In Mystic Falls, nothing stays buried forever-especially not secrets.
Elena Gilbert always believed she was an only child. But when her long-lost twin sister, Keira, is dragged into town under dangerous circumstances, everything changes.
Raised in t...
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Mirror, Mirror on the Wall...
"Who is with you?" Katherine repeated, more forcefully.
Bored and impatient, I stepped slowly forward, appearing at Elena's side without saying a word. My breath caught sharply in my throat as my eyes finally met hers—a twisted reflection staring back at me. Katherine chuckled weakly, recognizing me immediately. "Ah, Keira."
A million frantic questions flashed through my mind in rapid succession. How does she know me? Why do we look exactly alike? What kind of freak of nature am I?
"How do you know her name?" Elena questioned sharply.
"I know a lot of things," Katherine smirked.
The way Katherine looked at Elena, dripping with disgust, sent a fiery anger surging through my veins. I clenched my fists, feeling an unfamiliar rage take hold of me. "Why don't you start talking before I use your head as my new favorite basketball?" My voice was a low, dangerous growl, surprising even myself. What was happening to me?
Katherine laughed, amused. "You have the Petrova fire."
I watched Elena push an empty water bottle filled with blood closer with a stick. My jaw tightened in irritation, forcing myself to remain calm as Katherine began to speak, describing her past and her family's rejection. The words twisted something deep within me—her pain, hidden beneath arrogance and sarcasm, mirrored feelings I had long buried.
When Katherine revealed Klaus's intentions to drain her blood, my anger flared again, hot and fierce. "What does the Petrova bloodline have to do with Klaus?" I hissed, barely containing my fury.
My patience wore thin as Katherine explained the spell and the doppelgänger's role. Each word she spoke seemed to chip away at the fragile control I had over my emotions. The thought of Elena in danger stirred something dark and protective in me.
A deep, heavy sigh escaped me, exhaustion and confusion weighing me down. My eyes fell to the ground, heart heavy with realization. Katherine's voice suddenly softened, genuine concern creeping in. "Are you okay, Keira? You don't look so good."
My eyes snapped up, locking onto hers defiantly. "Fan-freaking-tastic."
"You don't have to worry, mini-me," she mocked gently. "You already took your opportunity to get out of playing sacrificial lamb. Maybe you should convince your dear sister to be smart and do the same."
My stomach twisted violently, a low growl rumbling deep within my chest. Her taunting jab struck a nerve. "What? You don't want to be the one to do it?" She laughed, slicing her wrist provocatively. "Better hurry," she teased, healing swiftly. "Your opportunity's going, going, and gone."
I folded my arms tightly, disgusted yet reluctantly intrigued by Katherine's manipulative courage. "She has a point, Elena," I admitted, hating the bitter truth in my words.
The tense exchange between Elena and Katherine continued, each revelation more twisted than the last. Anger, frustration, and dread swirled inside me, my emotions spiraling out of control as the puzzle pieces slowly fell into place.
"So you need a werewolf," I interjected, voice firm, determined to unravel Katherine's intentions fully.
Her eyes shifted towards me, dark amusement dancing in them. "Believe it or not, they're hard to come by."
"What else?" My tone was sharp, demanding answers.
"A witch to do the spell. Mine bailed but Bonnie will do just fine."
"Who's Bonnie?" I shot a questioning look at Elena.
"Keeping your twin sister in the dark about your witchy best friend, Elena? Shame on you," Katherine taunted.
"What else?" Elena pressed.
"A vampire."
Elena's reaction was visceral, a mix of shock and revulsion. "Caroline."
Katherine's casual cruelty ignited fresh disgust within me. "God, you're sick," I snapped, arms crossed tightly as if shielding myself from her darkness.
"You'll love me once you get to know me, Keira."
"I doubt that," I scoffed bitterly, unable to mask the disdain in my voice.
When Elena accused Katherine of planning to sacrifice everyone, Katherine's cool gaze met mine briefly. "Everyone bar Keira. I thought she was still tucked away safe in New Orleans. Better you die than her and me."
"How do you know so much about me?" I demanded, desperate for clarity.
"I told you, I know a lot of things," she replied cryptically, retreating further into the shadows.
My heart lurched as Stefan appeared, interrupting the tense silence. His protective instincts instantly grated against my own resolve. "Whatever she said to you is a lie," Stefan warned Elena firmly. I rolled my eyes, stepping forward. "If I may butt in," I began sarcastically, arms crossed defensively. "I don't think she's lying."
Stefan shot me a frustrated glare, softening only when addressing Elena directly. Their exchange blurred in my mind, overshadowed by the burning need to protect Elena—even from herself.
Katherine came back into view, her presence commanding our attention once more. "There is nothing you can do, Stefan. I haven't even told you the best part of the story." Her smirk deepened as she revealed how Klaus slaughtered her entire family. A chill ran down my spine, Elena's pale face mirroring my internal dread.
Stefan desperately tried to reassure Elena, but Katherine's triumphant revelation of the moonstone's significance turned my stomach. My eyes locked onto the stone she held up victoriously, the symbol of her manipulative victory.
"Oh no, there it is. It's the ultimate lie, isn't it? You spun this whole thing so that we would have to get the stone from you, didn't you?" Stefan asks.
"I didn't spin anything, Stefan. It's the truth."
"No, let me guess. You want to trade that stone for your freedom, don't you?"
Stefan's angry accusations against Katherine were predictable, but a surprising sense of empathy surged within me. "Wouldn't you do the same in her situation?" The words escaped before I could stop them, startling even myself.
Katherine's laughter echoed loudly, her smug confidence radiating despite her weakened state. Her final declaration chilled me to the core. "When Klaus shows up to kill us all—and he will—I'll be in the tomb, where no vampire will enter because they can't get out. I'll be the safest psychotic bitch in town."
