Horray part 2! I'm glad you guys liked the first part. Esther is something huh? Anyway, let me know what you think of the end of this episode!

Season 3 Episode 14 Dangerous Liaisons (Part 2)

"I have no idea what I'm doing." I whispered to Damon. This waltz was not a normal waltz. This was one with really weird steps that I had never learned. We had our arms crossed over our abdomens and we had to walk and then spin around. It was really complicated, especially in heels.

"Just follow my lead." He told me. I did as he said, and didn't make a complete fool of myself. "Your friend keeps staring at you."

I looked up at Damon, and then over to where Jace stood. He had a glass of champagne in his hand and was looking our way. I smiled at him, making him return it. I looked back to Damon.

"He's just watching." I told him. Damon spun me around until we were chest to chest and were able to do a normal slow dance. His breath was hot on my face and the way he was looking at me, I wanted to take this dress off even more.

"He's watching you." He said in a low voice. "Not that I blame him. You are stunning."

I smiled, hiding my face into his chest. It didn't matter how many times he complimented me, I would always blush. Maybe I just didn't believe that he was still into me. He was so gorgeous, so strong, it was hard to believe that he actually loved me. I knew I loved him with all of my heart, but it was still daunting to hear the same from him.

Damon spun me around, and I came face to chest with a hard body. I looked up and my eyes widened when I saw Elijah. However, I let out a breath. It could have been much worse. I could have ran into Klaus, Rebekah, or worse Kol.

"Time to switch partners." Elijah said with a smile. I looked over my shoulder to where Damon was and I saw him being drug away by Rebekah. He was looking over at me, trying to catch my gaze. I swallowed hard before turning to Elijah.

"You did this on purpose." I accused. Elijah simply smirked and took my hand. While Elijah seemed to be the tamest of his siblings, I still didn't completely trust him.

"You look beautiful." Elijah complimented. I made a face.

"I have your mother to thank for the dress." I replied. "Why is it that she is being so nice to me?"

He chuckled.

"You are the reincarnation of her deceased daughter." Elijah replied. "She's a bit… sentimental."

"She's a bit creepy." I said. Elijah's face fell and I immediately regretted my words. "I'm sorry."

"No, I understand." Elijah replied. "My family is very forward."

I gave him a tight lipped smile. They were very scary, but I didn't want to offend Elijah. I shook my head. Why did I care what he thought? Or what any of them thought? Their opinions of me shouldn't have mattered. But they did.

"My mother wishes to speak with Elena." Elijah said. I furrowed my brows. I already knew this information. I had tried to stop her, for her own safety. I didn't know why Esther wanted to talk with Elena. She already tried to kill her once. What's to say she wouldn't do it again?

"Yeah, do you know anything about that?" I asked, wanting to know Esther's motives in speaking to Elena.

"Unfortunately no." He replied. I narrowed my eyes. Elijah seemed to be the most trustworthy of the children. Why wouldn't she tell Elijah anything? I didn't quite believe that.

"You said we would be honest with one another." I said. "You wouldn't lie about any plans she has would you?"

"I promised no more deceit." Elijah replied. "I am just as in the dark as you, my dear."

I looked over his face, seeing that he gave no triggers that he was lying. I believed him. Elijah was a man of his word, except for that slip up with killing Klaus. But now, he knew who he could trust. Me. I didn't think he would sever that alliance so quickly.

"My mother's ability to forgive Niklaus concerns me." Elijah admitted. "He not only killed her, but she was devastated after Alissa's murder."

"Well, yeah." I replied. "That's not something you just get over."

Elijah nodded. Elijah was smart, very thought oriented. He didn't just do things without thinking it through, or knowing what he would get out of the bargain. So, the fact that he was worried about his mother's actions, made me a bit more on edge.

"I just want to know that my family will be safe." He said. The way he said it, made my heart reach out to him. Elijah had everything he wanted: his family. But he didn't trust his mother, and frankly I didn't either.

The music stopped and the two of us stopped dancing. Elijah released his hold on my waist, but kept my hand. He placed a warm kiss to it, gazing up at me.

"Thank you for the dance." He replied. I turned to go, but he still held onto my hand. "If you hear anything…"

I furrowed my brows for a minute, wondering what he was asking me. Then a little light bulb went off in my head. If Elena were to speak with Esther, he wanted me to tell him what she said.

