Free Heart of the Galaxy (Paranormal Romance Aliens) by Cristina Grenier

were. All Ash would tell her was that they would be at her destination of the Zelum space station very soon. And it was galling to see Troy and Jess being intimate with one another. She had happen upon them kissing on more than one occasion. It was sickening. Well, the little twerp may have won this round but the match would be hers. Roz entered the Mezzine and sat at the bar. She ordered a Davala; a tropical drink that had a strong alcoholic kick to it. She was sipping her drink when the waiter approached her.
    “A private transmission for you, Roz,” the bar attendant said.
    He handed her a hand monitor. Roz took it and moved away from the bar. Jess had entered the Mezzine and saw the bartender give Roz the small monitor. She wondered how it was that Roz was receiving a private call. All calls were being screened before being transferred to the recipient. Private calls were not allowed. Roz stood facing the huge window. Her back was to Jess. Jess moved so that she could see the small monitor in Roz’s hand. She sharpened her vision and attuned her hearing. She silently gasped when she saw who Roz was speaking to. She listened.
    “How dare you contact me here? It’s too dangerous. How did you manage to get the call through undetected?” she asked sharply.
    “We have our tricks. Where are you? Where’s the ship?” Loog demanded.
    “I don’t know, Loog. After your failed fiasco tighter security measures have been initiated. I can’t get into Engineering or onto the Bridge,” she whispered fiercely.
    “We need those coordinates,” Loog snapped.
    “Well, I cannot help you,” Roz said.
    “Are you retracting your promise? Remember what you stand to lose if you fail us,” Loog sneered.
    “You have already failed me,” Roz retorted. “What do I need you for if you cannot uphold your end of the bargain?”
    “We were not expecting such force from them,” Loog hedged.
    “What did you think they would do? Lie down and hand her over to you?” Roz demanded harshly. “Fools! From now on I am a free agent. I will better accomplish my goals without you.”
    “No! We had an agreement,” Loog screeched.
    “The operative word is ‘had’. Our partnership is now dissolved. Goodbye, Loog and good riddance,” Roz snapped. She terminated the transmission.
    Jess quickly turned to face the bar and ordered a drink. Roz stalked out of the Mezzine without glancing in her direction. Jess breathed a sigh of relief. She recognized the face on the monitor. She had seen it often enough. Once at her parents’ home on Earth and again on the ship when she and Ash had been attacked in the conservatory. She had also heard Troy and Ash speak of Loog. He was of the leader of the Wulshuk species and he was working with Roz; or at least he had been until a few minutes ago. It must have been Roz who had given Loog their coordinates that enabled the Wulshuk to find them the first time. They wanted to attack again but Roz had not been able to secure the data. She needed to give this information to Troy and Ash immediately. The bar attendant gave her drink to her. She thanked him, picked it up and hurried from the Mezzine.
     
    *****
     
    Jess found Troy on the Bridge.
    “Troy, I have important news for you and Ash,” Jess whispered urgently.
    Troy led her over to Ashton’s captain seat. He seated her in the first officer’s seat next to Ash.
    “Jess has something to tell us, Ash,” Troy said. He squatted in between the two of them.
    “Tell us, Jess,” Ash said curiously.
    Jess related the story of seeing Roz in the Mezzine. By the time she had ended her story Troy face was as red as fire. His anger was palpable.
    “Damn her!” Ash raged. “Where is she? I want her in the brig for the rest of our journey.”
    “I would rather see her floating in space with no protective space gear,” Troy spat.
    “She will stand before the Intergalactic Tribal Court for her crimes. She will be punished the right way, Troy,” Ash