The Allegiance

Damon crouched on the ground, placed his palm there before he sat and then lied. There, he gazed at the inky black skies, and saw a few stars shining brightly. The moon was there too, and it was brighter than the stars that it gleamed down on the dark street. It was peaceful and quiet and beautiful that he decided to finally close his eyes to rest. He was tired and drunk, and this, being out here, was better than being home at the boardinghouse. He would choose this any day or night than to remember memories of...

Who was it again?

It didn't matter.

All he knew was that he needed to get out of that house, out of that room, where he saw that there were several of her things that she never got to retrieve back before she left two years ago. And it was clear, that those things were the many evidences of their many nights together, in which he wanted no memory of from now on. He wanted to forget about her. It's been a week and a few days already since he left New Orleans, and he knew after a few days of waiting for her, that she would never come. She chose him.

She chose the devil himself.

She chose Klaus.

There, he shut his eyes even tighter, trying to push them out of his mind, because if he didn't, he knew he'd just fall apart and give in to this emotion that he knew could destroy him completely. This despair was like Katherine all over again. But this time, it felt as if he was pushed down a cliff, and have fallen way, way down, and he had landed on a railroad track where a train came by and ran him over. It wouldn't probably hurt this much if he knew that that ultimatum that he gave her wasn't final, but clearly, she didn't know that it was. Maybe if she knew that it was his last draw, then she might've probably gone after him. But that was just wishful thinking, and even Damon knew that. At first, he did wait. Then of course, doubts came that she wouldn't, but he knew that she would and so he continued to wait, knowing well enough that she will be able to find him. But, he wasn't stupid. After the third day, he knew that there was no use. She will never come. And that was that.

He knew from the start that this was how it was going to be. For once, he found someone who was more lost than he was. He knew he was the one who could fix her, that he was the one who could be her redeemer. Of course, he thought that it would be impossible, but he realized that they were too much alike. And with that, he knew that if he could be saved (by Elena before), then she could be too. He had to persist, and that was what he did. But apparently, it was no use. He was so stupid to think that he could. He was so stupid to think that he could make her give in, because he knew, just by the way she looked at him. He was so stupid to have hoped she could, because she really couldn't. She just couldn't. And instead, she chose the easier choice.

Maybe the other thing that probably made this hurt was that it was over. It was already over before it even started. Damon scrounged his nose as anger rose in his throat at the thought of it. How could she? How could she choose Klaus? Was it because of his offer that she could reign alongside with him? Knowing Elizabeth, she'd probably jump at any chance, considering what happened in London; she's just as power hungry as Klaus was. Clearly, an opportunity was in front of her, and she took it in a heartbeat. That was no surprise, of course. Elizabeth would only take what she could get, all for herself because she's that selfish. Anyone would think for a second that she's actually better than Klaus – but that could only happen for a split second because she's a monster. She's a no good, lying, manipulative, scheming bitch that's a she-devil. She and Klaus could go to hell together for all he cared. They're practically a match made in hell! They're better off with each other. And Damon was finally free from her. To hell with that sacred bond crap! To hell with that telepathy crap! To hell with Elizabeth! Damon was better off without her. He opened his eyes and glared straight through the inky black sky. He was furious enough tonight and that surely was better than being depressed or whatever. It would be a pity if he continued to be. And he simply refused to be.

Just then, he heard a car whizzing toward him. Yet, he remained still. He had done this before. In fact, it's one of his many tricks. He knew what to do next. Just as he heard a scream, and the car came to a screeching halt, with his vampire speed, he vanished. Then, he landed his feet silently on top of the silver SUV, when the girl asked her boyfriend. "Did we hit anyone?"

"No, I don't think..."

With great speed and strength, Damon punched a hole on top of the car, and grabbed the man on the driver's seat by the hair. Quickly, he pulled him out, which made a huge hole on the car, as the girl screamed. The man however, was only slightly conscious from the impact, and immediately, Damon dug his fangs on his neck and bit him several times as he drank expertly in three gulps before he ripped his head off. The head, landed back onto the driver's seat, and this made the girl scream even more. Damon then, threw the body in front of the car, before he swiftly went down, and threw the car door to the passenger's seat open. She didn't exactly stop screaming, especially when she saw Damon, with his red eyes, and fangs that were all too bloody. He could kill her, which was definitely very tempting. But then, he decided to go for something different. With that, he smiled, as his features returned to normal.