"You will be the first one I tell." I replied. Elijah smiled, releasing my hand. I turned and rushed to go find Damon.

Rebekah and Kol stood off to the side, the young teenagers dancing and having a grand time. Rebekah, she wasn't having as nice of a time. Matt was currently talking to Caroline, and it was getting under her skin more than she wanted to admit. Rebekah had always been reckless when it came to love, and catching feelings was nothing she wasn't used to. But it always bothered her.

"Where's your date?"

Rebekah turned to her brother. He had a sly smirk on his face, one she wanted to smack off of it.

"Flirting with his ex." Rebekah replied, letting the malice slip through her wall of emotions. Kol heard it and he followed Rebekah's gaze.

"Rough." Kol replied. "So, I met our Lissa look alike."

Rebekah tensed next to him. Alexandra had the same charm that her older sister did, and Rebekah found that she actually liked the girl. However, Kol was never so easily pleased. He could taunt her, hurt her, even against all of their wishes.

"What did you think?" Rebekah asked, trying to fish out information. Kol shrugged.

"She didn't really speak to me." Kol replied. "She's too timid."

"She's frightened." Rebekah told him. "Besides, she's not that way once you get to know her."

Kol furrowed his brows and turned to her. Rebekah swallowed, trying to not let it show on her face that she may have given too much information.

"You've barely known the girl five minutes." Kol replied. Rebekah shrugged. "Oh, don't tell me. You care for her."

"No I don't." Rebekah replied, much too quickly and forcefully. Kol smirked. "Listen to me Kol. Leave her alone."

"Or what?" He asked, picking up another glass of champagne. "You'll stake me?"

He walked off, and Rebekah found a feeling of dread wash over her. She looked out into the crowd, trying to find Alex. Her blue eyes fell over her, wearing the lovely white gown that Esther had given to her. She was stuck to Damon's side, with her little human following along close behind. Kol wouldn't dare make a move in the public eye, for fear of angering mother. It was what he could do if Alex got alone that worried Rebekah the most.

She let out a breath before she finished her champagne.

I was beginning to wonder if Esther had just up and left. I hadn't seen her since she disappeared up the stairs, and I would be lying if I said that there wasn't something pulling me to go after her. However, I pushed those feelings aside, instead staying where I was supposed to.

With Damon.

"My feet are killing me." I muttered, trying to move my toes in the heels on my feet. "I will never understand why girls do this."

"Me either." Damon replied. "I'd rather them have nothing on at all."

I smacked him playfully, rolling my eyes as I did. He chuckled, leaning down and kissing my temple. Even with the heels on, he still towered over me. I didn't mind though. Whenever he held me, I felt much safer. It was like a caterpillar in its cocoon.

"Where did Elena run off to?" Damon asked me. I shook my head, my eyes moving around the room. I had been so focused on my own safety, and my sore feet, that I had taken my eyes off of the doppelgänger. I felt my heart begin to pick up speed. How could I let her slip away that quickly?

Ding.

Damon fished his phone from his pocket and looked down at it. I tried to see what the message said, but he was blocking my way. He sighed, stuffing the phone back into his pocket.

"What's wrong?" I asked.

"That was Elena." Damon replied. "She said she needs me to meet her."

"I'll go with you." I offered, but he shook his head.

"No, this could be exactly what Esther wants." Damon replied. "You stay here."

"But-"

Damon gave me a look that shut me up. I let out my own sigh and then he kissed my forehead before he left. I watched him leave and felt the odd sensation of someone watching me. I turned to where the tingling was and found that, yes, I was being watched.

Klaus stood off to the side, staring at me like predator and prey. I felt my hands begin to sweat, but I wouldn't let him know I was afraid. He walked toward me, slowly and calculating. I didn't move from my spot, holding my ground.

"I thought he would never leave your side." Klaus commented. I narrowed my eyes. "You look stunning."

"Thanks." I muttered. "Can I help you with anything?"

"I merely came to say hello." Klaus replied, sounding innocent. I knew better. "Have you met the rest of my siblings?"

"I had the pleasure of meeting Kol." I replied sarcastically. "I have yet to meet your other brother."

Klaus chuckled.

"Kol is a gem isn't he." He replied with the same sarcasm. "Finn is very… stoic."

"I see." I replied with a nod. A tray of champagne came around and Klaus took two glasses off the surface. He handed me one and I took it gratefully. I needed to relax, take off the edge of my nerves.

