Reborn in originals

As the evening deepened, the Lockwood estate came alive with the sound of chatter, clinking glasses, and soft music. Guests filled the grand ballroom, their laughter and bright smiles a stark contrast to the unease hidden beneath the surface. The council moved discreetly among them, their eyes sharp and their expressions carefully neutral.

Grayson stood near a corner, watching the crowd with a tight jaw. His hands were stuffed into his pockets, his fingers fidgeting nervously. The artifact was hidden in a secure case upstairs, but his mind kept drifting to it. What if it failed? What if the vampires saw through their trap?

Carol Lockwood approached him, her calm voice breaking his thoughts. "Everything is in place. The deputies are stationed, and the exits are secured." Her tone was steady, but her fingers tugged slightly at the hem of her dress.

Grayson gave her a curt nod. "Let's hope it works." He glanced toward the center of the room, where Mayor Lockwood was mingling with the guests, his movements smooth and practiced. From the outside, it looked like just another elegant fundraiser, but everyone involved knew better.

Sheriff Forbes stood by the entrance, her eyes scanning the crowd like a hawk. She held a radio in one hand, her thumb hovering over the button. "We're seeing movement in the woods," she said quietly to Grayson as he joined her. "It could be them."

Grayson's stomach tightened. "They'll come," he muttered. "Viktor's plan is too tempting for them to ignore."

As if summoned by his words, Viktor appeared at his side, a drink in his hand and a faint smirk on his face. His sharp blue eyes seemed to miss nothing. "They're watching," he said, his voice low but calm. "Waiting for the perfect moment to strike."

Grayson glared at him. "And you're so confident they'll fall for this?"

Viktor raised an eyebrow, taking a slow sip of his drink. "Of course. Revenge is a powerful motivator. It clouds judgment. They'll come. All we have to do is wait."

Grayson shook his head and turned back toward the room, his unease growing with every passing moment.

---

Not long after, a shift in the atmosphere swept through the ballroom. It was subtle at first—just a strange chill, as though the air had grown heavier. Grayson noticed it immediately, his heart pounding as his eyes darted to the grand windows lining the room. Beyond the glass, the night was unnaturally still, the darkness pressing in like a living thing.

Viktor tilted his head slightly, his smirk widening. "They're here."

Carol and Mayor Lockwood exchanged a tense glance, while Sheriff Forbes discreetly reached for her radio. Grayson's breath quickened, and his hands trembled as he pulled them out of his pockets. This was it.

The doors to the ballroom slammed open with a loud crash, silencing the music and the chatter. Guests turned, gasping in shock as a group of vampires strode in, their faces cold and their eyes glowing with hunger and anger. Leading them was a tall, dark-haired man with an air of authority. His gaze swept the room, landing on the Lockwoods with a sneer.

"How generous of you to gather here tonight," he said, his voice dripping with mockery. "It saves us the trouble of hunting you down."

The council members stood firm, their faces pale but resolved. Sheriff Forbes stepped forward, her hand hovering near her concealed weapon. "You don't belong here," she said evenly, though her voice carried a slight tremor.

The vampire leader chuckled darkly. "Oh, I think we do. After all, we were invited, weren't we?"

Grayson's throat tightened as he exchanged a quick glance with Viktor. The Mikaelson brother, as calm as ever, stepped forward, his smile sharp and dangerous. "Welcome," Viktor said smoothly, his voice cutting through the tension like a blade. "You're just in time for the main event."

The vampires stiffened slightly, their eyes narrowing. Something about Viktor's tone put them on edge, but their leader waved a hand dismissively. "Spare me the theatrics. We're here for revenge."

Grayson's pulse raced as he caught Viktor's slight nod. It was the signal. Upstairs, the artifact hummed to life, its runes glowing brighter as the energy within it built to a crescendo.

The vampires didn't notice—yet. But they would.