A/N: Here it is you guys, Elijah! I hope you like it because I had a hell of a time. Nothing seemed good enough. Let me know what you think. This chapter has been edited by my beta Casey.

Standing outside Lockwood manor, I adjusted the silk ribbon around my waist, retying the bow. The navy blue lace dress I was wearing was actually a new favorite of mine. I had been lucky enough to find a simple gown at the local Boutique on short notice. It was perfect for what I needed. It was knee-length, so I didn't have to fear breaking any bones from tripping on the hem, and just flashy enough to make me feel beautiful. I paired it with a blue butterfly lace mask and called it done. Bonnie stepped up beside me in her gorgeous black and white fitted gown and crossed her arms.

"You're sure there's another witch here?" she asked, her eyes scanning our surroundings.

I closed my eyes and focused. I could feel Bonnie's magic brushing against mine but ignored it, instead, concentrating on the party and the occupants inside. I could feel a pulse of magic and opened my eyes.

"Yes, just as I expected; Katherine brought a friend. She will try to use her against us, but we are prepared, " I said reassuringly. "Elena is still wearing the charmed necklace, right?"

Glancing at her phone, Bonnie nodded.

"Okay, then we should be good. Using Elena would've been her big move, and now that she can't," I shrugged. "—problem solved,

Straightening her mask, Bonnie turned to Jeremy, who was playing her date for the night. He was dressed in a black suit with a white shirt to match her black and white attire. He pulled on his mask and took her arm, leading her inside.

So far, so good.

I stepped up beside Damon and Stefan, their black suits almost blended into the darkness. I scanned our surroundings.

"Do you see her?" Damon asked.

I shook my head and turned to Stefan. The black mask he wore had elegant red accents — very reminiscent of something you would see someone portraying the Devil wear.

"Nope. You're sure you can do this?" he asked, turning to Damon.

Damon scoffed, placing a hand on his chest. "Who do you think you're talking to?"

Stefan shrugged, turning back to the ongoing party. "Oh, I had the chance to kill her, and I hesitated. So how can you be so sure you'll put her in the tomb?" he asked.

I turned toward him, my eyes wide with surprise. "When did this happen, Stefan?"

He looked down at me and sighed. "While Caroline was in the hospital. She showed up and tried to act like Elena. I knew better," he simply said.

At least one of them knew the difference. Damon stepped up, his cerulean eyes hard.

"Well, that is the fork in the road between you and me, my friend. I don't hesitate," he said.

Stefan took my elbow, tilting his head mockingly. "You spent 145 years loving her and trying to free her from the same prison we are now attempting to place her in. It could happen."

Damon glanced down at me, his black mask made his eyes almost appear to glow in the darkness. He looked up at his brother, his expression filled with a fierce fire. "I won't hesitate."

Stefan led me into the party, and I glanced around the room. I quickly spotted Katherine at the bar in a skin-tight black dress, one my sister wouldn't be caught dead in, and a matching lace mask — a strawberry pressed against her lips. Was this her attempt at being sexy?

I rolled my eyes and gestured toward her. Stefan handed me over to Damon and headed through the throng of dancers in her direction. Leading me onto the dance floor, Damon spun me around the room, our attention fixed on Stefan and Katherine. As I watched her, I noticed she was focused solely on Stefan. She had yet to see us only a few feet away.

"Shit," I said, as Aimee, a friend of Matt's, started toward them.

I made to move and intercede, but Damon grabbed my wrist, stopping me. I glanced up at him, raising my trapt hand in question.

"You can't go over there, Elandra. It's not time. You will ruin the whole plan if you make a scene now. Let Stefan handle it," he said, pulling me further away.

I tried to pry my wrist from his grasp, but it was impossible. Aimee stepped in front of Katherine, smiling at her as she spoke. Katherine smirked at Stefan as she quickly stepped behind Aimee. She gently placed her palm on Aimee's lower spine — snapping it. Aimee fell against Katherine's chest, her eyes wide and blinking in confusion. I covered my mouth in horror, as Aimee's glazed eyes tried to focus, her mouth falling open in pained shock. She was paralyzed and couldn't make a sound. I looked away, knowing what would come next. I glared up at Damon and headed toward the stairs.