"I want to show you something." Klaus said. I narrowed my gaze. "Don't worry. You will be back in a second."

I stared at him for another second and then I looked around. I didn't see Caroline, Elena, Stefan, Jace or Damon. No one would have to know that I walked off with the enemy… no one would see if he took me either. I turned back to Klaus and sighed.

"Fine." I replied. "But I'm armed."

"I never doubted it." He chuckled, leading the way. He took me up the stairs, and I eerily wondered if he was taking me to Esther. However, he took me down a long hallway and opened up an empty room. It looked like a study of some sort, with art of all kinds on the walls. There were a large array of books as well, and a large desk toward the center.

I turned to Klaus.

"What's so important in here?" I asked. Klaus smirked walking over to the desk and flipping open a black leather folder. I peeked inside as he pulled out some papers.

"I know that you are interested in art." He replied, handing me the papers. "I was wondering what you thought of these."

I looked at him skeptically before I looked back at the papers in my hands. They were sketches, and some of the best I had seen. Things like these, they would take me weeks to perfect. I found my inner artist screaming at me, telling me how good these sketches were, until I saw the signature on the bottom.

"You… you draw?" I asked, looking up at him. Klaus smiled sheepishly. It was the first time I had ever seen him be vulnerable.

"It's a passion of mine." He replied. "Actually one of my landscapes is hanging at the Hermitage."

My jaw fell, which made him chuckle. I looked back to the sketches. There was something about them, something so familiar. The lines were smooth and precise. I didn't believe that he ever missed a beat when he was drawing. It was like the pencil just took over, much like when I drew.

"Well, consider me impressed." I said. "I could only dream of doing something like this."

"I'm sure your drawings are just as good." Klaus said. "If not better."

I blushed a bit, looking up to the walls. Most of the paintings I had seen in books, and I assumed that they had been stolen from big art museums. I began walking around the room, hyperaware of the fact that Klaus was watching me. I tried to ignore it.

"So." I said. "This whole party… are you all really sticking around?"

Klaus shrugged.

"That seems to be my mother's intention." He said. I just nodded. I didn't know what to say, or what to do. The situation was just so awkward, because I knew what they wanted from me. It was just something I couldn't provide.

"Who came up with the Mikelson thing?" I asked. Klaus chuckled. "I mean, it's clever."

"Kol came up with that one." He said. "He thought that would be funny."

There was a fire place, mounted into the wall across from the desk. Above it hung a frame of a sketch, one I recognized almost instantly. The crude painting was very obvious as compared to the more modernized way of painting. However, the faces, I could definitely recognize the faces.

"I took it from that museum where it was being held." Klaus said from behind me. I still stared at the picture. "I thought it would be a nice addition to the collection."

I stared at it for a long time, the drawing that showed Klaus and his twin, Alissa. Her face, my face, stared back at me. It was as if it was mocking me, telling me that my life was not my own. I was not who I thought I was. I was someone completely different, and I was being pushed to being one of my past lives.

But I couldn't.

"I know what you are doing." I said, turning to Klaus. "You're trying to get me to be her."

"Don't you understand?" Klaus asked, taking my shoulders. "You are her. You just don't remember."

"No!" I shouted at him, moving from his grasp. "I'm Alex."

"Lissa-"

"Don't call me that!" I yelled at him. "Why do you want her back so bad anyway? You killed her!"

I could see Klaus' eyes narrow into slits. I was frightened, most definitely, but I knew that him being mad at me was better than the alternative. So I kept pushing.

"How could you kill your own sister?" I asked, my voice sounding disgusted.

"It was an accident." Klaus told me through gritted teeth. "I would do anything to bring her back."

"Well, you aren't going to do that through me." I told him. "I will never be Alissa."

It was then that Klaus seemed to lose it, and I wondered if making him mad was the best choice. He grabbed my arms tightly and started shaking me. I tried to reach for my stake, but he restricted me.

"I will have my sister back!" Klaus yelled at me. "Whether you like it or not!"

"Niklaus."

Both Klaus and I turned toward the door. A tall man with a solid face stared at Klaus. His expression was blank, but his eyes were full of fire. I recognized him to be the other Mikelson brother.

"This is none of your concern, Finn." Klaus said, still not letting go of me. I was silently pleading with this man to help me, but his expression did not change.

