Lucien hadn’t lied. He was in a feisty mood. Ian retreated under his friend’s aggressive advance, parrying
his rapid thrusts, calmly waiting for the extension that would make him vulnerable. He’d fenced regularly
with the other man for two years now, and he’d come to understand his style and how his emotions
affected his combat. Lucien was a skilled, smart fighter, but he had yet to learn how Ian’s moods could
influence his actions with the blade.
Perhaps that was because Ian made a point of mastering his emotions and reacting out of pure logic.
This evening, Lucien was surging with volatile energy, stronger than usual, but incautious as well. Ian
waited until he saw triumph in every line of Lucien’s attacking form. He recognized his opponent’s
second intention, accurately parrying against the second stroke intended to finish Ian once and for all.
Lucien grunted in frustration when Ian riposted and landed a hit.
“You’re a mind reader, damn you,” Lucien muttered, whipping off his mask, his long dreadlocks
whisking around his shoulders. Ian, too, removed his mask.
“That is always your excuse. In fact, it’s all quite logical, and you know it.”
“Again,” Lucien challenged, lifting his sword, his gray eyes fierce.
Ian smiled. “Who is she?”
“Who is who?”
Ian gave him a dry glance as he removed his glove. “The woman who has your blood pumping like a
randy goat.” It puzzled him, this frustrated quality in Lucien, who was usually so popular with women.
Lucien’s expression tightened, and he looked away. Ian paused in the action of removing his other
glove. His brow furrowed in consternation. “What’s wrong?” he asked.
“There’s something I’ve been meaning to ask you,” Lucien said in a quiet, pressured voice.
“Well then?”
Lucien glared at him. “Are Noble employees allowed to see one another?”
“It depends on their positions. It’s very clear-cut in the employment contract. Managers and supervisors
are prohibited from seeing inferiors, and will be terminated if it’s discovered they have. It’s highly
discouraged for managers to date each other, although not prohibited. It’s made clear in the contract that if
any adverse situations arise at work from a relationship outside the office, the grounds for termination are
met. I think you know it’s bad form, Lucien. Does she work at Fusion?”
“No.”
“Does she work in a supervisory capacity for Noble?” Ian asked as he stripped off his other glove,
plastron, and jacket, leaving only the fitted breeches and undershirt.
“I’m not sure. What if the employment with Noble is . . . unorthodox?”
Ian gave him a sharp glance as he set down his sword and picked up a towel. “Unorthodox . . . as in the
manager of a restaurant versus a manager of a department of business?” he asked wryly.
