Dashing Devil Omnibus 2: Books 4-6, page 153
“Um,” a young woman’s voice said from off screen. “I’m… uh… I’m with News2?”
Boyd could tell she wanted it to be a statement, but it came out more like a question.
“Then you should know that you aren’t supposed to record people restrained by Heroes.” Laura scowled at the camera from where she crouched down beside the woman stuck in the glue.
“Right, sorry!” The young woman acquiesced instantly, and the footage cut off.
Chapter 43
The clip paused and the news desk and its occupants' inset picture grew to fill the screen.
Phil said, “As you can see, The Devoted’s newest member’s Power has plenty of utility in combat. While these women were not actively hostile Powered Criminals, they were C-Ranked and B-Ranked problems that Devil’s Trainee dealt with professionally and with no difficulty. Combine that with how easily she dropped Granite Mauler, and I would say she will make a solid Combat Support for the team once she’s through her probationary period.”
“Thanks, Phil. Now, we’ll shift over to Kayla before we show the rest of the clip, so she can tell us what she knows about this new Hero,” Jill stated.
“That’s right, Jill.” Kayla gave a warm smile to the anchor before facing the camera. “We do have a bit more footage collected by our intern, Marsha, that I think everyone will find entertaining. But first let me fill you in on what happened when the footage stopped for a moment. The young woman who arrived to defend her boyfriend was unglued from the floor and released without charges after The Authority reviewed the footage from the security camera. The woman who assaulted the young man and caused the disturbance was taken into custody; her charges are pending. Now, let’s watch Marsha’s candid interview that happened just after the NPOs left the scene.”
“Um, excuse me,” a young woman’s voice said from behind the camera as she approached Laura. “I’m Marsha, from News2. I was wondering if you might have a moment to answer some questions.”
The young couple involved in the incident could be seen walking away in the background, arm in arm.
“Honestly, I think this brought that couple closer together,” Raev commented, sounding pleased.
“Sure, Marsha, we can answer a few questions,” Laura beamed back after getting a nod from her fox-eared trainer. “Although you know I can’t go into any personal details about what transpired here or who was involved.”
“Um, so you said you sedated that one woman,” the young woman asked from off screen. “Was that like, medically?”
“I used something regularly used in hospitals… so yes. I medically sedated the Powered resisting arrest with a very small dose of it,” Laura confirmed.
“Alright, cool. Um, I’ve been following you all morning. I heard you talking with the little boy… I think his name was Logan… and you told him you didn’t have a name yet.” Uncertainty was clear in the young woman’s voice. “Have you considered Somnus, maybe? You know, because of how you can put people to sleep.”
“Somnus, eh?” Laura asked, expression showing that she was considering it. “It’s not bad.”
“Somnus, huh? That's not a bad name,” Kitsune added from behind Laura, “Although, I think I like the one we heard earlier—Naiad—more.”
“Naiad?!” The young woman behind the camera exclaimed while Laura turned to give Kitsune a quizzical look on screen. “You mean like the water spirit? I think I heard someone call you that earlier, at the park.”
“Well, a young father told his daughter—the one who called my trainee a ‘water spirit’—that she was too pretty to be a spirit.” Kitsune said this with a wide smirk and a velvet chuckle.
Laura turned to the redhead with arched brows.
“The man said she was more like a water nymph,” the redhead continued. “Gotta say… having seen you around the Big Guy, the name fits. I think the man’s wife corrected him, saying that the proper term was a ‘Naiad’.”
Laura’s expression shifted to a pleased smile. “I’m just glad we can finally be together. Took him way too long to…” She coughed into one hand, remembering that she was on camera. Her cheeks were a merry pink when she turned back to face Marsha. “I suppose Naiad would work.”
“That would be an awesome name!” the young woman replied excitedly.
