Human or not, you are my daughter. My eldest. My time is drawing to a close Juniper. I stopped drinking blood precisely three months ago, come the chiming of the hour. I will pass from this world then. You will rule this house, Juniper, and you will rule it well. I apologize that I did not prepare you, but you have Flora, who will assist you and guide you. I have already given her my love. Now, I give it to you. I love you, Juniper. Leave me now. I have no wish for you to watch me pass. Go, and take your place as the ruler of this House.”

He motioned in Richard’s direction, who nodded as Juniper stared at him questioningly. She turned back to her father as he continued.

“I had asked him here as witness to my passing of power to you. Go, now. And do not be sad for me. Sadness is only for the living.”

He chuckled a little at that last statement, his bruised-colored eyelids closing over his emerald eyes. Juniper gasped as his grip around her waist disappeared, and the chime of the grandfather clock on the other side of the room filled her ears. His arm fell limply onto the bed. She stood, looking down at him. He looked like he was only asleep, relaxing.

“Father?” she whispered. There was no response.

Her eyes welled up, and she covered her mouth, trying to swallow the sadness. He had asked her not to be sad, and she was going to do her best to honor it. Behind her, she heard the door open and close. Her eyes suddenly widened in horror. Turning, she saw that Richard had left the room. She gasped and took off after him, knowing what he had gone to do. The vampires of House Wraithwood were known for their loyalty to Dominic and his rules. Juniper threw open the door and ran up the hall, fear in her heart.

He was going to announce her rule. She shook her head, emerging from the hall that contained Dominic’s room into the balcony that overlooked the foyer. She found that the members of the House were still gathered below. Richard stood, looking down at his audience, and before Juniper could reach him, he spoke.

“Dominic has passed from this world. He has named his successor,” he said.

As soon as Juniper was in view of the gathered vampires, he gestured to her.

“His eldest daughter, Juniper Wraithwood. I give you your new master!”

Juniper gasped, and instantly words erupted from the vampires below. It was a mix of positive and negative. She could some shout that they would never serve a human at the same time she heard some cheering as if she had won some great victory. Richard gave her a small smile and gently pulled her into the center position at the balcony. He began to applaud her. The crowd silenced. Finally, reluctantly for some, applause sounded from below.

Juniper was frozen as she gripped the ornate, dark wooden banister before her. Her eyes swept the crowd. Some of the eyes that met hers were happy and clearly wishing her the greatest of luck. Others…were hostile, ready to challenge. She was sure her own eyes were wide as bay windows.

She continued to sweep the audience for a single pair of eyes, ones she needed to see at this moment. She found them, right in the center of the gathered vampires. Flora looked up at her, ever as calm as she usually was. Juniper’s eyes narrowed, questioning her sister for…help? Advice? She wasn’t sure.

Flora, with still no expression on her beautiful face, turned, her braided blonde hair sweeping behind her, and exited the room. Juniper was sure that that was not a sign of approval, and, as the cheering continued from below, she felt her heart break.