“And in the meantime I should only knock off a few dozen people,” she said flippantly.
He did grab her this time and spun her around to face him. He grasped her shoulders tightly.
“That’s not going to happen. So stop acting the martyr,” he snapped. “You were provoked and you reacted. Learn from the mistake and move on.”
“You’re hurting me!” she cried.
He shoved her away roughly.
“Stop feeling sorry for yourself and pull it together,” he railed at her. “You’ve been given the greatest gift known to all species and you’re whining because you made an error in judgment. You’re not perfect, Jess; not yet anyway. Understand that and make corrections as you go.”
Jess looked at him miserably. She couldn’t remember Troy ever losing his temper with her. It was a new experience and not one that she particularly liked. But she could see his viewpoint. She had to admit that he was right. She had needed a kick in the pants and he had given it. Her eyes brimmed with new tears but she refused to let them fall. She had cried enough and would not continue to futile endeavor. She braced her shoulders and stared at him in resolution.
“Teach me to better control my emotions,” she stated coolly. “Now.”
Troy wanted to smile but refrained. He had gotten through to her. A little tough love had her reassess her situation and rededicate her efforts. Good. It is what needed to happen. He had not wanted to reveal just how perturbed he’d been when she choked Roz. Her powers were growing stronger and it was imperative that she know that she could control them. He did not want her to think that she was inadequate or incapable of assuming her destiny.
“Alright,” he said.
Troy began his instruction.
*****
Jess lay in her comfortable bed unable to sleep. She was exhausted from her session with Troy. He could be relentless when he wanted something and he wanted her to master the ability of controlling her emotions. It was crucial that she do so if she didn’t want a repeat performance of the Roz incident. She had allowed Roz to get under her skin and that couldn’t happen again. She was sure Roz would continue to aggravate her but she couldn’t retaliate. Jess threw the light blanket off of her and got out of bed. Sleep was determined to elude her so she may as well get up. Maybe she should go into the conservatory. It was tranquil there and perhaps the peaceful setting would make her drowsy. She settled a lacy red shawl about her shoulders and looked in the mirror. The shawl provided adequate coverage over her short, strapless white nightgown. She viewed her image and shrugged deciding that she was decent. No one would see her anyway. She left her room and made her way down the corridor. The ship was eerily quiet. Everyone save a few officers on the Bridge was in bed sleeping soundly; including Troy. Jess arrived at the conservatory and the doors slid silently open. She entered and wandered to the bench where she had sat on her first day on board. It was also her first encounter with Roz. She had felt uneasy in her presence and she now knew why. Roz was not a very nice person. Jess looked up through the dome at the spectacular visage that was space. She didn’t think she would ever tire of seeing the planets and stars as the ship soared past. It was truly phenomenal.
“It never gets old, does it?” Ashton mused.
Jess smiled at him as he joined her on the bench.
“No it does not. I see you couldn’t sleep either,” she murmured.
“No, I couldn’t. Too much going on in my head I guess,” he answered.
“I understand. I feel the same,” she replied a little sadly.
Ash heard the sorrow in her voice.
“Do not dwell overmuch on this evening’s incident. It is done and you cannot change it. So it is best forgotten,” he said wisely.
“I’m sorry for reacting so. It will not happen again,” she apologized.
“I know,” he said simply.
“Do you often come here?” she asked.
“Yes. Fantasia is Troy and Rakia’s playground. The conservatory is mine,” he smiled.
“You think of the conservatory as your playground?” she was puzzled.
“Yes. Fantasia can create anything you can imagine. I prefer just to imagine,” Ash said softly. “Your mind can create fantasies just as beautifully as Fantasia and you can take them with you wherever you are. The mind is a powerful instrument when given free reign.”
“That’s an incredible way to think of your imagination. I like it,” Jess exclaimed.
He smiled warmly at her.
“I’m glad. Use the technique when dappling with your powers and see what happens. It will be a wonderful path of exploration,” he suggested.
“I will,” she said.
They both looked through the dome and caught their breath. A spaceship hovered above the dome. Ash clasped her arm.
