Free Athena's Ashes by Jamie Grey

disturbed.”
    Renna leaned over the desk and stared the woman down, her voice as pointed as the knives hidden in her knee-high boots. “I’m with the Costa Star News . I need to speak with him immediately . This is a matter of life or death.” She glanced at the office door, and her implant surged on, returning two heat signatures in the next room. One had the slight purple tint of a Trezian alien. Great, just what she needed.
    The secretary shook her head. “He’s busy. You’ll have to make an appointment.” She tapped at her console, then said, “Looks like he’s free next week.”
    Renna frowned apologetically. “I’m afraid that’s not going to work, miss. Titan Industries is in danger. If I don’t see him immediately, you may not have a job next week.” Renna tapped on her tablet and pulled up an official looking graph. “See. There’s not much time.”
    The girl blinked and craned her neck to get a better view before Renna yanked the screen away.
    “Monet is one of our best reporters,” Blake said. “You’d better listen to her.”
    The girl turned to frown at him, eyes widening as she finally noticed who she was talking to. Her hand drifted up to smooth back her hair, and a soft blush tinged her cheeks. “Are you with her?” she asked.
    While Blake distracted the girl, Renna headed toward the office door fighting back a smile. Not bad for a soldier. Blake had a lot of things going for him, not to mention he was exceptionally easy on the eyes.
    Without pausing, she thrust open the wooden door and barged into the room.
    The tall man behind the desk shot to his feet, his shock of gray hair quivering with outrage. “What is the meaning of this? Lissa! Who are these people?”
    The girl appeared in the doorway, breathless and flushed—and not with exertion. She wrung her hands and cast a reproachful look back at Blake. “I’m so sorry, sir, I…”
    Renna approached the desk, hand extended. She ignored the angry glint in the man’s eyes. “Mr. Sherle, I’m Monet Green from the Costa Star News . We’re here on a matter of urgent business.” She glanced at the Trezian, then back to Sherle. “We need to speak privately. Now.”
    His face turned purple, and he opened and closed his mouth before finally exploding. “Get out! I will not have reporters in my office!” He pointed toward the door, finger quivering. “You have thirty seconds before I call security.”
    She stepped closer to him, lowering her voice. “Trust me, you’re going to want to hear this. I’m with MYTH. We have reason to believe you’re in danger.”
    The man’s jaw snapped shut. “Godsdammit. Lissa, show Mr. K’Zergi to my private waiting room and get him whatever he wants.” He turned to the alien with a bow. “My sincerest apologies, Relge, this will only take a few minutes.”
    The Trezian folded two of his arms across his broad chest. “You are trying my patience, Sherle. I will return tomorrow, and you had better be ready for our discussion.” He lumbered to his feet, towering over the humans in the room before stomping out.
    Lissa muttered her apologies and shut the door quietly behind him, but not before first shooting Renna a death glare.
    Mr. Sherle slammed a fist on his desk. “What the hell are you doing here? MYTH only contacts me over holovid. They’ve left me to run this business as I see fit.”
    Renna lowered herself into the chair the Trezian had vacated and crossed her legs. She smiled slowly, all urgency gone. “Please have a seat, Mr. Sherle. There’s no need to shout.”
    He froze, his face going a deeper shade of purple. After a long moment, he dropped back into the chair behind his desk.
    Jayla and Blake took up positions on either side of the door. The commander’s hand hovered close to her blaster, while Blake crossed his arms over his chest. Renna ignored the way his white shirt stretched over his muscles and his full lips curved into an amused smile. At least someone was having