POV Astraea
7:00 , the alarm rings. I wake up slowly. I turn it off and open my eyes.
He is there. Klaus. Sitting on the chair near the window like he owns my room.
I sit up quickly, my heart beating faster but my face stays calm.
I look at him and say: Do you break into people's rooms often?
He smiles like this is a game.
Klaus: only when they are interesting.
I cross my arms.
Me: you could have knocked.
Klaus: where is the fun in that?
He stands up slowly and walks closer. I don't move.
Klaus: you were sleeping so peacefully. I almost felt bad waking you.
Me: almost?
He stops right in front of me. He is too close.
Klaus: you are not afraid.
Me: should I be?
He looks at me like he is trying to read everything inside my head.
Klaus: most humans would be shaking by now.
Me: well, I am not most humans.
He smiles again. This time sincerely.
Klaus: no… you are not.
A silence. Heavy.
Me: why are you here?
Klaus(smirking): don't you think it's because I like you and I am here to see you?
Me : that is not a real answer.
Klaus: it is the only one you are getting.
I stand up from the bed, keeping distance.
Me: if you are here, it means something is about to happen.
Klaus: something is always about to happen.
Me: with you, it usually ends badly.
He laughs softly.
Klaus: for some.
He steps back, walking toward the window.
Klaus: be careful who you trust, little human.
Me: I don't trust you
Klaus: good.
He looks at me one last time.
Klaus: we will see each other again very soon.
And then he is gone. Just like that. I stay still for a moment. Then I move fast. Oh my God . Why was he here. It will tell that to the Salvatore and everyone else. But Now it's 7:15 and I have to meet Adrian for breakfast. I told him that today, we will have breakfast together . Adrian became a really good support and friend for me. He is my confident . I can tell him everything I want . He will listen to me and advise me .
So, I take a shower and do my hair and makeup. I look so beautiful. I really love myself. I close the door of my apartment. I am walking outside, the air is cold on my skin. My mind is racing but I stay focused. I need to tell them.
But first…
I sit at the table with Adrian. The breakfast is simple and looks delicious but I barely look at it.
Adrian watches me closely and says: you look distracted.
Me: Can you guess who I had as visitor this morning?
He frowns.
Adrian: who?
I look at him.
Me: klaus
Silence.
Adrian: you are joking right?
Me : I don't joke about things like this.
Adrian: what did he want? Did he hurt you?
Me: No, he didn't. And he did not tell me what he wanted. That is what worries me.
Adrian: you should not be alone?
Me : I am not weak.
Adrian: I didn't say that.
I look at him and say: I am going to the salvatore house.
Adrian: I am coming with you.
I shake my head.
Me: no. Stay here.
Adrian: Astraea.
Me: Trust me.
He doesn't like it. But he nods.
20 minutes later,
I walk into the salvatore house without knocking.
They are all there.
Stefan looks up first.
Stefan: you are here early.
Damon turns.
Damon: let me guess. Trouble.
Me: klaus was in my room this morning.
Silence drops.
Elena: what?
Bonnie steps closer.
Bonnie: are you okay?
Me: I am fine.
Damon walks toward me.
Damon: define fine.
Me: alive.
He exhales slowly.
Stefan: what did he say?
Me: not much. That is the problem.
Damon: he never does anything without a reason.
Me: exactly.
Bonnie: he is watching you.
Me: I think he is planning something bigger.
Stefan looks serious.
Stefan: then we need to be ready.
Damon: we always say that.
I look at them.
Me: this time it feels different.
They all understand.
We spent some minutes speaking about our life. I was speaking with caroline, Elena and Bonnie about my love life. I told them that I never had a boyfriend and they don't believe me. But I am telling the truth. I never had a relationship before. Men was never interested to me . And we can say that I was not as attractive as I am now.
Alaric gathers everyone.
He shows us maps, documents and Photos of attack sites.
He tone shifts seriously.
Alaric: A colleague of mine introduce me to the royal family as an advisor. Now, I am part time working with the royal family. Meaning, the can contact me whenever the want if they have a problems. There has been many attacks on the royal family recently. These attacks are escalating.
I step closer to study the map and say: No. They're not escalating. They're aligning.
Damon: That's a bold claim for someone who just got here.
I didn't even look at him and say: It's a correct one. These aren't random attacks. They're removing connections.
Stefan: Allies.
Me: Exactly.
Bonnie (quietly): He's isolating them.
Alaric: Klaus.
Silence fills the room.
Me: He's not attacking the kingdom.
I look at all of them.
