Mystic Falls is in shambles. Many people have left in search of greener pastures. Some have moved on to brighter futures, clutching onto leeting golden chances. As our favorite vampires relocate, whether it's down to New Orleans or Whitmore College, Mystic Falls will never feel the same. Sure there are those that decided to stay, but it won't be the Mystic Falls we've grown to know and love. That doesn't necessarily mean that it will slowly deteriorate into a pile of painful and distant memories. It could, in fact, change for the better. Perhaps with fewer vampires to cause such a ruckus, the town can finally get its feet back on the ground. Besides, everyone knows that with every departure comes a new arrival.

As it so happens, vampires are malleable. Janina Gavankar, from "True Blood," will be making her way from Louisiana to Mystic Falls for the upcoming fifth season of "The Vampire Diaries," according to TVLine. She will play Tessa, a beautiful, exotic and self-assured woman who comes to town in search of an old lover. Gavankar will make her debut in the third episode, which will take place during another flashback.

As previously reported, there were rumors of a mysterious lady vampire coming to Mystic Falls in search of Stefan. But as fans are well aware, Stefan is currently locked up at the bottom of the lake, so the 'mysterious' ex-girlfriend will run into none other than Silas.

Silas will play a major role in the upcoming season now that he's disguised as Stefan, but executive producer Julie Plec teases that he might run into an adversary along the way. "The Big Bad rarely launches the season," she said. "The Big Bad often gets vanquished," by an even more formidable foe. Fans will also "catch a glimpse of what happened to get Silas the way he is."

Could Tessa be the mysterious ex-girlfriend of Stefan's who throws a major wrench in Silas's plans? As more and more pieces fall into place, the picture becomes clearer, however, fans will have to wait until to show's return to learn the truth.

"The Vampire Diaries" will return to The CW October 3.