Liz was exhausted. The day had been long and gruelling, and every fibre of her being screamed for her to turn the car around and head home. Yet, with a heavy sigh, she forced herself to step out and walk towards the looming structure of Founder's Hall. The temptation to restart the engine and drive away lingered, but duty won out.

When Carol opened the door, Liz noted the urgency in her friend's eyes, but also a hint of something else—fear. The grand foyer of the mansion, usually a place of stately calm, felt ominous tonight.

"Carol, what's so urgent that you called an emergency council meeting at this hour?" Liz asked, her voice tinged with frustration and weariness.

"I didn't call the meeting, Liz," Carol replied, her voice low and tense. She stepped aside, gesturing for Liz to enter.

Inside the lavish sitting room, the air was thick with tension. The ornate furnishings and rich tapestries seemed to close in on Liz as a chill ran down her spine. Her gaze fell upon the man seated comfortably in an armchair, the flickering light from the fireplace casting eerie shadows on his face. A man who, by all rights, should be lying cold in the morgue.

"He did," Carol said, her voice barely above a whisper.

"Join us, Sheriff," John Gilbert greeted her with a smirk that was both familiar and unnerving. "I was just enlightening the council about our vampire problem. Or, more accurately, your problem."

Liz's heart raced as she took in the scene. John Gilbert, a man she knew was supposed to be dead, was very much alive—or rather, undead. She had personally ensured his body was sent to the morgue just hours earlier. Her mind raced with questions and fear.

"What do you think you're doing?" she demanded, her voice steady despite the turmoil inside.

John Gilbert knew too much. He held secrets that neither she nor Carol wanted the council to uncover. It was like watching a train wreck in slow motion—inevitable and disastrous. She knew what was coming, yet she was powerless to stop it.

"Well," John began, his voice dripping with mockery, "perhaps you and the mayor can enlighten the group on the strides you've taken to eliminate the issue. Oh, that's right, you haven't." He paused for effect, enjoying the tension in the room. "You see, the Sheriff, a woman we elected to keep our families safe and our town secure, has a vampire for a daughter."

Gasps erupted from the council members, their eyes widening as they turned to Liz. John's smirk grew as he continued, relishing the moment.

"And our lovely Mayor? She has a son who is a werewolf and a brother-in-law who is half-vampire, half-werewolf."

"Why are you doing this?" Carol asked, her voice laced with desperation.

"These women are hypocrites," John spat. "They claim to spearhead our defences against the supernatural, yet they cover up the violent attacks committed by their own families."

Liz's mind raced. She couldn't stay and listen to more of this. She needed to alert Damon to John Gilbert being a vampire and ensure her daughter's safety until they could deal with this new threat.

"That's enough. We're done here. It's time to go," she declared, turning towards the exit.

Before she could take a step, John moved with inhuman speed, blocking her path. Gasps of shock echoed through the room at his display of supernatural agility.

"Sit down, Liz," John ordered, his voice menacing. "We're just getting started."

Liz's heart pounded as she faced him. This was a confrontation she hadn't anticipated, and now she had to think fast to protect those she cared about while managing the council's outrage.

Maggie was glad that Jenna looked just as awkward about their chance meeting as she felt. The Mystic Grill, usually a place of comfort and camaraderie, now felt like a minefield of unspoken tensions. She wasn't sure how to act around the other woman, someone who she had considered a friend and who now occupied a space that wasn't so easily classified, but at least Jenna seemed to feel the same struggle if the look on her face was anything to go by.

"Hey," Jenna offered finally, her voice tentative and unsure.

There was no tone of hatred or anger in her voice, which Maggie took to be a good sign. If they could no longer be friends, she would understand, but at least it didn't sound like they would have to be enemies. At least for now, if Elena had been complicit in whatever the last unfulfilled scheme had been, then that would probably change.

"Hello, Jenna." She replied, allowing a hint of warmth to enter her voice. "How are you?"

