MARTIN HOUSEHOLD

Jeremy's lip curled in disgust as Bonnie and Anna stepped into the dimly lit house. "What are we doing here, Bonnie?" His eyes briefly grazed over Luka's lifeless body on the floor before quickly turning away.

Bonnie led the way, her steps hesitant as she too caught sight of Luka's corpse. "The grimoires," she murmured, her voice tinged with unease.

Anna, no stranger to death's cold touch, moved past her boyfriend and Jeremy to kneel beside Luka. "What do you want to do?" she asked softly, her eyes searching Bonnie's troubled expression.

Jeremy knocked on the wall, breaking the heavy silence. "We could burn the place; it'll probably be labeled as an accident?"

Bonnie's gaze snapped to Jeremy, her eyes swimming with unshed tears. "Don't be disrespectful. Not to him."

Anna offered a gentler suggestion: "We can bury him somewhere nice, like we did for Mason."

But Bonnie seemed distracted, her attention drawn back to Luka's lifeless form. Ignoring Anna's proposal, she marched past her friends toward Jonas's desk. Her heart sank as she found it empty. "That's not right," she murmured, her brows furrowing in confusion.

Jeremy assisted Anna to her feet, his gaze piercing as he addressed Bonnie. "What exactly are we looking for?"

Bonnie paced the cramped space, her anxiety palpable. "According to Luka's dad, there was a grimoire here containing a spell. It'll let me harness the energy left behind when a witch dies violently." Her hands pressed against the empty desk futilely, as if searching for answers in the wood. "The books were here," she muttered, frustration evident in her voice. Then, as if struck by inspiration, she closed her eyes and whispered something under her breath. When she reopened them, her expression had shifted. "Aella was here. She's taken them."

Anna exchanged a puzzled glance with Jeremy, questioning Bonnie's sudden insight. "How do you know that?"

Bonnie's smile was cryptic as she moved closer to them. Bonnie's eyes closed for a quick second before the lights flickered on and off.

Jeremy's jaw dropped. "Did you...?"

"How?" Anna echoed, her disbelief mirrored in her tone.

But Bonnie's smile was enigmatic as she approached them, her voice lowered conspiratorially. "When he grabbed me... he gave me my powers back, and something else. Jonas wants me to kill Klaus. If I can find the spot in town where the old Salem witches were burned, I can harness their energy to use when I need it."

Relief washed over Jeremy, evident in the buoyancy of his voice. "Without Elena having to die?"

Bonnie's eyes gleamed with newfound confidence. "I'm pretty sure."

Jeremy chuckled with relief, but Anna remained cautious. "How sure? Why would Aella allow Elena to be sacrificed if this was another way?"

Bonnie's gaze hardened on Anna, her expression unreadable. But Jeremy interjected with optimism, his grin infectious. "All I care about is that my sister stays alive. You said Aella took the books; do we have to find them and then locate the spell?"

Bonnie turned her attention back to Jonas's desk, her mind swirling with newfound determination. With a deep breath, she shook her head. "I don't think so." Her eyes narrowed on the shelves behind the desk, a sense of intuition guiding her. Closing her eyes, Bonnie raised her hands, commanding the books on the shelves to fall. Amidst the chaos, one book remained, hovering in the air, drawn to her like a magnet. Bonnie reached out, her fingers brushing against the tome's spine as she brought it closer.

"It's this one," Bonnie announced, her voice tinged with awe as she cradled the book to her chest. "Somehow, Jonas knew she'd come, and he hid it for me."

Anna raised a skeptical brow at Bonnie's choice of words, but Jeremy's enthusiasm was undimmed. "What's next?"

Bonnie closed the book gently, a sense of purpose radiating from her. "We find where Emily and the witches were burned."

Anna's eyes narrowed, her suspicion growing. "You don't know? Jonas didn't tell you that?"

A faint blush tinted Bonnie's cheeks. "I thought Grams may know..."

Jeremy's excitement dimmed slightly, but Anna felt a pang of guilt seeing his disappointment. Despite her misgivings, she revealed what she knew. "No need, I know exactly where it is. After all, I watched it happen."

Jeremy's eyes lit up with renewed hope as he turned to Anna eagerly. "Are you serious?"

Anna nodded, her expression softening as she met his gaze. "Yeah, I mean I watched Emily burn; the witches were way before my time."

Bonnie and Jeremy exchanged a knowing smile as Bonnie voiced her confidence. "See, it's all coming together. I know it'll work."

With determination in her step, Bonnie left the apartment, Jeremy following closely behind. But before he could leave, Anna caught his hand, her voice barely above a whisper. "Are we sure about this?" Jeremy looked at her, confusion evident in his eyes. Sensing his uncertainty, Anna squeezed his hand gently. "We've seen Bonnie like this before, and we saw how that turned out."

