Page 33 of Klaz

“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.”