"Did I scare you?" He asked sweetly. The woman was trembling in fear as she slightly nodded. Tears were in her eyes, and he knew that she was crying while she screamed. "Oh I'm sorry..." He looked at her warmly. "Could you come out here?"

"N-n-no..." She shook her head. Damon only looked at her patiently.

"Don't be afraid..." He said. "I promise I won't hurt you if you do what I say." He batted his eyelashes twice as he held that charming smile. The woman hesitated as she put down her foot. "That's it..." He encouraged. And then, she slowly went out of the car. Once she was finally out, she still trembled. Damon, however, looked at her directly in the eyes as he brushed her blond hair back. She was tall and slender, and she had navy blue eyes. And she was definitely pretty. "What's your name?"

"D -Diane," She nearly choked out.

"Hello Diane," Damon continued to smile. "I'm Damon." He noticed as she nervously brushed her hair with her fingers that she didn't have any ring. With that, he read her mind and found out that that was her boyfriend. He smirked. It wasn't like they were going to last anyway, since this Brad guy was clearly cheating on her. "Do you want to have some fun?" Diane only looked at him with a frown. And that was when he pulled her and dug his fangs on her neck.

Elizabeth came into the room and saw Elijah, reading some paper. She was about to get ready for tonight's feast with the witches that Klaus wanted them to go to. Of course, if she wanted to maintain her role, she always had to be by his side. It didn't matter whatsoever if Elijah had disapproved of this a few days ago. She simply did not care, since she was doing this for Klaus' child. Yet, that didn't mean that she and Elijah had reconciled after their debacle, telling her that she was sabotaging her relationship with Damon, and deliberately giving Klaus false hopes and emotions. Couldn't she just choose whatever she wanted to do? With that, she only passed him by before he was the one who acknowledged her first.

"Elizabeth..." He said as she faced him and he stood up. He held the paper while he did. "I've been meaning to talk to you." She gave him a tight yet forceful smile as she narrowed her eyes with a darting gaze. She knew what he was about to say, and so she glanced back at that paper. For days, Elijah had arranged for this peace treaty, in which the wolves, the witches, Klaus and Elijah – on behalf of the vampires – that there will be peace among the communities. And whoever broke this treaty shall face consequences. And now, he wanted her to sign it as well.

"You want me to sign that treaty." She replied expectantly. He looked down at the paper and nodded as he reached it out towards her. But instead, Elizabeth smiled wider. "I apologize, Elijah, but I do not think that I am capable of signing that under such circumstances." There, he directly glanced at her and narrowed his eyes.

"What circumstances?" He asked.

"I am under Klaus' orders, and so, if he already signed that, it automatically means that I agree to it, as it should be." She casually replied with a knowing smile. But then, Elijah grimaced and scrounged his nose.

"Do you absolutely think, cousin, that you could fool me with that rubbish reason?" He demanded. Elizabeth arched her eyebrows and shrugged. "Do you think that I will believe that you surrendered all your freewill to my brother? You, who are so stubborn and defiant that you have continually refused to be under him, now agree to be like some mindless, compelled human?" He narrowed his eyes at her, and Elizabeth slightly frowned at that. But she only shrugged.

"Put it however you like, my dear Elijah," She replied. "But I'm afraid that you have just summed it all up." Elijah rolled his eyes as he put the paper down on the table in front of him, and shook his head in disbelief. Elizabeth had to admit though, that this was quite entertaining.

"You're unbelievable." He replied with his jaw clenched and a glare in his eyes. She only smiled saccharinely at him.

"I am, aren't I?" She replied in fake wonder before she finally turned to leave. But apparently, Elijah wasn't quite done yet.

"If you do not sign this, Elizabeth," He added. "I'm afraid I'd have to find other ways for you to." She stopped in her tracks as she gave him a smile through her profile. That was when she waved at hand at him, brushing off his threat, because she knew what he was going to do.

"If you do have to go to great lengths such as making your brother order me to," She replied in sheer amusement. "Then, by all means, go ahead. Now if you'll excuse me, I must get my dress ready for tonight's feast with the witches."

And she finally left.

