This chapter is a little longer. I hope you like it, I would love to hear your opinions.

Chapter 11

Starlit was smiling. First time for a long time it was genuine smile. She had spent couple of days with Sylvia, helping her around the house. Those small everyday chores settled her. Starlit had learned that Sylvia was a widow, she had no children or other family and she had worked and lived in this house almost six years. Klaus had moved in couple of months ago after Sylvia's previous employers had decided to take "a long vacation", as Sylvia put it. Starlit really liked this woman. She was kind and sweet. Not to mention sharing her light had created a bond between them. Starlit hadn't told that to Klaus. She thought he didn't need stronger hold on her. Somehow Sylvia felt that bond as well. She treated Starlit like a daughter. They were in the kitchen cooking.

"No, no, sweety", Sylvia said laughing. "You're cutting the carrots too small. Here, let me show you."

Starlit laughed too.

"I'm sorry, I'm terrible in this."

"Oh, nonsense, you just need some practice."

"Good afternoon ladies", said a voice from the kitchen door.

Klaus. Starlit felt her smile disappearing.

"Good afternoon sir", Sylvia greeted him.

"Hi", Starlit said. "Do you need something?"

Klaus smiled.

"Actually I'm on my way to shopping mall. I was wondering would you like to join me."

"Are you serious?" Starlit asked feeling suddenly excited.

"Yes. I thought you need some clothes and other things."

"I can finally get out from this house? Thank you that would be wonderful."

Then Starlit turned to Sylvia.

"Is it alright if I go? I know I promised to help you with dinner…"

"Don't be silly, sweety, of course you will go!" Sylvia interrupted her. "You two have fun."

Starlit smiled.

"Thank you Sylvia. Would you like me to bring you something?"

"No thank you sweety, I don't think I need anything."

"Ok, I'll see you later then."

Klaus was waiting patiently. He looked the two women closely.

"I'm ready", Starlit said to him.

Klaus smiled and held out his hand for her. Starlit took it and they headed outside. It was a beautiful day. Starlit was enjoying every moment. She had been in a balcony but she hadn't actually leaved the house since Klaus brought her there. Klaus opened the car door for her.

"Thank you", Starlit said feeling genuinely glad.

"It seems that you and Sylvia are getting along nicely", Klaus said when they left the driveway.

"Yes. She's wonderful."

"How nice. Then I'm sure you won't do anything what would compromise her life."

Starlit looked at Klaus coldly.

"I told you, I'm not going to run. So you don't have to make threats."

"Oh, it's not a threat, love. Just a small reminder."

"Fine, I got your message", Starlit said.

Neither of them spoke again before they reached the mall. Klaus drove the car to parking hall.

"So, where do you want to go first?" Klaus asked.

"I don't know. Can we just walk around a little?"

"Sure, sweetheart, we have time."

Starlit walked next to Klaus, amazed to suddenly see so much people. All those auras, all that hope, pain, fear, happiness… It all mixed in her head. Starlit felt dizzy and reached to Klaus so she wouldn't fell down. Klaus seemed to understand what she was trying to do and put his arms around her.

"Are you alright?" Klaus asked.

"Yes… I just need a moment. Please don't let me fall."

For a short moment Klaus had a strange expression on his face. Then it was gone.

"You better sit down", Klaus said and helped her to a bench.

"Thank you", Starlit said. "It's getting better. I just didn't think I would react so strongly."

Klaus didn't say anything. When Starlit had rested for few minutes they moved along.

"You need some clothes", Klaus said.

"But I don't have any money", Starlit said feeling utterly stupid.

Klaus smiled.

"That's not a problem."

They went to several stores and bought more clothes than Starlit thought she would ever need.

"Really, this is too much", she said.

"Come on, love", Klaus said teasingly. "Admit that you're enjoying this."

"Not really", Starlit answered but immediately remembered her manners.

"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to sound ungrateful. So thank you."

"Your welcome, love. How about we have something to eat?"

"That sounds great."

When they sat down to a small Italian restaurant, Starlit noticed that she actually had good time. With Klaus. Somehow that felt weird. Right after they had ordered, Starlit could see a man approaching their table. He was maybe in his thirties and had short brown hair and gray eyes. He looked uncomfortable. Starlit could tell what he needed.

"Hi", she said to him smiling warmly.

Man looked confused.

"I… I don't really know why I came here…"

"Please sit down", Starlit said.

Man obeyed, clearly confused.

"It's ok Robert, I'm going to help you", Starlit said to him gently.

Man was just staring at her, apparently unable to speak. Starlit took his hands between her owns and closed her eyes. After few seconds she opened her eyes again.

"Everything is going to be alright", she said to the man.

He smiled.

"I…I…Thank you", was all he could say.

"Your welcome", Starlit said smiling to him.

Then he left. Starlit turned to Klaus, meaning to apologize for interruption, but when she saw Klaus' look, she lost her words. There was ice cold anger in his eyes.

"What was that?" he asked menacingly.

"I… He was drawn to me. Remember when I told you about that?"

"Yes, I remember", Klaus said keeping that same tone. "Funny, you didn't seem to have any problem touching him."

"What?" Starlit said confused. She couldn't understand what he was talking about.

"Physical touch is necessary", Starlit explained carefully.

She was afraid to make Klaus angrier, although she couldn't understand why he was so angry in a first place.

"I bet it is", Klaus said coldly.

Starlit didn't know what to say when waiter brought their food. They ate in silence. Starlit tried desperately to figure out what had she done wrong. She couldn't manage to finish her food. Klaus paid without saying a word and they started to walk to the parking hall. When they reached an elevator Starlit noticed that she had forgotten her new purse to the restaurant.

"I get it", Klaus murmured annoyed when she said that out loud.

Starlit went to the elevator. She might as well wait for him downstairs. It seemed that there was no one else in the parking hall. Starlit walked to the car so lost in her thoughts that she didn't notice a man who bumped into her.

"Watch it bitch!" man said angrily.

His aura was almost black. Oh no. Starlit could tell that he was deeply repulsed by her. She had to be very careful.

"I'm sorry", Starlit said quietly avoiding eye contact.

She tried to get away from him as quickly as she could. Maybe she would make it. Apparently not. Man was following her.

"So you think you're better than me, do you?"

"No, I really don't", Starlit answered carefully.

She didn't stop walking. Then she felt sharp pain in her arm when man grabbed her and pushed her roughly against the wall. He took a knife from his jacket pocket.

"Do you want to die bitch?" he asked holding the knife next to her throat.

Starlit didn't say anything. She already knew that nothing she could say would make any difference. This man really wanted to hurt her. Suddenly she heard the man screaming in pain. He had dropped the knife and his hand was behind him in unnatural angle. Klaus was standing next to him.

"Like you so cleverly put it, do you want to die bitch?" he said coldly.

Man was horrified.

"No Klaus don't…" Starlit said but before she could even blink, Klaus broke his neck.

"Wait here", he said to Starlit.

She couldn't have moved even if she would have wanted to. She wasn't sure what Klaus was doing. Mans body was gone. She wondered where Klaus took it. Then she saw a car stopping next to her.

"Get in", Klaus said.

She just automatically obeyed.