The Heretics, were a powerful coven of witch-vampire hybrids originating from the Pacific Northwest of the United States. Originally members of the Gemini Coven, the Heretics were feared among the witch community as they retained their ability to practice magic despite having been turned into vampires.
The original six members, before becoming vampires, were known as siphoners, a subsection of witches without the ability to practice magic unless it was first siphoned from another source of magic. Due to this unique ability, they were considered an 'abomination' by the Gemini Coven and ultimately exiled between the mid-late 19th century and early 20th century. Exiled into the world without a leader, the Heretics fell under the guide of Lillian Salvatore, a vampire and prominent ripper. At some point during 1903, Lily turned the Heretics into vampires, thus becoming the first witch-vampire coven in the world. As vampires, the Heretics had fallen into one of Nature's loopholes which allowed them to not only retain their ability to practice magic, but be provided with power source to siphon from. This transformation and subsequent discovery meant that siphoners were the only known beings who could be both witch and vampire.
In late 1903, shortly after being turned, under the guide of Lily, the den set sail from England to New York with the plan to take down the Gemini Coven in revenge for exiling them. During the trip, Lily took pity on a sick young man suffering from consumption. Lily turned the young man but left the man behind to continue their goal to destroy the Gemini Coven, believing she would return for him after accomplishing this. However, the Gemini Coven and its powerful members found the Heretics first, banishing them and Lily in a snapshot of November 1, 1903 using an ascendant.
Lily was eventually freed a century later by Damon Salvatore, Elena Gilbert and powerful witch Bonnie Bennett. Lily was however, distraught to learn that although a Bennett witch, Bonnie was unable to bring back the Heretics with them to modern-day. Lily however, managed to feed a desiccated Malcolm her blood before leaving. Although former Gemini member Malachai Parker had helped Bonnie get to the Prison World, Bonnie left him behind out of anger. With their leader gone, the six Heretics fed on the blood of Kai to replenish their strength before returning to Mystic Falls and settling in with their leader. However, due to a tense rivalry between Lily and her biological sons, five of the six Heretics died. Valerie being the only survivor as of One Way or Another.