The room was thick with tension, everyone hanging on Ivar's words about Klaus and his supposed backup plans. But before anyone could respond, the front door creaked open again, drawing all eyes toward it.
Tyler strolled in, his grip firm on Jenna's arm as he guided her inside. She looked dazed, like she wasn't entirely aware of what was happening. Elena's heart dropped at the sight, her breath hitching. Damon was the first to react, shooting a glare at Alaric.
"You said Tyler was taken care of!" Damon barked, his voice raw with frustration.
Alaric, just as shocked, raised his hands. "I did. He was out of town an hour ago. I don't know what—"
"Tyler!" Stefan cut in, his voice sharp. "What are you doing here? And why is Jenna with you?" His tone was laced with confusion and urgency, his fists clenching as he stepped forward.
Tyler didn't answer right away. Instead, he smirked—an unsettling, confident smirk that wasn't like him at all. His eyes flicked over to Ivar, and for a moment, there was something almost familiar in his gaze.
"Good to see you again, brother," Tyler said smoothly, his voice carrying a weight it had never held before. "I don't suppose you're running errands for Klaus? No, that's not your style. So what brings you here?"
The room froze. Brother? Damon's eyes darted back to Ivar, his mouth opening to say something, but no words came out. Stefan stiffened, his expression a mix of shock and suspicion.
Caroline was the first to break the silence, her voice shaky as she looked between Tyler and Ivar. "Wait. Who are you? If you're not… Tyler, then who are you?"
Tyler—or whoever he was—turned his head toward her, his smirk growing wider. "I'm Henrik Mikaelson," he said casually, like he'd just introduced himself at a party. His eyes swept across the room, taking in the stunned expressions. "The eighth Original. Klaus's younger brother."
Elena's stomach dropped, her knees feeling weak. Damon, still rubbing his throat from Ivar's earlier attack, scoffed. "Great. Another Mikaelson. Just what we needed."
Henrik ignored him, his gaze now locking on Elena. His expression darkened, the smirk slipping into something colder. "And as it happens, everything we need for the sacrifice is right here in this room." He raised a hand and pointed to himself. "A werewolf." His finger then shifted to Elena. "A doppelgänger." Finally, his hand moved toward Damon and Stefan. "And a vampire."
Stefan's eyes narrowed, his jaw tightening. "If Klaus sent you, you're wasting your time," he said firmly. "We're not letting that happen."
Henrik chuckled darkly, his head tilting slightly as if amused by Stefan's resolve. "You really think you can stop this?" His tone was mocking, almost pitying.
The tension snapped like a taut wire when Henrik turned to Jenna, who was still standing silently beside him, her eyes slightly glazed. Without warning, his hand shot out, grabbing her by the neck.
"Jenna!" Elena screamed, rushing forward, but Stefan caught her arm, holding her back.
Henrik looked at Elena, his eyes cold and unfeeling. "This isn't personal. It's just necessary."
And then, with one swift motion, he twisted Jenna's neck. The sickening crack echoed through the room as her body went limp in his grasp. Henrik let her fall to the floor without so much as a glance.
Elena collapsed to her knees, her sobs tearing through the silence. "No! Jenna!" She crawled toward her, her hands shaking as she touched her lifeless body.
Caroline's hand flew to her mouth, tears welling in her eyes. "How could you?" she whispered, her voice trembling. "She was innocent!"
Henrik turned to her, his face devoid of any remorse. "Innocence doesn't matter. Only results do."
Alaric, still holding his crossbow, looked like he wanted to shoot, but his hands were trembling. "You son of a—"
"Careful, hunter," Henrik interrupted smoothly, his eyes flicking to Alaric. "Do something rash, and you'll only add to the body count."
Stefan stood frozen, his mind racing for a plan, but nothing seemed sufficient against the power Henrik and Ivar had displayed. Meanwhile, Elena's sobs filled the room, her heartbreak tangible.
Henrik adjusted his jacket as if nothing had happened, his smirk returning. "Now then," he said, his tone disturbingly casual. "Shall we get started?"
Damon and Stefan didn't hesitate. The second Henrik smirked, Damon lunged forward, his hand transforming mid-air into clawed fingers as he aimed a vicious strike at Henrik's neck. But Henrik was faster than he looked, leaning back just enough to let Damon's claws slash through empty air.
"Too slow," Henrik said mockingly.
Before he could dodge again, shadows burst from the floor around him, coiling up like snakes and locking him in place. Stefan's eyes glowed faintly as he clenched his fists, the shadows tightening around Henrik's arms and legs. Henrik growled, struggling against the bindings.
"You think this will hold me?" Henrik sneered, pulling against the shadows.
Ignoring him, Stefan cut his palm with a quick motion. Dark blood dripped from his hand, but before it hit the floor, he willed it into a sharp, spear-like shape. With a flick of his wrist, the blood spear shot toward Henrik's chest.
Just before it could strike, the spear vanished into thin air. The brothers froze, startled, as a deep, calm voice cut through the room.
"Impressive," Ivar said, stepping forward casually, his hands in his pockets. "You've figured out how to use the two abilities of my bloodline. Not bad."
Damon glared at Ivar, but the smirk on the man's face didn't falter. Ivar looked at Stefan and Damon like they were nothing more than unruly children. He turned his head toward Henrik.
"Enough," Ivar said simply. "Do what you must and bring Elena to the sacrifice site."
Without waiting for a response, Ivar raised his hand. Jenna's lifeless body floated into the air, guided by his telekinesis. Elena screamed in protest, trying to reach for her aunt's body, but Stefan held her back, his expression grim.
"Don't!" Stefan warned her.
Ivar didn't even glance at her. As he turned to leave, Alyssa followed him silently. Henrik chuckled as he broke free from the shadows binding him, brushing off imaginary dust from his jacket.
"I'll see you soon," Henrik said with a smirk before following Ivar and Alyssa out the door.
The room was left in stunned silence, the only sound Elena's sobs as she clutched the spot where Jenna had fallen. Damon slammed his fist into the wall, his claws retracting as his frustration boiled over.
"What the hell do we do now?" Damon demanded, his voice thick with rage and helplessness.
Stefan's face was hard, his mind racing. "Nothing, we do absolutely nothing."