Did you talk to Elena? I was asked in a text message from Caroline an hour after I spoke with her.
I decided that I would no longer be addressing Elena by her name.
Yes.
What happened?
What do you mean?
What did you say to her?
What did she tell you I said to her?
I haven't spoken to her yet.
Did you know Isobel was dead?
Yes.
And you didn't think I deserved to know?
You didn't know? Elena's uncle didn't tell you?
No one told me.
Did your grandmother know?
I don't know, but you did.
Bella...
You didn't think to tell me.
No, I didn't think.
I'm well aware.
I thought someone told you, and you stayed away because of the fight you and Elena had. I'm sorry.
When did it happen?
It happened on the day you guys fought.
Oh.
Did you really call Elena self-absorbed and stupid?
How did it happen?
Klaus compelled her to kill herself.
Who's Klaus?
He's an original vampire.
Vampire? Vampires aren't real.
Cut the crap, I know, you know.
Well, that cat is out of the bag. I thought, then texted back; I thought vampires couldn't compel other vampires.
Original vampires can, apparently.
Why did he make her kill herself?
To mess with Elena.
Why?
He needs Elena to break a curse.
What curse?
Sun and moon. He needs the moonstone, a werewolf, a vampire, and the doppelganger. I was supposed to be the vampire sacrifice.
How did you die?
Kathrine smothered me with a pillow. It was the day Tyler crashed. He's a werewolf, by the way.
Kathrine, that's the vampire Stefan mentioned. I texted back. Was Tyler supposed to be the wolf sacrifice?
No, his uncle Mason was.
Where is he?
Gone.
Gone where? Is Tyler with him?
No. Tyler left town.
And Uncle Mason?
Damon took care of it. Do you remember the night you were attacked?
Yes.
All of it?
Yes.
My part in it?
Caroline...
I was compelled to forget. When I turned, I began to remember. Bella, I'm so sorry. I didn't mean to do it.
I know, Caroline.
I will spend the rest of my life making it up to you.
Caroline, you couldn't realistically help me.
I could have done something.
Caroline, you don't need forgiveness for that. Damon is the bad guy.
I hear your pleas every time I see you.
Ok, you're the vampire; this Mason was supposed to be the wolf. What's her role in this?
Do you mean Elena?
Yes.
She's the most critical component in the curse. She's the doppelganger.
A twin?
No, I mean, yes. It isn't straightforward to explain.
Take a stab at it.
Five hundred years ago, Klaus attempted to break the curse, but the doppelganger tricked two vampires into giving her blood and killed herself, turning herself into a vampire.
How did he find her?
Katherine.
What's it to her?
She was the doppelganger from 500 years ago. She's offering Elena and me to Klaus to get in his good graces.
So this Kathrine is her look-alike?
No, she's like an exact copy of Elena. It's basically impossible to tell the difference.
John told me not to invite her in.
Are you talking about Katherine?
Yes, but John didn't say Katherine.
She was the one who attacked him. He probably figured it easier for you if he just said Elena.
Where is Katherine?
Klaus compelled Isobel to betray her. We don't know where she is.
Is there anything else?
There's an original vampire tied up in the Salvatore basement.
What?!
It would be best if you were extra careful.
Why?
Your blood has a powerful scent. I smell you from my house.
Does your mom know?
Bella, be skeptical of every encounter with Elena. Katherine had gotten quite good at impersonating her. See if you can talk your grandmother into staying home until we locate Katherine.
What about Klaus?
We wait.
"I haven't seen much of you in class," Alaric said, his brows furrowing with concern as Stefan and I stepped into the lively atmosphere of the dance. Colorful lights flickered around us, casting vibrant shadows on the polished floor. "Have you spoken to Jenna?"
"No," I replied, feeling an uncomfortable knot in my stomach.
"Where is the little Swan? I didn't see her in class today," he pressed, glancing around as if expecting to glimpse her.
Stefan tightened his arm around my waist, offering me security as I turned away from Alaric's questioning gaze. "Bella won't be in school for a while," he stated steadily, his voice low and serious.
"It's better for everyone if we're not around each other," I said sharply, the frustration boiling beneath my calm exterior.
"Did something happen with Isabella?" Alaric asked, his eyes darting between us, searching for answers.
"Since we don't know where Katherine is," Stefan explained, his tone filled with urgency, "Caroline determined it would be safest for Bella to stay away for now."
