Chapter 14

"Well?" Caleb asked.

"I think she liked it", Klaus replied neglect.

"I knew it! That kind of stuff always works."

It had definitely worked. Klaus had never seen Starlit smiling like that. Who would have known that all it took was that little hairball.

"Oh, Greta called today", Caleb said. "It seems that their trip will last a little longer."

"Why?"

"She and Maddox are in India. They got a hint about some witch doctor that might have some information about the curse. How to break it without the doppelganger."

Klaus was slightly shocked when he realized that he had almost forgotten whole curse. How the hell was that possible?

"Good. They must definitely look into it."

"They're on it", Caleb replied.

Klaus sat on the couch trying to gather his thoughts. He had to concentrate to what was really important. Breaking the curse. But still… What if he would have some fun while doing it? There was no harm in that, right? God, what was wrong with him? That girl…Why did he want her so badly? He was definitely making a fool of himself.

"Starlit!" Caleb said cheerfully.

Klaus turned to the living room door. There she was, holding that hairball.

"I'm sorry, am I interrupting something?" she asked insecurely.

"No, no, you're not", Caleb said smiling. "How's your new friend?"

"Oh, Buttons is fine", she replied petting the sleeping cat in her arms. "I just wanted to thank you both. This was really kind of you."

"No problem. I mean you should thank Klaus, not me. This was all his idea."

Klaus gave Caleb murderous look.

"And I'll be going now. See you", Caleb said quickly and left.

Starlit stood by the door. She didn't seem to know what to say.

"I don't want to bother you so… I'll see you later."

"Wait", Klaus said. "You're not bothering me. Come here."

Starlit hesitated but she entered the room and sat to an armchair.

"Have you eaten?" Klaus asked.

"No, not yet. I was just in the kitchen introducing Buttons to Sylvia."

"Perhaps we can eat together then?" Klaus said coolly.

"Sure", Starlit replied.

She looked surprised. Klaus was surprised as well. Why had he just said that?

"May I ask you something?" Starlit said.

Klaus looked at her cautiously.

"You can ask, but I won't say that I'll answer."

"Ok. I was just wondering if it's not rude to ask, how old you are."

Klaus smirked.

"Older than you can imagine, love. I'm an original. One of the first vampires."

"Oh, I see. It's true then that vampires don't naturally die. Without a stake or something like that."

"Yes, that's correct. What about luxias? Do you live as long as humans?"

Starlit hesitated.

"Not exactly."

"What do you mean?"

"My mother was 124 when she died."

"What?"

Klaus was genuinely surprised.

"So you live longer than humans?"

"Actually, we don't die naturally either. Luxias death is usually always violent. You know, because what we are. There is always someone who wants to kill us badly enough."

There was sadness in Starlits smile. Klaus wasn't sure what to say but in that moment he decided to make sure that no one would touch his luxia.

"It's ok", Starlit said. "I have been trained to get use to violence since I was child."

"Trained by whom?" Klaus asked.

"My mentor", Starlit replied.

"Your mentor? What kind of… training are we talking about?" Klaus asked trying to hide his anger.

"It was for my own good. But it's all in the past now, so can we please talk about something else. Like that dinner. I'll go and check if Sylvia needs any help."

Starlit got up and walked quickly to the door. Klaus didn't try to stop her. He had just learned some very interesting things.