The Good Daughter

Twelve

"I'd like to make a toast." Elijah sat at the head of the table, like the true patriarch he was. "To family. While a very long road, we are finally together again."

Ironic considering the fact that Marcel wasn't here. He was as much part of the Mikaelsons as I was.

We were outside, under a canopy. Lights sat brightly on the supporting beams.

It was cozy.

Where was Finn? I assumed he'd been reluctant to join the siblings, and was hiding somewhere. At least I would've had someone as pissed to be here as I am.

Several agreeing nods from the rest.

Hope sat across from me, between the dark haired woman, Hayley, and Nik.

I very pointedly did not join in on conversation. They could believe me to be a moody child all they wanted, it only gave me advantage.

Though it did suck that I couldn't answer any messages I knew to be popping up. Parker had been rightfully put on silent. 

Much as I loved him and his talent, he was a texter. More so than Tyler ever- no. I couldn't think about him. I really, really couldn't. It did bring me comfort to know that he was alive. I'd contacted some others shortly after my conversation with Parker, he was apparently attending college and had a new girl, Liv.

She was a witch.

I'm glad he's moving on. He deserved it. That did not stop the way my heart ached. I wish he was here now, suffering through this dull dinner party with me.

Tyler was safe. That's where he'd stay. I'd already sent out a few of my loyal vampires to make friends with him.

I couldn't immediately go to Mystic Falls. That'd be way too obvious. It's the first place Elijah would think to look.

Maybe to the penthouse in New York. I'd lived there for a time, and it'd be nice to visit. I had to be exceedingly careful. Mikaelsons were smarter than many gave them credit for.

Freya sat at the other end of the table, she was nervous and badly hiding it. For what I didn't know.

I'd have to match her magical ability, which is mainly why I wasn't already gone. My witches were strong, but she was stronger. She could easily overpower Parker's spells, especially if she were channeling an Original, which Elijah would surely push for.

I needed to gather my coven. However they were spread out across the world and that took time.

So for now, I'd play my role and wait. Patience was a virtue, after all.

Though hopefully most of the attention would be on Hope, and I could finally step away from the spotlight as the youngest Mikaelson.

"Morgan." For fuck's sake. "You haven't said a word all evening." Elijah cut into his food, all proper.

I'd only picked at mine. "Clearly my words hold no meaning, so why try?" I stood.

"Sit." It wasn't a request. "Eat."

"Will I have to put my nose in the corner if I leave anyway?"

Elijah's eyes narrowed and I knew I was pushing it. "A poor example you are setting for Hope."

But I couldn't stop myself. "I'm a vampire with a blood addiction. I don't think I should be example to anyone. "

"Alright. Time for bed." Hayley urged Hope up.

"It's too early!" She whined. It didn't do her much good. She was still quickly ushered back into the house.

"Hope has no knowledge of what we are." Nik set his elbows on the table, fingers steepled. "Nor will she for a good long while."

"She's in for a nasty shock then. What happens when she realizes you don't age. That none of us do. Or when she walks in on one of us feeding?" Nightmare fuel, I'd imagine. "It's idiotic to think you can keep her innocence in tact when she's a born Mikaelson."

"We kept yours 'in tact' for a good majority of your life." Elijah leaned back in his chair.

"Bullshit. I came to you broken. I had no innocence." I threw my napkin on the table. "And yeah, we had a good run, but after Mikael... it's been different and you're blind if you don't see it. I'm going to bed. Unless you want to compel me to eat."

Elijah stared me down and I silently dared him to challenge me. He merely waved his hand as if giving me permission.

He was picking his battles.