"You couldn't have saved her. Katherine would have killed her regardless, and if it wasn't her, it would have been someone else. We have to stick to the plan," Damon said as he followed behind me.

I wiped at my wet eyes and fixed my mask. I prayed to the Gods for that poor innocent girl's soul. I noticed Stefan at the other end of the hallway by the back door. I rushed toward him and saw the grave look in his eyes.

"I put her body in my trunk, for now," he said.

I turned my head and nodded, stepping into the empty room to our right.

"We'll dump her somewhere when we finish this," Damon said.

I stepped up to the window and tried to remain calm.

"This is exactly what I didn't want," Stefan said.

I turned toward him and placed a hand on the bridge of my nose. "I know, but it's also exactly why we need to do this. She has to be stopped.

Stefan joined me by the window and narrowed his eyes. "She wanted a moonstone?" he said.

I fiddled with the ribbon on my dress and looked away. "It's one of the things that she thinks will help her when the vampire comes. It's a magical object. I have it," I said, going for the truth.

Stefan's eyes widened, and he rubbed his forehead roughly. "We definitely can't let her have it then."

I placed my hands on my hips and looked at the clock on the wall next to the door. "Bonnie and Jeremy are waiting for our signal, and Caroline and Tyler are ready. They will make sure the party stays downstairs and out of our way."

Damon pulled his phone from his pocket, sending a text to Jeremy. "Well, it's time then," he said.

With a deep breath, I pulled out my cell and sent a text to Caroline, mentally crossing my fingers.

"It's done," I said, placing my phone back in my clutch. "It's my turn now."

I started forward, my hands grasping my clutch tightly. Stefan took hold of my shoulder and pulled me to a stop.

"Be careful, Elandra. I know that you believe this plan is perfect, but there's already been one casualty, I don't want you to be another. We don't want to lose you again," he said, eyes flashing to his brother.

I placed my hand on his, and carefully removed it from my shoulder, squeezing it in thanks.

"I'll be okay. I've got this," I said, nodding.

I left the room quickly and headed toward the back of the manor, where I knew Caroline was planning to lure Katherine. I turned down an empty hallway and saw a quick glimpse of red silk.

Caroline.

My steps quickened as I heard a loud bang. The wall next to me shook with the force of an impact from the other side.

"What are Stefan and Damon up to?"

I could hear Katherine's integration as I rounded the corner and saw her pinning Caroline to the wall. I lowered my head, my spine-tingling. I could feel the familiar ache in my hands, and I flexed my fingers.

"Put the baby vampire down, Katherine. Why don't you pick a fight with someone a little more your pace," I said, folding my arms and waving my sparking fingers.

Katherine shoved Caroline harshly, her skull knocking off the wall, and I ground my teeth together. Caroline's eyes were hazy as she glanced over at me, her body slowly sliding to the floor. Katherine kicked her legs away as she stepped over her.

"More my pace?" Katherine laughed, flicking her straight hair over her shoulder. "You sure think highly of yourself. I could snap your neck right now, and then I wouldn't have to worry about you for another...what...century?" Katherine cackled, perfect brow arched.

I cocked my head to the side, my gaze running over my sister's doppelganger. "You could try, and hell, you might succeed. But if you did, then you would be forced to explain why no one will ever find the moonstone," I said, my head rising, glossy lips curling into a wicked grin.

Katherines smile dropped, her brown eyes clouding with real fear. "Y-You have the moonstone?"

For a moment, Katherine's voice sounded almost human. The fear in her eyes gave me the slightest feeling of power over her. I opened the palm of my hand, and a light blue ball of energy rose up, swirling around in a vortex. I held my hand closer to my face and leaned forward, gently blowing into the maelstrom. The storm parted until you could see a holographic image of the moonstone floating in midair. Katherine growled, her perfect features twisting, black veins growing under her dark eyes. I clasped my hand closed, the image disappearing.