Jeremy's resolve remained unshaken. "I can't risk Elena's life. Like Bonnie said: Jonas showing her about Klaus, her powers returning, you knowing the exact spot we need. It's like something is showing us what we need to do." He pressed a gentle kiss to Anna's cheek. "I know you're worried, but I think this is the right call."

With a soft smile, Jeremy headed out, Anna trailing behind him, her unease lingering like a shadow. Despite Jeremy's carefree demeanor, Anna couldn't shake the feeling of foreboding that hung in the air. But for now, she remained silent, her hand firmly clasped in Jeremy's, unwilling to let go of the one thing grounding her in uncertainty.

MYSTIC FALLS

"Yes, Jenna, I got more limes," Ric chuckled softly into his phone, the crisp sound of his laughter mingling with the ambient noise of the town around him. Exiting the store, he held a paper bag filled with an odd combination of junk food and fruit, his girlfriend's specific request in hand. "Yes, they are key limes because I know that you know that they are the best for margaritas. I'm just driving back now. Love you."

As he ended the call, Ric approached his car, unlocking it with a click. He was about to slide into the driver's seat when a voice interrupted his thoughts. "What's so good about key limes in margaritas?"

Distracted by the task of packing his purchases into the car, Ric didn't immediately register the familiarity of the voice. "Something about them being more aromatic, floral flav-" He paused abruptly as he turned and found himself face to face with his ex-wife. "What do you want?"

Isobel's smirk revealed a hint of mischief as she watched Ric's heartbeat quicken. "Just cleaning up some loose ends."

"Yeah," Ric scoffed, slamming the trunk shut. "We don't have any loose ends."

Closing the distance between them, Isobel's demeanor softened slightly. "You may not. I do. I need to apologize to you."

Ric's eyes narrowed, skepticism etched into his features. "It's a little late for that."

Attempting to block his path as he moved toward the car, Isobel persisted. "No, not for what I've done in the past. We're beyond that. Although I am sorry for freaking out your girlfriend. That was petty of me."

Alaric let out an exasperated huff, growing tired of Isobel's games. "Look, whatever jacked-up vampire amends that you're trying to make with me right now, I'm not interested."

Isobel's gaze softened, a hint of melancholy seeping into her expression. "Of course not because I compelled you to let me go." Her hand grazed his chest gently. "I realize that I don't wanna do what I have to do without you knowing how much I loved you and I did, Ric." A trace of sadness shadowed her features. "I loved you so much."

Ric tensed, uncertain of Isobel's intentions, until her demeanor shifted abruptly. "He's all yours."

Before Ric could react, he felt hands encircle his head from behind. Panic surged within him, but before he could scream or resist, a wave of dizziness washed over him, and his body slumped to the ground, unconscious.

LOCKWOOD MANSION

Caroline navigated through the bustling crowd at the large Lockwood home, her eyes darting around in search of Matt. The throng of people attending Carol Lockwood's Historical Society party made it challenging to spot him, and her growing panic only intensified as she failed to locate him in the kitchen, where he was supposed to be volunteering, or anywhere else in the house.

Meanwhile, Liz and Carol strolled through the aisle of chairs, engrossed in conversation. Carol appeared visibly anxious, wringing her hands, while Liz listened intently, her expression serious as she absorbed the updates on the previous night's events. "The marshal hasn't been able to figure out what caused the fire at the scene, but he did find blood. No body, just blood."

Stopping in her tracks, Carol leaned closer to Liz, her voice tinged with concern. "You think vampires were involved?"

Liz hesitated, momentarily caught off guard by the question.

I'm going to forget that you're a vampire.

"Liz?"

The remark jolted Liz back into the conversation, her voice strained as she responded, "I'm starting to assume the answer to that is always a yes."

Carol scrutinized her for a moment, about to delve deeper into the topic, when Caroline approached them. "I'm sorry to interrupt, Mrs. Lockwood, uh, have you seen Matt? I thought he was working a catering shift at today's luncheon."

Liz's gaze snapped to her daughter as she watched Caroline interact with Carol. A peculiar sensation nagged at her mind, causing her forehead to crease in confusion. Liz closed her eyes briefly, feeling the weight of unfamiliar thoughts pressing against her consciousness.

We've never talked like this. Ever. And your words meant so much to me.

As Caroline excused herself and walked over to Elena and Aella, Liz's eyes followed her, her unease growing with each passing moment. The peculiar sensation persisted, urging her to pay closer attention.

You were the person we could always go to when we missed our moms.

"Liz?"

Carol's voice brought Liz back to the present, her longtime friend's concerned gaze fixed on her. Lowering her voice, Carol addressed Liz with genuine worry. "Liz, are you okay?"

Forcing a smile and shaking off the lingering unease, Liz nodded. "Yes, I'm good." She gestured for Carol to follow her out of the room. "Let's talk more in your office."

