My secret will be revealed sooner rather than later. I should tell Stefan and Damon about Alexander and Anna, but then they will see them as a threat. Damon will kill him or Alexander will kill him. Either way, I don't see a positive outcome.

"Come and stop with your writing Shakespeare," Damon said to Felix whose head looked up from the entry he was currently writing in his journal, "we have a couple to disrupt."

Felix looked up, realising that Damon meant Stefan and Elena. "I'd rather not walk into anything I don't want to see."

"I forget," Damon said with a smirk, "being in bed with a woman is a foreign concept to you."

Felix scoffed. "It's not, you dickhead."

He closed his journal and followed Damon upstairs. Damon pushed open Stefan's bedroom door to reveal Stefan and Elena in bed. They hastily covered themselves with the sheets as Felix leant casually against the wall near the door.

"Well, we have lots to do now that we're all friends and working toward a common goal," Damon announced, walking into the room.

Elena glanced at Stefan, her brow raised. Stefan rolled his eyes but said nothing, waiting for Damon to continue.

Damon turned to face them, his trademark smirk firmly in place. "So, to open the tomb, we need to find the journal to get the grimoire to undo the spells. First things first - since you, Elena Gilbert, are the town's golden girl, you're on journal duty."

Elena blinked. "Since when am I helping?"

"Well," Damon said with exaggerated patience, "Stefan's helping, and since you've taken up permanent residence in his bed..." he gestured vaguely, his implication clear.

Stefan leaned forward protectively. "Elena doesn't have to do anything she doesn't want to."

"It's fine," Elena said, sighing, "I'll look for it tonight." She flopped back onto the pillows, pulling the sheets over her face in mock despair.

Damon clapped his hands together. "Good! That's the spirit."

Felix stifled a chuckle but stayed silent as the conversation unfolded.

Stefan leaned back in his chair, his tone sceptical. "And how do we know this journal will even hold the location of the grimoire? We're really going to take the word of some random vampire? He didn't exactly scream credibility."

"In lieu of any better options, yes." Damon replied breezily.

"Okay, what exactly is a grimoire, anyway?" Elena asked.

"A witch's cookbook." Felix explained, he had seen many grimoires in his time. "Every spell a witch casts is unique to them, so they document their work. It's essentially a record of spells."

"Yeah, so what Monty said. A cookbook." Damon repeated, shrugging.

"What about the other vampire?" Stefan pressed. "Dimwit obviously wasn't working alone. Whoever's out there knows who we are."

Felix pursed his lips together, he still hadn't revealed to the others he knew who Noah was working with. It was on his list of things to do, he just wasn't sure when.

"I don't like that disadvantage either," Damon said, standing and clapping his hands. "So, chop, chop."

As Damon sauntered toward the door, he turned back, walking backward with an impish grin. "I really like this whole ménage à threesome team dynamic. Could be an orgy if Felix got off his celibate high horse. It's got a certain kink to it. Don't screw it up."

Damon's laughter echoed down the hall as he left. Felix lingered behind, his gaze lingering on Stefan, who returned the look knowingly.

"We're not letting him open that tomb." Stefan said quietly.

Felix nodded, his jaw set. "Absolutely not."

-

The motel room was dimly lit, its musty air mingling with the faint scent of old carpet and fresh coffee. Anna set her phone down after leaving a voicemail for Jeremy, her lips quirking into a sly smile as Alex was lying on the bed, watching her with amusement.

"You know, for someone who teases me about Bonnie, you're awfully invested in a high schooler." Alex commented.

Anna rolled her eyes, crossing her arms. "It's not the same. Jeremy's sweet - and, for your information, he's useful. We need that journal."

Alex smirked, his gaze teasing. "Useful, huh? That why you sound so breathless when you leave him voicemails?"

Anna threw a pillow at him, which Alex caught effortlessly, laughing. "You're one to talk. Spending all your time cosying up to Bonnie? What's next, flowers and a sonnet?"

"Bonnie's fascinating," Alex said, his tone suddenly more thoughtful, "she has no idea how much power she holds. But don't worry, Anna. My heart belongs to you."

He jumped up from the bed and made his way to Anna, his hand brushing against her cheek. Anna's teasing grin softened, and for a moment, their whole plan in Mystic Falls completely disappeared. She leaned into him, their lips meeting in a soft and passionate kiss.

