Query Read Online Free PDF Page B

spectral massage, she was sleepy.
    She cuddled against him and held onto him for a few minutes before the fidgeting started.
    He sighed. “What is it, Oracle?”
    “I need Sneed.”
    He stiffened. “Who is Sneed?”
    She squirmed. “He is my stuffed toy. When I am in an unfamiliar bed, he helps me sleep. I used to use him on business trips.”
    “Where is he?”
    “On my bed.” She started to get up, but he pulled her back, and then, he stroked one of his markings. Two minutes later, the door opened and Sneed floated in.
    “You have a toy Drai?”
    “Sort of. Dragons are mythical back on Earth, sort of like elves.” She smiled and plucked Sneed out of the air, cuddling him against her and breathing in his familiar scent.
    “Well, I am far from mythical.”
    “Well, you are pretty fantastic, I can tell you that.” She smiled and then yawned.
    “Your fuzzy beast seems to be doing the trick.”
    She nodded and yawned again. He pulled her against him, his chest to her back. A light sheet made up for the lack of blanket, and the heat he put out was more than enough for her purposes. She fell asleep in his arms with Sneed cradled in hers.
     
    A kiss to her temple woke her slightly.
    “Sorry, love. I have to go to work. Sleep tight. Sneed, keep her safe.” He stroked her cheek and left her alone.
    She thudded her head back to the pillow and slept. Sneed was on his own.
     
    Breakfast was silent once again, but this time, she knew that the Guardians were gone.
    She headed for her station as soon as she had managed to put all the dishes from breakfast away.
    Her first client wanted to know the fate of their children and she told them.
    It was the beginning of a very long day.
    When she finished her shift, she had done nine readings and her head was pounding.
    Ember was waiting on the other side of the walkway, and she was smiling. “Happy weekend!”
    “What?”
    “You get two rest days. Back to back.”
    “I do?”
    Ember grinned. “You do. Would you like to head into town tomorrow?”
    “I thought I would be in danger.”
    “Yes and no. I found a camouflage belt for you. It will make you look like a local as long as you don’t have any weird outbursts of talent.”
    Freddy smiled. “It is rare for folks to be able to tell when I am having an outburst if I am not talking. If I am talking, I am stuck with whatever comes out of my mouth.”
    “We will have to make sure that you don’t have a chance to say anything.” Ember grinned.
    Freddy smiled. “When do we leave?”
    “Midmorning. I can take you shopping for something other than the gowns.”
    Freddy wrinkled her nose. “I don’t have any money.”
    “You do. We just haven’t had time to get your payment implant. We can do that right now if you like.”
    Freddy rubbed the back of her neck. “Sounds great. So how was work?”
    “Normal. We went to two different disasters and rescued citizens. Now, Brakes is on meal duty, so we are in for a treat tonight. His continent specializes in noodles.”
    Freddy laughed. “Excellent. I am looking forward to it.”
    “Good, now let’s get Rune to sign off on your pay chip.”
    They walked through the base, and Freddy followed Ember to the medical chamber once again.
    While Freddy sat on the med bed, Ember called Rune and summoned him to authorize the pay chip.
    Heat crept into her cheeks as she waited for Rune to make his appearance. When he came around the corner, his tired expression faded and turned into a slow smile. “So, you want to get paid?”
    She made a face but couldn’t calm her blush.
    Rune walked over to the monitor and pressed his thumb down on the pad before using his ocular scan to authorize the minor medical procedure.
    She watched as Ember loaded the implement with the tiny little tip that was going to go under her skin.
    Rune leaned against the wall, and the anticipatory smile was still hovering on his lips.
    She was so busy staring at her new lover that she didn’t even flinch when