[Location: The Cross Residence – Garage] [Time: 11:30 PM – The Night Before the Founders' Party]
The garage was my sanctuary. To my parents, it was where I tinkered with "science projects." To me, it was Weapons R&D.
I sat at the workbench under the hum of a single fluorescent bulb. Spread out before me were the guts of the Gilbert Device.
I had pried the back casing open with a jeweler's screwdriver. Inside, the mechanism was a beautiful, chaotic blend of 19th-century clockwork and Emily Bennett's enchantment. The gears were brass, but they didn't connect in a way that made mechanical sense. They moved based on proximity to dark energy.
"You're not just a compass," I whispered, adjusting a magnifying glass. "You're a weapon."
In the show, John Gilbert uses this device to emit a high-frequency signal that incapacitates vampires. But he needed the Talisman (the crystal Caroline currently had) to power it.
Without the crystal, it was just a radar.
But I was an engineer's son, and in my past life, I knew how to improvise.
I picked up a coil of copper wire and a small piezoelectric buzzer I'd cannibalized from a smoke detector.
I couldn't replicate the mass-incapacitation wave without the crystal. But I could amplify the signal locally. If I wired the buzzer to the needle's tension spring, I could make the watch vibrate silently but violently when a vampire was within ten feet. A silent alarm.
I soldered the wire. The scent of melting flux filled the air.
Soldering iron: check. Vervain supply: check. White Oak dust: stored at Whitmore.
I snapped the casing back onto the watch. It looked like an innocent antique.
I slipped it into my pocket.
Tomorrow was the Founders' Party at the Lockwood Mansion. In the corporate world, this was the Annual Shareholder Meeting. The sharks would be circling, wearing tuxedos and fake smiles.
I intended to be the one shark who didn't bleed.
[Location: The Mystic Falls High School – Parking Lot] [Time: 8:00 AM]
"Nice ride."
I looked up from locking my Jeep. Tyler Lockwood was leaning against his convertible, tossing a football to himself.
"It gets me from A to B," I said, slinging my bag over my shoulder.
"My mom put you and your parents on the VIP list for tonight," Tyler said, catching the ball. "She says your dad is 'instrumental' to the Preservation Committee."
"Instrumental," I chuckled. "That's code for 'he does the work nobody else wants to do.'"
Tyler laughed. "Pretty much. Look, the party is boring as hell. But the Mayor keeps the good scotch in the library. If you want to bail on the speeches, find me."
"I might take you up on that."
I watched him walk away. Tyler was a bully, but he was a lonely one. And he was a future werewolf. Keeping him close was a strategic necessity.
As I walked toward the entrance, I saw Caroline and Damon.
My stomach turned.
Damon had pulled his car up to the curb. He was leaning out the window, touching Caroline's face. She looked dazed, happy, and completely under his thrall.
He was feeding on her. Abusing her. Using her as a juice box and a spy.
I clenched my fist.
I wanted to stake him. I wanted to drag him into the sunlight and watch him burn. But I couldn't. Not yet. If I killed Damon now, Stefan would leave, the tomb wouldn't open, and I'd lose access to the wider supernatural world.
Patience, I reminded myself. The salaryman waits for the CEO to make a mistake.
Damon drove off. Caroline waved, looking like a lovesick puppy.
I walked over to her.
"Hey, Care," I said, keeping my voice light. "That looked intense."
"Oh, hey Adrian!" She beamed, but there were dark circles under her concealer. She wore a scarf, despite the heat. Covering the bite marks. "Damon is just... amazing. He's taking me to the party tonight."
"He's a little old for you, isn't he?" I asked gently.
"Age is just a number," she recited—a line Damon definitely fed her.
I looked at the scarf.
"Caroline," I said, lowering my voice. "You look tired. Are you sleeping?"
"I'm fine!" she snapped, defensive instantly. Then she softened. "I'm just... busy. Planning."
"Okay," I said, backing off. "Just... drink plenty of water tonight. Champagne hits harder when you're exhausted."
I couldn't give her vervain. Damon would taste it immediately, and he'd know someone tipped her off. He'd kill her to silence the leak.
I had to let her suffer a little longer. It was a cold calculation, and I hated it.
[Location: The Lockwood Mansion] [Time: 7:30 PM]
The Lockwood estate was impressive. Massive stone columns, manicured lawns, and a fleet of luxury cars lining the driveway.
I wore a charcoal grey suit. No tie. Top button undone. It said 'I respect your event, but I'm relaxed.'
I walked in with my parents. My dad was immediately swept away by Mayor Lockwood and Logan Fell, the local news anchor (and secret Council member).
"Adrian!"
Elena waved from the bottom of the grand staircase. She looked stunning in a floor-length gown, but her eyes were anxious. Stefan stood next to her, looking uncomfortable in a tuxedo.