The news desk grew from one corner to fill the image again. “The rest of Marsha’s interview is available on News2.GLO, and is definitely worth a watch, although I am going to show one more clip out of it in a few moments,” Kayla said with a big smile. “I want folks to know that News2 is holding a poll on the Trainee’s Hero name. Naiad is on the list, and I think it’s a perfect fit for her. Somnus is also on there, along with an option to propose a different name that folks can vote on. So, citizens of Glorith, take to your socials and vote on our newest Hero’s name.” She beamed at the camera. “Personally, I know my vote is for ‘Naiad’. I hope all our viewers call on The Authority to name our newest Hero Naiad.”
Kayla threw in a wink and added, “I know for a fact that Devil would have set up an alert for any mentions of his team members, so I’m sure they are watching this. Consider this a promise fulfilled.”
Boyd chuckled, when Kayla had apologized for giving him a name he wasn’t all that fond of, she’d promised to try to help any future team members get a name they liked—if she could. He also reminded himself again to thank Granny for notifying him this was on. He could only blame being at the penthouse with Laura instead of home that morning for forgetting to set the alert.
“Naiad, huh?” Phil asked, seeming to test out the word as a Hero Moniker. “I like it, and it certainly seems fitting given her control of liquids. Somnus was also a good suggestion, Marsha, but it only covered part of her capabilities. Naiad also has my vote, of the ones I’ve seen on the poll already out there for her.”
“I like the way it sounds,” Jill said with a smile. “Which is important, given how often I expect we will all be hearing it.”
“That settles it, then.” Kayla gave the camera her easy smile. “We’ll just have to call her Naiad until an official name is given.”
What went unsaid, was that doing so would most likely lead to Laura’s official Hero name being Naiad, assuming the public didn’t hate it.
“So, what else can you tell us about Naiad, Kayla?” Jill prompted. “It sounds like you have gotten to spend at least a little time with her.”
“Well, much of my time spent with her is still locked behind the various NDAs I had to sign to be embedded with them—not to mention some of the verbal promises I made to The Devoted—so I really can’t say much,” Kayla hedged, her brows slightly furrowed to show the inner conflict of a reporter who couldn’t share information they knew.
“Aww, come on Kayla,” Jill somehow pulled off a professional-sounding whine, “there has to be something you can share.”
“I’m sorry but there really isn’t.” Kayla shook her head with a smile. “That doesn’t mean I plan to leave you or our viewers high and dry, though. I was able to secure a short interview with someone who isn’t bound by my NDAs who promised to give us a little insight into Naiad. Earlier today, I tracked down her Team’s Captain. Let’s play that interview with Dashing Devil, now.”
The news desk faded out to be replaced by clip of Dashing Devil standing with Kayla on a different street in Glorith. She had managed to track him down when he was on foot during a portion of one of his Patrols. Mind Witch and Hopewing stood side by side facing away from the camera in the background, alert for any trouble.
The clip began playing immediately. “Good afternoon, Devil,” Kayla began, “let me start off by saying how wonderful it is to see The Devoted back out on patrol. I’m sure I’m not the only citizen who feels safer with your team back on or flying above our streets.”
“Thank you, Miss Bailey,” the armored demon on the screen replied with a nod. “We’re happy to be doing our part to keep Glorith safe.”
“And we are lucky to have you,” Kayla continued, her voice warm and genuine. “Even the newest member of your team, a probationary trainee at that, successfully ended a Powered Criminal Event single-handedly, and it’s only her first day! I’m sure you are well aware that Glorith’s citizens are clamoring for any available information about her. Can you tell us anything about our city’s newest Hero?”
“Well, as you know, we Heroes are a fairly private bunch,” Dashing Devil lied.
He did so smoothly, mostly because it was only a partial lie. Certain aspects of Hero’s lives were made public as part of their job, but they were allowed to be very private with other details.
“However,” he continued, “there are a few things that I’ve seen people correctly guessing at on the net that I wouldn’t mind confirming.”
“And those are?” Kayla asked, her eagerness only thinly concealed by her professionalism.
