Two Can Play (Entangled Ignite) Read Online Free Page B

the Buddha stones.
    “And you are enjoying your work for us, yes?” His long white hair hung loose over his jade tunic and his razor-edged beard and soul patch made him look like an EverLife magician, which delighted her.
    “Very much… Very much.”
    “And your living circumstances please you?”
    “Oh, yes…yes.” Stop repeating yourself.
    “We have followed your progress closely.”
    “You have?” There were hundreds of Lifers across America. How could Nigel and Naomi possibly track each one? Maya must keep them informed since Rena was her Recruit. Or maybe the Blackstones’ love was so large it blanketed them all. They’re not gods , Rena reminded herself, though deep inside she wanted to believe love could be that big.
    “I am grateful to be here.” Her throat tightened and her nose stung. Where was her control? She called up Astra’s hot, white light to calm herself.
    “As we hoped. Always we aim to create enriched lives for our Family. As the American Indians believe that every stone has a spirit, we believe the same of man-made objects. Each results from an act of creation, the application of human brainpower and energy and love. We celebrate that spirit by acknowledging the life force in all material goods.”
    She nodded.
    “Ah, but I am not your sensei, as Naomi points out whenever I start my little talks.” He chuckled. “You are here to learn about your future. You are anxious to achieve?”
    “I strive to be better each day.”
    “You have blessed our Family with exceptional members.”
    “My Recruits? Yes.” Cassie, of course, and eleven others, eight of them girls. “And I became a Mentor today, too, which is a great honor.”
    “As Naomi says, everything is unfolding as it should.” He smiled, then motioned toward the low table surrounded by jewel-colored cushions. A tray with fragile-looking white teacups and a matching teapot easing steam had appeared, as if by magic. “Naomi sends her best to you on all you have achieved.”
    “Thank her for me.” Naomi wasn’t coming. Rena felt a throb of disappointment. She’d only seen Naomi once—at the launch party for the EverLife Expansion Pak—and that was from the mezzanine where she stood with Nigel to wave. Rena adored Naomi.
    Half Japanese, her features were a pretty culture mash-up—slanted eyes with thin black brows, high cheekbones in a square face with long auburn hair. In the photo of her and Nigel that Rena kept near her computer, Naomi wore a silver medallion that said tranquillity in Japanese. It was the perfect word for her. Rena fought to replace her own restless turmoil with Naomi’s easy calm.
    Choosing the jade cushion, Rena folded her legs under her, while Nigel poured tea, then nodded for her to drink. He left his own cup empty. The lip of the teacup was thin as paper and the tea tasted of peach and tingled on her tongue. She felt Nigel’s eyes follow her every move, though he held his silence.
    She sipped again.
    More silence. Was he waiting for her to speak or was this a moment of Zen awareness?
    Rena didn’t do Zen. She jumped in, moved, took action. Should she ask about Girl Power? She fingered the brochure she’d slid into her pocket to show him when the time was right.
    Everything is unfolding as it should.
    Patience was a Life lesson Rena needed, so she kept still while the tea warmed her insides. A wave of dizziness washed through her. Sandalwood again.
    “Ah,” Nigel said, as if prompted to speak. “To reach the point. Naomi and I invite you to accept a Quest.”
    “A Quest? Oh. Wow. Thank you.” So the meeting wasn’t about Girl Power. She felt a jolt of warmth and her head seemed to float above her neck like a balloon.
    “You are aware, I assume, of that despicable reporter and the hostile stir his story has created against us?”
    She nodded. “Yes. It was terrible. Will we be taking action? Filing a lawsuit?” Serenity was useless when an injustice had been committed.
    Nigel smiled