I sat by the window of my small rented room, my journal open and ready. The pen glided smoothly over the page as I copied another spell from Emily's grimoire. The years of forced calligraphy lessons were finally paying off—no hand cramps, no sloppy strokes. The precision felt effortless, and for once, I wasn't annoyed by the hours spent practicing pointless flourishes.
My mind wandered briefly. With the grimoire in my hands, there were so many ways I could use it. Daylight rings, for instance—if I wanted, I could churn those out and make an absurd amount of money. Vampires would line up to pay for them, and with the right deals, I could have the backing of some serious supernatural players. The thought was tempting, but it didn't last long. My eyes caught another spell on the page—something infinitely more versatile. Daylight rings? Child's play. This spell could reshape how someone lived their entire life.
Still, I knew better than to let the potential go to my head. Progress wasn't instant, and power wasn't handed over on a silver platter. My thoughts drifted to Dahlia. Back when I used to watch The Originals, she had always been my favorite character. The way she wielded her magic, her precision, her sheer command over everything around her—it had fascinated me. Now, sitting here with the grimoire, the question hit me: how long would it take for me to reach that level of power? Could I even get there?
I shook the thought off before it could spiral. I wasn't invincible, and I wasn't going to pretend otherwise. The road ahead was long, and I couldn't afford to get cocky.
The room was quiet except for the steady sound of my pen moving across the page. I wasn't rushing—there was no point. One spell at a time, one step closer. A knock at the door startled me out of my thoughts.
My eyes narrowed as I rose from the chair, my movements silent and deliberate. I wasn't expecting anyone. Stepping lightly, I crossed the room and placed my hand against the doorframe, feeling for the subtle vibrations of another presence.
A knock at the door pulled me from my thoughts. It was soft but deliberate, a quick rhythm that echoed in the quiet room. I glanced at the clock—late enough to make the timing odd, but not suspicious. Rising, I moved to the door, my hand brushing the frame as I felt for any unusual vibrations. Nothing.
A knock at the door broke my focus. It wasn't loud, but it wasn't timid, either. I capped the pen and stood, crossing the room without a word.
"Who is it?"
"It's Bonnie," came the familiar voice, calm but uncertain. "Can I come in?"
I opened the door, and there she was, looking a little uneasy but doing her best to cover it.
She offered a sheepish smile, her fingers toying with the strap of her bag. "Yeah, I figured. Sorry for just… showing up. I hope this isn't weird."
I raised an eyebrow, not quite dismissing her concern but letting her know it didn't bother me. "How'd you find me?"
Her cheeks flushed faintly, and she gave a small laugh. "Small town. Word gets around. Caroline might've mentioned it when she brought up the party." She paused, then quickly added, "I hope you don't think I'm, like, stalking you or anything."
I chuckled softly, shaking my head. "It's fine. Just takes some getting used to, that's all."
Bonnie's shoulders relaxed slightly, her nervous energy easing. "Good. I'd hate for you to think I'm some kind of creep or anything."
"Not quite the vibe I'm getting," I said, leaning casually against the frame. "So, what brings you here? Aside from finding out where I live."
She smiled a little, fiddling with the strap of her bag again. "Honestly? Caroline's idea. Well, partly hers. Thought I'd check in, see how you're settling in. Small-town hospitality and all that."
"How sweet of her," I said, the corner of my mouth twitching. "And you? What's your excuse?"
She gave a soft laugh. "I don't need one, do I?"
"Guess not," I replied, stepping aside. "Come in."
She hesitated for half a second before walking in, her eyes scanning the room briefly.
"Not much of a decorator, huh?" she said, gesturing toward the bare walls.
"I like to keep things simple," I said. "Besides, it's temporary. No point in putting down roots."
Bonnie nodded, lingering near the desk before turning back to me. "So, what are you working on?"
"Nothing you'd find interesting," I said with a small shrug, shutting the journal as I spoke. "How about you? Busy day saving the world?"
She rolled her eyes but smiled. "Not quite. Just the usual—school, Mystic Falls drama, and Caroline dragging me into whatever's on her mind at the moment. You?"
"Same old. Keeping to myself. Trying not to get pulled into any of that drama."
Bonnie smirked. "Good luck with that around here. You've met Caroline, so you know it's impossible."
"Fair point," I said. "So, what's this really about? You didn't come all the way here just to make small talk."
She shifted, her smile faltering slightly. "Okay, fine. Caroline wanted me to invite you to a party. One of those 'welcome to Mystic Falls' things she does."
"A party in the woods?" I guessed.
She nodded, laughing softly. "Yeah, it's kind of a thing here. Music, drinks, people acting like they don't have a history of murder and mayhem."
"Sounds… interesting," I said, noncommittal.
"You don't have to come," she added quickly, her tone softer. "I just thought… well, you seem like someone who could use a friend or two."
I raised an eyebrow. "That obvious?"
She smiled, leaning back against the desk. "Maybe. Or maybe I just remember what it's like to be new and not know who to trust."
There was a moment of silence, and then Bonnie tilted her head slightly. "So, really—how are you liking it here? Be honest."
"It's… different," I said after a pause. "Quiet. But there's something about this place. Like it's holding its breath, waiting for something to happen."
Bonnie blinked, her lips curving into a small smile. "You're not wrong. Mystic Falls has that effect on people. Just… don't let it fool you."
"Noted."
She crossed her arms, studying me for a moment. "You don't talk much about yourself, do you?"
I smirked. "There's not much to say. Small-town kid, big world dreams. You know how it is."
"Maybe," she said, her eyes narrowing slightly, like she was trying to figure me out. "But something tells me there's more to it than that."
I didn't respond immediately, letting the silence hang for a second before changing the subject. "So, aside from party invitations and playing Mystic Falls tour guide, what's on your mind?"
Bonnie shrugged, her expression softening. "Not much. Trying to keep my grades up, deal with life… the usual. You know how it is."
"I don't think anyone really knows how life is around here," I said. "Unless you're Caroline, maybe."
That got a laugh out of her. "True. She definitely has a way of making it seem like she's got everything under control. Half the time, I'm just trying to keep up."
I nodded, the easy rhythm of the conversation settling in. "Well, thanks for the invite. I'll think about it."
"That's all I can ask," she said, stepping back toward the door. "And hey, if you do come, try to relax a little. Mystic Falls might be crazy, but the parties are usually the good kind of crazy."
I smirked. "I'll keep that in mind."
She paused in the doorway, her hand resting on the frame. "Oh, and one more thing—if you do show up, bring something. Caroline has this thing about people bringing snacks or drinks. Even if she doesn't say it, trust me, she'll notice."
"Noted," I said again, shaking my head slightly.
Bonnie smiled, lingering for a second before finally stepping into the hallway. "See you around," she said, giving a small wave.
"Yeah," I replied, shutting the door behind her.
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I'm back
Slightly longer chapter
POWER STONES!!!!!!!!!!