I walked over. "You two clean up nice. Prom came early?"
"Ha ha," Elena said dryly. "It's a heritage party. We have to represent the Founding Families."
"Right," I said. "The Gilberts, the Salvatores..."
"And the Crosses?" Stefan asked, raising an eyebrow. "I didn't know your family had roots here."
"We don't," I said. "We're the hired help. My dad fixes the buildings you guys built."
Stefan smirked. "Constructive."
"Where's Damon?" I asked, scanning the room.
Stefan's face tightened. "Around. Being... Damon."
"Great," I said. "I'll keep my neck covered."
I meant it as a joke, but Stefan didn't laugh.
I excused myself and moved deeper into the party. The room was a minefield.
Threat Assessment:
Damon: Unpredictable. Dangerous.
The Council: Alert. Looking for vampires.
The Crystal: Caroline had it in her purse.
I made my way to the Artifacts Display in the main parlor. Glass cases held old confederate uniforms, muskets, and diaries.
I stood in front of a case containing a silver ring. The placard read: Lockwood Family Heirloom.
"Interesting, isn't it?"
I turned. Logan Fell was standing there. He was slick, holding a tumbler of scotch. He had that 'TV personality' fake charm.
"The history?" I asked.
"The legacy," Logan corrected. "This town was built by men who knew how to protect what was theirs."
He looked at me, his eyes sharp. "Your father tells me you have an interest in antiques. He said you found a watch at the Gilbert house?"
Alert.
My heart rate spiked, but I kept my face bored. My dad, bless his heart, had been bragging about me.
"Oh, that old thing?" I laughed. "Yeah. Jeremy was throwing out a box of junk. I grabbed a pocket watch because I thought the gears looked cool. I was going to use it for a steampunk project."
Logan's eyes narrowed slightly. "Do you still have it?"
"I tried to fix it," I lied effortlessly. "Ended up stripping the screws. I think it's in pieces on my garage floor. Why? Is it valuable?"
"Sentimental," Logan lied back. "The Gilberts are looking for it. They'd like it back for the collection."
"I'll check my garage," I said. "If I haven't vacuumed up the pieces."
Logan smiled. It didn't reach his eyes. "Do that. We'd appreciate it."
He walked away.
He knows, I thought. Or at least, he suspects.
Logan Fell was hunting the watch because the Council needed it to hunt vampires. If he couldn't get it from me, he'd go to Jeremy. Or break into my house.
I needed to secure the house tonight.
[Location: The Library] [Time: 8:45 PM]
The party was in full swing. The string quartet was playing.
I slipped into the library. It was empty, smelling of leather and cigar smoke.
I needed a moment to check the watch.
I pulled it out of my pocket.
Buzz.
A sharp vibration against my palm.
I froze.
I looked at the door. Closed. I looked at the window. Open.
Buzz. Buzz. Buzz.
Strong signal. Ten feet.
"You don't look like you're having fun."
I spun around.
Damon was sitting in a high-backed armchair in the corner of the room, obscured by the shadows. He had a glass of bourbon in his hand.
He must have been there the whole time. Using his vampire stillness.
"Jesus," I exhaled, shoving the watch back into my pocket. "You need a bell, man."
"I prefer the element of surprise," Damon said, standing up. He walked toward me. "What do you have there? Texting a girlfriend?"
"checking the time," I said. "This party is dragging."
Damon stopped in front of me. He looked at my suit. He looked at my neck.
"You know," Damon said, swirling his drink. " Logan Fell was asking about you. He thinks you're hiding something."
"Logan Fell is a creep," I said.
"Agreed," Damon nodded. "But he's a persistent creep. He thinks you have the Gilbert Watch."
Damon's eyes locked onto mine. "Do you?"
This was the dangerous game. Damon wanted the watch destroyed. The Council wanted it active.
If I told Damon I had it, he might kill me to take it. Or he might respect me for keeping it from the Council.
"I have a broken watch," I said carefully. "Whatever Logan thinks it does... it doesn't work."
Damon took a step closer. "Let me see it."
It wasn't a request.
I hesitated. Then, slowly, I reached into my pocket and pulled out the watch.
Damon took it. His fingers brushed mine—cold as ice.
He flipped it open. He looked at the gears. He didn't see the copper wire I had soldered underneath the casing. To him, it looked like a broken antique.
He snapped it shut and tossed it back to me.
"Junk," Damon scoffed. "If Logan asks again, tell him I threw it in the river."
"Why would you do that?" I asked.
"Because I'm a helpful guy," Damon smirked. "And because I don't like reporters digging through my town."
He walked past me toward the door.
Then he stopped.
"By the way," Damon said without turning around. "Caroline is looking for the crystal. She lost it."
My blood ran cold.
"What?"
