I set a glass of whiskey next to Elijah, who was reading on the couch.

His finger lifted. "What do you want?"

"I don't want anything."

Elijah hummed in disbelief.

I grabbed a nearby blanket and sat on the couch opposite him, this time with a more Elijah approved book in hand.

It was still interesting, just different.

"Then you've done something."

"Nope."

I could just feel the calculating look he was giving me. "Would it have anything to do with your skipping the second half of your history class?"

"You know, I would've loved to see that conversation. I can't imagine a hunter ever agreeing to something an Original wanted, even as a parent."

"Don't attempt to change the subject."

"One of my old contacts called me and I had to take care of it."

"Contacts?"

"You don't think I'd managed to hide from you guys all by myself did you?"

"Is there a problem?"

"No. Everything's fine. I was gone for thirty minutes tops and it was a subject I'd lived through." Even if there was and I had been talking to one of my actual contacts, I didn't want him to handle it for me. Which, he absolutely would try to. "There weren't any reports from my next teacher, now were there."

"I suppose not." He turned the page. "I would still prefer you go to every class, no matter how dull you think it."

"Speaking of school events..." That got his attention. "There's a bonfire and I'm thinking of going. I wanted to tell you so you wouldn't freak out if I went missing for the evening."

"Ah. The real reason you've brought out this  charade." Elijah gestured to the still untouched glass of whiskey.

"I'm trying to avoid another incident."

"Tyler Lockwood will escort you." The little glimmer of hope I had for going died.

"No."

"No?" His brow rose. 

"He and I aren't on speaking terms."

"Was it not just the other day, you were begging me for his life?"

"Like I said, we weren't anything special. I did my exploring and found something I didn't like." Better he think that.

"Still," Elijah stood, slotting the book back in its place on the shelf. "A sired hybrid is ideal. You and he will attend together or you will not go."

This was not a conversation I'd win. "What happened to my choice?"

"Your safety takes precedent. If you won't take precautions, I will."

"Fine." I deflated. At least it was Tyler and not an overly protective Original.

Though now that he had a sire, I don't know if that made things worse.

"That's assuming Tyler is available for your use. Perhaps I have an errand I need him to run." Nik moved into the room, his hands folded behind his back. "You would have had your brother as an option but you wanted him free from my compulsion."

"Don't be petty."

"If I wanted to be petty, I'd have compelled Damon as well." He smirked.

It irked me.

I crossed my arms. "Please, Nik. What if I did check ins?"

Elijah glanced between us. "Check ins?"

"You've proven you lack the ability to keep proper time."

"I'll be on top of it! I'll even set a timer, every hour."

Nik looked to Elijah. "She'll have to text either one of us her whereabouts."

He hummed. "Every twenty minutes. You'll not be gone longer than three hours."

Great. An even tighter window and a curfew. "Twenty?" I wasn't whining, I wasn't.

"Would you like to make it ten?" Elijah's brow lifted.

"...No."

"Good, it's settled. I think she would be alright by herself then, if we're doing the check ins." His head tilted slightly. "These are the people she attends school with."

"Yes, the very same who intended to attempt to kill me."

"Ah, but I'm not the one they hate." I twisted my ring around my finger. "They don't want to kill me." In fact, it was probably the exact opposite. They stupidly believed I'd help. "Is the three hours negotiable?"

"It is not."

"Fine." Worth a shot.