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Aella's sharp gaze locked onto Caroline as soon as she and Elena stepped into the mansion. The urgency in Caroline's approach didn't escape her notice as the blonde hurried over to them, her eyes wide with worry. "I can't find Matt anywhere. He's not at home - Anna said he's not been there all night and he's not answering his phone."

Elena's brow furrowed in confusion. "I thought he was okay with this now."

Aella squinted, her expression contemplative. "A dude with magic slashed his neck open and then his girlfriend fed him her own blood which magically healed him in hours." Her eyes darted between her friends. "How would you feel?"

"Last night freaked him out," Caroline confessed, her lip caught between her teeth. She hadn't shared Matt's reaction to his brush with death and Jenna's actions with anyone yet. "Knowing and living with it is okay, but being stabbed with a bottle to the neck and the next day there not even a scratch. Not so much."

Aella surveyed the mansion intently. "The question isn't him running away like last time. It's: is he so freaked out he could cause a scene?"

Caroline shrugged, her expression uncertain. "No... Maybe?" She winced as the possibilities ran through her mind. "I don't know."

Aella reached out, taking hold of Caroline's hand and squeezing it reassuringly. As Elena noticed everyone beginning to take their seats, "Look, as much as we hate it, you have to calm him down. Compel him if you have to. Is he still on vervain?"

Aella's lips tightened in thought. "I gave him a new packet when he got back. He puts it in the coffee, he finally saw the light and has joined the dark side, becoming addicted since he started working. Plus, Anna hates it, so he knows he can put it in there, and she won't suddenly drop to the floor gasping in agony. If he didn't go home...?"

"He didn't," Caroline confirmed, brushing off the first part of Aella's rant with a roll of her eyes. "So it could be out of his system."

Aella considered the situation. "If he skipped a cup yesterday... It could be."

Caroline took a deep breath, steeling herself for the task ahead. "It's a chance I have to take. He's supposed to be catering here today; I'll look around."

"Good luck," Elena offered.

Aella squeezed Caroline's hand once more before releasing it. "Keep us updated."

As Caroline hurried off, Elena and Aella made their way to their table at the back of the room. Aella couldn't help but notice the placeholders set for Elena and Jenna, complete with an ice-cold glass of champagne obviously prepared for Jenna. With a mischievous giggle, Aella happily claimed Jenna's seat and began sipping on the bubbly goodness.

"This is bad, isn't it?" Elena's worried expression matched her lip-biting concern as she observed Carol taking the floor. "Between Jenna practically drinking away her sorrows and now Matt freaking out, this is becoming disaster central."

Carol Lockwood began addressing the room.

Aella snorted into her flute as eyes darted around the room, halting on two familiar faces, causing her to choke on the champagne. "No, disaster central is what's about to unfold when you spot who's come to watch your speech," Aella remarked, her glass almost empty as she pointed it up to the balcony. "Aww, birth momma and papa are here to support you."

"Are you kidding me!?" Elena's incredulous tone matched her wide-eyed disbelief.

"Champagne?" Aella offered cheekily.

"And here to accept the donation to the Miranda Sommers-Gilbert scholarship fund is Elena Gilbert."

Elena, who had seriously contemplated downing the rest of her drink, froze as all eyes turned toward her, erupting in applause.

Aella snorted and pushed Elena up, "Smile, you're on candid camera."

Through gritted teeth, Elena rose and made her way over to Carol. As she took the check from Carol and saw her mom's name on the envelope, her forced smile faded into a solemn one.

Facing the room, tears welled in Elena's eyes. "The Historical Society was my mom's baby. She considered all of you family and would be honored and touched by this gift."

Smiling at Elena's acceptance speech, Aella glanced up to see if John and Isobel were as proud, only for her smile to falter as she saw Isobel's teeth embedded in John's neck.

"Fuck a duck!" Aella muttered to herself in a low squeak. When she heard a series of bangs and gasps, she knew he was at the bottom of the stairs.

Rushing over to John, Aella knelt next to him and whispered harshly, "Why does everyone else get to push you off balconies and stairs?!" Relief washed over her when she saw the bite mark, noting the gaudy Gilbert ring on his finger before Carol and Liz approached.

Aella's hand hovered over John's bloody neck as she quickly murmured, "Quidquid requiritur fiat."

The wound on John's neck disappeared, merely glamoured. Aella used her black jeans to her advantage and knelt in the blood, wiping it up with a concealed wince as Carol and Liz arrived.

"Oh my goodness!" Carol exclaimed as Liz knelt down next to John, opposite Aella. "Aella, let the sheriff do her job!"

Aella rose, rolling her eyes as she watched Liz. The sheriff placed a hand on John's chest, feeling slightly sick when his chest neither raised up nor down. "I'll deal with this, Aella," Liz smiled tightly at the teen. "Thank you for helping him."

