Dashing Devil Omnibus 1: Books 1-3, page 61
Tinker took that in, looking from the cup of coffee she still clutched to Boyd.
Boyd wanted to add his two credits, but sensed it would do more damage than good at this point. Him pointing out that Tinker didn’t have to share his bed at all to maintain her position on the team would likely be viewed as him trying to escape a relationship with her. It was something she wanted, and apparently wanted badly. Telling her she didn’t have to do it was a weak cop-out. Not only that, it was starting to sound whiney—even to him.
“Is that true?” Tinker asked Boyd, then flinched and looked away. “Sorry!” she gasped before saying rapidly but not quite at her excited staccato rhythm, “It just seemed like you wanted to be consulted on this stuff last night, so I thought I… you know, would?” she ended on a high note, almost a squeak.
Boyd smiled and nodded. “Yes, thank you, Tinker. Everything Silvie said is true… in theory.” Boyd scolded himself internally for letting that ‘in theory’ slip out.
Tinker didn’t miss the words, but they didn’t have the crushing effect they could have.
Instead, she looked curious, so he continued. “What I mean to say is, you are on the team now. Period. You don’t have to have that kind of relationship with me at all for that to continue. That said, I am not canceling our date and want to get to know you before we consider taking things further.”
“Oh.” Tinker nodded and schooled her expression. Once again, he’d carefully stayed away from an outright rejection without raising her hopes. “Okay, thank you.”
Silvie leaned in and whispers something in Tinker’s ear, who nodded firmly. Then she flushes bright red and turned to Boyd before saying, “But, I want that… um… just to be clear, the uh, you part, that is.”
“Yes.” Boyd chuckled good-naturedly. “You’ve made that clear. I have agreed to the date and am going to try my best not to let my views on free will interfere with it. I apologize in advance if I fail—just tell me if I seem grumpy or something. Silvie says I get a little grumpy sometimes.”
That elicited a sweet giggle out of Tinker. “Okay. I will. Oh, and don’t worry. I’m not a first-date kind of girl. No pressure for the night of… if that helps.”
Chapter 27
Tinker not being in a rush made things much simpler. Boyd wanted to stretch the getting to know her phase out for several weeks, at least. It wasn’t nearly enough to make a rational decision on the lifelong commitment that Enhancing her would be, but it was better than what Raev had allowed him.
Boyd grumbled internally about ‘less than a day’ before saying out loud, “It helps. Thank you for being more reasonable than some,” he carefully didn’t look at Raev as he said this.
If Raev noticed the jab, it didn’t show. “I’m sorry if I made you uncomfortable,” Raev said to Tinker. “Seriously, I’ll try not to flirt with you, but you’re so insanely cute… I’ll just ask for forgiveness in advance if I slip up from time to time. Oh, and please call me Raev, I’ll just pretend it means you like my ass.” She ended with a wink, nudging Tinker’s shoulder with her elbow.
Tinker giggled again. “No, the flirting is actually kind of nice. I can also admit that you have a splendid butt. The idea of other stuff, though… I don’t think so.”
“Hmm, that’s fine, but if you’re ever in the mood to experiment, you know where to find me.” Kitsune purred, obviously taking Tinker’s words on flirting being nice to heart.
Tinker, who was just starting to transition from the bright red blush to a pinker hue, went right back to bright red. Her eyes widened a little, but she didn’t seem as uncomfortable.
Boyd cleared his throat and tried to bring the conversation back to the original topic. Partially to save Tinker, but mostly to save himself from the mental images that letting this one continue would surely cause.
“So,” he tried again, “what did you find interesting?”
“What?” Tinker asked distractedly, as Silvie disengaged her hug and patted Tinker gently on the shoulder.
Silvie then floated up and around the head of the table instead of over it on the way back to her seat. As she went by, she brushed both Raev’s and Boyd’s necks with her fingers, causing both to shiver pleasantly.
“Oh!” Tinker answered as Silvie moved. “Well, the timing is interesting. Your Power didn’t increase when you Enhanced Silvie or any of the other original test subjects. It increased after you Enhanced Kit-, er, Raev. Sorry. Then again, the next time you Enhanced Silvie. It would require testing, but it is safe to assume your boosts are related to the permanent version of your Bond that forms after the fourth… err, session.”
“Why is that?” Boyd asked.
Tinker blinked several times as she gathered her thoughts before continuing. “If it didn’t require the permanent Bond, then it would have shown up in prior testing. You had all five of the participants Enhanced at once several times—so it can’t be dependent on that. Based on the sequence of events, it is very likely that your Power’s growth is connected to the second…”
She paused, frowning. “We need a term for this. Enhancement doesn’t work anymore, as there is a level above the standard temporary Enhancement.”
“I like ‘Bonded’,” Silvie replied.
“Yeah, that sounds good,” Raev agreed, but then she frowned. “Although it might get confusing, because Boyd can form that emotional, or mind, or whatever Bond before the first Enhancement… let alone the fourth.”
