Klaz

KLAZ

C inta stumbled beside me, her teeth chattering audibly. I pulled her closer, wrapping my arm around her shoulders.

“We need to keep moving,” I growled, scanning the white expanse for any signs of shelter or danger. The endless snow stretched in every direction, broken only by the occasional jutting rock formation.

Cinta pressed against me, her body trembling. “I c-can’t feel my toes,” she mumbled.

I gritted my teeth. Humans were so fragile. “We’ll find shelter soon,” I promised, though I had no idea if it was true.

We trudged on, the snow crunching beneath our boots. The sky darkened, and I started to worry. Night would mean even colder temperatures. I had to get Cinta to safety, no matter what.

“,” Cinta said suddenly, her voice strained. “Look.”

I followed her gaze and saw a vast expanse of ice stretching before us. A frozen lake.

“We have to cross it,” I said grimly. “It’s the fastest way.”

Cinta shook her head. “It could break. We could fall through.”

I knelt at the edge, pressing my hand against the ice. It felt solid, but looks could be deceiving. “Stay close to me,” I ordered, stepping out onto the frozen surface.

The ice creaked ominously beneath my feet. I held my breath, waiting. When nothing happened, I took another step.

“Come on,” I said, holding out my hand to Cinta.

She hesitated, then grasped it tightly. Her fingers were like ice against my skin.

We inched our way across the lake, every step punctuated by groans and cracks from the ice beneath us. Cinta’s grip on my hand tightened with each sound.

“We’re almost there,” I promised.

A loud crack split the air. Cinta yelped, and I felt her start to slip. Without thinking, I yanked her toward me, crushing her against my chest as I stumbled backward.

We stood there, hearts pounding. Cinta’s face was pressed against my neck, her breath warm on my skin. Every curve of her body against mine burned against me.

“Are you okay?” I asked gruffly.

Cinta nodded, her hair tickling my chin. “Thanks to you.”

I grunted in response, reluctantly releasing her. “Let’s keep moving.”

We made it across the lake without further incident, but the close call had left me on edge. As night fell, the temperature plummeted even further. Cinta’s steps grew slower, more unsteady.

Just when I was considering carrying her, I spotted a faint glow in the distance. Lights. The town.

“Look,” I said, pointing. “Civilization.”

Cinta squinted through the darkness. “Are you sure it’s not a mirage?”

“Only one way to find out.”

We picked up our pace, hope giving us renewed energy. As we drew closer, the glow resolved into individual lights - street lamps, windows, and neon signs.

The town was a hodgepodge of architectural styles, as if it had been cobbled together from spare parts. Thraxxians and Nazoks dominated the streets, with a smattering of Xarians and even a few fellow Vinduthi. But I noticed no other humans besides Cinta.

“Stay close,” I murmured, guiding her through the alien crowd. Many eyes turned our way, curiosity and suspicion evident in their gazes.

A garish neon sign caught my attention: “Laret’s Lodging.” The building beneath it was just as mismatched as the rest of the town, with sections that looked centuries old next to sleek, modern additions.

“Let’s try in there,” I said, steering Cinta toward the entrance. We needed to get out of view as quickly as possible.

As we stepped inside, a wave of warmth washed over us, along with the spicy-sweet scent of trishem. The lobby was dimly lit and crowded with an eclectic mix of furniture and patrons.

I approached the front desk, manned by a Thraxxian with vibrant purple tentacles. “We need a room,” I said, keeping my voice low and neutral.

The Thraxxian’s tentacles waved in what I assumed was a welcoming gesture. “Of course, of course! How long will you be staying?”

Before I could answer, my attention was drawn to a group of Nazoks at a nearby table. Their conversation, though hushed, reached my sensitive ears.

“...plan for tomorrow night. Boss says it’s big.”

“How big?”

“Enough to make us all rich, if we play our cards right.”

I filed the information away for later, turning back to the Thraxxian. “We’re not sure yet. One night for now.”

As the Thraxxian began tapping at a data pad, a matronly Nazok approached, her smile wide and welcoming. “New guests! How wonderful. I’m Mama Raza, the owner of this fine establishment.”

Something about her overly friendly demeanor set my teeth on edge, but I couldn’t pinpoint why.

“They look exhausted, poor dears,” Mama Raza said to the Thraxxian. “We can handle payment in the morning. Let’s get them settled in right away.”

I tensed. Generosity always came with a price. “That’s not necessary-”

“Nonsense!” Mama Raza interrupted. “I insist. Come, I’ll show you to your room myself.”

As we followed her through the winding corridors, I noticed small, ornate light fixtures scattered throughout. Each one, I realized, concealed a security camera. I made a mental note of their positions, unease growing in the pit of my stomach.

What kind of “lodging” needed this much surveillance?

Mama Raza led us into a room that was far more luxurious than I expected. A massive bed dominated the space, its sheets a deep crimson that contrasted sharply with the stark white walls. Modern amenities lined the walls - a holoscreen, climate controls, even a small kitchenette.

“I hope this suits your needs,” Mama Raza said, her smile never wavering.

I nodded, making a show of admiring the decor while my eyes darted around, searching for any signs of surveillance equipment. “It’s very nice. Thank you.”

Mama Raza clasped her hands together. “Wonderful! Now, what brings you two to our little corner of the galaxy? We don’t get many visitors out here.”

I tensed, my instincts screaming that this was more than idle chatter. “Just passing through,” I said gruffly.