Me (firm): He's preparing to take it.
Now, even Damon stops joking.
Damon (low, intrigued): Okay… now I'm interested.
Alaric: That's a good point . So smart as always.
We spend some minutes speaking about the attacks and everything. Then Alaric says: Ok . That's all for today. Thank you everyone.
I steps outside for air. Stefan follows. We speak about my family and my work. He also spoke about his mother and how much he loves her. Damon suddenly appears behind us.
Damon: Wow. This is adorable. Truly.
I sighs slightly.
Me: Do you ever arrive without commentary?
Damon: No. It's part of my charm.
He steps closer.
Damon : You're either very smart… or very reckless.
Me: Why not both?
Damon smiles.
Then, we join the others. The mood is lighter again. Caroline talking. Jeremy laughing. Elena relaxed. Me sitting with them now. I belong her—at least for this moment. I see Bonnie watching me quietly. I guess she is sensing something deeper. But everything I good. After long hours of chatting, I guess it's time I go home. So, i walk away.Stefan stands at the door.
Stefan: You're welcome here.
Me: I know. Thank you.
A small smile.
Damon leans beside Stefan.
Damon: She's going to be a problem.
Stefan: Or an ally.
Damon (smirks): Same thing.
I took a taxi and go my apartment. I take a shower and do my skincare. Then, I listen to affirmations. Listening to affirmations help to think more positively and reprogram our subconscious mind for success and attract the life we want for ourselves. So I listen to affirmation anytime that I can . In car, when walking, when sleeping, when eating.
After 30 minutes of affirmations, I go to bed.
One month later. Everything changes slowly. Time passes so quick.I spend more time here than anywhere else. I laugh more. Something I didn't expect. I really love this kingdom . Moving her is one of the best decision that I made in my entire life. I am Salvatore mansion again. I am very close to the Salvatore brothers. Stefan is like a big brother for me. I sit on the couch with Stefan. We are talking, relaxed.
Stefan: you are starting to enjoy this place
I smile slightly.
Me: maybe.
Stefan: I will take that as a yes.
Me: don't get used to it.
He laughs. I like that sound.
Damon walks in and looks at us.
Damon: wow. This is boring.
Me: It sounds like someone is jealous. But you are always invited to leave.
Damon: and miss this charming conversation. Never.
He sits close. Too close.
Damon: so what are we talking about.
Me: things you wouldn't understand.
Damon: try me.
I look at him and say: self control.
Stefan smiles.
Damon: rude.
Me: honest.
He smirks.
Damon: I like you. You are annoying.
Me: the feeling is mutual.
They both laugh.
Hours later, I decide to go. Jeremy says that he will come with me. we decide to walk in the forest. Minutes later, we separate because I am following a butterfly and Jeremy thinks that it's silly. For a moment, everything feels normal. Cold air. Water. I am near a river.
I don't even see anything coming. Someone grabs me. Too fast. Too strong. Klaus. He pushes me down and puts my head under the water. Everything goes silent. Dark. Then he pulls me up. I gasp for air. He holds me tight and make me look at him.
Klaus: you will deliver a message for me.
I try to breathe.
Me: you are insane.
He pushes me down again. Water fills everything. Then up again.
Klaus: you will tell them to bring him back.
Me: who?
His eyes darkened.
Klaus: my brother. They took something that belongs to me.
I understand. Elijah Mikaelson. I met him during the party.
Me: or what?
He leans closer.
Klaus: or I will take something from them.
A pause.
Klaus: starting with you.
I look at him.
Me: you will not kill me.
He smiles.
Klaus: no. but you will wish I did.
Then Jeremy arrive.
Jeremy: Hey Klaus let her go .
Klaus: oh . Look who is here. Jeremy Gilbert, the brother of the doppelgänger. Well, I will not let her go. I will kill her.
Jeremy: Please Klaus . Don't do that.
Klaus: Oh relax. I will not kill her. Why will I kill this beautiful angel ?
He kiss me on my cheek. I don't know why but I liked it. However, I turn my head and say: Please stop.
Klaus: Ok. As you asked so kindly.
He let go and push me into the water. I fall into the water, coughing. Jeremy comes instantly and help me to get out.
Klaus: you guys tell your group of friends to bring me my brother. Otherwise , the next time, it won't end well.
When I look up… he is gone. Everything feels heavy. Cold. I can barely stand.
Jeremy helps me and says: You're ok. I got you.
A few minutes later, Damon appears.
Damon: hey . What happened here?
Jeremy: Klaus came and he drowned her.
Damon: What?
