Hamartia | Elijah Mikaelson

The Masquerade Ball had been a whirlwind of dazzling masks, swirling gowns, and the ever-present undercurrent of supernatural danger. Caroline, ever the social butterfly, had finally peeled herself away from the festivities, pulling Cassie along by the arm.

"So much for a drama-free weekend, huh?" Caroline chirped, a knowing smirk playing on her lips. They both knew the truth; peace was a luxury Mystic Falls rarely afforded.

Cassie just chuckled, rubbing her temples. "At least we both looked good." If she could get drunk, she'd definitely be several sheets to the wind by now. Instead, she was on a desperate quest for aspirin, stumbling into the nearest bathroom.

She peered into the mirror, reapplying her lipgloss, a tired reflection staring back. Capturing Katherine had been a chaotic ordeal, but the brief respite it brought to Mystic Falls had been worth every headache. Her satin dress was askew, her eyeliner smudged, a testament to the night's chaos.

The muffled throb of music from downstairs vibrated through the walls. Nobody out there knew the true cost of their merriment tonight. The town remained blissfully ignorant of the dark underbelly of their quaint community.

As Cassie forced a semblance of normalcy onto her exhausted face, a low hum filled her head, drowning out the distant melodies. The mirror rippled, distorting her reflection, then shattered into a swirling vortex of images. Another vision, unbidden and violent, seized her mind.