"When you go against our mother's wishes it is my concern." Finn replied. Klaus didn't seem to fear anyone. Not Elijah, not Rebekah, no one. The only person I had ever seen him fear was Mikel, and he was dead. But now, I was beginning to realize that all of the Mikelson children, feared Esther. Even Klaus who didn't fear anyone and who was unable to be killed.

"Release her." Finn ordered. "It would be a pity for mother to find out about this."

Klaus tensed for a second, and my suspicions that he was afraid of Esther were only confirmed. He didn't do or say anything for a long, tense minute before he let go of me. I stood there for a millisecond before I bolted for the door. I looked back over my shoulder at Klaus for one second before I took off down the hall.

I went around a corner, hiding behind it so that I could catch my breath. Klaus had never acted that way. In that second, I was reminded that Klaus was dangerous and he could kill me. He killed Alissia all those years ago. What was to stop him from doing the same to me? He killed his mother, and his father. Klaus claimed that he loved his family, but every single one he had betrayed. Why did I ever think I was safe with him around?

"Are you alright?"

I jumped, letting out an involuntary shriek. When I faced the person who had spoken, I relaxed a bit, but only a bit. I still was wary of Finn, for I had never had any interaction with him. He was still unknown to me, and from what I had seen, none of them could be trusted.

"I'm fine." I told him. "Thank you… for that."

"Niklaus had strict instructions that he was not to harm anyone." Finn told me. "Including you."

I nodded. It didn't matter if Klaus was told to do anything. There wasn't a guarantee that any of them would listen to their mother.

"Finn right?" I asked him. He nodded. "It's nice to meet you."

A small smile graced his face. Klaus had accurately described him. He was stoic. His emotions didn't seem to go along with his expression. He took my hand and placed a small kiss to it.

"It is lovely to meet you as well." Finn replied, then his smile fell. "I must be honest with you."

I cocked an eyebrow.

"I did not come up here to save you from my brother." Finn replied, but he didn't sound apologetic at all. "I came to find you, for my mother."

I narrowed my eyes, sighing. I should have known that he wasn't just being chivalrous when saving me. I could have just fought my way back to the party, but I knew that was futile. Finn was an Original, much faster and stronger than I was. I had no choice.

"Alright." I said. "Where is she?"

Elena stood in the center of Esther's study. The room was huge, filled with books of all genres in the large bookshelves. Klaus had gone to a lot of trouble to fix this place up. It still baffled Elena that Esther just wanted to kill him.

"I understand Rebekah shared the story of my family." Esther said, catching Elena's attention. "How I upset the balance of nature by turning my children into vampires."

"She said you did it to protect them from the werewolves." Elena replied. Esther nodded.

"It's true. But in no time at all, they began to feed on human blood." She said sadly. "Which eventually led to the death of my daughter."

Elena looked at Esther with sympathy. It was obvious that the death of Alissa had affected her, and she was still upset about it. Elena knew that Esther wasn't someone that she could trust, but Elena couldn't help but feel bad for her. No one should have to bury a child.

"They ravaged the town with no remorse." She continued. "Eventually, Niklaus turned against me."

"How are you gonna kill him?" Elena asked. "He's immortal."

"It will take time, magic, and your assistance." Esther said. Elena narrowed her eyes.

"What do I have to do with it?" She asked. Esther turned to her.

"My children believe I'm holding this ball to celebrate our reunion." Esther said. "But in truth I've gathered them together to perform a ritual."

Elena watched her carefully, as she picked up something from her desk. It was a long, thin knife with a sharp point.

"The first step requires blood from the doppelgänger." Esther said. Elena's eyes widened. "Only a drop. Its essence will be in the champagne toast later on this evening."

Elena stood there staring at her. Esther held out a hand, the knife in the other, waiting, daring Elena to let her take her blood.

"Will you do it or shall I?"

Elena stared at the knife and then met Esther's gaze. If she did this, she would send Klaus to his grave. She wouldn't have to deal with him anymore. He would be dead and they would be free. Alex would be free. They would all be happy.

She placed her hand, palm up, in Esther's outstretched one. Esther pricked Elena's finger, causing a little sting. She then turned Elena's finger over, squeezing it until two drops into a chalice that was filled with a suspicious liquid. Elena assumed it was magical.

"Elijah is more suspicious than the others, so he may need more persuasion." Esther explained, releasing Elena's hand. "But they must all drink at the toast in order to be linked as one."

She furrowed her brows.

"What do you mean "linked as one"?" Elena asked.