Elena came down the stairs to head down to the basement for some blood bags. It was still nearly noon, but she was already hungry again. If only she could quench her thirst with a fresh batch that was warm and plenty from someone's… Elena shook her head at the sudden tempting thought. It was the hunger, she knew. So she immediately disregarded the thought as her stomach growled. When she landed in the living room, she saw Damon, only wearing a towel around his waist and pouring some scotch on the crystal tumbler. His back was turned to her, as she noticed that his hair with his body was still a bit wet from the shower.

She frowned.

"Hey," She said with a faint smile. They haven't exactly been good friends since that whole thing when she confessed that she was in love with him, and he confessed that he wasn't either, two years ago. Everything had been awkward. But, that didn't stop her from caring about him, especially now, knowing that he wasn't exactly in such a good state with what happened to Elizabeth. She always knew that Damon getting involved with an Original was bad news, but of course, she had to keep it to herself because she also knew that Damon loved Elizabeth. Just by the way he looked at her, and whenever they were together, Elena could see right through them. But maybe between them, things weren't so clear. It hurt Elena to see Damon mending his heart this way, returning to his destructive side, sleeping with several women, compelling them and playing with them as he fed and fed, and possibly killing them in the process and in the end.

Damon turned his head and gave her a small smile. "Hey," He said as he closed the bottle, held the tumbler, and turned to face her. He looked a bit drunk. "Thirsty from your busy night with Stefan?" He then asked with his eyebrows arched as his smile turned into a teasing one. "You weren't being too quiet y'know." Elena rolled her eyes as she shook her head.

"Well," She slightly smiled. "Your compelled human wasn't either." Now, he flashed her his two-hundred kilowatt smile while he swirled his drink around.

"So you do admit that you were doing unspeakable acts last night…" He cocked his eyebrows suggestively and she only rolled her eyes in amusement. Damon could be so annoying, she knew. Besides, she also knew that some compelled woman was with him last night too, since he wasn't exactly discreet either. But she had to admit, it was just too painful to watch for him to spiral again into this whole mess again. She sighed.

"Damon, what are you doing?" She finally asked as she crossed her arms over her chest. She arched her eyebrows as she gave him an impatient look. He however, looked at her questioningly and shook his head after he sipped on his tumbler. And then, he shrugged.

"Drinking liquor before noon?" He replied, stating the obvious. She rolled her eyes again as she shook her head in dismay. It was also clear that he was avoiding the subject, but Elena figured to finally talk to him straight, no matter how awkward everything had been between them since then.

"I meant, with you here in Mystic Falls, wallowing in misery when you should be wherever Elizabeth is." She replied firmly. She knew he didn't want to hear this or even talk about it, but it was better to let it be out in the open, in order for him to process his feelings instead of avoiding them. Now though, it was Damon's turn to roll his eyes as Elena took a few steps towards him. "I heard about what happened." He scoffed silently as he looked away and smirked bitterly.

"Apparently, Stefan told you…"

"Yes, he did." Elena immediately interrupted before he could make any snarky remarks. "And I get it that you're angry Damon, but you shouldn't give up. Not now when you finally found her and got to be with her even for just a short time in a long time…"

"Don't you get it, Elena?" He nearly shouted, interrupting her this time. He narrowed his eyes at her in a wince, as he scrounged his nose in anger. "I fought for her for a long time, and all I got is crap. She chose Klaus over me, again, and I'm just done. For good. And I'm here, because that's what you do when you try to move on… Now, will you just leave me alone?" He glared at her, but Elena gazed directly at his piercing icy blue eyes, unfazed. Yes, she hated Elizabeth, and it was absolutely like her to hurt Damon like this, and yes, that was just unfair. But, she also knew how much Damon loved her, and it showed because even if Elizabeth treated him like this, he still tried to fight for her. It would only be such a waste though, if Damon gave up, because nobody should give up on love – not even if the object of their affection was someone like Elizabeth.

"I understand, Damon…" She replied in a calm manner, as she saw the hurt in Damon's eyes before he glared away. "But all I'm saying is that you should fight for her…"

"Didn't you hear me?" He then demanded, looking back at her. "I told you I did." He then added, emphasizing each word firmly as if to make her understand. "And she had pushed me away, time and time again. I'm tired of it." But Elena only continued as she moved closer towards him, cupping both of her hands on his face. His eyes were still in a glare.

