The chamber fell into an uneasy silence.
Lilith sat on the cold stone floor, her mother's arms still wrapped around her. The ancient vampire who had terrorized them for so long, who had killed and manipulated and destroyed without remorse, looked suddenly small, broken, human. Her dark hair hung in tangles around her face. Her hands, which had wielded so much power, now lay limp in her lap. Her shoulders shook with silent sobs.
Lena watched with a mixture of pity and caution. Her heart wanted to believe. Her mind warned her to be careful. Lilith had deceived them before. She had sent Damon to infiltrate their camp. She had pretended to be broken while planning destruction. But this, this felt different. This felt real.
"Lilith." Lena's voice was quiet but firm, cutting through the silen