"She put it down in the powder room," Damon said, sounding bored. "Now it's gone. If you see it... don't touch it. It's got a bite."
He walked out.
The Crystal is gone.
Who took it? Stefan? No, he wouldn't steal it. Bonnie? Maybe she felt the magic calling to her. Or... a third party?
I checked the watch in my hand. It wasn't vibrating anymore. Damon was gone.
I left the library. I had to find Bonnie.
[Location: The Garden] [Time: 9:15 PM]
I found Bonnie near the hedge maze. She was holding a candle, staring into the flame.
"Bon," I said, walking up to her.
She jumped. "Adrian."
"Did you see Caroline?" I asked.
"She's inside, crying," Bonnie said. "She lost her necklace. She's freaking out because Damon gave it to her."
I looked at Bonnie. I looked at her purse.
"Bonnie," I said softly. "Did you feel... drawn to it?"
Bonnie's eyes widened. She looked guilty.
"I didn't steal it!" she whispered frantically. "I just... I picked it up in the bathroom to look at it. And then... it felt like electricity. And I got scared. And I just... put it in my bag."
She opened her clutch. The amber crystal was glowing faintly inside.
"It called to me, Adrian," she said, her voice trembling. "What is wrong with me?"
"Nothing," I said, shielding the bag from view. "It's a talisman. It's magic. And you're a witch. It wants to be with you, not Caroline."
"I have to give it back," Bonnie said.
"No," I said firmly.
Bonnie looked at me, shocked. "What?"
"Damon gave that to Caroline," I explained rapidly. "Damon is... dangerous. If he wants Caroline to wear it, it's for a bad reason. Keep it, Bonnie. Keep it safe. Tell Caroline you haven't seen it."
"Lying to my best friend?" Bonnie shook her head. "I can't."
"You're protecting her," I said. "Trust me. That crystal is bad news in Damon's hands. In your hands? It's just a rock."
Bonnie hesitated. She looked at the crystal. Then she looked at me.
"Okay," she whispered. "I'll keep it."
Crisis averted. The Crystal is with the Witch.
"Good," I said. "Now, put it away. And let's get some food. I'm starving."
We turned to walk back to the house.
Suddenly, a scream pierced the air.
Not inside the house. Outside. Near the fountain.
I spun around.
"That sounded like..." Bonnie started.
"Stefan," I said.
I ran.
[Location: The Fountain] [Time: 9:20 PM]
It wasn't Stefan screaming. It was Stefan being screamed at.
He was standing over a body.
Not a dead body. A drunk body.
Tyler Lockwood was on the ground, clutching his nose. Blood was pouring through his fingers.
Stefan stood there, looking horrified. His vampire face was gone, but his eyes were wild.
"He hit me!" Tyler yelled, pointing at Stefan. "The freak almost took my head off!"
A crowd was gathering. Mayor Lockwood pushed through. "What the hell is going on?"
I saw what happened. Or rather, I deduced it. Tyler tried to start something. Stefan tried to defend himself, but he underestimated his own strength because he was running on animal blood. He hit too hard.
The smell of Tyler's blood filled the air.
I saw Stefan's nostrils flare. The Ripper in him was waking up.
Damon appeared from the crowd, looking delighted. "Problem, brother?"
Stefan looked like he was about to bolt.
I stepped forward. I couldn't let Stefan look like a monster. If the Council suspected Stefan, they'd investigate the Salvatores, and Damon would go on a killing spree to cover it up.
"It was an accident!" I shouted, stepping between Stefan and the Mayor.
Everyone looked at me.
"I saw it," I lied, my voice steady. "Tyler tripped. He was running at Stefan, he slipped on the wet grass, and smashed his face on Stefan's shoulder. Stefan didn't even move."
I looked at Tyler. "You've been drinking, Ty. We all saw you stumbling."
Tyler glared at me. "Screw you, Cross. He hit me."
"You're drunk, Tyler," the Mayor said, embarrassed by the scene. "Get up. Stop making a scene."
Tyler scrambled up, humiliated. He shoved past Stefan and stormed off.
Stefan looked at me. He was breathing shallowly, trying not to inhale the blood scent. His eyes said Thank you.
I nodded.
Situation handled.
But as the crowd dispersed, I looked down at the grass.
There were three drops of Tyler's blood.
I crouched down, pretending to tie my shoe.
I pulled a handkerchief from my pocket and wiped the blood off the grass.
I slipped the handkerchief into a plastic baggie in my pocket.
Werewolf Blood (Inactive).
It wasn't venom. It wasn't active. But it was genetic material.
If I could analyze Tyler's blood in the lab, I could map the werewolf gene before he triggered the curse. It was the first step to understanding how to extract the venom later.
I stood up.
The party was winding down. I had the Watch. Bonnie had the Crystal. I had the Sample.
And I had survived the Boardroom of Wolves.