I avoided glancing down at Caroline as I spun on my heel, my curls bouncing around me. I was grateful for my mask, as it hid the fear and anguish I felt at leaving my friend behind.

"The only way you will get what you want is from me, Katerina. This fight is ours and ours alone. You attempt to harm anyone else, and I end things tonight — and take the stone with me," I said over my shoulder.

I could hear the gasp from Caroline and knew I had them. I hadn't told anyone this part of my plan, because I needed the reaction to be real. Katherine wouldn't believe me otherwise.

"Then I kill everyone anyway, and you'll die for nothing. I have been running for a very long time. I can keep running," Katherine hissed.

I chuckled darkly. "You can, yes. That is until I am reborn. My memories of you will return eventually, and when they do, I will track you down myself, and that will be your end. It won't be quick. Try me, Katerina," I said, turning back toward her briefly.

Katherine's doe eyes were alight with anger, her hands clenched beside her.

"Those are your choices, choose wisely. I have died many times before, death and I are old friends. I do not mind meeting her early. You know I'm not bluffing," I said, walking away.

I kept my stride steady as I made my way back toward the party. I passed by Tyler, and he caught my eye, nodding as I stepped onto the stairs. I headed toward the room we had set up to trap Katherine. I just needed to get her there so that I could place her in a magical coma. One that would last just long enough to transfer her to the tomb. I had already resealed it in the hours preceding the party. Which meant any vampire who stepped inside, would be trapped until I removed the spell.

I ran my hand over the smooth banister as I walked up the stairs, my gaze dropping to find Katherine at the bottom, her narrowed eyes following me. Caroline stood next to Tyler, sputtering, her blonde hair in disarray. Tyler pulled out his phone and started frantically texting. The next phase of my plan was now complete. I tilted my head, smiling down at Katherine as I headed toward the room, leaving her behind. I opened the door and stepped inside, dropping my clutch on the table by the window as I went. I sat down on the seat a few feet away from the door and folded my hands in my lap. I could feel the heated gazes of the others in the room, but kept mine on the door, my expression blank.

Katherine pushed the door open, her fangs bared. Crossing my legs, I waved her inside, pointing to the chair beside me.

"Let's chat, Kit, shall we?"

Katherine sped into the room, placing her hands on either side of my chair, effectively trapping me.

"Tisk, tisk. That's not gonna work, I already told you. I go, so does the moonstone. Sit down," I firmly said, using my thumb to point to the other chair.

Katherine growled, her sharp teeth near my jugular, and roughly pushed away from me — rocking my chair, and my stomach swooped uncomfortably. I felt a hand push me back on all fours, and I released a grateful breath.

"Hello, Katherine," Stefan said, coming up beside me — wooden stake in hand.

"That's the plan then, Elandra. You're going to kill me," she said, laughing.

I chuckled, waving her statement away. "No, no, you've got me all wrong. I am not going to kill you. In fact, no one in this room is. That's a promise from me to you, old friend. No, you have a bigger purpose. Boy, do I have plans for you."

I sat forward, connecting my fingers over my crossed knees and looked her deep in the eye.

"Now, I don't want you thinking this has anything to do with our past, ya know, your dalliances with my ex-fiance, or...whatever."

I dismissively waved my hand, winking. I glanced at Damon, who was leaning against the wall, a compressed air weapon in his hand.

"This isn't about revenge…" I trailed off, giggling, and rolling my eyes. "Well, it is about revenge, just not because of our shared past...I'm so over that. This is about the here and now. You fucked with my family and my best friend. Despite our differences, I liked you and didn't want it to come to this…but you're a selfish bitch," I said, leaning back.

Katherine put her chin on her fisted hand and smiled. "You're, as always, super entertaining, but whatever plans you may have for me, they're not going to happen… sorry," she said, wrinkling her nose.