“Quickly,” he whispered urgently.
They stood and ran toward the door. But three aliens materialized in their path before they could reach it. Ash manifested a fireball in his palm and threw it at them; destroying one of them. Two more appeared. They ran to the side wall and Ash pressed the red button.
“Security to the conservatory!” Ash yelled.
A bolt of lightning struck the wall just above Ash’s head. He turned and threw several more blazing fireballs then they ran to hide behind shrubbery. Smoke from the fireballs was filling the room. Jess could barely see two feet in front of her. Ash stood to throw another fireball and was struck by the return attack of searing lightning. Ash cried out in pain. Jess became furious at the assault.
“Ash!” she yelled. She then looked at the aliens and her grey eyes turned black with anger.
She stood up just as security and Troy rushed into the room. Jess waved her arm across her body and emitted a red vapor of from her hand. The aliens were vanquished immediately. They disintegrated and disappeared through the hull of the ship. Jess looked through the dome and saw the spacecraft rapidly move away. The security officers were stunned at what they had just witnessed. Troy rushed to Ash’s side.
“Are you alright, Ash?” Troy asked anxiously.
Ash nodded.
“A mere scratch. I will be fine,” Ash mumbled as he clutched his upper arm.
“Yeah, but it hurts like the devil,” Troy said grimly.
“They are gone,” Jess said.
“Good. But they will be back,” Troy said.
“And we will be ready. They caught us by surprise this time but that will not happen again,” Ash swore.
“How the devil did they find us? We took great care to hide our emissions tracks,” Troy asked.
“Which means they couldn’t have found us through normal means,” Ash said angrily.
“Do we have a traitor on board?” Troy voiced the question that no one else wanted to ask.
Ash did not answer. But it was clear what he was thinking.
“Sir?” one of the security officers said.
Ash looked at the man.
“The crisis is over. Maintain a level three force shield at all times. As you were,” Ash commanded.
The officers left the conservatory. Jess touched Ash’s arm gently.
“You need medical attention,” Jess said worriedly.
“We will take you to the infirmary,” Troy said.
“No. Rakia can tend to me. I will go to my quarters,” Ash said.
Troy nodded. They escorted Ash to his rooms. Rakia saw Ash and instantly went into nurse mode. Jess related the recent events to her and Rakia was appalled. Ash told her that he had taken precautions to safeguard the ship. Jess could see that Ash was getting tired. She and Troy took their leave. They arrived at Jess’s quarters and Troy came into the room.
“How are you, Jess?” Troy asked. “I know you are well physically but how do you feel emotionally?”
Jess sat on the side of her bed and look at him directly.
“I feel fine. Better than fine actually. I feel exhilarated and full of energy. I feel like I could take on one hundred aliens,”
she confided.
“Eager for another fight, are you?” Troy grinned.
“Kinda. When I saw Ashton get hit I became infuriated. But I didn’t act rashly. I knew what I wanted to do and I did it.”
“That is the way you are supposed to respond. You’re gaining control of your amazing gift. I am proud of you,” Troy said seriously.
“Are you really? After—
He sat on the bed next to her and placed his forefinger against her lips.
“Shh! It no longer matters what happened with Roz. You have made the necessary adjustments to manage your skills. So yes, I am extremely proud of you,” he replied.
“Thank you,” she said. “Your feelings matter to me.”
“As yours does to me,” he returned.
Jess sighed hugely.
“I think I can sleep now. It’s odd after so much excitement taking place. But I am drowsy,” she said through a yawn.
“Good,” he said. He untied her shawl and removed it from her. “Get into bed and scoot over.”
Jess was baffled.
“Why do I need to move over?” she asked.
“Because I’m sleeping here with you. After what happen tonight, I am not taking any chances,” he said flatly.
