Read Magnet for Free Online

morning caf and the fruit that he had consumed. Her hands went from tightly curled fists to relaxed palms as she held tight to his neck.
    The fabric of his suit was smooth under her fingers and his hair tangled around her fingers.
    His hand finally released her hair and she blinked warily.
    “Are you going to tell me to go look for other guys right now, because I have to say that you are giving me mixed messages?”
    He smiled and stroked her cheek. “No more messages. I think my talking has gotten me into trouble. From now on, actions will speak.”
    She curved her lips in a shy smile. “I do better with action.”
    “I have noticed that. I worked it over and decided that if you choose me, I will accept your decision.”
    “And if I change my mind?”
    “I will try to manipulate you into changing it back.”
    “Manipulate sounds bad.”
    He raised his eyebrows. “Seduce?”
    She giggled, “Better.”
    She was pulling him in close for another kiss when her transponder went off in her ear.
    “Polly, can you and Loesh get back here? We have a call.” Beryl’s voice came through loud and clear.
    Polly sighed. “Did you hear that?”
    Respect flared in his eyes for her acknowledgement of his enhanced hearing. “I did.”
    “Then, I suppose we should get back to the base.”
    He scooped her up in his arms and ran down the trail until the trees were a blur.
    Polly closed her eyes until he stopped moving and set her down.
    “You can open your eyes now, Polly.”
    She opened them one at a time, sighing in relief when she took in their surroundings. They were in the larger atmospheric shuttle and she strapped herself in place.
    The other Guardians settled into their seats and they took off.
    The briefing that played on the display was narrated by Beryl and showed a devastating wave approaching a seaside community. When she was done, Toyo continued the briefing.
    “Rand and Nanette are meeting us there. They are going to help build shielding walls to take part of the hit.”
    Polly nodded. “What are we doing?”
    “Evacuation. We need to get as many people up and into the nearby hillside as we can. They have started, but any effort we can make to speed things along will be welcome.”
    Loesh nodded. “How long do we have?”
    “Three hours.”
    Polly bit her lip. “When will we be there?”
    “Twenty minutes; we are travelling at full burn.”
    Polly tried to think of all the things that were possible for her and came up with a number of ideas. She asked Toyo a few pointed questions, and when he looked up the answers, she tried to ignore the fact that lives would depend on her.
    Toyo turned his head. “No offense, Polly, but stick with Loesh. You are new to this kind of situation and need a little practice before you can work solo.”
    She nodded. “Right. What if I need help?”
    “Loesh will call us.”
    Polly wasn’t too pleased with that, but she nodded. She didn’t have experience with natural disasters. She had always lived in places with stable weather.
    She kept herself calm and internalized the energy that started swirling inside her. This wasn’t her normal talent; something was building.
    By the time they reached the community, her hair was standing on end.
    Toyo assigned her to the shoreline and nearby communities with Loesh acting as seeker for those who hadn’t left yet and as her partner.
    A small riot runner was deployed to take them around the community.
    “Come on, Polly. We need to check the beach-front homes.”
    “Didn’t everyone evacuate?”
    “They haven’t all checked in, so we are going in search of them and oust them if they haven’t left yet.”
    She rubbed her hands together. “Fine. I feel a little odd. Do you feel that? There is a tingling pressure in the air.”
    He cocked his head and nodded. “There is something odd, but I thought it was just proximity to you.”
    He settled on the runner and beckoned her to get on behind him.
    She settled and wrapped her arms