Now that Bonnie’s expressing herself in a more significant way, The Vampire Diaries is adding a new character to show her the ropes!

TV Guide has learned that Spartacus: War of the Damned actress Cynthia Addai-Robinson will be visiting Mystic Falls later on in season 4 as Aja, a powerful witch who has a connection to Bonnie’s mother – is she perhaps Abby’s sister, making her Bonnie’s aunt?

Aja first appears in the March 21 episode, which also tells us that Bonnie will indeed make it through the next part of the season (contrary to the belief of some of the hosts of Hypable’s Vampire Hype podcast). We also have to assume that Professor Shane either died or is incapacitated at some point before she arrives, which would explain why Bonnie needs a new mentor in the first place.

The Vampire Diaries returns tomorrow night with the episode “Stand By Me.” The episode will see Elena try to cope with Jeremy’s tragic death, although she’ll insist that he isn’t really dead. We’ll have to wait and see, but we worry he’s a goner.

How will Jeremy’s death affect Bonnie? Will she spiral further down the dark expression path, or will this be the wake-up call she needs to let go of it and try to get back to her witchy roots?