“Hmm… true. But he is also able to Enhance someone without the Bond forming,” Silvie replied, tapping her lip with a thoughtful expression.
“Ah… I’m sorry if I’m overstepping, here, but perhaps… Devoted?” Tinker put in shyly. When she wasn’t immediately shot down, she explained. “You know, because from then on you will always love Boyd. Or, in other words, be devoted to him?”
“Oh, I like that a lot,” Silvie chimed in with a big smile that was only a little mischievous. “What do you think, Raev?”
“Sounds nice, and it’s certainly seems appropriate,” Raev agreed with a smile and a nod. “I tried that mental exercise you told me about. Thinking about other men in that way felt gross, just like you said. So… yeah.” She turned a sultry look on Boyd. “I guess I’m devoted to you, now.”
That aspect was news to Boyd. He wasn’t sure how to feel about it, though, now that he was aware of it. He was glad that Silvie and Rave weren't thinking about other men in that way, but not really comfortable that his Power was the cause of it. It was another factor of their life that had been decided for them by his Power.
Silvie likely caught on to his concerns because she said, “Which neither of us minds in the least. If we need to fantasize, you provide plenty of material—although women, at least those in the family, are also still on the table if we’re feeling adventurous.”
Boyd grunted and shook his head. “I’ll decide how I feel about that later. If you want to call it ‘Devoted’, that’s fine.”
It was a good way to look at the relationship. It would also help him maintain the right mindset. “I just wish you would let me be as devoted to you… both of you.”
“Oh, but you are, Darling,” Silvie said ever so sweetly, but with a hint of that tone she used when he was being stupid.
“Yeah, even after only a day, it’s pretty obvious,” Raev added, all three of her tails brushing against him affectionately. One trailed along his arm, with the second across his side, and the third brushing his lower leg.
“I think you just have a different understanding of the word,” Tinker said, glancing at Boyd, though her eyes returned immediately to her mostly empty coffee cup. “To me, I think it’s best to look at the definitions. The Authority’s approved dictionary defines devoted as: ‘very loving or loyal’. You are both loving and loyal.”
“They won’t let me be loyal,” Boyd grumbled. And he grumbled rather effectively, given how deep his voice was.
Tinker glanced at him again with a skeptical look. “You can’t be loyal to more than one person at a time?”
“Well…” Boyd started to say, but couldn’t figure out the right reply, so he paused with his mouth open.
He closed it after a moment of thought, because he realized he wanted to deny the possibility, just to be correct. He wasn’t correct, though. He could be loyal to multiple people—hell, he already was. There was nothing to say that he couldn’t be devoted to more than one woman. Except in one nightmare scenario, that is.
“What happens if I am forced to choose?” he whispered.
The three women must have sensed the seriousness and tension in his voice, because no one was quick to answer. It seemed the responsibility to answer fell to Silvie because the other two looked from Boyd to her.
“We will never force you to choose,” she promised sincerely. “If we fight amongst ourselves, we’ll settle it amongst ourselves. We’ll make rules to deal with it; it won’t be a problem.”
Boyd shifted his wings uncomfortably, the hiss of leather and velvet rubbing together sounded throughout the quiet kitchen. “That’s another issue, but not what I meant. What happens if I can only save one of you?”
“Oh…” Silvie sighed, and a sad smile came to her lips. “We are talking about bringing in Heroes, Darling. Every one of them—every one of us—has accepted the risk that each time we go out might be our last. The number of women you devote yourself to doesn’t change that.”
She paused, scratching her cheek. “To be honest, it probably increases their survival odds while dramatically lowering yours. If two of us are in danger and you can only save one, you’ll save us both or die trying.”
“You proved that just yesterday,” Raev inserted her smoothly in her velvet tones. “You get that you should have died, right? Silvie and I should have died, too. We went into that fight with a zero percent survival chance, and we not only survived, but you fucking killed Omega Ray—to save Silvie, and my sweet but dumb ass, when I followed you.”
“The Authority’s simulations and models gave your team a six-point-two percent survival chance,” Tinker said softly, staring into her mug. “But that was with all three of you starting united and at full strength.”
She looked up, hazel eyes wide. “Which was higher than any other team but Eden’s Protectors out of New Eden, who had a thirty-five-point-eight chance to beat Omega Ray,” Tinker added. “They didn’t have data on Raev’s newly improved abilities or the dagger I made for Boyd. And now that Silvie and Boyd are both stronger, we’ll have to collect data on all three of you again before those models will be close to accurate. I wouldn’t be surprised if you three outmatch Eden’s Protectors as you are now.”
“Do you really think so?” Raev asked with interest.
Boyd was also interested, but a little confused, as he had never heard of Eden’s Protectors until yesterday when Silvie had mentioned that Hopewing was from that team.
“Yes. The assessment is that both of your odds would go up as team synergy improved. They’ve only been working together for six months, after all. Their current odds are mostly because of Archangel.”
