If there is one person I know can't resist my charms it's Uncle Elijah. I've had that poor guy wrapped around my figure since the day I was born. With some effort I can make my father cave, my Aunt Rebekah is impervious to my tantrums, but Uncle Elijah, all I have to do is bat my eyelashes. I think it has something to do with his rumored feelings for my mother, but I like to think it's my adorableness.

"Hello June." He says before I knock.

"Hello Eli."

He rolls his eyes and puts his book aside. "Must you call me that?"

"Yes, I must." I tell him.

He lets out a sigh, but I can see his smile. I walk over to the table where he's set down his book. Machiavelli's The Prince.

"Have you read it?" Elijah asks already knowing the answer.

"You made me read all the 'classics', Eli" I say with sarcastic air quotes.

He laughs and asks "Did you not like it?"

I hum and tilt my head like I'm thinking. "I found it a bit too totalitarian for my taste."

"It's one of your father's favorites." He informs me.

Now it's my turn to laugh. "Why am I not surprised."

I set the book back down and sit in the comfy chair across from Elijah. I look around the study that hasn't changed since I was four. The house may change, but the family never seems too. Father has his studio and his cronies. Elijah has his books and studies. Rebekah has her flings and shopping. I wasn't entirely sure what my things were, but I took great comfort in them sticking to theirs. There was never much certainty in my life. Where I lived, who hung around, all that changed like the seasons. The family though, the family never changed.

"Tell me kid what are you up too." Ah, he knew me too well.

still we've got a game to play. "I have no idea what you're talking about, Uncle. I'm simply making conversation." I say trying to sound bored.

He laughs and sits up straighter. "C'mon now Juniper I taught you this game. You'll have to do better than that."

I place my elbow on my knees and rest my chin on my fists. I look him dead in the eye, eye contact is key, and say "Eli I'm purely bored and looking for a companion; If you're busy I can go bother Marley."

He matches my posture and stares me down. We stay like this for a minute seeing who will blink first. In all the years we've done this I always blink first.

"Tell me Juniper what are you scheming?"

I smile. "What makes you think I'm scheming?"

"You're a Mikaelson, and you're breathing." He says matter-of-factly.

"You wound me, dear Uncle." I say with a laugh.

"Trust me June," he says "I meant it as a compliment."

I let out a long breath and roll me eyes. Uncle Elijah and I have been playing these games for as long as I can remember. He always says "Lying is better than killing, unfortunately their both necessary.". With that logic he has taken it upon him self to teach me how to lie properly. Uncle Elijah encourages me keep my humanity. My father was always busy with something, and my tutors were pompous idiots, so Uncle Elijah took it upon himself to become a mentor of sorts.

"I suppose you've heard of Nik's plans to ship me off." I say crossing my arms.

"I thought you'd be pleased. You've been asking to venture out since you could talk." He says sitting back again.

"But that's precisely the point, Eli. All my life I ask and he won't let me go for a walk without a team of bodyguards, and now, suddenly he's sending me to boarding school? It doesn't add up, Eli." I say passionately standing up to emphasize my point.

"Perhaps he trusts he's raised a mature young lady who is ready for a little freedom." Elijah shrugs and picks his book back up.

"Nik, my father, trusting me? That seems highly unlikely." I say with a snort.

"Juniper I've watched you grow up from a...spirited child to a bright, mature, beautiful young woman. That said you are also terribly paranoid, maybe it's my fault, maybe it's a family trait, I don't know. What I do know is you need to listen to your father; He knows what's best for and all he wants is for you to be happy." He says with a sincere smile.

I shake my head and let out a breathy laugh. "You're right Eli. My money is on a family trait."

I walk around to the back of his couch, hug him and kiss him on the cheek before i head to the door. He calls my name before I leave.

"Enjoy this, June, you deserve a little freedom." He smiles.

I give him one back. "Thanks."

Uncle Elijah is good, but I learned from the best. Averting eye contact when asked a direct question. Giving no definitive yes or no answers. Busying his hands with the book. Tell tale signs he's hiding something. Three things were certain to me now. One, I was leaving for Landover Academy in a weeks time. Two, my father and Elijah were keeping something, something big, from me. Three, I was going to find out what.