Page 3 of Klaz

“Quite a view,” I murmured, more to myself than to my companion.

“You’ve never been off-world before?” he asked, a note of surprise in his voice.

I cursed inwardly. I’d slipped, let a bit of genuine wonder show through my carefully crafted persona. “Oh, many times,” I said airily. “But one never quite gets used to the majesty of it all, does one?”

Klaz made a noncommittal sound, his gaze still fixed on the stars beyond.

A countdown began, the anticipation in the room rising with each number. As we reached zero, the Empyrean Explorer surged forward. The acceleration was imperceptible thanks to the ship’s gravity systems, but the view outside the window changed dramatically. We streaked away from the spaceport, the planet rapidly shrinking behind us until it was nothing more than another point of light among the stars.

A cheer went up from the assembled passengers. I grinned, caught up in the infectious excitement.

I turned to share the moment with Klaz, only to find him studying me intently. His red eyes seemed to pierce right through me, as if he could see past all my carefully constructed masks to the real Cinta beneath.

I forgot how to breathe.

Then the spell was broken as the crowd began to disperse, passengers heading off to explore the ship or return to their cabins.

“Well,” I said, forcing a light tone, “it seems our grand adventure has begun.” I took a step back, replaced my professional smile. “Thank you again for the timely rescue, Klaz. I look forward to seeing you later.”

He inclined his head slightly. “I’m sure we will, Ms. Longdon. It’s a big ship, but not that big.”

With that cryptic statement, he turned and strode away, his powerful form easily parting the crowd.

I watched him go, my mind reeling. What had just happened? I’d come here to run cons, to set myself up for life. I didn’t have time for... whatever this was.

And yet, the memory of Klaz’s burning gaze stayed with me. For the first time in years, I felt truly seen – and it terrified me.

I’d never felt this way about anyone before, let alone so quickly. There was something about Klaz that drew me in, like a gravitational pull I couldn’t resist. Maybe it was the danger that clung to him like a second skin, or the unexpected gentleness in his eyes. Whatever it was, I knew I was in trouble.

KLAZ

The warmth of her body lingered on my skin, a ghost of contact that refused to fade. I watched Cinta slip away through the crowded atrium, her auburn hair catching the light before she disappeared around a corner. My fingers twitched, yearning to reach out and pull her back.

Foolish. I was far too old for such childish notions.

I turned back to the viewport, willing the stars to distract me from thoughts of soft skin and mischievous eyes. The Empyrean Explorer hummed beneath my feet as it prepared for the jump to FTL. Outside, pinpricks of light stretched into brilliant streaks, painting the void in hues of blue and white.

“Did you see that human woman earlier?” A nasal voice cut through the quiet murmur of the lounge. “The one in the green dress?”

“Oh yes,” another passenger replied. “Quite the charmer, wasn’t she? Said something about owning casinos on Centauri Prime.”

I clenched my fist, frustration bubbling up inside me. Even here, I couldn’t escape her.

I’d spent years building walls around myself, yet this human woman had somehow slipped past them in a matter of hours.She was so young, so full of life. I was ancient by comparison, with decades of baggage and regret. It was illogical, reckless even, but I couldn’t deny the connection I felt to Cinta.

“Mysterious little thing,” the first voice continued. “I wonder what her story is.”

I’d seen enough con artists to recognize one, no matter how skilled. Yet something about Cinta felt... different. Genuine, despite the obvious lies. It was maddening.

With a low growl, I pushed away from the viewport. I needed solitude, away from prying eyes and gossip. The corridors of the ship were a maze of opulence – rich fabrics and gleaming metals that spoke of wealth beyond measure. As I strode through them, I felt the curious glances of other passengers. Some shrank back, intimidated. Others stared openly, fascinated by the sight of a Vinduthi.

Let them look. I had long ago stopped caring what others thought of me.

My cabin door opened to reveal a space that was luxurious by any standard. Yet as I stepped inside, the walls seemed to close in around me. I paced the length of the room, my steps muffled by plush carpet.

Everything here was a facade. The ornate furniture couldn’t hide the fact that this was just another cell, floating in the endless void of space.

I sank into a chair, pulling out my datapad. Work. That’s what I needed. A distraction from these ridiculous thoughts. I pulled up the ship’s security protocols, determined to lose myself in the familiar routine of threat assessment.

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