Jess started to argue but changed her mind. His tone brooked no argument and if she were honest with herself, she would admit that she liked the idea of Troy sleeping with her. She moved over in the bed as Troy went into the bathroom. When he came out he was wearing short pajama bottoms only. Jess pulled the blanket to her face to hide her smile. She thought he looked absolutely gorgeous. How could she not want him in her bed? He sat on the bed and pressed a button on the bedside table to lower the lights. Then he rolled into the bed and pulled her close to him. He held her tightly and kissed the top of her head. He was content just to have her in his arms, safe and well. That was enough.
“Goodnight, Jess,” he murmured.
Her head was nestled on his broad, muscular shoulder. It felt good being there. It felt right.
“Goodnight, Troy,” she whispered.
They slept.
*****
The next few months produced no more alien attacks. They had reset their coordinates and the Bridge and Engineering had been closed off to all except approved personnel. It was infuriating to know that Jess was permitted to go where she was denied. Roz had made several attempts to enter the restricted area but had been denied entry. Even officer Dax had apologetically yet firmly turned her away. Roz had been frustrated beyond belief. She managed to extract a promise from Dax that he wouldn’t mention that she had been there. But she knew she couldn’t count on his silence for too long. He could say something in passing that would alert Ash to her traitorous deeds. She needed to get off of this ship as soon as possible. It was so frustrating not knowing exactly where they 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 said.
“Captain! The shuttle bay door has opened,” an officer exclaimed. “A shuttle is leaving the ship.”
“Who’s in that shuttle?” Ash demanded.
“It’s Roz, Captain,” the man replied.
“Put a tractor beam on her,” Ash commanded.
“Unable to attach, sir. She is out of range,” the officer said.
“How? She just left the ship,” Troy exclaimed.
“She’s in the Jet Stream shuttle, sir. It’s a class one shuttle with advance speeds. She knew what she was doing when she stole that particular shuttle.”
“Damn it!” Ash cursed.
“We can chase her down, sir. Shall we pursue?” the officer asked.
“We cannot tarry, Ash. We need to get to Topal as soon as possible,” Troy said.
Ash understood the urgency in reach Topal.
“We will only pursue long enough to attach a tracking devise to the hull of the shuttle. That will tell us where she is for as long as she’s in that shuttle,” Ash said. “We’ll use the data to send out a search team after we reach Topal.”
“When will we reach Topal?” Jess asked.
“A little longer than estimated now that we have to chase Roz. But we sti
ll should reach Topal in about eight days,” Ash said.
“She must have seen me after all and became spooked,” Jess said.
“Probably. But we will deal with Roz. Sooner or later she will be captured and punished for her treacherous deeds,” Troy said.
Troy grasped her hands and raised them to his mouth. He kissed them tenderly. Jess smiled wanly.
“Thank you for the information, Jess. It is invaluable,” Ash said.
“You’re welcome. I just wish she hadn’t seen me,” Jess sighed.
“It matters little. Roz is on the run and she’s frantic. That is when she will make mistakes. Don’t worry. We will get her,” Ash said.
“Come. Let’s go to Fantasia,” Troy suggested.
Jess nodded.
“Enjoy,” Ash smiled.
“We will,” Troy returned.
They left the bridge and walked down the corridor toward Fantasia.
“Troy. Do you mind if I pass on Fantasia? I’m feeling a bit weary. I would like to take a bath and turn in early tonight,” Jess asked.
“Of course not. I’ll see you later,” Troy said.
He escorted her to her quarters and walked away. It was the hardest thing he had ever done. He wanted nothing more than to join her in her bath and make sweet love to her. He was tempted to go to his room to watch her bath on his monitors but he didn’t. He had stopped spying on her during her private time and he would not start again; no matter how much he wanted to. He shut his eyes tightly as he thought about the last two months. They had been tortuous. He had been staying in her quarters since the night of the Wulshuk attack and it had tested his willpower as nothing ever had. It was a nightly ritual that she would kiss him lovingly, cuddle against him and fall asleep. Troy would be left in sexual frustration, longing to make her his own yet knowing that he could not. Jess needed to be the one to take their relationship to the next level. He could not accelerate the pace that she had set. He was determined to go with her flow but my God it was killing him.
Heart of the Galaxy (Paranormal Romance Aliens) Page 6