I bit my bottom lip and clasped my hands together, wiggling around in over-exaggerated excitement. "Oh man, this is gonna be fun. Damon, dear, it's your turn. I think you deserve this small measure of payback,"

I leaned back in my seat, smiling over at Damon, who pushed off the wall — his blue eyes hard. He pointed the gun at Katherine and shot her. The stake zoomed through the air and straight into her stomach, a sickening squelch sound met my ears on impact. Katherine slid out of her seat, dropping onto her knees. Her face scrunched up in pain as she fell onto her hands, blood pooling in the corner of her mouth. Her eyes darted toward the door, and I smiled.

"Expecting someone?" I asked.

Katherine glared at me, reaching up and ripping the stake from her stomach. She gasped, grimacing in pain.

"Yeah, I kinda took care of your witch's little spell. There is no connection between you and my sister," I covered my mouth with my fingers. "Oops," I grinned, shrugging.

I stood to my feet and yanked the stake from her hand. "Your predictable, Katerina," I spat. I twirled the stake in my hand and paced in a circle around her.

"I don't need a spell to hurt your precious, Elena," she said, pulling herself onto the couch. "There are so many things that I could do that would break her."

I stopped my pacing and stood in front of her, holding the stake above my own heart. "And I could end things right here, right now. How easy it would be..."

Katherine shook her head, scoffing. "You couldn't do it. You couldn't leave them all behind," she taunted.

Narrowing my eyes, I started shoving the stake into my chest, my skin tearing as the wood pierced my flesh, my gaze never leaving Katherines. The pain was unimaginable, but I needed her to see that she couldn't challenge me. Blood started to soak through my gown, dripping down my front, and Katherine's eyes widened. I gasped for breath, my arm shaking. Stefan and Damon sped toward me but were stopped by a bright shield of light, their bodies bouncing off and colliding with the opposite wall. Katherine glanced at them both in shock, and bared her teeth, ripping the stake from my grasp.

"Dammit, Elandra! Fine! You have a deal," she cried, biting into her wrist and shoving it onto my lips.

I gagged but accepted her offering. She pushed me away, and I stumbled, caught by the steady hands of Damon. He glared down at me, his hard, unforgiving eyes taking in the red stain on my dress. I stepped away from him and toward Katherine.

"You said we had a deal, Katherine. You can't back out now," I said, voice wavering, my chest still aching as it slowly healed.

Katherine glared at me, standing to her feet. "Let me see the moonstone. No tricks," she said.

I flicked my wrist, and the duplicate moonstone appeared in my blood-stained palm. "Okay. Now we had a deal. No more games,"

Katherine nodded, reaching out for the stone. Lifting it from my palm, her fingers wrapped around it tightly. Slowly, her hand lowered, eyes fluttering as she fell to the floor with a heavy thump, the fake moonstone tumbling from her hand. I bent down and picked it up, twisting my hand until it disappeared into thin air, finding its way back to Tyler.

"She'll be out for a few hours. It'll be just long enough for you to get her to the tomb."

I placed a hand on her head and mumbled a quick spell of my own invention. It would ensure she was unable to tell her story when Elena, or one of the brothers, inevitably asked her about it. Essentially it was a gag order, and she would be forced to comply. I turned to face the harsh gaze behind me.

"Just remember not to step foot inside, or you'll be trapped with her," I said.

Damon crossed his arms over his broad chest, and his eyes fell, once again, on my ruined dress. I sighed, wiping at the stain. I did regret destroying my gown. I really liked it.

"I'm sorry I didn't tell you guys about this part of the plan. That was wrong. I was never in any real danger. She wouldn't have let me hurt myself. She needs the stone."

Stefan scoffed, shaking his head. "Is that supposed to make it better? You asked for our trust and then went behind our backs and did this," he said, motioning to my chest.

I winced, instantly regretting my decision. "You're right. I only did it because I needed her to believe that I would go through with it. I needed her to trust me enough to accept the moonstone and the spell."

Stefan bent over and picked Katherine up, tossing her over his shoulder. "Next time, find another way. One that doesn't involve self-mutilation," he said, his gaze never reaching mine.

