It was a loaded question. And the fact that he didn't really answer her didn't do much to put Elena's nerves at ease. He was right, of course. And of course he'd called her on the omission. She wouldn't be able to beat him, not by herself. And she didn't have anyone there to help her.
The mention of the Salvatores brought a small flinch. She'd hurt Stefan. And Damon... The pain was still fresh for her. "I couldn't stay there any longer," she answered. Too much death. He wasn't the only one who could avoid answering questions.