Bound by Secrets

Chapter 29: Family Ties

Two days before Flower's 18th birthday, the city was abuzz with the arrival of some of the most powerful, glamorous, and notorious vampires in the world. Flower had grown up knowing her family was far from ordinary, but seeing them all come together for this occasion—a day she had been dreading and anticipating in equal measure—reminded her of just how different her life was compared to the others. It wasn't every day that vampires from across the globe descended on a small city in New York.

The first to arrive were her relatives from Texas. They were loud, unapologetic, and full of energy that contrasted sharply with the cool autumn air. Flower's Uncle Julian and his two children—Jasper and Lyla—were particularly well-known in the vampire world, though for different reasons. Julian was a famous actor, his brooding good looks and enigmatic roles making him a staple in Hollywood films. Jasper, in contrast, was something of a rebel, having made his name in underground music scenes. Lyla, the youngest, was a model—her face gracing countless fashion magazines and billboards.

Flower waited at the edge of the driveway as their sleek, black SUV rolled up, and she couldn't help but feel a wave of both excitement and apprehension.

"Look at you, little Flower," Uncle Julian said, stepping out of the vehicle and immediately pulling her into a bear hug. "You're all grown up! I can't believe you're turning eighteen."

Flower smiled politely, though her mind was elsewhere. "Thanks, Uncle Julian. You brought Jasper and Lyla with you, I see."

Lyla stepped out, flashing her perfect smile. "Of course! I wouldn't miss this for the world. You know how hard it is for me to get away from work, but family comes first." She winked, though Flower knew there was a sharpness behind it.

Jasper, with his wild black hair and leather jacket, leaned against the car, smirking. "Heard about the test. No pressure, right?"

Flower forced a smile. "Yeah, none at all."

As the Texas contingent unpacked their bags and made their way inside, Flower's thoughts turned to the other relatives who were on their way. Her family was scattered across the globe, but they were all united by one thing: their legacy as First Blood vampires, the oldest and most powerful of their kind.

By midday, the family from Tokyo arrived. Her Aunt Sachiko, known for her elegance and stoic demeanor, arrived with her daughter, Hana. Sachiko was an accomplished artist, her works selling for millions in galleries across the world. Hana, like Flower, was approaching her own test soon, and Flower couldn't help but feel a pang of sympathy for her cousin. She knew all too well the weight of expectations that came with this ancient ritual.

"Flower," Aunt Sachiko said in her usual calm, measured tone as she stepped gracefully out of the car. "It's been too long. You look well."

"Thank you, Aunt Sachiko," Flower said, bowing slightly out of respect for her aunt's more formal traditions. "It's good to see you."

Hana smiled shyly from beside her mother, and Flower gave her a reassuring nod. "How are you feeling about your test?"

Hana shrugged. "Nervous. But I'm sure you'll pass with flying colors, Flower. You're... different from the rest of us."

Flower's stomach twisted at the words. She knew Hana meant it as a compliment, but it only reminded her of the intense pressure she was under. Unlike many of her relatives, she had always struggled with her cravings for blood—something her parents had been working with her to control for as long as she could remember.

As the day wore on, more relatives arrived. The family from Germany—her distant cousins Ingrid and Franz—were fashion icons in Europe, known for their influence in the modeling industry. They arrived with their entourage, turning heads even among the vampires. Ingrid, tall and striking, embraced Flower warmly.

"You look so lovely, darling," Ingrid said in her thick German accent. "Ready to become an adult vampire at last?"

Flower smiled, but it didn't quite reach her eyes. "As ready as I'll ever be."

By the time evening fell, the house was buzzing with chatter, the once quiet and secluded home now filled with the energy of Flower's relatives. But the arrival that everyone was waiting for hadn't yet happened.

Her grandmother.

The first of all vampires.

The mere mention of her name sent chills down most people's spines. Grandmother Elisabeta was the progenitor of their entire bloodline, and with her came an air of authority and coldness that was unmatched. She had seen centuries pass, empires rise and fall, and through it all, she remained a pillar of strength and tradition. Everyone in the family revered her, but few dared to approach her directly.

Except for Flower.

When the black sedan pulled up just as the sun began to sink below the horizon, the entire house seemed to still. The door opened, and there she was—Elisabeta. She stepped out of the car with the grace of someone who had seen the world turn over more times than anyone else alive. Her silver hair was swept back into an elegant twist, her dark eyes sharp and calculating.

But when her gaze fell on Flower, a rare softness touched her features.

"Grandmother," Flower greeted, bowing her head respectfully.

Elisabeta stepped forward, placing a hand gently on Flower's cheek. "My little blossom. It's good to see you." Her voice, though quiet, carried the weight of centuries.

"And you, Grandmother," Flower replied, feeling the tension that had gripped her all day ease slightly in her presence.

To everyone else, Elisabeta was cold, distant, and brooding—a figure to be revered but not approached. But to Flower and her father, she was different. There was a bond between them that Flower cherished, a bond built on love and protection, something few others in the family had experienced with her.

As Elisabeta entered the house, the other relatives watched in silent awe. Even the most powerful and influential among them seemed to shrink in her presence, their conversations quieter, their movements more reserved.

Flower followed her grandmother inside, feeling the weight of her family's expectations pressing down on her. Tomorrow would be the day before her test, and her entire family—spread across the globe, with their fame and fortune—was here to witness it.

But for now, Flower took a small comfort in the fact that, despite everything, she wasn't alone. Not with her grandmother and father by her side.