"Good, good. How are you?"

"I'm well, thank you. Just came in, to pick up some lunch, and drag the boys away for a while," she waved a hand at Enzo and Stefan who were playing pool against Lexi and Lee. "Their hovering was beginning to get on Damon's nerves, so I thought I'd give us all a break."

Jenna's eyes followed Maggie's gesture to the pool table, then flickered back, her expression pained.

"Is he…?" Jenna broke off, "God, this is awful. I feel awful. Damon's my friend, you and Enzo, Pearl, Anna, and Mason—you're all my friends, and Maya, she's just a kid, you're her family. John was just going to kill you all, and Elena was in on it, and I don't know what to say or how to act. I love Elena, but it's like she's changed into someone completely different, and I don't understand how she could be willing to do the things she did."

Maggie sympathized. It couldn't be easy for Jenna, or Jeremy she supposed, being stuck in the middle the way they were.

"I think perhaps John Gilbert got inside her head and twisted the way she saw things."

Jenna shook her head, a morose look on her face.

"Maybe. Probably." She corrected, "I doubt Miranda helped; she wasn't exactly open-minded about everything that happened, at least not till Elijah told her the truth of the matter."

She sighed unhappily and looked around the Grill.

"Miranda wants to leave town. After John's funeral. Take Elena and Jeremy and get out."

Maggie nodded.

"It would probably be good for her to get a fresh start, somewhere that doesn't have all the memories this town does. Somewhere she doesn't have to worry about what Elena might do next."

It was honesty in a brutal way, but sometimes that was what was needed.

"I said I'd go with them, but I know Jeremy doesn't want to leave Anna, and my leaving would mean leaving Ric as well."

"Maybe it's time to think about what you want." She suggested, "You've already given up a lot this past year, and you weren't wrong to do so, but with your sister's recovery, you've got the opportunity to take back your life."

Jenna looked at Maggie, her eyes wide with the dawning realization of the truth in her words. She glanced over at the bar where Ric was nursing a drink, then back at Maggie, the conflict in her gaze slowly giving way to determination.

"You're right," Jenna said quietly, a new resolve in her voice. "It's time I start thinking about my own happiness for a change."

"Oh, I wouldn't waste too much time on that." An unexpected and unwelcome voice spoke from behind them.

Both women turned to stare at John Gilbert in shock and horror. He stood there, a smug smile on his face, holding a dart gun in one hand. The dim light of the Mystic Grill cast eerie shadows across his features, making him look even more menacing.

"What are you doing here?" Jenna's voice trembled, her newfound resolve wavering.

Maggie's eyes widened, recognizing the danger too late. She jerked as the vervain darts John shot at her impacted, the sharp sting spreading quickly through her body. Her vision blurred, and the last thing she heard before passing out were John Gilbert's chilling next words to Jenna.

"You're a sympathizer after all, that can't go unpunished."

Jenna's heart pounded in her chest as she watched Maggie collapse to the floor, unconscious. Fear and anger battled within her as she faced John, who took a menacing step forward.

"You think you can just walk away from this, Jenna?" John sneered. "You're either with us or against us. And it seems you've made your choice."

Faster than Jenna could track, Enzo sped past her and launched an attack at John, who batted him aside like it was nothing. Enzo crashed into a table, shattering it under the force of the impact.

Stefan, Lexi, and Lee all rushed forward to help. The room exploded into chaos as the vampires tried to subdue John. Ric grabbed Jenna's arm, pulling her towards the door of the Grill, his phone in hand, but they were brought up short by the entrance of Pastor Young and three deputies.

"Nobody leaves." Pastor Young declared, his voice steady and authoritative.

Jenna watched on helplessly as, despite their combined efforts, John took down the four vampires one by one. Stefan managed to land a solid punch, but John countered with a brutal kick that sent Stefan sprawling. Lexi and Lee attacked in unison, but John moved with inhuman speed, dodging their blows and striking back with lethal precision. Lexi was slammed into a wall, while Lee was thrown across the room, his body colliding with a row of chairs.