"Don't you see?" She asked, still in a calm tone. "This is what she wants, and you're letting her win. If you love her Damon, you shouldn't give up. Fight for her and let her know that you're there to stay, no matter what. And don't let her get away with it. That's all I'm saying." She finally finished, as his glare slightly softened and she gave him a soft but warm smile. That was when she finally let him go as they both heard the girl that Damon compelled call for him upstairs in his room. "You should get to that…" She quietly added before she finally headed towards the basement and left him there all alone to think about it.

Klaus came in as Genevieve felt his presence, and she turned to him expectantly. Her red hair looked more gorgeous in the light, as she wore an emerald green blouse, with dark jeans, and dark brown ankle boots. She smiled brightly at him, relieved to have finally seen him after several days, since he had been feeling quite under the weather after that scenario with Elizabeth.

"I thought I'd never see you again…" She greeted him in amusement, regarding his engrossment in his art. He only smiled charmingly as he walked towards her. He noticed that she tending on some herbs, since he was in her glass garden, which was also the witches' workroom.

"I couldn't possibly miss tonight's feast." He replied. "You were fortunate that Elijah has allowed it." She continued to smile as she turned back towards some plant that looked like a fern.

"Well, if he wanted peace in our community," She said as she poured some water onto the pot. "He has to make leeways for each. I told him that it was part of our tradition, and it was important." Klaus nodded in silence as he stood beside her by the table. "So, what made you come here?" She turned to him, in which, she finally saw how much close he stood beside her. "Do I sense a favor?" He continued to smile as he affectionately brushed a lock of hair away from her forehead.

"Sweetheart, you know me well…" He commented, still maintaining his charms, and glanced directly at her eyes. "I know how much you've wanted to get your hands on my mother's grimoire. So now, you've got an opportunity to." There, her eyes glistened slightly as they widened, before returning to normal.

"What do you need me to do?" She asked, feigning eagerness, he knew. In return, he only smiled sweetly at her – almost saccharinely. Somehow though, he needed to make amends with the little witch Davina. He had after all, killed her best friend, Tim, and he made her best vampire friend, Joshua, suffer with the werewolf bite, so he had to gain Davina's trust back. And how could he do that? By giving Joshua a daylight ring.

"I need you to make a daylight ring." Klaus replied with an easy smile. Genevieve smiled back as she nodded.

"I can do it tonight before the feast." She said in sudden determination. "It'll be easier once I have the right spell." Klaus nodded in understanding. There, he gave her a kiss on her lips, in which she opened herself to him and kissed him back. After a few moments, he broke it off and stared directly at her eyes again as he smiled charmingly.

"Thank you, darling." He said. But the thing was, the daylight ring won't be done by Genevieve, because he'll give the spell to Davina for her to do it. "I'll leave the grimoire in the quarter. You can get it before sundown." She continued to smile as she nodded. He sensed a bit of distrust in her eyes, but he didn't let her notice it. This was a trap after all – to prove if what Elizabeth said was true – and so, he was more than ready. With one last look, he turned and disappeared.

"Niklaus…" Elijah said as he entered the room, where he found Klaus, finishing his painting of the New Orleans skyline at night. His brother regarded him with a nod, without turning to actually face him. "I've spoken to Elizabeth this morning…"

"And she wouldn't sign your peace treaty," Klaus finished for him as he nodded again. "Yes, she told me all about that." Elijah slightly raised his chin up and narrowed behind him. It was quite surprising that they actually talk about such things. But then again, they do talk about these subjects, but never their emotions. Now, it was no longer as surprising as he thought.

"I need you to persuade her." Elijah replied firmly. "The other communities consider Elizabeth as a threat. And the last thing I need is another suspicion over us, when what we want is peace." That was when Klaus finally put his brush down on the side table by his easel, where all his other materials were.

"Why would they possibly consider her as a threat, brother?" His brother finally faced him as he took a cloth and wiped his hands on it. "They hardly know her and her existence, let alone, her return back to New Orleans."

"People talk, brother." Elijah firmly and matter-of-factly replied. "And after that takedown between you and Marcel, when you brought her with you, apparently, they do know about her. Not of her return, but I would guess that by now they already do." Klaus rolled his eyes as if this was all too ridiculous. But apparently, Elijah considered this as a serious business. He was doing everything in his power for this treaty, just so there would be peace, not just for their sake but especially for their niece.

"I'll try my best, big brother." Klaus finally said. "But do not get your hopes up just yet. You know how she is..." He smiled afterwards as he shrugged. But, Elijah did not find this amusing and narrowed his eyes at his brother. If only he knew the truth behind Elizabeth's actions, then he wouldn't find it amusing at all. But Elijah tried to play his cards right if he wanted this to be settled.