I kept my eyes on the floor as he passed, shutting the door behind him. I stomped my foot in anger at my own stupidity. Damon took my shoulder and turned me toward him.

"I was so mad at you, Elandra, over something stupid. When you and Caroline were planning things at the house together, it was like you had replaced me. Then if Caroline wasn't enough, you now have the Lockwood kid."

I tried to speak, but he placed a finger against my lips, stopping my words before they were born.

"I said…I told you I didn't trust you. After everything I've done to you." He ran his hand down his face, rubbing at his jaw as he turned away from me. "But before I could say anything to you, you start driving a stake through your heart." He turned back around and grabbed my shoulders, pulling me closer. His fingers grasped my chin. "If you ever do something like that again, I'll kill you myself," he said, kissing the corner of my lips. He sped away, leaving behind only the smell of mint and the fluttering of my hair.

I slowly headed down the stairs and was surprised to find Elena at the bottom.

"Stefan and Damon took Jeremy and Bonnie to the tomb to lock Katherine up," she said as I joined her.

The party was dying down, and I was happy to make a hasty unnoticed escape.

"What are you doing here?" I asked.

Elena's brows arched, and I hastily added to my sentence. "Not that I'm not glad to see you, but you're not exactly dressed for a party," I said, looking down at her jeans.

Elena took my arm and led me outside, toward the driveway. "Well, it seems your little side plan freaked everyone out, and now no one wants you left alone," she snickered, the corners of her mouth twitching. "It was a pretty stupid idea. If I didn't know you'd never actually go through with it, I'd be pretty pissed off too."

I scoffed, affronted on my own behalf. I am not about to be on 24 hr watch. I'm not suicidal.

"It's kinda nice being the guard instead of the guarded for once," Elena mused.

I huffed, pausing when her cell rang. Elena removed the phone from her jacket pocket and pressed it against her ear. "Yeah, Jeremy, I've got Lady Death. We are about to hop into the car. Tell Bonnie, thanks for her help today. We're gonna drive home and go straight to bed" Elena pulled the phone away from her ear and glanced at me — her face firm. "Aren't we, Elara," she said.

I mumbled hatefully and turned toward the car, wiping at the annoying stain on my dress again. "She dutifully agreed. We will see you at home. Bye," Elena finished.

I opened the car door and was about to get in when I heard something heavy hit the ground. I spun around and saw Elena on the pavement, a small trail of blood trickling down her arm. I started toward her when I felt a sharp pain in my head, and everything went dark.

My head was a painful throbbing mess as my eyes started to flutter open. The world around me was blurry, and I couldn't make much out, apart from the torn threadbare couch I was lying on. My eyes rolled as I tilted my head, hoping to make out the rest of my surroundings. My neck screamed in pain, and I winced, biting my tongue to stop a moan from escaping. I didn't want to reveal that I was awake to whoever may have kidnapped us. I could hear voices and tried to sit up, my face scrunching up in a grimace as my stomach rolled.

"What do you want?" Elena's voice asked.

I blinked a few times and finally was able to clear my vision enough to see a man carrying her down a set of stairs. Her hands and feet were bound, and the sleeve of her shirt was bloody. I shakily stood and stepped away as he dropped her on the couch. My mouth fell open in shock when my eyes took him in — Trevor. He ignored me and untied Elena's hands and feet. Elena sat up and scooted toward me and away from the unknown vampire.

"Please, I'm hurt," she said, glancing at me in fear.

Trevor leaned toward her, his nose twitching as he took a deep breath in. "I know. Just a taste," he whispered.

I stepped forward, my hands raised, and shook my head. "Trevor, please," I said.

Trevor's eyes snapped to mine, and he sped in front of me. His brow furrowed and his face morphed into one of confusion. "Clara?" he asked.

I nodded, my hands shaking as I placed them on my chest.

"I know it's hard to understand, but it's me. I was cursed a long time ago and have been forced to reincarnate ever since. But I'm still me. I still remember you," I said, my voice shaky with fear.