"Because of her blood?" Alaric questioned, disbelief etched on his features. "Do you truly think she's safe there?"
"Yes," Stefan asserted, his chin lifting slightly. "Bella is perceptive and wary of people; she wouldn't invite just anyone into her home."
"Does she know about Klaus?" Alaric pressed, his voice lowering as if the name held a dangerous weight.
"Caroline informed her," Stefan replied, his expression grim.
Alaric turned to me, his concern deepening."How are you holding up?" he asked gently.
"I'm fine," I said, though my voice lacked conviction. "John didn't tell her about Isobel." Alaric immediately looked away, the weight of the revelation settling between us like a heavy fog. "What should we do about her?"
"What options do we really have?" he countered, his frustration evident. "Are you absolutely sure Katherine doesn't know her? It's possible she confronted Katherine without understanding who she was dealing with."
"No, If Katherine had even caught the faintest scent of her, she would have drained her dry, no question about it," Stefan declared, pointing with quiet intensity.
"What about Isobel?" Alaric asked, a bead of worry creeping into his voice. "Do you think she revealed anything to Katherine?"
Stefan and I exchanged a loaded glance, the unspoken fear hanging heavily in the air.
"Do you think Isobel let Katherine know that we're sisters?" I asked, the uncertainty clawing at my insides.
"It's a possibility," Alaric muttered, his voice tinged with resignation. "For all we know, Klaus could have her right now in his clutches."
"I refuse to believe that," Stefan shook his head vigorously, determined. "Bella would have sent me some sign, anything."
"Like another playlist?" I scoffed, the bitter taste of skepticism lingering in my mouth. "Her last one was painfully dull—perhaps a reflection of her mood."
"It wasn't created to entertain," Stefan argued, frustration creeping into his tone. "This is irrelevant to the problem at hand. I doubt Katherine knows about her; Isobel seemed to care for Bella."
I pulled away from Stefan's grip, needing to reclaim my space, and turned my back, feeling the tension pulse around us.
"I'm sorry, Elena," Stefan began, his voice softer now as if suddenly aware of my turmoil. "I didn't mean—"
"We don't know what he knows," I interrupted sharply, my voice cutting through the tension. "Until we find him and Katherine, Bella is in serious danger."
My heart raced at the thought, the situation's urgency pressing down on me like an impending storm.
When Klaus stepped back into the apartment, his intense gaze locked onto Katherine, piercing through the dim light
that filled the room. Hours drifted by as he remained silent, the air thick with tension.
The quiet unnerved her, yet Katherine understood Klaus well enough to sense he was meticulously crafting a scheme.
It could be a calculated move to thwart Damon and Stefan or perhaps a sinister plan for torment; with Klaus, ambiguity was his trademark.
Eventually, after an endless stretch of silence, he finally shattered it with a murmur.
A name hung in the air.
"What?" she replied, her voice surprisingly steady despite the fear creeping in.
He tilted his head slightly, closing the distance between them and invading her space. The smell of alcohol clung to him, a pungent reminder of whatever demons he had faced before arriving.
"What do you know about her?" he demanded, his tone razor-sharp.
"Know about who?" she countered, her resolve unwavering.
"Her."
"Her, who?" The challenge hung in the air.
"Isabella Swan."
At that name, a rush of unease washed over her. She instinctively turned away as if to shield herself from the weight of his gaze.
"I don't know who that is," she stated firmly, though doubt gnawed at her insides.
"Isobel's other daughter," he clarified, his voice low but laden with accusation.
Silence enveloped them again as Katherine struggled to maintain her composure, refusing to meet his eyes.
"Погледни ме, Katerina." (Look at me, Katerina.)
"Нищо не знам." (I don't know anything.) Her voice lost its edge, now just a whisper against the moment's weight.
"Лъжеш." (You're lying.) The accusation dripped with malice.
"Klaus, just listen." Her plea hung in the air, sharp yet fragile.
"Katerina," he growled, his fingers brushing against her face with a possessive urgency, "face me."
"Isobel told me she had another daughter, but I never met her. I didn't even know it was a girl until I—"
"Until you, what, Katerina?"
Katherine dropped her head, overwhelmed, but Klaus swiftly seized her chin, forcing her to meet his intense gaze. "What do you know about Isobel's other daughter?" His voice grew low, demanding the truth he believed she held.