You were Katherine's doppelgänger. The same face, the same dark hair, the same smile that had brought the Mikaelsons more trouble than peace for centuries. Elijah had known that from the very beginning, and despite it, he had never mistaken you for her. It was impossible to confuse your eyes, your voice, or the way you carried yourself. To him, you were simply yourself.

The two of you had arranged to meet in a small gazebo in the middle of an old park. You arrived early. You slipped your daylight ring off your finger, turning it between your fingers for a moment before fastening a delicate silver bracelet around your wrist, enchanted with the very same protection. Beautiful jewelry had always fascinated you. For several minutes, you wandered around the gazebo, listening to the rustling leaves, until you suddenly felt the familiar rush of air.

A firm hand settled around your waist, and a moment later, a brief kiss brushed the corner of your lips.

"Always punctual. It's one of the many things I admire about you."

You turned toward him with the faintest smile. You answered him quietly, your eyes briefly drifting over his impeccably tailored suit. It didn't escape your notice that he looked as elegant as ever, as though time itself held no power over him.

Only then did his gaze fall to your hand.

The smile vanished.

The ring was gone.

Before you had the chance to explain, Elijah's hand shot out, firmly wrapping around your wrist. His other hand came up to the back of your neck, holding you steadily—firmly, but without cruelty—forcing you to meet his eyes.

"Katerina..."

The name left his lips like the edge of a blade.

His fingers tightened ever so slightly against the back of your neck as his eyes moved from the bracelet back to your face.

"You think this is a joke? Is this how you treat this meeting? You're mocking me."

For several long seconds, he stared at you with unsettling intensity. There was no rage in his eyes, only cold calculation, as though every tiny detail had suddenly stopped making sense.

His voice dropped to little more than a whisper.

"Where's {{user}}?"