"You said yourself Klaus can't be killed." Esther said. "But tonight's spell links all my children together, so that if one goes, they all go."

Elena felt herself begin to panic.

"What?" She asked, hoping that she had heard wrong. By the look on Esther's face, she had not.

"I love my family, Elena, but they are an abomination." Esther explained. "I betrayed nature when I created them. It's my duty to kill them."

Elena stared at Esther for a long moment. She was willing to kill her whole family, just to put back the balance of nature. Elena wasn't sure if she was appalled or if she respected her decision.

"Elena?"

Elena turned at the sound of her name. She was surprised to see Alex standing in the door, Finn right behind her. She felt a bit guilty, because Alex had asked her not to go see Esther alone. But Elena knew that Esther needed to see her alone. And Elena also knew she wouldn't have let Elena do what she did if she knew that all of the Original's would die.

"What the hell are you doing in here?" Alex asked, stalking over to Elena and grabbing her arm. "I thought I told you to stay downstairs."

"You don't make my decision's Alex." Elena replied. She was tired of everyone always protecting her.

"I do when they come to your safety." Alex said in a low voice. Elena and her shared a long glare before Elena gave in. Alex was only trying to protect her, even if she didn't want to.

"Alexandra I presume." Esther said, catching the older Gilbert's attention. Alex looked up and met the blonde's gaze, and then nodded. Esther smiled widely. "Elena, if you would excuse us."

Elena met Alex's gaze, asking if she wanted her to stay. Alex nodded once toward the door, and Elena did as she said. Finn stepped aside so that Elena could leave, but she looked over her shoulder once more at Esther. She gave a curt nod and Elena left the room.

"You wanted to see me." I said, my voice thick and full of malice. I wanted to get this over with, find Damon, and get off this crazy train. Esther was looking me over, her eyes wide in what seemed like amazement. I shifted uncomfortably.

"You look exactly like her." Esther said, as if she didn't believe it. "My Alissa."

"Wasn't that the plan?" I asked, not thinking about who I was talking to. A stake would do nothing compared to Esther's magic. I had to be careful when talking to her. However, she surprised me when she laughed.

"You still have that biting wit." Esther said, then she stared to walk around me. "Tell me, how are you still alive? Klaus told me that he killed you during the sacrifice."

I swallowed, thinking about John always made me feel a certain kind of way.

"My father tied his soul to mine." I told her. "He died so that I could live."

"Interesting." Esther replied. "Klaus also tells me that he abandoned you before you were born."

I didn't say a word. It was one thing for me to judge John, but it was another thing for a stranger to do so.

"A touchy subject, I would imagine." Esther said, coming back around me. "Well, I'm sure you have a lot of questions for me."

I furrowed me brows.

"You said you wanted to talk to me." I said. "I have nothing that I need from you."

She chuckled, making my blood boil. I didn't take too kindly to being laughed at or made a fool of. All I wanted to do was leave. I didn't want to talk to her, especially after Elijah said that Esther wants her family back. I didn't want any part of it.

"You do not have any questions." Esther repeated, not sounding convinced. "Excuse me if I am not inclined to believe that."

"Well you should." I spat. "It was nice meeting you."

I turned toward the door, making my way for the escape route.

"Wait." Esther called. I stopped in my tracks. "I just… wanted to see you."

I tensed with my back still facing her. I could feel a lump in my throat. There was a part of me, a part deep inside my subconscious that wanted to remember something, anything from my past lives. The Mikelson's obviously hadn't let go of their loved one, and they were trying to hold on to her by getting to me. But I was a completely different person then the people in my past lives. I was Alex, and Alex only.

I turned to see her, seeing tears in her eyes. I felt bad for her, what she must have gone through… and she only wanted to protect her children.

"I'm sorry." I told her. Her eyes widened a bit. "For your loss…"

She pressed her lips into a thin line. She knew what I meant. Her eyes then downcasted to the floor. I swallowed at the lump in my throat before I went to the door and pulled it open. I walked past Finn and went down the hall, all the while fighting myself from turning around and going back.

I walked out of the room and down the stairs. I had to find Damon and get the hell out of there. The more I was around these people, the more I felt uneasy. But even from my high view above the room, I could not find any sign of him. I did find Elena, though. She stood off to the side, talking with Elijah. The two seemed to be locked in a deep conversation, so I ignored them, not fearing for her safety if she was with Elijah. I made my way down the staircase, and I couldn't ignore the eyes that were on me.

