Gauge loved the heat rolling off Axis from his comment. Almost as much as he loved Lexia’s jubilation over his plants. Surely some arrangement could be made to suit all three.

Axis’ restrained seething ended when he turned around and set his sword case on the nearest surface, a concrete bench. Curious, Gauge watched on as the younger man treated the long, carved rosewood box with reverence. Like a professional, he quietly opened it and admired his weapon.

For good reason.

The elegant rapier was death encased in steel with a cup hilt of intricate gold and silver detail. It sparkled under the Flicker wicks. Axis slipped off his white gloves and exchanged them for soft black ones, similar to Gauge’s. He did all this with almost ritualistic regard. And when he lifted the sword, he peered at his reflection in it.

Axis glimpsed Gauge watching and fixed him with a challenging look. “I’ll be more polite than you and offer you a quiet surrender before Lexia witnesses your pitiful defeat.”

Intensity darkened Axis’ green eyes. The hair stood on Gauge’s arms, and a chill shivered down his spine. In for a penny…

“Why, Master Flicker, are you afraid of a little healthy competition?”

Axis gave a short laugh, and it was filled with genuine humor, igniting the part of Gauge which enjoyed being the center of attention. Perhaps he could win the younger man over.

Axis said, “Get your weapon and prepare yourself.”

Gauge wanted to laugh, but he wasn’t looking forward to the preparation necessary to complete this fight. Off to the side, Jan appeared equally unamused. Gauge said, “Excuse me while I fetch my sword. Enjoy the refreshments.” He left Axis suspicious and confused by stepping into the foyer with Jan trailing behind.

“Sir…”

Gauge said, “Your reticence is noted, soldier. Just do it.”

Jan took the vial injector and ported it into Gauge’s jugular. Fire filled his veins and burned his arteries. The Count ground his teeth and hissed through his nose as the adrenaline found its way into his heart. Jan carefully covered the mark with Gauge’s cravat.

Thirty minutes, and the clock had already started ticking down.

“Thank you, Jan—”

“Go, sir. Wait! You’ll need this.”

Jan tossed Gauge his rapier. It was fancy with a copper cup hilt, more for ceremony than actual use. But hey, Gauge had been the one to initiate this match. He would go through with it.

They returned to the courtyard in time for Lexia to return from the gardens, glowing with delight. She peered at Gauge, possibly noticing he was flushed with the anti-inflammatories. With his sharpened vision, a halo appeared around her white hair, and angelic didn’t cover it. She was ethereal.

“Shall we begin?” Axis asked, his voice carrying a hard edge.

The light around Axis moved differently, and Gauge tried not to stare at it lest he focus on the vein pulsing in Axis’ neck. Gauge held up his sword, acknowledging his opponent.

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Axis did the same, and Lexia said, “Go.”

The Factory Master’s son didn’t waste time and lunged first thing.

Gauge dodged it and swiped.

Axis twirled away and jumped onto the concrete bench. It lent his height closer to seven feet, and he smirked at the advantage. Well, the bigger they are…

The combatants’ attacks became furious, and without the adrenaline, Gauge would never have been able to counter and parry Axis’ aggressive swordplay. He lost track of Jan, Rhyme, Bolt, and Lexia. It was all he could do to focus on Axis’ left arm—

Left.

Wasn’t Axis right-handed?

Breathy from exertion, Gauge said, “You speak of manners and politeness, but you’re holding back. At least treat me with the respect of a worthy opponent.”

Axis suddenly stopped, and he smirked so sly it took Gauge’s breath away. Not that he had much left.

Sixteen minutes.

Parts of Gauge were shaking and not all of it was because of the devastatingly handsome look on Master Flicker’s face.

Axis said, “Few people notice.”

Gauge took the moment to breathe deep and prayed his bones didn’t seize up. He said, “Well, I can see why, but I’m not most people, Axis Flicker. You will not insult me with poor sportsmanship.”

That dried up the smile, and Gauge regretted saying it. Axis said, “It’s not poor sportsmanship. It’s mercy. But if you insist…” He switched hands.

Gauge lunged, and Axis flipped backward off the bench. He attacked so fast Gauge almost couldn’t see it, but he was detecting a pattern in Master Flicker’s style. The Count noticed his opponent liked to parry with a twirl, lunge, and then come in with a flurry of attacks. All Gauge had to do was evade and counter. Not much of an offensive, but it was repetitive enough to keep his head above water.

With a flip to the side, Gauge blocked an attack, and they found themselves in a stalemate. At least Axis was breathing just as heavily. He asked, “Why did you contact me about Mrs. Tenz?”

Gauge welcomed the diversion. “Mostly to ruffle your feathers a bit. Which you make so easy, I might add.”

Axis pressed against Gauge’s sword, and the Count was losing the contest of strength. He was simply too weak. So back to subterfuge. “Is young Ms. Tija all right?”

Axis stumbled into the impasse, and Gauge went to point his sword at the Young Master’s throat. Before he could claim victory, Axis recovered and blocked it. He said, “I’d suspected she was your source, but I didn’t want to believe it. I want your spies out of my factories.”

“Ah, but you know they are allowed in our accord.” Gauge stepped back and spun his sword.

Axis let him, saying, “I think we’ll revisit the terms once I inherit the factories.”

“You mean, if you inherit the factories.”

The icy exterior returned to Axis’ expression, and he swiped, followed up with an aggressive lunge.

Gauge spun out of the way, slamming his back against a courtyard wall.

Nine minutes.

Now, Lexia came into focus. She was keeping a respectable distance, but looked concerned with the direction of the conversation.

Gauge wanted to assure her there was no reason for that. “I want you to inherit them, Axis. I think you’re a fair Factory Master, and I look forward to revisiting the accord with you. But you’ve become involved in some affairs which are outside of your jurisdiction.”

Axis looked stunned with his mouth agape. He visibly shook himself and frowned, asking, “Which affairs?”

Grateful once again for a respite, Gauge said, “Your father’s attempts to spoil your inheritance cannot go unpunished. An example needed to be made of someone.”

Realization dawned on Axis’ face, but Lexia wasn’t there yet. She asked, “What do you mean?”

Axis wet his lips and shook his head. Gauge didn’t like the way he did it, as though he were wiping something from his mind. Master Flicker said, “Walker… Lexia, the doors…”

Lexia’s eyes widened, and she blinked at Gauge like she was seeing him for the first time.

Why were they looking at Gauge like that? Didn’t they understand? “I had to. Rape and any attempt at such results in the same end.”

Zero minutes.

The edges of the world became less bright and more fuzzy, especially with the tears. Gauge’s limbs froze up, and he almost couldn’t draw enough air to keep oxygen to his brain. He felt like he was dying.

Axis, angry now, lunged at Gauge. The Count crumpled, and Axis held his sword to his throat. He said, “I don’t know what you are Gauge, savior or monster, but never meddle in my affairs again. Stay away from Lexia.” The last he said so quietly she couldn’t overhear it.

More tears brimmed in Gauge’s lashes.

After all these years, Axis still didn’t understand him.