The day at Mystic Falls High School passed slowly.
Students moved between classes.
Teachers continued their lectures.
Everything appeared normal.
But beneath that normal atmosphere…
Something was brewing.
Damon Salvatore leaned casually against a locker in the hallway.
His sharp blue eyes followed one particular person.
Alexander Nightshade.
Damon smirked slightly.
"'There's definitely something strange about you.'"
Stefan stood beside him, arms crossed.
"Damon…"
"Don't."
Damon waved a hand dismissively.
"I'm just observing."
Stefan frowned.
"Observing usually turns into trouble when you're involved."
Damon chuckled.
"Relax, little brother."
His gaze returned to Alexander walking calmly through the hallway.
"'Let's see what you really are.'"
Later that evening…
Mystic Falls became quiet again.
Street lights illuminated the empty roads.
A cold wind moved through the trees.
Alexander walked alone down a quiet street.
His footsteps were slow and calm.
He already knew someone was following him.
And he knew exactly who it was.
A faint smile appeared on his face.
"'Finally decided to make a move.'"
A blur of speed suddenly appeared behind him.
In less than a second—
Damon Salvatore stood a few meters away.
Hands in his pockets.
Smiling casually.
"You walk alone a lot."
Alexander stopped and turned toward him.
His golden eyes were calm as ever.
"Good evening, Damon."
Damon raised an eyebrow.
"You're not surprised to see me."
Alexander shrugged slightly.
"You weren't very subtle."
Damon chuckled.
"Fair point."
For a moment, silence filled the empty street.
Then Damon tilted his head slightly.
Studying Alexander carefully.
"So…"
"What exactly are you?"
Alexander looked at him with mild curiosity.
"That's a very direct question."
Damon smirked.
"I'm a direct person."
Alexander said nothing.
Damon sighed dramatically.
"Alright, let me try again."
His eyes became sharper.
"You're not human."
Alexander remained calm.
"Correct."
Damon's smile widened.
"You're also not a normal vampire."
Alexander gave a small nod.
"Also correct."
Damon slowly stepped closer.
The playful look on his face faded slightly.
"So what does that leave?"
Alexander looked up at the night sky briefly.
Then he answered simply.
"Something old."
Damon laughed.
"That doesn't narrow it down at all."
Then suddenly—
Damon moved.
With vampire speed, he lunged forward and grabbed Alexander by the collar.
Slamming him lightly against a nearby wall.
The impact cracked the brick slightly.
Damon's eyes darkened.
His vampire veins appeared.
"Let's skip the mystery."
"Tell me what you are."
Alexander looked completely unfazed.
Even while being pinned to the wall.
His golden eyes remained calm.
Almost amused.
"'This is the test.'"
Without warning…
Alexander gently grabbed Damon's wrist.
Then—
He moved it away like it weighed nothing.
Damon blinked in surprise.
Alexander stepped forward.
Now standing directly in front of him.
A faint pressure filled the air.
For the first time…
Damon's smirk disappeared.
Alexander spoke quietly.
"You shouldn't start fights you can't finish."
Damon felt it.
That invisible weight again.
The same overwhelming presence Bonnie had sensed earlier.
It felt ancient.
Powerful.
Dominating.
Damon narrowed his eyes.
"Are you threatening me?"
Alexander shook his head slightly.
"No."
Then his golden eyes glowed faintly in the darkness.
"I'm warning you."
The air around them suddenly felt colder.
For a brief moment…
Damon felt something he rarely experienced.
Danger.
Real danger.
Then just as quickly…
The pressure disappeared.
Alexander turned and began walking away again.
As if nothing had happened.
Damon remained standing there.
Staring after him.
Then he slowly smiled again.
But this time…
The smile was different.
More interested.
More serious.
"'Now this is interesting.'"
Elsewhere in Mystic Falls…
Katherine Pierce stood on a rooftop once again.
Looking down at the quiet street where everything had just happened.
She had seen the entire interaction.
Her lips curved into a satisfied smile.
"'I knew it.'"
She crossed her arms casually.
"'You're far more dangerous than you look, Alexander.'"
And somehow…
That only made her more interested in him.