“For one,” he began, “she has been with us since before we chose the name The Devoted.” Devil grinned. “She was assigned as our Trauma Specialist when we first moved out to our undisclosed location to start building up the team more than six months ago. She was there, behind the scenes, for everything. She was even there, on location, and ready to provide emergency medical care when we took on the Last Dragon. So, while she is just now stepping into the spotlight as a Hero, she should really be counted as an inaugural member of The Devoted.”
“Wow, that’s impressive,” Kayla gushed, admiration clear in her voice. “It’s great to know that even though she’s a new Hero, she has been a key part of the team for quite some time.”
“Yes. Folks should also know that all of her training has been led by the different members of the team,” Devil agreed readily. “It wasn’t just me… though everyone has taken to calling her ‘Devil’s Trainee’. Each of us handled areas we excel at to ensure she got the best Hero education possible. This also means that each of us knows her strengths and weaknesses, and she knows ours. She has proven herself time and again, sliding right into our team’s dynamics.”
“I can’t wait to see her in action,” Kayla responded with her professionally positive energy. “But all the official information on your Trainee only said that she was just that—Dashing Devil’s Trainee. You make it sound like that wasn’t the case.”
“Well, officially—until yesterday—that was the case,” the big demon on the screen said with a grin. “I am able to acknowledge those areas where the skills of members of my team are superior to my own. I made sure my Trainee learned from the best.”
“What changed yesterday?” Kayla asked, eyes wide with surprise and concern.
Dashing Devil mimed pulling at his collar and looked away from the camera, playing up being put on the spot before telling a half-truth. This time he intentionally did it poorly, “I… ah… I recognized that Kitsune would make a better Field Trainer for her, so requested the transfer.”
“I get the feeling there is more to it than that,” Kayla replied in a slightly teasing tone that probed for more without asking an actual question. “Might it have something to do with the roof-top private dinner you were seen enjoying with her last night? I saw the clips the drones gathered, it looked awful romantic to me.”
“Ah…” The demonic Hero mimed tugging at his non-existent collar again. “You know how I feel about speaking for the women in my life, but it would be inappropriate for there to be an active romantic relationship between a Hero and a Trainee that reported directly to them.”
“Good thing she already spoke on the topic then, huh?” Kayla grinned at him. “The woman in your life in question confirmed in an interview with one of News2’s interns after that Powered confrontation in the coffee shop that she recently started a relationship with you.”
Dashing Devil grinned toothily. “Then I guess it’s a good thing that it isn’t considered inappropriate for a Hero Team’s Captain to be in a romantic relationship with members of their team then, huh?”
The Authority liked to pair off Heroes, especially when civilians called for it. Having a rule that would limit keeping the gossip columnists happy would just get in the way.
“I guess so.” Kayla laughed.
After he joined in with a light chuckled, the big demon added, “But in all seriousness, she is an amazing woman—talented, driven, and incredibly compassionate. She is going to do great things as a Hero.”
Boyd gave the camera a smitten, slightly dopy smile that his female fans ate up. Then he shook his head as if clearing it of thoughts of his newest love and added, “Now, apologies Miss Bailey, but I need to return to my patrol.”
As the camera feed faded back to the news desk, Kayla couldn't contain her excitement. She turned to Jill with a grin, her eyes sparkling. “Did you hear that? It's official! Dashing Devil and Naiad are a thing,” Kayla practically squealed in delight.
“That brings Devil’s count up to six paramours, doesn’t it?” Jill's eyes widened in surprise, mirroring Kayla's excitement. “It has been a few months since we had news like this. I was wondering if he’d stopped adding ladies to his… ah… team.”
Kayla chuckled, shaking her head at Jill’s observation. “I think Devil's romantic endeavors are as unpredictable as his heroics. But I must say, it's quite the tale brewing between him and his team, especially with the addition of Naiad.”
“And I’m sure our viewers will be as excited as I am to see how it plays out. But, for now, it’s time to move on to other news.” Jill turned to face the other camera before continuing, “We’ll be back with tomorrow’s weather after a commercial break.”