“Oh?” Mama Raza’s eyes gleamed with interest. “Where are you headed?”

Cinta stepped in smoothly. “We’re not quite sure yet. Just following the wind, you know?”

Mama Raza laughed, a sound that grated on my nerves. “How romantic! Young love on an adventure.”

I bristled at the assumption, but Cinta played along, wrapping her arm around my waist. “That’s us,” she said with a wink.

Mama Raza’s questions continued, each one probing deeper into our supposed backstory. I let Cinta handle most of the talking, marveling at how easily the lies flowed from her lips. Finally, after far too long of chit chat, Mama Raza bid us goodnight.

As soon as the door closed behind her, I turned to Cinta. “We have to leave. Now.”

Cinta’s eyebrows shot up. “What? Why?”

I paced the room, my unease growing with each step. “This place isn’t safe. The cameras, Mama Raza’s questions - something’s not right.”

Cinta rolled her eyes. “You’re being paranoid. It’s just a quirky little hotel with a nosy owner in the middle of nowhere.”

“No,” I growled. “It’s more than that. I overheard some of the patrons talking about a big shipment coming in tomorrow night. This could be a front for smuggling operations.”

“So what if it is?” Cinta flopped onto the bed. “We’re not involved. And right now, I’m too exhausted to care. We need rest, . And supplies.”

I ran a hand through my hair, conflicted. Every instinct told me to grab Cinta and run, but she had a point. We were in no shape to continue our journey without rest and provisions.

“Fine,” I conceded. “We’ll stay the night. But we leave first thing in the morning.”

Cinta sat up, her eyes flashing. “You know, not everything has to be a tactical decision. Sometimes you just need to relax and let things happen.”

“Relaxing gets you killed,” I snapped.

“Living like that isn’t really living at all,” Cinta shot back.

We glared at each other, the air between us crackling with frustration and something else - something I didn’t want to examine too closely.

Cinta broke eye contact first, standing up with a huff. “I’m going to take a shower. Try not to plan our entire escape route while I’m gone.”

As she disappeared into the bathroom, I sank onto the edge of the bed, my head in my hands. The sound of running water filled the silence, and unbidden, my mind conjured images of Cinta under the spray, water cascading over her curves.

I groaned, forcing the thoughts away. This was madness... And yet, I couldn’t deny the pull I felt towards her - a magnetism that went beyond mere physical attraction.

The water shut off, and a few moments later, Cinta emerged wrapped in a towel, her skin flushed from the heat. Droplets of water clung to her shoulders, and I found myself transfixed by one as it traced a path down her collarbone.

“Your turn,” she said, gesturing towards the bathroom.

I paused, my resolve crumbling. Cinta looked up at me, her eyes wide and searching.

Without conscious thought, I leaned down, capturing her lips with mine. She responded instantly, her arms wrapping around my neck as she pressed herself against me. The kiss deepened, years of pent-up longing pouring out in a desperate clash of lips and tongues.

Cinta’s towel slipped, pooling at her waist. My hands roamed her bare skin, memorizing every curve and dip. She moaned into my mouth, the sound sending a jolt of arousal straight through me.

Just as suddenly as it began, Cinta broke away, breathing heavily as she rewrapped the towel around herself.

Her eyes sparkled with mischief as she pushed me towards the bathroom. “Your turn, big guy. You need a shower too.”

I stumbled backward, caught off guard by her boldness. My back hit the bathroom door, and Cinta pressed against me, her hands splayed across my chest. The heat of her body seeped through my clothes, igniting a fire in my veins.

“Cinta,” I growled, my voice ragged. “This isn’t?—”

I shouldn’t be doing this. She deserved someone younger, someone unburdened by a past as dark as mine. But I couldn’t bring myself to stop.

She silenced me with a finger to my lips. “Shh. No more tactical decisions, remember? Just... relax.”

With a wink, she pushed me through the doorway and closed it behind me. I stood there, stunned, my heart racing. The scent of her lingered on my skin, intoxicating and maddening.

My fists clenched at my own absurdity. This was dangerous territory. We were stranded on an unknown planet, in a suspicious lodging, and here I was, acting like a hormone-addled adolescent.

But as I stripped off my clothes and stepped into the shower, I could still feel Cinta’s lips on mine, her body pressed against me. The hot water cascaded over my skin, soothing aching muscles I hadn’t even realized were sore.

I braced my hands against the wall, letting the water run down my back. My mind raced, torn between desire and duty. Cinta was unlike anyone I’d ever met. Her quick wit, her adaptability, her fearlessness in the face of danger – they all drew me to her like a moth to a flame.

But I was Vinduthi. We didn’t form attachments easily, especially not to humans. Their lives were so fleeting, so fragile. To love one was to invite heartbreak.

And yet...

I remembered the feel of her skin under my hands, the taste of her lips. It had been so long since I’d allowed myself to feel anything beyond the cold calculation of survival. Cinta made me want more.

The water began to cool, jolting me out of my reverie. I quickly finished washing, acutely aware that Cinta was waiting just beyond the door. What would happen when I stepped out? The anticipation coiled in my gut, a mix of excitement and apprehension.

I dried off and wrapped a towel around my waist, steeling myself for whatever lay ahead. My hand hesitated on the doorknob. This was the point of no return. If I walked out there, if I gave in to this hunger...

I took a deep breath and opened the door.