Me: Yes. I told us to tell you to bring his brother.
Damon: Now we have a 1000 years old hybrid chasing us. That's sounds fun. Let's go home.
He comes near me and carry me easily as a princess.
Me: Hey! I can still walk.
He looks me in the eyes an say: I know. but with a vampires around, I prefer we get out of her as fast as possible.
Me: well, Why don't you carry Jeremy.
Jeremy: Me, I can run.
Me: Ok . You won.
I let him hold me because I am too tire to argue. I rest my head slightly against him and I close my eyes. For the first time, I feel the war is not coming anymore. It is already here.
POV Klaus
I stand alone in the quiet, the world around me fading into nothing. Time feels slow, and yet my mind moves only toward one person. Astraea. This annoying little human looks at me without fear. She stands like she belongs even in chaos. I remember the moment I leaned closer to her and my lips brush softly against her cheek, just enough to feel her skin. Warm. Soft. Alive. She didn't pull away. She didn't resist at first. I felt it. She felt it too. Her skin was delicate under my touch, smooth in a way that felt almost unreal. Like something rare, something untouched by the darkness of this world. And yet she stands in it, unafraid. Beautiful in a way that goes beyond appearance. In my 100 years of life, I have seen beautiful woman. But I have never seen someone as beautiful and pure as her.
Everything about her is simply beautiful in the most natural way. Her eyes are clear and deep, perfectly shaped, with a soft shine that makes them stand out without effort. Her skin is smooth and even, glowing gently under the light, flawless and soft like silk. Her hair falls perfectly around her face, soft and light. Her body is beautifully balanced, with gentle curves that are just right, her hips soft and defined, her shape full in a natural way, with a chest and form that are neither too much nor too little, but simply perfect in proportion. Everything about her is harmonious, clean, and effortlessly beautiful.
Days pass. I stand in front of them. Damon and Stefan. They came. A least they know what is good for them.
Damon: we have what you want.
Stefan stays silent, watching me carefully.
Me: you took long enough.
Damon: you don't have to complain.
Me: I always do.
Stefan: we are not here to fight.
Me: that depends.
Damon steps forward slightly.
Damon: we brought the coffin.
I look behind them. There it is. Elijah. Finally.
Me: Do you think this changes things?
Damon: it should. We took him and we brought him.
Me: It doesn't because I said so.
Stefan: Klaus.
Me: you took my brother. You will pay for that.
Stefan: we protected ourselves.
Me: Dear friend Stefan , that's not a wise strategy.
A small smile appears on my face.I walk slowly toward the coffin, my steps calm but precise. I stop right in front of it and place my hand on it for a second. A quiet moment. A rare one.Then I look back at them.
Me: you did the right thing.
Damon: don't sound so surprised.
Me: do not misunderstand.
Me: now… we move forward
Damon: that sounds like a threat.
Me: it is a promise
Stefan: Klaus.
Damon: stay away from Astraea.
Me: or what?
Damon: or I will make you.
Me: I would like to see that. I said smiling.
Damon: you will.
He moves first. Fast. Straight at me. I don't step back. I let him reach me before I grab him and throw him hard against a tree. The sound echoes.
Stefan: Damon.
Damon gets up instantly, anger clear on his face.
Damon: that's all you got.
Me: not even close.
He comes again, stronger this time. He lands a hit, fast and sharp, but it barely moves me. I grab his arm, twist it, and push him back again.
Me: fight me properly.
He attacks again, more aggressive now, and this time I hit back harder. He stumbles, but doesn't fall. Stefan moves between us.
Stefan: stop.
Me: move, Stefan .
Stefan: this is not the way. we are leaving.
Damon: I am not done.
Stefan: yes you are.
Damon breathes heavily, still staring at me.
Damon: this isn't over.
Me: it never is.
Stefan pulls him back slightly.
Stefan: come on.
Damon doesn't move for a second, then finally steps back.
Damon: stay away from her.
Me: I will do as I want.
Stefan: Klaus.
Me: take your brother and go.
They turn slowly and start walking away, but Damon looks back one last time.
I stay there, alone again. My hand still resting on the coffin. I really love my family even though we fight time to time. Elijah is the one who always stand by my side.
POV Klaus:
Days later, I stand in the forest and the night feels heavy around me. Damon is next to me. We are looking for a white oak stake that can kill my family and me. I have to find this white oak stake as soon as possible. I can not plan to take over the throne and worry about my enemies at the same time. so, I have to solve one of my problems to focus 100% on the other. Damon is acting calm but I can feel his tension. He doesn't like this. Good. I like when people feel uncomfortable. It means they fear me. We were walking in the forest and then we see her. Astraea. Alone. Sitting near a tree like the world does not touch her.
