Fated Bonds

Chapter 12

Sabrina hesitated at the grand door of the Mikaelson Manor, her breath slightly uneven. It was a bold move, one that surprised even herself, given the circumstances. There were no signs of life outside the mansion—no doormen, no servants. With a mix of curiosity and determination, she circled the building, peering through windows until she spotted an unlocked side door leading into the kitchen. Quietly slipping inside, she placed her bag on the counter and cautiously made her way further in.

A familiar figure caught her off guard as she rounded a corner—an unmistakable hybrid. "Oh, shit," she muttered under her breath, freezing in place. At the dining table, four men sat: Niklaus and Elijah Mikaelson on one side, and the Salvatore brothers on the other. The Salvatores' gaze locked onto her as Klaus's eyes widened with recognition and Elijah's face lit up.

"Elskan," Elijah whispered, rising gracefully to kiss her hand. Surprising him, Sabrina pulled him into a tight hug, to which he responded by kissing her temple affectionately. "Hello, little love," Niklaus greeted warmly, while she offered a polite smile to the Salvatores. Stefan remained silent, but Damon greeted her with a sarcastic smile.

"Have a seat," Elijah offered, pulling out a chair for her. Instead of sitting, he opted to stand behind her, his hands resting gently on her shoulders. The room fell silent, tension thick in the air.

"Elijah, please sit down. You're making me nervous," Sabrina whispered, aware that they could all hear her regardless. he pulled out the chair beside her and settled into it, her mind racing with the gravity of the situation.

"Don't let me interrupt your conversation," she added aloud, trying to break the uneasy silence.

"Well, Klaus gets his coffin back, and in return, he and the rest of the Original extended family leave Mystic Falls forever," Damon stated bluntly, pointing an accusing finger at Sabrina.

Rolling her eyes at the Salvatores' dramatics, Sabrina felt a touch on her leg. Glancing down, she followed the arm to its owner, then met Klaus's intense gaze as he stared down the Salvatores. "She'll do as she pleases," he growled softly, causing Sabrina to place her hand over his and intertwine their fingers.

The Salvatores responded with mock amusement. "Sounds like a fair deal, brother," Elijah acknowledged, his attention shifting back to Sabrina with a reassuring smile.

"I don't think you understand," Klaus countered smoothly. "With Elena's doppelganger blood, I'll always have more hybrids to combat anyone who opposes me. I'm not leaving her behind."

Rising from his seat, Klaus took his wine glass, which Sabrina imagined was filled with blood. "Even if I leave her under your protection, how long before one of you turns her into a vampire? Or worse, how long before she dies in your ongoing feud?" Klaus continued, his words directed pointedly at the Salvatore brothers. "You both believe you're the only ones who can protect her. It's a delusion. Gentlemen, you're the worst thing for Elena Gilbert—both of you."

Damon stood abruptly. "I need some air," he announced, leaving the room.

"Allow me to handle this," Elijah interjected, moving swiftly as Sabrina began to feel uncomfortable, fiddling with her fork and pushing her food around her plate.

In Damon's absence, Stefan's demeanor shifted subtly. He appeared composed, almost guilt-free, yet there was an undeniable coldness to him, a stark contrast to his former self just a year earlier.

"All this talk has made me thirsty," Klaus drawled, eyeing a group of assembled women in the corner, which made Sabrina self-conscious. "What do you say, Stefan? Care for a post-dinner drink?"