John stood amidst the carnage, his eyes glowing with a malevolent satisfaction.

"Is this the best you can do?" he taunted, his voice dripping with contempt.

Jenna's mind raced. They were outmatched. John's strength was beyond anything they had anticipated. She turned to Ric her eyes wide with fear.

"We have to do something. We can't just let him kill them!"

Ric's grip tightened on her arm.

"I've sent a text to Damon." He whispered, "We can't fight John ourselves, he's too strong. We need help."

Desperation surged through Jenna. She scanned the room, looking for anything that could help. Her gaze landed on a broken chair leg—a makeshift stake. She broke free from Ric's grasp and grabbed it, her hands trembling.

"Jenna, no!" Ric shouted, but she was already moving.

With a cry of defiance, Jenna rushed at John, the makeshift stake raised. John turned just in time to see her coming. He caught her wrist in a vice-like grip, his eyes flashing with amusement.

"Brave, but foolish," he said, his voice cold.

Jenna struggled, trying to drive the stake into his chest, but his strength was overwhelming. He twisted her arm, and she cried out in pain, the stake falling from her grasp.

"Let her go!" Ric yelled, charging at John with a pool cue he had grabbed. John released Jenna and turned to Ric, easily deflecting the makeshift weapon and sending Ric crashing to the floor with a powerful blow.

Jenna fell to the ground, clutching her injured arm. Tears of frustration and fear filled her eyes as she looked at the others, all of whom were struggling to get back on their feet. John's laughter echoed in the room, a chilling sound that sent shivers down her spine.

"Your efforts are pointless," John said, his voice carrying a chilling finality. "The town, the whole world in fact, will be cleansed, and there's nothing you can do to stop it."

"How is she?" Elijah asked, his voice soft but laced with concern as he stepped into the den.

Damon glanced over at Maya, who had settled in front of the TV and was teaching Harper how to play Mario Kart. She still looked tired, but according to Himiko and Aradia, that would pass. The combination of the difficult magics she had performed, and the emotional stress had taken a toll. Damon had decided to keep her home until the following week to give her time to recover before returning to school.

"Tired, but she's going to be okay," Damon replied, his eyes softening as he watched Maya and Harper.

"And how are you?" Elijah's question was gentle but probing.

"Don't you start," Damon complained, rolling his eyes. "I already kicked Stefan and Enzo out for fussing too much. I'm fine. No lingering issues."

"You nearly died, Damon," Elijah responded with a modicum of sternness, though there was a glimmer of amusement in his eyes. He had heard about Damon ordering Stefan and Enzo to go find something useful to do. It was probably a good thing that Maggie and Lexi had been around to wrangle the two vampires; Damon clearly needed the space. "We were all concerned for you."

"I'm fine," Damon repeated, his tone more insistent. "Galen healed me completely. Has Esther woken up yet?"

"Not yet, but Lady Aradia said it may take a day or so before she was restored enough to awaken."

Damon was about to reply when his phone beeped with a message. He opened it with a frown, then turned a grave look onto Elijah.

"We've got a problem," he said, his voice tight with urgency.

He turned his screen so Elijah could see the message Ric had just sent him.

SOS JG ALIVE GRILL

Elijah's eyes narrowed as he read the message.

"John Gilbert is alive?"

"In a manner of speaking," a tired voice answered from behind.

They both turned to see Finn, accompanied by a dishevelled and stressed-looking Liz and a frightened-looking Carol.

"John Gilbert is a vampire," Liz stated tiredly. "That's not the only issue. He called a Council meeting and informed them about all of you, and every other supernatural in town."

"I can't get hold of Tyler," Carol added, her voice strained and upset. "He's not answering his phone, nor is Mason!"