My head was still throbbing, and my vision blurry. I was pretty sure I had a concussion, and if that was true, then my magic would be just as weak as I was.

Trevor placed his hand around my neck and glared down at me. "Did you know Katherine would betray me?" he said, roughly pulling me toward him.

I winced, a small groan of pain crawling up my throat, and Elena stood, sobbing.

"No! I just wanted to help her. I didn't know who or what she was at the time. She fooled me too. I am so sorry. He killed me that night, Trevor," I pleadingly said.

"Trevor! Control yourself."

I closed my eyes in relief as he tossed me to the couch, my sore head bouncing off the armrest. Elena sat down and pulled me into her arms, her chest shaking. A pretty young woman with short choppy brown hair stepped in front of the couch, her olive-green eyes calculating.

"I wondered why Trevor chose to take you both. He said he found two doppelgangers, but I guess not. You're a Reincarnate then?" she asked.

I sat up, moving Elena back to her side, and narrowed my eyes on the woman. "Yes, and you are?" I asked.

The woman crossed her arms, her full lips curling into a pretty smile. "Rose-Marie, but you can call me Rose," she said, turning to Elena.

Her eyes widened, and she shook her head. "My God, you look just like her."

Elena scooted to the edge of the couch and looked up at the vampire, her expression annoyed and fearful. "But I'm not. Please, whatever you-"

Rose lifted her hand and turned on her heel. "Be quiet!" she hissed.

"But I'm not Katherine. My name is Elena Gilbert; you don't have to do this."

I placed my hand on her leg and squeezed. Elena looked over at me, and I shook my head. "Elena shut the hell up! They know who you are. This is about what you are. Isn't it Rose?"

My muddled mind finally worked through the finer points. Niklaus and Elijah would have figured out that Trevor had helped Katherine escape and become a vampire. I knew Katerina Petrova's story. She had tricked a kind-hearted woman(vampire) into giving her some of her blood and then killed herself. That kind-hearted woman must have been Rose. Now they were on the run, same as Katherine. And just like Katherine, they had the same idea — sell the ingredients for the ritual as a get outta jail free card.

Well shit. We were screwed.

Rose tilted her head, clapping slowly. "Well done. You're smart."

She pointed to Elena, her stern face exhausted. "We are tired of running. We contacted Elijah. When he accepts our deal, we will be free," she said.

I placed a hand on my forehead and released a sigh.

Shit, shit, shit!

Elijah was coming?

I wasn't ready. I thought I had more time; more time to plan. More time to prepare everything...to prepare myself.

My hands trembled as Elena turned to me.

"Is that him, Elara?" she asked.

I shook my head, glancing at Rose. This was it, she would tell Elena about the ritual.

"No, but he is one of them. There is a family, Elena. They are called the Originals. They are the first of their kind," I said.

Elena stood to her feet and started pacing, twirling her fingers together. "But why me?" she asked.

Rose rolled her eyes and glanced at me accusingly. I avoided her gaze; I had my reasons for not telling her everything. She didn't know Elena as I did. Telling her would have been a disaster. She would have gotten herself killed, or turned before the ritual could ever take place.

"Because you're a Petrova Doppelganger. You're the key to breaking the curse," she said.

Elena spun around, her gaze falling on mine. "Elara?" she said, her doe eyes clouding with betrayal.

I stood, coming to stand in front of her. "There are things that no one knows, Elena. The ritual is not going to go the way everyone thinks. I would never let you die. You are my sister, and I love you. The only reason I didn't tell you is that I knew you would freak out and try to sacrifice yourself," I said.

Elena took my hand, her throat constricting. "You're right, I would have. I probably would have figured out a way to contact him so that the rest of you would be safe." she released my hand and looked into my eyes. "I believe you. But we will do this together," she whispered, eyes almost frantic.

I nodded, and she turned around. "Is it the sun and moon curse? I thought the moonstone was the key?" she said.

I reached out and took her uninjured arm, giving it a squeeze. I hoped she understood that I needed her to keep quiet about the moonstone. Rose shook her head, her eyes roving over Elena's body.