Oh my God. what is she doing? Damon said and run near her .She is cutting her wrist. Damon grabs her hands but she is struggling.
Astraea: Let me go.
Damon: what the hell is wrong with her ? What is she doing?
I go near them. I kneel and take the blade from her hands. she struggles and try to take it back but Damon hold her very tight so she can't move.
Me: I think she was hypnotized by a vampire to cut her wrist.
Damon: Great . I wonder what we will do now.
Me: I can fix that. I am an original vampire.
Damon: No thanks. I don't want to owe you anything.
Me: you'd rather she die ?
Damon: Of course not .
Me: well, let me then.
I put my hands on her temples and say: stop harming yourself.
Few seconds later, Damon ask: Did it work?
Her heartbeats slow down , then she panics.
Astraea: What the hell are you doing ? Let go, you psycho.
Me: It worked. I say to Damon smiling.
POV Astraea:
I open my eyes and see Klaus hands on my temples, looking at me . I panic . I don't know what is happening.
Me : What the hell are you doing ? Let go, you psycho.
He smiles and say: It worked.
He removes his hands . Someone else is holding me . I turn my head and see that it was Damon.
Me: What happened? I ask him.
Damon : That's what I was hoping you would tell me .
Me: I don't know.
Damon : Ok . it's fine . I will take you home.
I stare at Klaus quickly and Damon pass . He takes me to my apartment. Alaric was waiting at the door.
Alaric: Hello.
Me: Hi . You shouldn't bother . Why you told him ? I ask Damon.
Why not . Damon reply.
We were all in the apartment. I told them to have a sit and I went to my bedroom.
I sit on my bed and wrap my wrist slowly, the pain sharp but clean. It keeps me focused. It keeps me present. The room is quiet but my mind is not. I can still feel him, like he is still there, watching, waiting. I hate that. Or maybe I don't. I don't understand it yet. I finish tying the bandage and stand up when I hear Alaric call me. His voice is serious. That already tells me everything.
Alaric: we need to talk.
Me: of course. What's going on?
Alaric: you are moving.
Me: no.
Alaric: yes
Me: I am not leaving.
Alaric: you are going to the salvatore house.
Me: I don't need protection
Alaric: this is not about protection.
Me: then what is it about?
Alaric: klaus.
Me: I can handle him
Alaric: no you can't.
Me: you don't know that.
Alaric: I know him.
Me: so do I.
Alaric: not enough.
Me: I am not afraid of him.
Alaric: that is exactly why you are in danger.
Me: Do you know that he can enter the Salvatore house any time he wants and he passes most of his time there?
Alaric: Yes but it is still better. Damon and Stefan are vampire.
Me: I don't like it
Alaric: I don't care.
Me: you should.
Alaric: pack your things.
I know what you might be thinking: why is my boss giving me orders about my personal life? The truth is, Alaric and I are no longer just boss and assistant. Since the first time Klaus kidnapped me, everything changed. We crossed that line without even noticing. I met his friends, he met mine, and now… we are all connected. We are more than just colleagues. We are a group. We are friends. And as he is way older than me, so he is like a father figure for me .
I stand in my room and look around slowly. It feels strange to leave. I love this apartment so much. This was my first apartment. I take my bag and start packing, moving slowly, thinking about everything that changed in such a short time. Nothing feels simple anymore. I close the bag and walk out without looking back.
Adrian: you look like you are leaving forever.
Me: I am not.
Adrian: it feels like it.
Me: it's just temporary.
Adrian: with this life nothing is temporary.
Me: that is not funny.
Adrian: sorry . Hope to see you soon.
Me: what are you saying? I will see you every time.You're not going to get rid of me that easily. I am going to be fine
Adrian: I know you will.
Me: then why do you look like that.
Adrian: because I don't trust them.
Me:I know you don't know them . but I am ok with them. We are friends now.
Adrian: which one do you trust.
Me: Stefan, Alaric, Jeremy and the girls: bonnie , Elena and Caroline .
Adrian: and Damon?
Me: no really.
Adrian: ok . At least there are many people you trust. Let's go .
Adrian took my suitcases as the first time he came to pick me in the airport. So many memories. I stand in front of the Salvatore house and watch Adrian leave. The silence stays with me for a moment before I walk inside. The first thing I notice is the smell. Food. Warm. Real. It surprises me more than it should.