The Good Daughter

Fifty four

Kol and Finn closed the double doors behind them.

Rebekah stood by Nik.

Elijah in front of me.

A family meeting.

I crossed my arms. "If they die, I'm done."

"You've said so before." Elijah put his hands on his hips, his suit jacket unbuttoned. "That you wouldn't play the good daughter anymore."

"And I was being serious. You've shown me that you're incapable of giving me any sort of real freedom. All you want is control over me and I'm sick of it."

"This is not about control. The crimes your brothers have committed are far too numerous. I have only been lenient for your sake."

"As if I should be grateful?! What about my crimes? I brought Mikael to New Orleans." Shit. Shit. I forgot about Kol.

"You did what?"

Fucking hell. I ran a hand through my hair, glancing at Rebekah, who'd paled considerably. "I- Marcel is still alive!"

"What?" Nik froze.

The only one confused was Finn. Though if he truly did hear everything I said, he at least knew who Marcel was.

"How long have you known?" Elijah frowned.

"The whole time?" God, I hated that I felt guilty.

"That was the information you were bargaining." Nik stepped forward. "You'd keep that from us?"

"Oh I'm sorry, are you hurt that I didn't tell you someone you loved was alive?"

"This again-"

"Yes this again, Nik. Always this. You both, all of you, lied to me. Maybe I'll get to a point where I can forgive it, but if you kill them. If you are the reason I lose them, I'll never forget and I'll never forgive that."

"Then you have made your choice. Your brothers over Tyler Lockwood."

"No. I need him and I need them. Don't do this to me. Don't rip away people I love." God. I wanted to throw something. "I shouldn't even have to ask."

"They harmed you." Elijah considered me.

"That's such bullshit!" I threw my hands up. "You're so blinded by your hatred that you can't see what losing them a second time would do!"

"I can compel it away."

For the love of- "That's what you think I want? To forget?"

"It would be easier, let him." Rebekah urged gently. "Then you can tell us all about Marcel's miraculous survival."

It irked me. "No! I'm not going to allow two of the most important people in the world die over something so minor. I got tortured. It sucked, I'm over it. You all care more than I do."

"You almost died!" Elijah exploded. "You are the most vulnerable member of our family and you were taken. I have never known that type of fear, and I do not wish to repeat the experience. If word got out that someone had been able to steal you away, that nothing had been done, there would be another attempt, this time it might kill you." He ran a hand down his face. "I cannot bear even the thought of you in pain."

I hesitated, desperate to stop the wobble of my chin. "And if you kill them, you'll lose me anyway."

"Tyler or your brothers." Nik crossed his arms.

He blurred.

Goddamnit. "Please don't make me choose." The words caught in my throat. "Please."

I wanted, no needed to sit down.

Like I couldn't support my own weight anymore.

"Make your peace with it, little one. We expect your answer by the end of the ball."

I ran past Finn and Kol, out the door, hardly able to contain the sobs that made my chest ache. I couldn't pick one or the other.

Wouldn't pick.

Though I may just lose all three if I don't.