"No, the moonstone binds the curse. The sacrifice breaks it. The blood of the doppelganger. You have to die," she said.

My sister's hands shook, and I took her by the wrist, leading her back to the couch.

"Trust me. No one is dying. I told you I knew something no one else did. I have spent years researching this ritual, Elena. I will protect you," I said.

Elena's gaze found mine, and her forehead wrinkled. "The Originals?" she asked.

I glanced at her questioningly, my lashes fluttering and nodded. "Yeah, that's what they're called," I said.

Elena shook her head, her fingers playing with the ribbon on my dress, brows furrowed in thought. We sat together in silence while Rose and Trevor came and went — their rushed voices floating through the decrepit house. Elena's hand dropped, the ribbon she had been playing with floating back into my lap.

"Original witch," she whispered.

She looked up at me, her fingers dancing across her parted lips. "That's what Bree called you. Oh, my God. They are the family you grew up with," she said, eyes wide and fearful.

I took her hand in mine and placed a finger on my lips, glancing around us for our captors. I didn't want my connection with Elijah known until it was too late.

"Elena, you figured it out. I'm actually quite proud of you, but please be silent. My connection with them will only help in the end. I didn't want you guys to think I was the enemy," I begged.

Elena took a deep breath, her fingers rushing through her tangled mane. "This is insane. What else aren't you telling me!" she hissed.

I rolled my eyes and threw my hands in the air. "That's it! You figured it all out. The Original family is my family. I told you the story; I just left out a few details. I committed the sin of omission because I figured you'd all hate me in the end — once you figured out who they are and found out about the ritual." I said.

Elena crossed her arms petulantly. "And what if they force you to choose, huh? Us or them?" she asked, brow raised.

I shook my head vehemently. "They wouldn't. Not after everything. The only way I would be forced to choose is if you make me, Elena. Don't make me," I begged.

This was one of my worst fears. Elena leaned away from me, and a crinkling sound came from under her leg. Her eyes shot to mine as she pulled a white piece of paper from under her thigh. Glancing around, she quickly unfolded the paper - leaning over her shoulder, I read the familiar writing. '

Stefan and Damon are coming for you guys. -B

Elena crushed the note in her hand and held it close to her chest, before shoving it into her pocket. She looked up and me and sighed.

"I'm sorry, Elara. I'm just terrified, and the idea of losing you to some old vampire family is-"

I wrapped her in my arms and chuckled. "I'm not leaving you. I will be with you until the very end," I said.

There was a pounding on the stairs as Trevor came barreling toward us — Rose on his heels.

"He's here! This was a mistake," he said.

He paced in a circle, his hands fisted in his hair. Rose stepped into his line of sight, and took his arm, disentangling his fingers from his hair.

"No, I told you I would get us out of this. You have to trust me," she said.

Trevor pushed away from her, his expression frantic. I hadn't seen such fear in a very long time. I had forgotten the type of devotion and fear the Mikealsons could conjure up.

"No! He wants me dead, Rose," Trevor said.

Rose pointed toward Elena, her olive eyes strong. "He wants her more," she said.

I snorted under my breath, shaking my head. Elena elbowed me, her teeth grinding together - and I winced. I mouthed a quick 'what' and rubbed my stomach as Rose started up the stairs.

It's not my fault; I found their display so ridiculous. Trevor was obviously about to die. Elijah could be forgiving, yes, but only to an extent. Trevor had screwed up big time, and there would be no forgiveness.

Trevor started toward the stairs, and Rose pushed him back. "I can't do this. You give her to him, he'll have mercy on you, but I need to get out of here," Trevor said.

I nodded along with his assessment, and Elena raised a brow.

"It's kinda like watching dinner theater; all we need is food," I whispered.

Elena's mouth dropped open, and I pressed her jaw closed, pointing back toward Rose and Trevor.

"We're missing the show," I said.

Elena glared, her eyes wide in disbelief.

"Hey! What are we?" Rose asked, snapping her fingers in his face and taking his arm, pulling him close.

