Marked by midnight

Chapter 12

Chapter 12: The real second meeting 

Seraphina's mind spun as she sat in class, her pen frozen in her hand while her thoughts drifted far from the day's lesson. Klaus Mikaelson. His name still echoed in her head, each syllable weighted with centuries of danger and power. The Mikaelsons—the Originals—were the embodiment of everything she had been warned about her entire life. Yet here she was, standing on the precipice of crossing paths with the very beings that could unmake her plans in a heartbeat.

She glanced over at Celeste, who was focused on taking notes, but the subtle tension in her friend's posture betrayed her. Celeste was worried too—Seraphina could feel it. They had come to Mystic Falls with a mission, but Klaus complicated everything.

The bell rang, signaling the end of class, and Seraphina snapped back to reality. Students shuffled around her, gathering their books and backpacks, but she barely noticed. She had no idea how she was supposed to attend a ball tonight when her mind was consumed with thoughts of Klaus and the Originals. The pressure was mounting, and she had no idea how to handle it.

"Seraphina, are you okay?" Celeste's voice pulled her out of her reverie.

Seraphina blinked and looked at her friend, trying to summon a reassuring smile. "Yeah. Just...thinking."

Celeste gave her a look, one that said she knew exactly what Seraphina was thinking. "We'll figure it out. But you need to stay focused. Tonight is important."

Seraphina sighed as they walked out of the classroom and into the bustling hallway. "I know. But Klaus? He wasn't part of the plan. I didn't expect him to be here."

Celeste's face softened with sympathy. "None of us did. But we're here now, and we have to adjust. We've faced worse."

Seraphina wanted to believe her, but the weight of the Originals' presence was hard to shake. She felt like she was walking a tightrope, and one wrong step could send everything crashing down.

By the time the evening rolled around, Seraphina's nerves were frazzled. She stood in front of her mirror, adjusting the strap of her gown—a deep shade of emerald that contrasted against her pale skin. The Mystic Falls Spring Ball was a formal event, and the last thing she wanted was to stand out. Blending in, staying invisible—that had been the plan from the start. But tonight, with Klaus and possibly other Originals attending, the stakes were higher than ever.

Celeste entered the room, already dressed in a sleek black gown, her hair swept elegantly off her shoulders. "You look great," she said with a smile, though Seraphina could see the tension behind it. They were both feeling the pressure.

Seraphina turned back to the mirror and tried to push her fears aside. "Thanks. You too."

Celeste moved closer, adjusting Seraphina's necklace with steady hands. "Remember, we're here to observe, not make waves. The last thing we need is to draw Klaus's attention. If we play this right, we might be able to get close enough to learn more about the curse and how to break it without raising suspicion."

Seraphina nodded, though her stomach churned at the thought of being in the same room as Klaus. The Originals were a threat unlike any other, since they were the cause of her species near extinct, but like many other curses their power was also the key to breaking the curse that plagued her people. If they could find a way to harness it, they might stand a chance. But one misstep could spell disaster. 

Somehow they had to make the originals break the very same curse they made. highly unlikely they wanted to do that. Which is why Seraphina had to play her cards right, and somehow manage to either trick them, or offer them something they would be willing to break the curse for.