The Vampire Diaries Season Premiere Sneak Peek: What is Damon Hiding?

The Vampire Diaries returns TONIGHT on the CW.

In the first episode of the third season, Elena celebrates her birthday, but receives a rude awakening when Damon presents her with some very bad news.

Calling her an idiot for holding out hope for Stefan, he reveals what his brother has been up to in the months since we last saw the Mystic Falls characters ...

Vampire Diaries Season 3 Premiere Clip

What does she find that forces Damon to reveal the news? Was he right to try to shield her from this? And is Stefan really "gone", never to return?

We'll find out, beginning at 8 p.m. EST tonight. As always, THG's partners at TV Fanatic will review the episode immediately after it airs!