"Focus." Anna murmured against his lips, a small laugh escaping her.

Alex chuckled. "Always."

Later that evening, the were back in their shared motel room, the journal from Jonathan Gilbert placed in front of Anna. She flipped through the brittle pages, her brow furrowed as she scanned the messy handwriting. Alex stood nearby, pulling on his jacket.

"Anything?" he asked, leaning over her shoulder.

Anna sighed, turning another page. "Not yet. Just a lot of gibberish. Some people just shouldn't journal."

Alex laughed softly, leaning closer to glance at the open pages. "I thought this Gilbert guy was supposed to be the brains."

"Apparently not when it comes to legible handwriting." Anna muttered, closing the journal with a sigh.

Alex straightened, adjusting his collar. "Wish me luck. Got a date with destiny - or Bonnie."

Anna smirked, leaning back in her chair. "Good luck, Romeo. Just don't let her melt you into a puddle with her witchy charms."

"Noted." Alex said, leaving Anna alone with the journal and her thoughts.

-

Felix was sat in his bedroom, at the desk browsing his journals. He was similar to Stefan in that aspect, he had journaled his many lives and there was a bookshelf stacked with filled books. It was a habit he picked up, even when he was human. Out of boredom, he selected one of his earlier journals and as he read, a wave of sadness flooded through him.

In his journals he wrote about his human encounters with her. How they were just teenagers in love, two teenagers who had found each other in their time of need. After he had been kicked out and left an orphan in London, he was found by her and her group. They were kind, they were the family he needed. They were like him - cast out.

He joined them on their travels, falling deeper in love as he spent more time with the girl. Eventually, he found himself in America sent on a task. There, he met Stefan for the first time and found a friend in him. Human Stefan was pure, he was still pure now even though he was sentenced to this life.

But the chaos struck, Felix was separated from his group. He was beaten bloody and bruised and left for dead, and no one came back to find him.

And that was it.

He was found by Stefan and from there, he had been with the Salvatore ever since.

Felix snapped out of his thoughts when he heard Stefan and Elena enter the house.

"So your new history teacher has the journal." he overhead Stefan say. "And your ancestor is the key to all of this."

Felix walked down the stairs to make his presence known.

"Do you think Damon really believes us? That we're trying to help him?"

"Damon doesn't know what to believe," Felix told Elena, "trust isn't something that comes naturally to him."

"You know...I really think that Damon believes that everything he's done, every move that he's made, he's done for love. It's twisted, but kind of sad."

Stefan shook his head. "There are other ways to get what you want. You don't have to kill people. Damon has no regard for human life. He enjoys inflicting pain on others. For 145 years, every single time that I have let my guard down and let Damon back into my life, he's done something to make me regret that. I'm not going to make that mistake again."

"So what do you think will happen if the tomb gets opened and Damon gets Katherine back?" Elena asked.

Felix looked her, a serious expression on his face. "I think that no matter what Damon promises, a lot of people will die."

Mystic Falls, 1864

The fresh air was crisp as Giuseppe Salvatore walked across the Salvatore property, with his sons and their companion, Felix.

"As descendants of the Founding Families," Giuseppe began, his voice heavy with authority, "the townsfolk expect to count on you. They look to us for guidance and strength."

"Of course they can," Stefan replied earnestly, "is there any doubt?"

Giuseppe cast a sidelong glance at Damon, his expression tightening. "I'm not sure your brother understands the importance of duty."

Stefan's jaw clenched. "Damon left the Confederacy on principle, father. It was his choice, and it should be respected."

"Forgive me," Giuseppe said, halting and turning to face his eldest son, "if I have trouble respecting a deserter."

Damon met his father's stare, his smile faint and defiant. "Good for you, father. I never asked for your respect."

Giuseppe's face hardened. "And all I have for you is disappointment."

The tension between them crackled like a live wire. Felix felt this wasn't his place to step in, so he remained quiet.

Stefan, sensing an opportunity to diffuse the tension spoke up. "You mentioned the town's troubles earlier, father. What's happening?"

Giuseppe resumed walking, his gaze fixed ahead. "There have been too many deaths. This is no longer random misfortune - it's a plague of killers. We live amongst demons."

Damon's brow furrowed. "Demons? Surely you're not serious."

Giuseppe stopped again, his voice lowering ominously. "Vampires. They exist, and they live amongst us. But we have a plan to rid ourselves of this scourge. And you will help."