Aella nodded tightly before moving over to where Elena stood. Liz's gaze returned to John, only to see a spot of blood on the floor.

Glancing up and down John, Liz saw no open wounds, and she frowned. Looking back at Aella as Carol ushered everyone into another room, that niggle in Liz's mind returned,

What does your little council think about witches?

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Aella's eyes widened as she approached Elena, her demeanor a mix of shock and frustration. "Looks like John's real enemy is a grand balcony. Son of a bitch just can't enjoy them, can he?"

Elena didn't react, instead turning her back on John. "We need to call Stefan and Damon."

With a tight nod, Aella grabbed Elena's arm, urging her toward the car. "You can call on the way."

As they exited the Lockwood Mansion and headed for Aella's car, Elena quickly dialed Stefan's number, filling him and Damon in on the situation.

"You're sure she was there?"

Aella's nostrils flared with barely contained irritation. "I actually believed they were there to support Elena, before Isobel got a little hungry and fed on her baby daddy," she remarked dryly. "Looks like Katherine passed down her enjoyment of injuring John to her descendant. I'd say what a bitch, but it's John."

Stefan relayed something to Damon before addressing Elena, "Damon's going to deal with John."

Elena's gaze hardened at the phone, her resolve evident. "He's got some serious explaining to do to the Council about John being not so dead."

"Stupid John," Damon growled, and Aella chuckled darkly. "Stupid Isobel. What the hell was John doing there?"

"Not being dad of the year!" Aella quipped, unlocking her car as they approached. "We can ask those questions after Damon deals with John. I'll meet you at the Boarding House."

With a brief squeeze of Elena's hand, Aella ended the call, but Elena's furrowed brows indicated her lingering confusion. "Just you? Where will I be?"

Aella's smile was bright, almost mischievous, before her expression shifted, before drawing her arm back and with a swift motion, she unleashed a burst of magic, incapacitating Katherine. As the vampire fell, Aella held her down with an iron grip of magic.

"You know..." Aella smirked down at Katherine, who struggled in vain against her invisible restraints. "...magic is awesome, but sometimes you gotta do things the old-fashioned way, and that felt good." She shook her aching fist, her tone turning serious. "Now, where the hell is Elena?"

Katherine groaned, the pain in her jaw throbbing, "You knew?"

Aella's grin widened, tinged with defiance. "The whole time. It's the face. I can't explain it. You and Elena are doppelgangers, and yet, there's something about you that is just trashy. Now again, where is Elena?"

Katherine's eyes narrowed, her voice strained. "She's safe for now."

"Wrong answer," Aella retorted, her tone chilling as she tightened her grip on Katherine's hand. The air around the vampire began to contract, and soon, the pain became unbearable, prompting Katherine to scream in agony.

"Isobel," Katherine gasped between ragged breaths, sweat beading on her forehead from the intense pain. "Isobel has Elena. We're trying to keep her safe."

Aella's jaw clenched, her resolve hardening. "You only cause more problems." With a whispered incantation,"Phasmatos Somnus." Aella rendered Katherine unconscious, then picked up the fallen phone and dialed Stefan.

"It was Katherine."

Aella's brow raised at Stefan's answer, her curiosity piqued. "How did you know?"

Stefan's response was calm and collected. "There's a specific tone to your voice when you're around her."

Glancing down at Katherine, Aella's expression darkened. "Isobel has Elena; it looks like Katherine and Isobel have been planning this for a while. Apparently, it was the only way to keep Elena safe. You have to find Isobel; she'll be trying to get out of town."

"Without Katherine?"

Stefan's surprise was evident in his tone. Aella kneeled beside Katherine's unconscious form, her focus solely on the task at hand. "Elena may be Katherine's doppelganger, but Isobel inherited her descendant's personality. Isobel will have high-tailed it out of there. Call Bonnie; she was with Jeremy and Anna when we left. She can scry for Elena."

"And Katherine?"

"Knocked out," Aella confirmed, gently smoothing an unruly section of hair from Katherine's face. "I'll take her to the Boarding House."

"Okay, love you."

Aella felt a warmth spread through her at Stefan's words, and she couldn't help but smile softly. "Love you too." With that, she ended the call and turned her attention back to Katherine. "Ugh, you look so heavy," she muttered under her breath. Standing up, Aella wiped her hands with a smirk, "Now, this is when magic can help."

Before she could proceed, however, Aella was caught off guard by a sudden interruption.

"-That's okay, I can take her from you?"

Aella's head snapped up in surprise. "Wha-?"

In an instant, Maddox knocked Aella's head against the car, stunning her, before swiftly scooping up Katherine and disappearing into the darkness, leaving the young witch unconscious next to her car.