“System, please turn the screen off,” Boyd rumbled. He was polite because he was addressing a sentient being, even if he’d used a different name. He turned to Laura.
“You like the name Naiad, then?” he asked Laura this as everyone on that side of the table turned back around.
“I don’t know,” Laura said with an amused smirk and a twinkle in her pale green eyes that told him he was about to be teased. “Devil’s Trainee was starting to grow on me the more they said it. Of course, I would need to make some changes to my suit to match the name. Up the BDSM vibe of it... add a collar, at the very least.” Her tone and the shit-eating grin she wore by the end of her statement let everyone know she was joking.
Everyone but Hope and Daisy enjoyed a good laugh. The angel and fairy seemed to be lost in thought, each with slightly different pouts on their faces. From what he sensed from Hope’s Bond, he assumed she was mad at herself for not having thought of the idea earlier.
He couldn’t begin to guess what was on Daisy’s mind.
Boyd ended his own chuckle on a playful growl, deciding to give as good as he got. “If you are going to tease me like that, Trainee, you should be aware that I do have access to collars.” As he said this, his face contorted into a playful scowl.
Laura laughed, shaking her head at his light-hearted menace. “I’d be happy to put a collar on you any time,” she teased, wiggling her eyebrows as she flirted with him.
“So gross,” Daisy complained with an exaggerated grimace. “Is this how you two are going to be from now on?”
“When weren’t they like that?” Silvie asked with her bell-like giggle. “For the last half year these two have been flirting so hard I’m surprised either of them managed to keep it in their pants.”
“Well, fine… at least they kept it quiet around me.” The fairy huffed, scowling at her best friend. “Mostly,” she added under her breath.
“Oh, yeah? There’ll be no more holding back, now.” Laura smirked at her friend. “I finally locked this big hunk down. There is absolutely no way I’m going to keep any aspect of our affection quiet around the base.”
A series of giggles, laughter, and sounds of ‘aww…’ went around the table while Daisy’s scowl only deepened.
Laura turned to Boyd, a pleased smile on her face. “But to answer your question… yes, I like the name Naiad. It was on my top five list, actually. Do you think it will stick?”
“Probably.” Boyd nodded, then added a reassuring smile. “And we are going to help ensure that it does. From now until it becomes official, we are going to call you Naiad over comms and on all official documents. I’ll let Royce know during our evening check-in.”
“Can you do that?” Laura asked with a raised brow.
“Can they stop us?” Boyd replied. “I agree that it’s dumb we can’t choose our own Hero names. If we can do anything to influence the process for you, we will. If Davis wants to be mad at someone, he can scold me in one of our meetings. I can take it.” He gave her a casual, one-shoulder shrug.
The big demon felt a warm rush of affection flow over their Bond as Laura’s face lit up with delight at this statement. Reaching out, she squeezed his hand before deciding that wasn’t enough and rose out of her seat to lean across the corner of the table to press a kiss to his cheek.
“Thank you, Boyd. I appreciate you going to bat for me,” she said sincerely as she sank back into her seat.
“Always,” he promised, before turning to the rest of the table. “Now, let’s enjoy this amazing meal Daisy worked so hard on while we plan a welcoming party for our two newest members. It’s official, Shelia and Daryl will be joining The Devoted the day after tomorrow.”
This started a round of excited conversation as the ladies planned how to celebrate growing their team. Boyd just sat and enjoyed the happy atmosphere before setting to the delicious meal.
* Chapter 44
Mindy and Boyd joined the others in the Great Room after his latest therapy session. It had been a mostly relaxing day—one that he’d filled with training and reports. Boyd had set the reports aside when Mindy called him to her. She wanted to follow up on how he’d recovered from the funeral and adding a new love.
When they came down the stairs, the soft hum of conversation, laughter, and the buttery aroma of fresh-popped popcorn welcomed them to tonight’s movie showing. Fluffy blankets and pillows were piled in organized chaos, the whole thing awash in warm, indirect lighting from above.
