Marked by midnight

Chapter 7

Chapter 7: Arriving in Mystic Falls

The first light of dawn seeped through the sheer curtains of Elena Gilbert's bedroom, casting a soft, golden hue over the room. She lay in bed, her eyes wide open, fixed on the ceiling. Sleep had eluded her most of the night, her mind too full of questions and concerns. The events of the past few days had left her restless and on edge. She couldn't shake the image of Damon's face from her mind—the haunted look in his eyes as he spoke about the woman who had marked him.

She didn't even know her name. None of them did. All they knew was that she had left Damon with a mysterious mark that none of them fully understood.

With a sigh, Elena pushed back the covers and sat up. The house was quiet, and for a moment, she wished she could stay in bed, hidden from the world. But she knew that wasn't an option. She glanced at the clock on her nightstand; it was early, but she knew the others would be up by now, likely just as restless as she was.

Elena made her way downstairs, the familiar creaks of the old house comforting in their own way. She paused at the bottom of the stairs, her eyes briefly flicking to the living room where so many memories lingered—some happy, others filled with the pain of loss. She shook her head, pushing the thoughts aside, and headed to the kitchen to make some coffee.

The scent of freshly brewed coffee filled the air, grounding her in the present. She poured herself a cup and took a sip, the warmth spreading through her. It was a small comfort, but one she desperately needed. She stood by the kitchen window, looking out at the quiet street. Mystic Falls had a way of hiding its darkness beneath a veneer of small-town charm, but Elena knew better. She knew what lurked in the shadows.

Her phone buzzed on the counter, breaking her reverie. It was a message from Stefan: Meet at the house as soon as you can. We need to figure out our next move. She could sense the urgency in his words, the underlying tension that had been building since Damon revealed the truth about his encounter with the mysterious woman.

Elena quickly finished her coffee and grabbed her jacket, the morning chill biting at her as she stepped outside. The walk to the Salvatore Boarding House was short, the streets of Mystic Falls still quiet in the early hour. As she approached the grand house, she could see the others' cars already parked outside.

She entered without knocking, the familiarity of the place both comforting and unsettling. It was a house filled with secrets, and now, it held another one—one that could change everything.

The parlor was dimly lit, the heavy curtains drawn to keep out the brightening day. Damon was seated near the fireplace, staring into the dying embers, a glass of bourbon in his hand despite the early hour. Stefan stood nearby, his expression tense as he looked over some old books and documents spread out on the coffee table. Caroline was pacing the room, her agitation evident in the sharp clicks of her heels on the wooden floor. Bonnie and Matt were seated together on the couch, both of them looking equally worn out.

"Elena," Stefan greeted her with a small, strained smile as she entered. The others glanced up, acknowledging her presence with tired nods.

"Any news?" Elena asked, moving to stand beside Stefan, her eyes scanning the notes and books scattered before him.

Stefan shook his head. "Nothing new. We've been going over everything we have, but there's still no solid lead on who this woman is or what she really wants, since there is not a lot to go by. All we know is that she must be powerful"

"And that she marked Damon with her power. A power that originates from ancient, forgotten magic," Bonnie continued, her expression darkening. "But this isn't just any spell—it's a form of bonding magic. You remember what the book said, right?." Bonnie added quietly, her eyes dark with worry.