To Be Or Not To Be » Stefan Salvatore

Chapter 27 - This Was Karma

Skye felt awful. Not only was she a liar, but she was a terrible sister—and an even worse girlfriend. The weight of it pressed against her chest, making it harder to breathe. She had the cure, and she couldn't bring herself to tell Stefan. She knew exactly how that conversation would go: an argument, a fight, and then Stefan demanding she hand it over for Elena.

And she wasn't ready to do that.

It was selfish—she knew that. But she needed time. She needed the chance to make this decision on her own.

On top of deceiving Stefan, she had given Rebekah false hope, letting her believe Elijah was the one to give the cure away. That was why they were all sitting around the table now, debating whether or not her sister deserved it.

"Elijah, being a human means a fresh start. I can grow old and have a family and fill my days with meaning—knowing that each one matters."

Rebekah's voice was steady, filled with conviction. Skye had to admit—it was a good speech.

A scoff from her right made her frown. Of course. Leave it to their brother to ruin the moment.

"Well, that was poetic," Klaus drawled, smirk sharp and mocking.

Elijah turned to him, unimpressed. "If you have a more compelling reason for wanting the cure, Niklaus, do share."

They all turned expectantly toward him as he leaned forward, expression dark. "Silas can appear as anyone. He got inside my head—convinced me I was dying. He'll torment me until I give him the cure."

Skye barely held back a scoff. Of course his reason was selfish. She wasn't sure why she expected anything else.

"And in doing so, he'll break down the wall to the Other Side," Rebekah said, disbelief coloring her tone.

"So it doesn't trap him when he dies," Klaus shot back before turning to Elijah, eyes glinting. "He wants to reunite with his lost soulmate. You of all lovesick fools should applaud his devotion."

Skye's gaze flickered between them, watching the conversation unfold like a game of ping-pong.

Elijah knew he wasn't the one who truly held the cure, but he played along. If they found out Skye was the one who had it, they would turn on her in an instant. And he knew his sister—knew she was too soft-hearted to withstand the pressure. She needed the chance to decide for herself, without their influence.

"He'll open the floodgates for every supernatural being that has ever died," Rebekah continued, voice rising.

"Including our dear brothers, Kol and Finn," Klaus added smoothly. "We'd have our family back."

The mention of their names made Skye inhale sharply. Her fingers clenched under the table.

Kol. Finn.

She missed them. Even Finn, despite everything. They were her brothers, and she never got the chance to say goodbye.

For a split second, she wavered.

But the rational part of her knew it wasn't worth it. Unleashing every supernatural being from the Other Side wouldn't just bring their family back—it would bring back every enemy they had ever made.

"Please. You hated Kol, and you kept Finn in a box for most of his life," Rebekah pointed out.

Klaus ignored her, turning back to Elijah. "Elijah, please."

But Elijah was already shaking his head. "Your personal discomfort isn't reason enough to put the entire world in jeopardy, Klaus."

He shared a look with Skye, searching her face. She remained unreadable, but after a moment, she gave him the smallest nod.