Trevor took a deep breath, his chest shuddering, and closed his eyes. "We're family, forever," he said.

I stuck out my bottom lip and frowned. This sucked, I felt terrible for them. Just more destruction in Katherine's wake.

A loud knocking echoed through the near-empty room, and Rose glanced up the staircase.

"Stay here with them and don't make a sound," she said, walking back up the stairs.

Elena stood, pulling me with her, and nervously bit her lip.

"They're so scared," she said.

Trevor glared at her and paced in front of the stairs.

"They should be," I said, fumbling with my dress and hair.

This was it. I couldn't believe I was about to see Elijah again.

I felt sick.

My heart hammered in my chest, and I felt lightheaded. Elena's breath hitched as the door above the stairs creaked open. I flattened my dress and brushed the hair from my sweaty forehead.

I looked disgusting. This was not the way I wanted to meet my brother again, but beggars can't be choosers.

Elena stepped in front of me, her hands clutching at my dress as she pushed me directly behind her. My eyes skimmed the floor as they started to rise — running up the steps and toward the door. In the doorway stood Elijah, his eyes not on Elena, but on me.

As one would expect from a vampire, he looked almost exactly as I remembered him. His brown hair was perfectly styled, and his black suit fit his form like a glove. His typically arrogant expression softened as his brown eyes rounded in shock.

"Lannie?" he choked out.

I stumbled backward as he appeared in front of Elena, his eyes searching my face. Elena grasped my arm and pushed me further behind her as she stepped away. She was keeping me as far from Elijah as she could. Elijah's expression hardened as he took in her face. He leaned down, his nose running across Elena's neck.

"Human. I thought it was impossible," he said.

Elena shivered, and he took her shoulder, shoving her to the side. She held her hands out beside her, trying to maintain her balance. Elijah stood in front of me, and I smiled up at him.

"Hello, 'Lijah. I've missed you," I said, my voice thick with emotion.

Elijah placed his hands on my cheeks, and his eyes glinted as they darted across my face.

"Impossible," he said.

I covered his hands with mine and sniffled, my cheeks burning from the smile still plastered on my face. "Nothing is impossible, brother. We know that better than most," I said.

Elijah pulled me against him, and I placed my hands on his chest, wrapping my fingers around the lapels of his jacket. He patted down my hair, his fingers running through the matted strands. After a moment he stilled, gently pulling away. I stepped back, my fingers still clutching at his lapels - and I could see the sticky red substance coating his fingertips. He glanced down at my blood, his head tilting, his entire body tense. He glanced up at me, brown eyes cold.

"You're injured," he simply said.

I released him and carefully wiped the blood from his fingertips.

"It's nothing really. I must have bumped my head when we were brought here," I said, brushing down his jacket.

Elijah bobbed his head and adjusted his tie. "We have a long journey ahead of us, Lannie. Plenty of time for you to explain you're miraculous rebirth to me." He bit into his wrist and held it close to my lips, a demanding expression on his face. I huffed, taking a large gulp and rolling my eyes. Elijah cocked a brow, and I grinned — blushing.

I had forgotten how much he hated childish behavior. Stepping behind me, Elijah moved a few strands of my hair aside and checked my scalp for the wound that had previously been there. When he was satisfied that his blood had done the job, he brushed my hair back down and stepped around me. He ran a single finger down my cheek as he passed.

"One last piece of business and we're done," he said.

I winced as he confidently strode toward Trevor and Rose. I felt terrible for them, but it wasn't my place to intervene. I would have much bigger battles to fight in the future. Elena quickly moved to my side and grabbed my shoulder - her chest rising and falling with rapid breaths.

"What the hell?" she whispered.

I wrapped an arm around her, watching my brother stand before the two frightened vampires. I couldn't help the excitement that was skating down my spine, reigniting a spark within me that had long been extinguished. This was it, I would finally be with my family again. Although my time in this life would soon be drawing to a close, I knew that things were escalating and what I had wished for since Esther had cursed me was rapidly approaching. Soon, I would see Niklaus.