His words lingered in the air. Stefan was confused as Damon remained silent, his thoughts unreadable. Felix, however, ventured carefully, "It's a noble cause, Mr Salvatore. But if these creatures are amongst us, how do we know who they are?"

Giuseppe's eyes glinted with grim certainty. "Leave that to me."

Later, the three young men observed Giuseppe and Katherine playing croquet in the garden. The wooden balls clacked against one another as Katherine's charm was on full display.

"She's good," Damon remarked, his arms crossed, "I almost believe she genuinely likes him."

"Perhaps she does." Stefan said, his voice tinged with hope.

Damon scoffed, stepping closer. "She knows father would have her killed if he knew the truth."

Felix, who had been silent, finally spoke, his voice low and measured. "And perhaps he should know. Katherine is dangerous, Stefan. She's using both of you, and it won't end well."

Stefan's face darkened. "You don't know her like we do, Felix."

"I know enough," Felix said coldly, "she's a vampire, Stefan. She's already driven a wedge between you and Damon, and it will only get worse."

Stefan shook his head. "Father could help us keep her safe if we explain-"

"Have you gone mad?" Damon interrupted, gripping Stefan's shoulder. "No. Father would drive the stake in her himself. Promise me you won't tell him, Stefan."

Stefan hesitated, his conflicted gaze darting between Damon and Felix. "I promise."

That evening, Felix knocked on Giuseppe's study door. The older man called for him to enter, and Felix stepped inside, he glanced at the contents of the older man's study.

"Felix," Giuseppe said, pouring himself a drink, "what brings you here?"

"I wanted to thank you," Felix said sincerely, "for the hospitality you've shown me. It means a great deal."

Giuseppe smiled faintly, pouring another glass and handing it to Felix. "You've earned it. You're a man of respect and reason, unlike some others I could name."

Felix accepted the glass, swirling the liquid thoughtfully. "You've done so much for this town, Mr Salvatore. Your vigilance is admirable. I only hope that we are rid of these demons soon. Sometimes it feels as though those who pose a threat to our way of life are closer than we think."

Giuseppe's brow furrowed, his sharp mind catching the implication. "Closer, you say?"

Felix met his gaze steadily. "Sometimes, the greatest threats hide in plain sight. They wear the faces of friends."

He sipped his drink, his words hanging in the air. He didn't say anything directly, but he was sure Giuseppe understood.

-

Felix was seated in the parlour, a half-drunken cup of tea in hand, when the sound of a gunshot shattered the quiet. He froze, the cup halfway to his lips. Moments later, he heard the commotion: Katherine had been shot.

Setting the cup down, he rushed to the source of the noise. He found Stefan pale and shaken, Katherine's body limp as officers surrounded her. The faint scent of vervain lingered in the air - Stefan's blood had been tainted, and Katherine had been caught in the trap.

"Felix!" Giusepped commanded. "Get Stefan out here now."

Obeying his command, Felix quickly ushered a shocked and heartbroken Stefan out the room.

Against his better judgment, Felix found himself accompanying Stefan and Damon as they attempted to rescue Katherine. He trailed behind them, his expression grim.

"This is preposterous," he muttered, "you're risking everything for her."

"You didn't have to come," Damon snapped, his voice dripping with anger.

Felix stayed silent, watching as the brothers argued. Damon rounded on Stefan, his voice rising. "This is your fault! You told him, didn't you? You told father!"

"I didn't." Stefan protested, though his voice faltered.

Felix, knowing the truth but unwilling to admit it, remained quiet. Stefan had spoken to their father, but not out of malice. It was Stefan's naïve hope that vampires could coexist that had sealed Katherine's fate, along with Felix's conversation.

The three reached the locked carriage where Katherine was held, but it was too late. Soldiers swarmed the area, armed with vervain and wooden stakes. Felix watched as the brothers' desperation turned to despair, their bond strained by the betrayal they both felt.

Damon tried to rush towards her but Stefan stopped him. "Damon! Stop! I'll help you. We'll get her back."

Damon shoved Stefan away. "Help? Don't you think you've done enough? You promised you wouldn't tell him!"

"I didn't think this would happen..."

"You this this!" Damon spat. "This is your fault!"

Felix stood in the background, silent. Despite Stefan's conversation sealing Katherine's fate, he knew that it was his fault too.

He had helped in sending Katherine to her death.