Insatiable (Satisfy Series, Book Three, The Vampire Diaries)

Ch. 5: The Reckoning

I held my neck in severe pain as I woke up, the door of the truck open, and I saw that it was night outside.

I didn't see Klaus.

But I saw Rebekah.

"Oh, she lives," Rebekah said.

"What happened?" I asked as I stood.

"You took a beating. My brother's been breaking your neck all afternoon. Quite the temper, even to those he loves."

"Why did he bring us back to Mystic Falls?"

"You can stop playing dumb now. It didn't take him long to figure out what you've been hiding."

"I'm not hiding anything. I've done everything Klaus has asked me to."

"No, you just failed to mention that the Doppelganger's alive."

Oh, crap. They knew Elena was alive.

"Where is Klaus now?" I asked.

"With any luck, ripping that cow's bloody head off," Rebekah said. "I wonder how your brothers, both of which who love her, would react to the fact that their baby sister is the reason she dies. Nik's already said if they try to save her, they're dead too."

I nodded absentmindedly, turning away.

Then I turned back, rushing toward her, both of us falling out of the truck. "Where are they?"

"You're lucky, you have brothers who don't hate you and don't try to kill you," Rebekah told me. She got up, pushing me against the truck and took a crowbar, hitting me. "Consider me jealous."

"Don't be, they've tried to kill me too," I said.

She smirked, driving it through my stomach.

*

When I woke up again, I had a crowbar still in my stomach, but I didn't see Rebekah.

I pulled it out, looking up, knowing where I was.

The school.

Oh, God.

*

I walked into the gym to see Klaus, Stefan, Elena and two other random people.

Stefan looked up at me. "Kaylin . . ."

I ignored him and looked at Klaus with a sigh. "Klaus."

"Come to save your brother, love?" Klaus asked.

"I came to ask for your forgiveness. And pledge my loyalty."

"Well, you broke that pledge once already."

"Stefan and Damon belong in my old life. My old life means nothing to me anymore. And whatever you ask of me . . . I will do."

"Fair enough. Let's drink on it." He looked at the two other people. "Kill them."

My face was already transforming.

"No," Stefan told me, stepping in front of them. "Kaylin, don't."

"He's not going to hurt us," Elena told me. "He already said--"

Klaus rushed toward Stefan, pushing his hand into his chest, gripping his heart, about to rip it out.

Out of pure instinct, I rushed toward Klaus.

Klaus grabbed me by my throat, letting Stefan go. "Your life means nothing to you? Your lies just keep piling up."

"Let her go!" Stefan told him. "I'll do whatever you want, you have my word!"

"Your word doesn't mean much unless you prove it to me, Stefan," Klaus told him. He turned his head back toward me. "I lived by your sister's word all summer, during which time I never had to resort to this . . ." He compelled me. "Stop fighting."