"Neither is Caroline," Liz looked just as worried but sounded much more controlled than Carol. "We've been trying ever since we broke free, but nobody is answering their phones, not even the deputies assigned by Director Picquery."

Elijah was quick to take charge of the situation.

"Finn, start calling everyone. Tell them to get back here; this is the most protected location. Damon, can you contact Lady Aradia? We'll need Kol and whoever else we can get to help with the situation."

His gaze turned to Maya, who had paused the game and was watching them with worried eyes, clearly having heard what was going on. Harper had turned as well, looking just as concerned. Elijah paused, the house was protected, but he wanted his niece out of town and somewhere safe until the council had been neutralized. If the Auror deputies were compromised, which it sounded like they were, then the further away she was the better. He turned to Damon, who seemed to have the same thoughts.

"Dobby," he called. The house-elf appeared in an instant. "Dobby, take Maya to the Academy, and stay there with her."

"But—" Maya started to protest.

"Maya. Go," Damon said sternly. "Tell Aradia that it's not as over as we thought, then stay there until one of us comes to get you."

"What if you don't?" Maya's voice wavered.

"We will." Damon pulled her into a fierce hug. "We will get through this. Now go."

Dobby gently took Maya's hand, and with a snap of his fingers, they disappeared.

Damon turned back to Elijah.

"I'll help Finn."

"So will I," Harper added, determination in his voice.

Elijah nodded and turned back to Liz and Carol.

"Ladies, tell me everything."

Before either of them could reply, Rebekah, Caroline, and Tyler sped into the house, their clothes ripped and dirty, spattered with bloodstains. Liz and Carol immediately stepped forward and began fussing over their kids, as Rebekah looked directly at Elijah.

"We've got trouble, Elijah!" Rebekah exclaimed.

"John Gilbert's a vampire and he's at the Grill," Elijah summarized, his brow furrowing.

"No," Rebekah interrupted, shaking her head. "He's at the school, or he was when we got away. He doesn't have a daylight ring; he should still be there!"

"The council may be helping him move around town," Liz suggested, turning away from Caroline for a moment with a troubled look on her face. "They were all for supporting him when he told them his plans."

"That's not the biggest problem!" Rebekah interjected, a note of panic in her voice that gave Elijah pause. "He was strong. Too strong. And we pushed a stake into his heart, and he just pulled it out like it was nothing!"

Elijah wasn't one to curse, but he felt like doing so now. The problems just seemed to keep piling on. He took a moment, pushing away the chatter around him and thought. If John Gilbert was a vampire, then he had to have drunk vampire blood before he was killed, which wouldn't explain how he was so strong, nor how he couldn't be killed by a wooden stake.

The only other way would be a spell.

Lillith had kept Esther around, even after the whole linking them together, reversing the original spell and killing one of them plan had failed to work.

They'd said it at the time, there must have been some alternative plan to kill them, which they'd believed to be the white oak tree, that they'd resolved when Rebekah had burned the bridge and the sign.

Elijah paused.

What if John Gilbert hadn't killed the history department head and attacked Alaric out of rage, like they'd assumed, but to cover up something else? What if John Gilbert had a white oak stake? A last surviving piece that could kill one or all of them?

Then there was the other issue. It made no sense for them to take Elena. They had to know linking them together again would be a non-starter, so what if they'd taken her for another reason?

Mother's spell to turn them into vampires had used Tatia's blood.

Maybe the reason they'd taken Elena was so that mother could perform the curse again. On John Gilber this time. That would explain why he was so strong, if he was an Original like them, then he would definitely be stronger than a werewolf and a vampire less than a year old. Though not why he was stronger than Rebekah, but he supposed the spell could have been altered to make him strong. Just like it had clearly been altered to make him immune to a stake to the heart.

Which meant there had to be another way to kill him.

Elijah wasn't the expert on magic that Kol was, but even he knew that no witch could create something truly immortal.

There was a way to kill John Gilbert. They just needed to find it.