Page 5 of Quick on the Claw

“Not crazy at all,” Gerri assured her. “In fact...” she paused, a sly smile playing at the corners of her mouth. “what if I told you I might have an opportunity that could give you everything you’re looking for? Adventure, excitement, the chance to make a real difference... and perhaps even find a love so extraordinary, it would put those movie romances to shame?”

Tiffany laughed, but there was an undercurrent of longing in the sound. “I’d say you’ve either had too much champagne or you’re some kind of fairy godmother.”

Gerri’s eyes twinkled with mischief. “Oh, I’m no fairy godmother, my dear. But I do have a certain... knack for bringing people together. Tell me, what do you know about shifters?”

Tiffany blinked, thrown by the sudden change in topic. “Shifters? You mean like... werewolves and stuff? They’re not real, are they?”

“Oh, they’re very real,” Gerri assured her. “In fact, I specialize in matchmaking for the shifter community. But several years ago, I expanded my services to include some... shall we say, out-of-this-world clients?”

“Out of this... wait, are you talking about aliens?” Tiffany asked incredulously. “Alien shifters?”

Gerri nodded, her expression both amused and completely serious. “I think Nova Aurora would be a great place for you to explore.”

Tiffany stared at Gerri, waiting for the punchline. When none came, she let out a nervous laugh. “Okay, I think maybe you’ve had a bit too much champagne after all. Alien shifters? That’s... that’s insane.”

“Is it?” Gerri challenged gently. “Shifters exist here on Earth. Is it really such a stretch to imagine they might exist on other planets as well? Think about it, Tiffany. A whole new world to explore, filled with wonders you’ve never imagined. A chance to teach and learn in equal measure, to make a real difference in shaping the relationship between two worlds. And perhaps, just perhaps, to find a love so powerful, it transcends the very stars.”

Tiffany’s mind whirled with the possibilities. It was crazy, completely and utterly insane. And yet... a small part of her, the part that had always dreamed of more, of something extraordinary, stirred to life.

“I... I need to think about this,” she said finally. “It’s a lot to take in.”

Gerri nodded, understanding in her eyes. “Of course, my dear. Take all the time you need. But don’t take too long – opportunity has a way of slipping through our fingers if we hesitate too much.” She pressed a business card into Tiffany’s hand. “When you’re ready to take a leap of faith, give me a call. And remember, sometimes the craziest choices lead to the most beautiful adventures.”

With a final enigmatic smile, Gerri melted back into the crowd, leaving Tiffany standing alone with her thoughts swirling like a maelstrom. She glanced down at the business card in her hand, elegant script proclaiming “Geraldine Wilder, Matchmaker Extraordinaire” alongside a phone number.

The rest of the gala passed in a blur. Tiffany went through the motions, shaking hands and making small talk, but her mind was a million miles away – or rather, light-years away on a planet she couldn’t even begin to imagine.

As the last of the guests trickled out, Tiffany found herself once again staring out at the New York skyline. The city that had always been her home suddenly felt small, confining. She pulled out her phone, her finger hovering over Sia’s number for a long moment before she finally pressed call.

“Tiff!” Sia’s voice, always full of energy, filled the line. “How was the gala? Did you wear that silver dress? I bet you looked amazing.”

Tiffany laughed, some of the tension easing from her shoulders at the sound of her cousin’s enthusiasm. “The gala was... interesting. Listen, Sia, I need to ask you something. What exactly did you tell Gerri Wilder about me?”

There was a pause on the other end of the line, followed by a nervous chuckle. “Oh, you know, just that you’re amazing and awesome and are in need of an adventure. Why? Did you meet her? What did she say?”

Tiffany took a deep breath. “She invited me on an adventure alright, Sia. To an alien planet called Nova Aurora. She says I might find my happiness there. It’s completely insane, right?”

The silence on the other end of the line stretched for so long that Tiffany wondered if the call had dropped. Then, suddenly, Sia’s voice exploded through the speaker. “Oh my god, Tiff! That’s amazing! Are you going? Please tell me you’re going. Can I come too?”

Tiffany couldn’t help but laugh at her cousin’s enthusiasm. “Slow down, Sia. I haven’t decided anything yet. It’s crazy, isn’t it? Alien shifters? It can’t be real.”

“But what if it is?” Sia countered, her voice filled with excitement. “Think about it, Tiff. A whole new world to explore. New people to meet, new things to learn. It’s the adventure of a lifetime. And hey, if there really is a hot alien shifter involved, that’s just a bonus, right?”

Despite herself, Tiffany felt a smile tugging on the corners of her mouth. Sia’s enthusiasm was infectious, and she found herself caught up in the possibilities. “You really think I should do this?” she asked, her voice soft with wonder and a hint of fear.

“Absolutely,” Sia said without hesitation. “Tiff, you’ve been unhappy since Grandma died. I know you love teaching, but you need something more. A change, an adventure. This could be exactly what you need to shake things up and find your passion again.”

Tiffany closed her eyes, letting Sia’s words wash over her. She thought about the stagnation she’d been feeling, the yearning for something more. She thought about her father’s constant pressure, the weight of expectations that had been slowly suffocating her. And then she thought about Gerri’s words – sometimes the craziest choices lead to the most beautiful adventures.

“Okay,” she said finally, her voice stronger than she expected. “Okay, let’s do it. Let’s go to Nova Aurora.”

Sia’s squeal of delight was so loud, Tiffany had to hold the phone away from her ear. “Yes! Oh my god, Tiff, this is going to be amazing. I can’t wait. When do we leave? What should I pack? Do you think they have WiFi on alien planets?”

Tiffany laughed, feeling lighter than she had in years. “I have no idea, Sia. I guess we’ll find out together.”

TWO

Zakhar Larkana, King of the Larkana Forest Kingdom, executed a series of complex combat maneuvers, his body a blur of motion. Sweat glistened on his bronze skin, highlighting the intricate tribal tattoo that adorned his right arm – a symbol of his royal lineage. His jet-black hair was damp with exertion.

---