11. Karvex

The next morning, we're greeted by the local leader of the asteroid town as we eat in the courtyard. She appears middle-aged and has a voice like silk. And from the moment she opens her mouth, I know I don't trust her.

"Greetings, dear visitors," the mayor said sweetly. "I am Eznine, and I am happy to see that you survived that horrible crash that happened just outside our town. I wanted to come in person to welcome you and make sure you are comfortable."

I grit my teeth in an effort to keep my face straight. This woman might be in charge, but she has the demeanor of a grifter. But it's also none of my concern whether or not this little asteroid town is run by someone shady or not. Right now, we just need to get off this rock as soon as possible.

And so, I bite back any remarks I have and try to sound as pleasant as a Reaper can. "Thank you. Your hospitality has been most generous so far. We do not mean to take advantage of your kindness for long, though, so if you would be so kind as to assist us in finding a ship out of here."

If I had a ship of my own, I'd be out of here already.

A very practiced look of remorse crosses the woman's face. "We would be most happy to assist. I'm afraid, however, that we do not have any ships currently worthy of space travel."

I want to snarl at the woman. But even if Alana were good in a fight, we're outnumbered. Reapers heal rather quickly, but humans do not. When she's ready for the challenge, we'll commandeer another ship, even if we have to steal it.

Right now, though, I can't put Alana through that. She needs another day or two of rest. I tell myself it's best for all of my crew to take a few days off for the various injuries.

"No ships or shuttles whatsoever?" I ask as patiently as I can manage.

She nods sympathetically. "We are a small town with not many visitors. The larger towns, however, do have proper transportation. Though those are about a day's journey away."

I nod curtly at her. "Very well then. If you don't mind, we'll stay another day while I ensure my team is physically ready to move on."

Eznine smiles widely. "Wonderful. I'm so glad we'll get to host you while you wait."

"Indeed. Now if you'll excuse us, I need to take my companion here back to the room. She needs to rest."

"Oh, let me walk you inside," Eznine offers quickly.

My patience is wearing thin with this woman.

"Please, don't trouble yourself. I'm sure you're very busy and we don't want to trouble you any further. We can manage on our own." Alana interjects sweetly. She's much more sociable than I am at the moment.

Eznine laughs like she's just said something amusing. "Nonsense. I always have time for guests. Besides, I have business with the manager, anyway."

I want to shake her by the throat. There's nothing we can really say to protest that. And so we walk with her back inside the hotel.

As we pass by the front desk, the manager spots us and waves us down. "Ah, some of our honored guests! And Madame Eznine, it's good to see you, too. How was breakfast this morning?"

Alana gives him a tight smile. "It was lovely, thank you."

The manager snaps his fingers like he's just remembered something. "Oh yes, I've been meaning to tell you. I have excellent news."

I perk up a bit. Perhaps they have found another shuttle? Considering they did assist us when we needed it, I'd rather not kill my way off this rock. I will if I have to, but I'd be willing to avoid it.

"I've found another room for one of you to stay in. Now you don't have to stay crammed up in the same room together. I can get your things moved right away if you like."

Alana and I exchange a quick look. It's only for a second, but there's a hint of panic in her eyes, and that's enough for me.

Not that I don't feel a bit of the same. I'm a Reaper, not exactly the most loved in the universe. I'm trapped on an asteroid in the middle of nowhere with strangers lurking about. There's no way I want to be separated from Alana in such a precarious situation.

"Oh that is wonderful news!" Eznine exclaims. "How very good that our guests can now rest more comfortably."

This needs to stop before it goes any further.

"As kind as that is, we're comfortable just as we are," I say evenly.

The manager furrows his brow. "Surely you don't want to have to stay in the same room the whole time. More room for you to spread out, and more room for the lady to recover. Besides, the rooms are practically next door to each other."

"No thank you," I say more firmly.

Something flashes in the man's eyes, but it's gone just as quickly. He sighs. "Very well."

"Thank you, anyway," Alana says quickly. "And thank you, Madame Eznine, for walking us here. Have a good day."

Eznine nods stiffly, and I quickly steer Alana toward our room. Once we are inside with the door locked, I let out a snarl.

Alana huffs. "Yeah, I feel the same way."

"We need to find a way off this asteroid as soon as possible," I growl. "I'm not staying here as some hotel guest. I'm a Reaper."

Alana chews on her lip. "So what do we do then? We have to wait until the transport to the next town comes around. Or do we try to make the trek ourselves?"

I consider it for a moment before shaking my head. "We don't know what's out there between here and the next town. You're in no shape for another adventure just yet. We'll see if there's another convenient way to get to town, and if we can't find one, we'll stay here another day or so and see what happens. Though if they force any more hospitality on me, I'm not responsible for my actions."

Alana winces a little from sitting up too quickly and I frown. The locals have done a decent job of helping to heal her injuries, but they're still plaguing her. Choosing to wait is clearly the right decision.

Gently, I guide her back to the bed. "Rest for an hour at least. You need to recover your strength."

She frowns but doesn't protest. "Fine. But only for an hour."

Two hours later, I have checked in with the rest of my crew and updated them on my meeting with Eznine. Most of them are content to wait a day or two for further directions, but Renari, of course, is agitated. He's always agitated with me these days.

When I return to the room, she's still resting. Soon after, she wakes up angry with me for letting her sleep an extra hour. Her frustration with the whole thing is almost humorous.

We begin our trek through the town, looking to see what other resources are available. We map out locations that might come in useful in the future, but it seems that Eznine was telling the truth. We find no easy way to leave from our current location, not even a cruise spaceship coincidentally docked nearby that we could commandeer.

After a while, we begin to simply take in the town. It's nothing special, but there's a certain small-town charm to it. We stop for a late lunch and then I buy her something sweet afterwards.

It's strange just walking around and chatting with one another. With just existing and enjoying a day with someone. I'd never had moments like these in this life. And somehow I knew that this was what I was supposed to be doing.

More than that, I knew I was supposed to be living it with her. I want to soak in every minute of it.

"Maybe another shuttle will come along and we can catch a ride with them," Alana suggests.

I grimace. "I doubt they'll approve of having a criminal onboard."

"Ah, right."

I study her for a moment. "What do you want? For your future, I mean."

She considers for a minute. "I want to be free. I want to be happy. And now I know I want to be with you."

"You know I can't go back to Gur," I remind her. "Is that where you want to be?"

She shakes her head. "I don't think it really matters where I am so long as I'm with you."

My chest aches with warmth. It's all I want, too. Now we have to figure out how we can do that.

By the time we arrive back at the hotel, it's late. The manager tries once again to persuade us to get separate rooms, and I snap at him to mind his own business.

Alana falls asleep quickly, and I lie awake for a while just running my hand through her hair. I feel like I need to memorize this moment somehow. Outline every detail of her and commit it to memory. Eventually, sleep claims me, too.

I wake in the middle of the night instantly knowing something is wrong. Sitting up, I see smoke pouring out from the bottom of the door.

The hotel is on fire.