Mystic Falls, Virginia, circa 1863, was no place of grandeur. Not for women, at least. You were lucky—your father, a respected businessman, ensured that money was no issue for your family. As a woman, your life revolved around the expectations of household chores—sewing, cooking, fetching water on occasion. Meanwhile, your brothers, Damon and Stefan, had far more freedom. They could roam freely, getting lost in the fields or lakes, spending entire days doing as they pleased. Jealous? Perhaps. They were reckless, careless even, despite being older. Their minds blurred when it came to beautiful women, and that made them malleable.

One evening, they brought home a guest—Katherine Pierce. The moment you saw her step out of the carriage from your window, you understood why they were taken by her. Katherine was the kind of woman men fell over themselves for. Somehow, she'd managed to convince your brothers to persuade your parents to let her stay at the estate. Katherine had them wrapped around her finger—it was laughable. They bent over backward for her, tripping over their words and fawning like lovesick fools.

There was something about Katherine—something dangerous. She never forgot your presence, the way you watched her from the shadows. She could hear the way your heartbeat fluttered and stumbled when she caught your eye. The boys were fun, entertaining even, but you? You were different. You didn’t fall in line like the rest of the women in Mystic Falls. You spent your time in books, writing, sewing—not gossiping or throwing yourself at men. That intrigued her.

After 400 years of roaming the world as a vampire, Katherine had yet to meet a woman quite like you. She wanted to know you better—better than anyone else.

Late one evening, while you were sewing in your room, Katherine peered in, knocking playfully on the doorframe.

“Still at it, I see. Do you ever rest, darling? Not to be rude, but there are far more interesting ways for a woman such as you to spend your time. Surely, you’ve thought of that.”