Two Can Play (Entangled Ignite) Read Online Free

a hologram. From the various padded batons on the table, she selected two—one coded as an axe, the other as a sword. Finally, she grabbed a shield—a padded disk with a handhold like those used in martial arts training except wrapped in reflective fabric to display her crest. Equipped, Rena headed out.
    Pausing just outside the fight field, she closed her eyes and recited her silent mantra: You have all the power you need. You stand strong and free. You are more than enough.
    Finished, she looked across the space to her opponent, a Jamaican named Boscoe, who flashed a grin and motioned at her . You’re going down .
    Rena grinned back and made a throat slice. You first, mon . She signaled the Dome Commander in the control booth that they were ready. He dimmed the lights and engaged the projectors that would light their suits as well as the green screen behind them, making it appear that they stood in a clearing in the Forest of Atalan.
    Rena stepped onto the hushed battlefield. Now she was lit up as Astra, the star goddess, with golden armor, and rays of white light extending from her head, hands, and torso. The crowd cheered and she rose to the balls of her feet, feeling as weightless as the light streaming from her body.
    She hoped the Blackstones watched from the closed-circuit TV in their Quarters. Nigel was fond of the Dome and had sparred in the early days. Rena’s feelings tightened like flexed muscles. Maybe wanting to make him and Naomi proud made her weak or vain, but for once, she let the feeling alone.
    The horn sounded and she and Boscoe moved into the center of the field. Dome battles were a blend of kickboxing and tae kwon do. Fighters halted each move just short of contact, which required intense control, balance, and dexterity. Mistakes were easy and warriors often got hurt. The best players came thrillingly close.
    Astra executed her signature move, spinning her axe, then whipping it down inches from Boscoe’s nose. Points zinged in the score box beside her screen-shot photo. The crowd roared its approval. Before Boscoe recovered, she performed a series of kicks, spins, and short punches.
    Boscoe brought down his spear toward her shoulder, but she ducked away, scoring more points than he had for the attempt. She came back at him with a double blow—an axe swipe, followed by a kick to the head that sent him reeling, the beads in his dreads clicking madly.
    “Why you workin’ so hard?” he muttered. “It’s early, girl.” He swung his chain at her—chains were real and hurt like hell when they landed.
    “Can’t help it.” Rena never took it easy. She wouldn’t recognize herself if she did.
    They battled for long minutes until both were drenched in sweat, the air between them muggy with heat. Pushing herself, Rena twisted, then flipped, ending with a leg thrust that swept Boscoe’s feet out from under him. He thudded to the mat and Rena pointed her sword at his throat, breathing hard.
    “Vicious bitch.” He grinned up at her. “Next time, no mercy.” When she removed her sword, he bounded up and the crowd went wild. The two of them gave the EverLife salute to each other and the audience, then left the field.
    Rena hugged Boscoe, slapping his back, making his chain rattle. “Good fight.”
    “Beat by a girl. I’m a real pussy these days. I even signed your damn petition.”
    “Good for you, Boscoe.”
    “She wouldn’t give me sex points if I didn’t sign.”
    “Whatever it takes.” Most girl Lifers had already signed petitions of support on the Girl Power Project website. Little by little, they were bringing in guys. “Girls rule,” she said, banging his knuckles.
    “They do when you’re horny, yeah.” He waved her away.
    After she changed, she headed out to meet Gage.
    “Very impressive,” he said. “You have a lot of grace.”
    “Dance lessons as a kid, I guess.” She’d always wanted to be a dancer. As a toddler, “’rina” was the closest she could come to saying