Chapter 10

Indiana, 4 weeks later

Stefan took a sip out of his glass and observed Klaus' sister across the room. Even though they had traveled together for almost a month now, he still didn't know what to make of her. She was nothing like Klaus and yet in some disturbing way they were very similar to each other. Stefan couldn't understand it and he hadn't really had a chance to learn much about this girl. He knew that she was a hybrid like Klaus, she didn't speak much and she liked cherry coke, but that was about it. She hadn't really paid much attention to Stefan; she liked to keep to herself. Usually she wore quite simple clothes, print sweatshirts and t-shirts, leggings, jeans and dresses, but now she was wearing something else entirely.

She was wearing a short skirt, a tight corset top and black boots. Her hair was up and she had some make-up on. She looked…very different than normally, Stefan had stared at her when she had come out of her hotel room. Klaus had seemed strangely tense; he hadn't really said anything to his sister. Usually he was always touching her and speaking to her, although her answers were often quite brief. They were a strange pair.

Stefan still couldn't understand why Klaus had dragged him with them after daggering Elijah. Probably because he had wanted someone to do his dirty work after losing both of his witches. Stefan squished his glass, trying to control himself. He truly hated Klaus, but he couldn't show it. No, he needed to keep Elena safe; Klaus couldn't find out that she was still alive.

They had been tracking werewolves for the last month, but so far they hadn't found any leads. Klaus wanted to create himself an army of hybrid slaves. Stefan had no idea what Lydea's role in Klaus' plan was, she hadn't said anything about her brother's intentions. Not that she said much about anything else either. Right now she was standing in front of the bar counter with some biker. He was much taller than her, a muscular tattooed vampire who was wearing a black leather jacket. Definitely not a nice guy.

He was looking at her like she would be a piece of meat and his big hand had squished her butt more than once. Stefan frowned; he couldn't understand why she tolerated this kind of behavior. And most of all, why Klaus tolerated it; he was usually very protective of her. He had left a while ago without saying anything to Stefan. The tattooed vampire wrapped his arm around Lydea and led her towards the door. Why would she possibly want to go with that guy? Not that it was any of Stefan's business, he simply couldn't understand.

He hadn't seen her showing interest toward any man during the last month, what had suddenly changed? Her outfit, the guy, Klaus' behavior, it all seemed quite strange. Usually when they went to a bar she sat at the table with Klaus and Stefan, wearing one of her cute print sweatshirts. She always ordered a cherry coke and listened to Klaus talking. Tonight she had ordered tequila shot and she had seemed somehow restless before they had arrived at the bar. Strange indeed.

Stefan sighed and concentrated on his drink. His thoughts were somewhere far away, although he knew there was no turning back for him. He had fed on humans again and he didn't think that he could stop. The ripper… He had wanted to believe that it wasn't the real him, but what if it was? What if he had been deceiving himself by thinking that he could actually be…what, a nice guy? Worthy of love? He ordered more drinks and was so lost in his thoughts that he didn't notice Lydea returning before she sat down opposite him.

"Have you seen my brother?" she asked calmly.

"No," he replied. "Drink?"

She nodded.

"Yeah."

"Tequila?"

"Sure."

Stefan motioned the waitress to come to them.

"Tequila for the lady."

The waitress looked at Lydea and frowned.

"Can I see some ID?"

Stefan smiled and made eye contact.

"She's old enough."

The woman smiled too.

"Yes, of course."

Stefan and Lydea were both quiet for a moment after the waitress had gone to get her drink.

"So…" Stefan started. "Where's your new…friend?"

"Dead," Lydea replied simply.

Stefan raised an eyebrow.

"Oh. Well, he seemed like a douche."

"He was."

They were quiet again when Lydea received her drink. She emptied the glass with one gulp. Stefan frowned when he noticed that her hands were shaking a little.

"Listen… Is everything okay?" he asked.

She looked at him carelessly, her face was completely callous.

"Of course. Why do you ask?"

"I just thought… Did that guy… I mean, he didn't hurt you or something, did he?"

Lydea's eyes narrowed.

"You do know who you're talking to? I'm a hybrid, no one can hurt me."

"Yeah, I know, I just thought…"

"Listen, honey, you're pretty and all, but you're not exactly the sharpest tool in the shed, so I would leave thinking to smarter people if I were you," she stated coolly. He didn't have time to say anything when she stood up and marched out. For a moment he was about to forget the whole thing, it wasn't any of his business, but for some reason he still went after her. She was standing in the parking lot, looking up at the sky. The moon was almost full.

"Listen, I'm sorry if I offended you," he stated.

"You didn't," she replied, her voice held no emotion. "But I think it would be the best not to mention any of this to my brother."

"Sure."

"Good."

They were quiet for a moment before she turned to look at him.

"I think I'll go back to the hotel now."

"Okay, I'll come with you."

She frowned.

"You think I need an escort?"

"No, I think I want to watch some TV and go to bed, this place is boring as hell. Honestly, get over yourself."

She stared at him for a brief moment before shrugging.

"Fine."

She looked nothing but calm and careless, but he could tell that something wasn't right. She looked almost…vulnerable. He wanted to offer her his jacket, but he didn't think for a second that she would accept it. And obviously she didn't want Klaus to know about this, whatever this was. All Stefan knew was that there seemed to be something wrong with her.