I could see Kol from a corner, smirking at me as if he knew a big secret. I stopped myself from glaring. He was the one I figured would be giving us the most problems. I then met eyes with Klaus, who was standing next to Caroline, and his blue eyes were glossed over. He didn't look away from me, and I could see the silent apology he was giving me. But I tore my eyes away from him, his apology meant nothing to me.

"There you are."

I looked up and saw that Jace was at the bottom of the staircase. I don't think I had ever been so relieved to see a friendly face. He extended his arm and I took it gently, knowing that if I didn't, I might fall.

"Are you ok?" He whispered to me. I nodded. "Alex, don't lie to me."

"Are people staring at me?" I asked, ignoring his question. He looked around the room and then back to me. "They are staring."

"Well, you are the loveliest person in this place." He said. I smacked him lightly. "I'm serious."

I gulped, trying to push his comment to the back of my mind. I really didn't have time for his compliments. My mind was running too fast right now.

"Where is Damon?" I asked. Jace shrugged and I huffed looking around the room again. I still didn't see him.

"Good Evening, Ladies and Gentleman."

Jace and I looked up at the staircase where Esther now stood. She had a glass of champagne in her white hands. She didn't look down at me, something I was grateful for.

"Waiters are coming around with champagne. I invite you all to join me in raising a glass." She explained.

A waiter came over to us and we both took one. I felt like I was going to be sick. Maybe having a drink wasn't the best idea.

"It provides me with no greater joy then to see my family back together as one." Esther said, looking over her children. Her eyes fell on me for a split second. "I'd like to thank you all for being part of this spectacular evening. Cheers!"

Everyone raised their glasses and tipped the drinks back. Jace took a sip and then made a face. I stared at it for a long time.

"You look like you are going to be sick." Jace commented. I nodded. "Hey, look at me."

I looked up at him and his face was laced with concern. I swallowed back the bile that rose to my throat. This place, this family, it was all too much.

"Let's get out of here." Jace said, taking my glass and setting it on a table. He then put his arm around me and led me toward the door. I leaned on him, afraid that if I tried to take any of my own weight I would fall. I just wanted to go home. I wanted to talk to my mom. I missed her. If anyone would know how to calm me down it would be her.

"Leaving so soon?"

Jace and I turned, but I was still clinging to him for dear life. When we turned we saw Kol, standing there with an empty glass of champagne and a smirk on his face. He extended a hand.

"Kol Mikelson." He said, looking at Jace. Jace narrowed his eyes. "Come on. It's only a shake."

Jace still looked him over for a bit before he took his hand.

"Jace Cooper." Jace replied, shaking Kol's hand. "Nice party."

"All my mother's doing." Kol replied. "I was never one for planning parties. I like to crash them more."

Jace gave him a tight lipped smile. My stomach was churning at just the sight of Kol. Him being in such close proximity made me want to vomit. As if he knew I was uncomfortable, he looked to me. I swallowed hard again.

"Alexandra." Kol said. "We didn't really get to speak earlier."

I took a deep breath, trying to put on a good face. He seemed to see right through it.

"No, we didn't." I replied. "Sorry about that. Damon is a bit…"

"Overbearing?" Kol offered. I said nothing. "Not to worry love. My mother is the same way."

I was unable to stop the involuntary shiver that went up my spine. Kol smirked at my uncomfortableness and I wanted nothing more than to get out of there. Jace still had his hold on my arm, and he tugged me a bit closer to him.

"Sorry to cut the fun short." Jace said. "But we really should be going."

Jace then turned and began to drag me toward the door, however, another firm hand grabbed my other arm and effortlessly stopped us.

"What's the rush?" Kol asked, pulling me back a bit. "I would just to have a dance with our guest of honor."

I swallowed, looking at Kol's hand and then to his eyes. They were dark, like his mother's, and so deep that you could get lost in them. More like trapped.

"Just one dance." Kol said, as if he was daring me to refuse. I realized then that if I did refuse, he would make a scene. I really didn't need to stake a vampire in the middle of all of these humans. That was what he wanted me to do.

"One dance." I replied, looking to Jace. He stared at me for a long time, calculating my expression. I nodded once to him and he released his hold on my arm. Kol tucked my hand into his arm and he led me to the dance floor.

He put one hand on my waist, while the other took my hand. I was straining to get as far away from him as possible, but it wasn't really working considering he was much stronger than me.

