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Isabella shifted uncomfortably against the coarse fabric of the couch, feeling the ropes dig into her wrists and ankles. Beside her, Elena lay still, her breaths shallow and ragged.
"What do you want?" Elena's voice quivered, her eyes wide with fear.
The man standing before them held a finger to his lips, silencing Elena sternly. His gaze shifted to Isabella, and she could see a hunger flicker in his eyes. Slowly, his lips curled back, revealing elongated fangs that glistened in the dim light of the room.
"Please," Elena pleaded weakly, her voice barely audible, "I'm hurt."
"I know," the man replied with a chilling calmness. "Just a taste."
Isabella strained against the tight bonds, desperation rising within her as she struggled to free herself from the ropes that bound her tightly to the couch. Every twist and turn only seemed to tighten the knots further, restricting her movements.
Before the man could lean closer to Elena, a woman with short, tousled hair rushed into the room. Her eyes blazed with fury as she grabbed the man by the arm, pulling him away from Elena with surprising strength.
"Trevor!" she hissed, her voice a sharp rebuke. "Control yourself!"
Trevor's fangs receded as he pulled back, his expression shifting from hunger to reluctant obedience.
As Trevor reluctantly withdrew, his lips twisted into a bitter smirk. "Buzzkill," he muttered under his breath, his voice tinged with frustration and a hint of resignation.
"Who the hell are you?" Isabella murmured, her senses heightened and on edge.
The woman bent down, observing Isabella's struggle against the ropes, and grinned. "Your magic isn't going to work on these ropes," she murmured.
"What?" Isabella exclaimed, her voice tinged with disbelief.
"What do you want with us?" Elena asked weakly.
"Oh my god, you look just like her," the woman said to Elena, referring to Katherine.
Elena interjected urgently, her voice trembling, "But I'm not her. Please, whatever you do—"
"Be quiet!" Rose snapped, her tone sharp and commanding.
"I'm not Katherine!" she insisted, standing up. "My name is Elena Gilbert. You don't have to do this."
"She knows who you are, Elena. Sit down," Isabella snapped with boredom evident in her voice.
"What do you want?" Elena asked desperately.
The woman's response was swift and violent. She slapped Elena hard across the face, causing her to collapse unconscious onto the couch. "I want you to be quiet. God, I never did like doppelgangers," she muttered with disdain.
