The love for my enemy

Chapter Twenty-One: Uninvited Guests

The night had settled into an eerie stillness, a calm before the storm that Arianna could feel deep in her bones. The weight of everything that had happened pressed down on her, but for the moment, she found herself in Klaus’s presence, in the safety of his arms.

They had been sitting close, words having long since lost their importance. The connection between them, that intense, undeniable pull, was all that mattered now. Klaus’s fingertips traced small, soothing circles along her skin, the comfort of his touch grounding her in a world that felt increasingly unstable.

Arianna turned to face him, her eyes catching the flicker of the candlelight dancing in the room. There was something in Klaus’s gaze, something deep and unspoken. She leaned in, closing the distance between them, their lips meeting in a kiss that was as fiery as it was tender.

But before the kiss could deepen, the sound of footsteps—sharp, deliberate, and far too close—echoed from the hall. The door swung open with a suddenness that sent both of them pulling apart.

“Really?” A voice filled with amusement—and a hint of disbelief—rang out. “Now of all times?”

Arianna’s eyes widened as she quickly sat up, glancing toward the door to find not one, but two figures standing in the doorway.

The first was a tall, striking woman with dark, flowing hair and piercing green eyes. Her posture was regal, confident, and her expression was one of careful, yet unmistakable, judgment. The other was a man with a rougher edge, dark curls framing a face that was all sharp angles. His eyes, like his sister’s, held the same eerie intensity as Klaus's.

Arianna didn’t need to guess who they were.

“Elijah and Rebekah,” Klaus muttered under his breath, irritation flashing across his features. “Really?”

“Really,” the woman—Rebekah—answered, her voice dripping with sarcasm. “You couldn’t at least wait for the blood to cool before going all... intimate?”

Elijah raised an eyebrow, a bemused expression on his face. “I’d say I’m impressed, Klaus. I thought you had more patience than that.”

Arianna stood, hastily smoothing out the front of her clothes as she tried to regain some composure. “Uh... well, this is a surprise.”

Rebekah’s gaze softened just slightly as she observed Arianna. “You must be the one we’ve heard so much about,” she said with a polite smile, though there was a sharpness to her tone. “Arianna, right?”

Arianna nodded cautiously. “Yeah, that’s me.”

Nice to meet you,” Rebekah continued, though her smile didn’t quite reach her eyes. “I’m Rebekah. And this”—she gestured toward the man beside her—“is Elijah.”

Arianna could feel the tension between them, the weight of centuries of history. She wasn’t sure how to feel about these two—Klaus’s siblings. What were they even doing here?

“Why don’t you make yourselves comfortable?” Klaus said, his voice sharp. “Clearly, you’ve been keeping busy.”

Elijah shot his brother an unreadable look. “We weren’t aware that you were... otherwise occupied.”

Spare me,” Klaus replied, his tone biting. “Is there something you need, or are you just here to ruin my evening?”

Rebekah ignored Klaus, stepping into the room with a scrutinizing gaze that shifted to Arianna. “I think we need to discuss this... Blade of Thorns business.”

Arianna raised an eyebrow, her pulse quickening at the mention of the Blade. “What about it?”

Elijah finally spoke, his voice low and thoughtful. “The Blade has a dark history. It’s more than just a weapon—it’s a key to an ancient power, one that we’ve all been trying to avoid for centuries. And now that you’ve tapped into it, Arianna... well, let’s just say things are about to get more complicated.”

Arianna’s heart raced. “What are you talking about?” she asked, confusion washing over her.

Klaus stood, the moment of intimacy now shattered, his gaze cold as he faced his siblings. “What exactly are you two suggesting? That I’ve been unknowingly tied to the Blade all along?”

Rebekah crossed her arms, a hint of a smirk appearing on her face. “Well, that would be the understatement of the century. But yes, Klaus. The Blade’s power... calls to you. And now, it seems that Arianna is the one destined to unlock the rest of it.”

Arianna’s mind raced as she turned to Klaus. “Wait. What does that mean? The rest of it?”

Klaus seemed equally unsettled, running a hand through his dark hair. “It means, love, that I’ve been unknowingly carrying a weapon that has been waiting for you—for us both.”

Arianna stared at him, processing the words. A part of her wanted to dismiss it, but the strange, powerful energy inside her told her otherwise. She wasn’t just a bystander to this—she was tied to it.

Before she could respond, the door slammed open again, and Sebastian’s voice rang out with mocking amusement. “Well, well, well. Looks like I’ve arrived just in time.”

Arianna spun toward the door, her heart dropping in her chest as Sebastian’s figure materialized from the shadows. He was accompanied by a few of his most loyal followers, all eyes fixed on her with dark intent.

“Sebastian,” Klaus growled, his eyes flashing with anger. “I’m getting tired of you showing up uninvited.”

Sebastian’s smile was cruel, his eyes gleaming with malicious amusement. “You should be, Klaus. You and your little friends have something that belongs to me. And I’m not leaving until I have it.”

Arianna clenched her fists, the power inside her stirring. She could feel the Blade’s presence—its weight in her mind. It wasn’t just an object; it was an entity, one that wanted to be wielded.

Her connection to Klaus seemed stronger now than before. She felt his pulse, his breath in the air, their bond pulling tighter, as if fate had already decided what they were meant to be.

“You’re not getting it,” Arianna said coldly, stepping forward. “Not today.”

Rebekah and Elijah exchanged wary glances as Sebastian stepped closer. “You don’t have a choice in the matter, sweetheart,” he sneered. “The Blade will claim you, just like it did him.”

The air was thick with tension. Arianna’s powers surged, a mix of fear and adrenaline taking over. She wasn’t just protecting herself now; she was protecting the people she had grown to care for.

Klaus’s hand brushed against hers, his voice low but firm. “Together, we end this.”

Arianna nodded, ready to face whatever came next. She could feel the Blade’s power swelling inside her, but this time, she was ready.