"She said that since she pledged her allegiance to you," Elijah started. "She was under your orders. I suggest, Niklaus, that you take this to your advantage, and get her to sign the treaty tonight." He finished firmly, using his authoritative, big brother tone. "This is all I ask from you." He looked directly at Klaus' eyes, who in turn, stared back at him before Klaus inhaled deeply and nodded in consideration.

"I'll see you tonight." Klaus said before he turned back to his painting. That was when Elijah knew that it was his cue to leave.

She came into the bar, knowing fully well who she was looking for and that her presence was sensed. The windows were covered so that no light from the outside could enter the room, and a few blue lights brightened it up just a bit. They stood up once they saw her and the music that played on some speakers by the corner of the room was stopped, just as Marcel turned from the liquor table and faced her.

"Elizabeth Rousseau," He announced as she continued to walk in, but then she stopped and stood in the middle of the room that was sprawling with vampires. "I thought I'd never see you in a place like this," He then said with a bright smile as he walked towards her. "And finally meet you face to face." He stopped a few steps away, cleverly maintaining his distance, but was still arrogant enough to even try and taunt her. So, she smiled in amusement. This was Klaus' prodigal son, the so-called King of New Orleans when really he was only Klaus' understudy. Moreover, he was the one who brought Klaus back after Elizabeth desiccated him two years ago. The first time that she ever saw her in person was during that takedown three weeks ago, when he was still with Rebekah.

"Marcel," She said, as if tasting his name as it rolled down her tongue. "I'm glad that you remembered my name…" She commented amusedly as she gave him a darting gaze. He however, only continued to smile as he shrugged.

"Oh how could I forget?" He asked, turning his charms on. "After Klaus introduced you, I knew immediately that you're one that shouldn't be forgotten so easily." Her smile turned into a full one, smiling back at him. He was definitely charismatic, she knew, in which it was one of the many things that Klaus had taught him. What was more fun though, Klaus and Rebekah had left this tiny information in which she knew telepathy – which was working again to her advantage.

"That was very clever of you," She commented with approval, as she noticed the vampires eavesdropping and very alert of this debacle between their so-called king and her – their enemy. As much as she wanted to show off, that she wasn't one to be messed with, she also knew that they remembered what happened that night very well when it was her with Klaus against them.

It didn't exactly end very well on their end.

"But I believe that you owe me a favor." She finally added, raising her chin up slightly, showing him who was in charge. Now, his smile disappeared as he frowned. The vampires were ready to take her down any time if something went wrong, she also knew, and that was why they watched her so very closely. "Judging by that frown on your face, I think you need some recalling…" She replied with another easy smile. There, she began to slowly pace, and that definitely stiffen Marcel, making him nervous. The silence was deafening enough that when her black high-heeled peep-toe pumps hit the floor, it was loud. She wore a white bandage dress that hugged her body under her long leather coat. A few more steps later, she stopped and gave him another darting gaze as her smile finally disappeared. "Two years ago, you made a deal with a Petrova doppelganger, Katherine." He continued to frown as he recalled the certain events that she just mentioned.

"And you're looking for the white oak ash dagger." He concluded for her, but instead, she gave him a smile.

"No," She replied matter-of-factly with an apologetic smile for his effort to try and read her purpose. "But I was the one who desiccated Niklaus, and I wanted it to stay that way for a while. Apparently, though, since you sought for his praise and approval, that didn't exactly happen now, did it?" Marcel stared back at her as he swallowed back.

"So why do I owe you a favor?"

"Because Marcel," She now replied in amusement, happy that he was asking the right questions. It was good that he was paying attention to what she was saying. "I am going to be here for a while and that's my initial plan, but no, not to destroy Klaus or take his kingdom away from him. But to destroy potential threats to our family." She now gave her a darting gaze as a serious expression replaced on her face. On his face though, was a nervous expression since he knew that he wasn't exactly on her good side. "And you, Marcel, aren't exactly in a good position at the moment, considering your rebellion with Rebekah. So I am here to straighten that out, otherwise, there will be serious repercussions." Marcel scoffed as he rolled his eyes and looked away in sheer mockery. Elizabeth didn't budge however. She wasn't scared of him at all.

