Secret Bloodline

The First Vampire

Camila stares up at a beautiful and familiar figure, her hand dripping blood as Charles crumbles to ash beside the woman.

"You're... You..." Camila gapes.

"Yes, yes..." She nods.

The woman glances down at her hand, coated in the last of Charles's ash, and lets it flutter off into the air.

"Funny, isn't it, how even the largest of men can still be so small," She speaks.

Her voice is ancient with an accent as a shiver goes through Camila at the sound of the woman's voice echoing through her ears.

"This is... How?" Camila whispers.

The woman smiles fondly down at Camila, holding out her hand. "All in due time, my darling," She says.

Swallowing hard, Camila takes her offered hand as a bolt of energy rushes through the brunette at the contact, it's like the woman is made of lighting.

She pulls Camila up effortlessly as the brunette can feel the easy strength in the woman, the warm call of her power.

"Th... Thank you..." Camila says.

"Of course," She nods.

Suddenly, the elevator doors open and the others pour out.

"Camila, are you okay?" Zayn asks worriedly.

"We heard a scream," Dinah says.

Lauren is the first one to notice the woman as she freezes in place, eyes wide.

"What..." Lauren trails off.

The others look just as confused as Shawn and Dinah shift into fighting positions.

The woman turns to them, her smile broadening as the power emanating from her is intense, filling the lobby with sweet, seductive energy.

"I see that introductions are in order," She says.

"It can't be..." Lauren trails off. She walks forward, then shies away.

Zayn comes to stand beside Lauren, running a hand through his now short hair as his eyebrows knit together.

"Are you... Her?" He asks.

The woman inclines her head. "Yes. My name is Katerina and I'm The First Vampire. At long last... I have returned," She smiles brightly.

Camila's friends continue to stare at Katerina in shock.

Camila gazes at Katerina, trying to absorb her words. "Thank... Thank you for helping me. I mean for..." Camila gestures to the pile of ash that was Charles.

"Of course, darling. That beast only got what he deserved. Oh, and that reminds me," Katerina says. She steps closer, pressing a hand to Camila's chest.

"Uh..." Camila trails off.

She can feel the scrapes and bruises Charles left on her body start to heal, the pain easing away even faster than Camila's normal vampire powers could heal them.

"Whoa..." Dinah gapes.

"That's cool. I've never seen powers like that before. I mean, I know vampires heal quickly but healing others?" Camila says in amazement.

Katerina laughs gently at Camila's reaction. "I'm glad it's to your liking," She says.

The others stare at Camila's healed wounds then back at Katerina.

Shawn reluctantly lets go of his sword hilt as he runs his hand through his short hair.

"How... How is this possible? Elijah, Niklaus... They told us you were killed," Zayn speaks.