"I assume that you wanted to speak to me." I said, finding all the confidence I could muster. He cocked an eyebrow. "Isn't that why you wanted to get me alone?"

"You are a clever human." Kol said. I winced. "I guess human wouldn't be the correct term."

"What do you want?" I spat. "I talked to your mother. I came to this stupid party. What else do you people want from me?"

He chuckled.

"I don't want anything from you." Kol replied, his hold on my hand tightening. "In fact, I'd rather our paths never cross again."

I narrowed my eyes. All the other siblings in the Mikelson family seemed to be convinced that I can replace their lost sister. But Kol was different, or at least he claimed to be.

"You see, unlike my family, I understand that you will never be the one we lost." Kol explained. I swallowed. "They can try, but you will never truly remember."

I furrowed my brows at him.

"So, you just wanted to tell me that?" I asked. He smirked, his hand tightening around my own even tighter. I could feel the pain starting to shoot through my hand, and his hold didn't lessen.

"I wanted to tell you that you won't get any protection from me." Kol replied sinisterly. I heard the slight pop of my hand. "And, I wanted to piss off my brother."

I let out a shriek when he released my hand and pushed me backward. I hadn't realized he had moved us across the room to a balcony. I fell against the railing, and quickly turned around. Kol was coming at me with full force, his fangs out and the veins under his eyes exposed. I reached down to my leg for my stake, but before I could get it Kol was flung from the balcony.

I looked up to see Damon, for merely a second, before he jumped off the balcony after Kol. I didn't stick around to see what happened. I ran off the balcony and through the crowd toward the front door. When I got to the two vampires, Damon had already snapped Kol's neck.

"Damon!" I yelled. Damon looked up, meeting my gaze. I then ran to him and wrapped my arms around him. My hand was throbbing, but I ignored it, just focusing on him. Then I stepped back and smacked him.

"What was that for?" He asked. There was a crowd that formed at the front door. I could see Stefan, Elena, and Jace were among them. The Mikelson's were also watching. But I didn't care.

"Are you crazy?" I asked. Damon stepped back, looking at the crowd that formed, and then back to me. "You could have gotten yourself killed."

"Excuse the hell out of me for saving your life." Damon spat at me. "Again."

"What is that supposed to mean?" I asked. Damon scoffed. He then looked back at the crowd once more before he brushed me off and started walking away. "Damon!"

I watched him walk away and was about to go after him, but someone stopped me. I looked up to see it was Elena. She was giving me a hard look, one that told me to let him go. I could see a glass of champagne in her hand. I took it, gulping the whole thing back before I followed her to her car.

Esther stood in her study, looking over the spell that she would perform tonight. This was the only way to insure that her children would no longer hurt anyone. She had to do it, even if she didn't want to.

"You aren't having second thoughts, are you?"

Esther looked over her shoulder at Finn, who was looking at her warily. She shook her head.

"Of course not." She replied.

"You're doing the right thing, mother." Finn told her. Esther smiled, putting a hand on her son's face. She looked at him sadly.

"You understand what this means, don't you?" She asked. "This spell I'm casting tonight will bind you all together as one."

Finn nodded.

"I understand." He replied. "When it is time, I will be ready to die."

Esther sighed then.

"Then we must complete the link."

Finn held out his hand and Esther took it. She had a large knife in her hand, one she used to cut Finn's palm. The red blood spilled from the wound onto the piece of parchment that she prepared for the ritual.

"Phasmatos inta grum vin callus...Amalon callagius accodam...Cosom naben dox...Callagius amalon...Gaeda callagius ceremum...Phamato descendium vinum...Phasmatos inta grum vin callus...Cosom naben dox."

The blood spread from all the names of her children, written in runic, on the scroll.

Rebekah

Finn

Kol

Elijah

Klaus

Alissa

"So… the girl…" Finn said. "She has to die?"

Esther sighed, hearing Finn's hesitation. Esther had her own at the time. Linking her children, it meant that Alexandra too would be linked. Esther's plan, was to get the girl here, make sure she drank the doppleganger's blood… and force herself to not back out.

"It is unfortunate." Esther said, turning to Finn. "But she is part of us…"

Finn looked down at the floor, seeming ashamed. Esther cupped his cheek in her hand.

"It's the price I must pay for bringing her back." Esther said. "I upset the balance of nature… and I will pay that price."