"Threatening me doesn't work, Elizabeth." Marcel replied in amusement as he chuckled lightly. "In case you haven't figured that out yet." Elizabeth chuckled along with him, as he looked around at all his men who watched closely. Arrogance didn't have any effects on her. It only drove her to show them that she was superior. And apparently, this was one of those moments. If Marcel thought that she was here to offer him an empty threat, he couldn't be any more wrong. "I faced Klaus headfirst with these men, and he doesn't scare me at all. And neither do you." This time, she was the one who scoffed as she arched her eyebrows. She wasn't going to stand here and be mocked. That was her game. If Marcel was going to play that game with her, she'll also show her whose words could cut flesh.

"Oh is that so?" She asked in fake curiosity. "Was that why most of your men died with their blood in Klaus' and I's hands, while I also decapitated most of them?" Immediately, his smile faded, and she was the one who smiled deviously at him with another darting yet mocking gaze. "As I also do recall, you were made to pick up that coin and pledge your allegiance to him because apparently, you were going to lose. And you will keep losing."

"So what's your point?" He asked through gritted teeth, as his jaw was clenched. She scoffed again as she continued to smile.

"My point is Marcel that you need to know where you stand." She replied matter-of-factly. "If you have plans on trying to serve Klaus by also having another agenda to take back New Orleans from him, well… You'll only fail." Marcel glared back at him, although he also looked a bit surprised because that was exactly what he planned to do. She continued to smile. "But fortunately, I'm here to straighten it out for you."

"I don't need you to straighten it out for me…" He replied with his voice low and even. The vampires were tense at this conversation, but Elizabeth ignored them. Marcel wanted to show off, so apparently, she was going to give them a show. But then, her smile disappeared.

"Actually you do…" She replied firmly. The sarcasm and mockery was gone in her tone. And then, she now decided to walk towards him. When she was close enough, with only a step away, she stopped and stood, looking at him directly in the eyes. "After all… Wasn't it you and Rebekah who tried to bring back Mikael all those years ago, which drove my family out of the city?" His gaze hardened as he recalled. Not to mention, he was also surprised. She now smirked. "If Klaus knew that, I'm sure that he wouldn't have granted your love, Rebekah, her freedom. And you wouldn't exactly be living in this very moment, happily spending time with your loyal men, now would you?"

"What do you want?" He continued to glare at her. A slow smile then, crept on her lips.

"What I want Marcel, is your allegiance…" She replied matter-of-factly. "Not to Klaus, but to me." Marcel frowned, and so did the vampires around them. She knew what everyone was thinking. Why would she want it? What was she planning to do? It was all too entertaining. "I told you that I plan to stay here, and if I'm going to stay, I'd have to create an inside army of my own. You want to be king? Here's a tip." She now made a few steps away as she looked around at everyone. "You not only need to be smart, but you have to be clever. There are always more people who will be better than you, but if you want to defeat them, you'd need to think of all the possibilities, all the turns, and most importantly, you'd have to think and expect and learn what and how they think. And clearly, that was something that Klaus never taught you. Why?" She cocked a brow in amusement, enjoying this little lesson. "Because I win at that game. Why do you think he wants to keep me close in proximity and in the same side with him, Marcel? Because if I win, then so does he. And that's why he will always outsmart you." She smiled wide. "Now, I'm giving you an opportunity to redeem yourself to me and to Klaus, to side with us and destroy our family's enemies. Otherwise, you'd be standing against us, and like I've just said, if I win, then so does Klaus. So…What's it going to be?"

Marcel stared back at her, thinking it over. But Elizabeth didn't exactly have much time to wait. She made her impression and gave him several options. Now it was his turn to decide to stand with them or against them. Though, she did already know what he was going to choose. He was after all, Klaus' prodigal son. He had his sins that Elizabeth knew, and apparently, if Klaus knew, Marcel would be dead in an instant. He would never be forgiven. He will never have a chance to take back this city. He would be banished forever and suffer the consequences of his sins. He had been with Klaus long enough to know what he would do. And so, before Marcel could say anything of his decision, Elizabeth finally turned to go. But before she did, she turned slightly back at him, and saw the other vampires already standing up, suspicious of her motives.

"And just so you know, Marcel." She added. "You're not the only who keeps secrets. I know you've made the right decision. It's clear in your thoughts." With one last mocking smile of triumph, she finally headed out.