Now that was a name Boyd was familiar with. He was a young contender for World Hero status. He wasn’t sure why Silvie stiffened slightly at the name, though. It was subtle, but he knew her well enough to spot the signs of tension in the way she held her shoulder and chin.
Before he could examine the Bond between them to find the cause of the tension, Tinker continued, “His energy constructs have a similar output to Omega Ray’s, but are limited in range—which he makes up for with short-range teleportation. He just lacks experience. Without Archangel, the rest of the team wouldn’t be able to damage Omega Ray. He was their one shot.”
“Some shot,” Silvie muttered under her breath so softly that Boyd almost missed it.
“If they updated the models with Silvie’s new energy output and her physical abilities alone, your survival odds would probably be pretty decent. You might even have a chance at victory. Once they update Raev’s improved illusion abilities and Boyd’s increased Black Flame duration, those odds would improve dramatically,” Tinker explained.
“I bet they go up even higher when they factor in the badass sword and shield you made Boyd, doll-face,” Raev purred in her velvet voice, although it wasn’t sexually charged.
Tinker shrugged and a faint blush heated her cheeks. “M-maybe. Anyway, what were we talking about?” She not so smoothly diverted attention away from herself.
“Originally? What you found interesting about the way Boyd’s Power worked on me and Raev,” Silvie answered. She had always been adept at following conversations when she wanted to. Of course, she was even better at pretending not to.
That led to deciding to call a woman that Boyd permanently Bonded with, a Devoted.
“Hmm, does, ‘The Devoted’ sound better?” Silvie murmured.
She gasped and clapped her hands together once, leaving them palm to palm in front of her chest. “Did I just come up with our team’s name?” she asked with a wide, excited grin. Her aquamarine eyes burned with their new inner luminescence.
“Hmm, I like it. Oh, wait!” Raev’s tails stuck out and up behind her, stiff and fluffed up as her ears twitched with her excitement. “Devil’s Devoted!”
“While I totally love it, I don’t think it’ll get approved,” Silvie pouted. “They’ve already shot down a bunch of the names I suggested because they could vaguely be connected to Boyd’s Power. They want to keep that a secret as long as possible.”
“Oh, yeah?” Raev chuckled her smooth laugh. “What did you suggest?”
“Ah,” Silvie gave Boyd some side eye before responding, “later. Anyway, do we like The Devoted? If so, just call the ones who have bonded to that level ‘Devoted’.”
“Sounds good to me.” Raev shrugged. “Still think Devil’s Devoted sounds better, though.”
“If I get a vote, I like them both… but I have to agree with Silvie. I feel The Devoted will be better received,” Tinker admitted.
“Of course, you get a vote,” Silvie assured her. “You’re on the team. I’ll even check with the other confirmed member before I suggest it. Do you like it, Darling?”
At first, he did not. As they had talked about it, both of his lovers had grown more excited about the idea. Based on Tinker’s body language alone, she seemed to like the name, as well. It was likely better than whatever The Authority or the press would assign to them.
The more he thought about it, the more fitting it felt. “It’s a good name,” he agreed.
“Then it’s settled,” Silvie chimed brightly with another clap of her hands. “I’ll just run it by our other team member and then put the suggestion in. I can’t think of a reason for them to deny it.”
“Just when is this ‘other member’ going to reveal themselves?” Boyd asked. “Who am I kidding… reveal herself?”
“Soon.” Silvie smiled sweetly.
Boyd grumbled before asking, “Can I at least have twenty-four hours' notice?”
Silvie thought about it for a moment before she shook her head. “I would like to agree, but you’ll probably be busy when I would have to give you notice.”
Boyd thought about that for a minute. His schedule was pretty wide open, except for today. “Wait… tomorrow?”
He groaned. As much as he was looking forward to confronting the person who had invaded his mind, today was going to drain him. Connor and his sister, Daisy, then the press conference, then the private interview with Kayla. He’d planned on unwinding in the gym for most of tomorrow to get his head right for when he was finally placed back on field duty in the afternoon.
“Darn. Should have been more subtle about it.” Silvie sighed. “Yes, Darling, she will be joining us tomorrow. She said she would come up to the suite around eleven in the morning to introduce herself before we go on duty in the afternoon. This is the last person we’ll add to the team without your approval, though.”
She’d finished on a hopeful note, but her worry flowed down their Bond to him. Her concern surpassed what he would have expected it to be. It had to do with more than risking his anger by adding this team member without consulting him. They had learned in the PAC that a Hero rarely got to choose their teammates, so he’d never expected to have a choice.
Boyd wasn’t exactly pleased that she was picking their team on the grounds of women to add to their relationship, when given a chance. He also understood that this was probably the mission assigned to her by The Authority. He had come to terms with her being ‘against him’ on the subject last night. Silvie would continue to push him to Enhance more women.
It would be up to him to resist... If he could… If he still wanted to.
Her current worry wasn’t related to that, though. She was worried because she wasn’t sure how he would react to this new team member.
“Stop that.” Silvie pouted at him. “No peeking. I want you to find out the right way.”
Boyd narrowed his eyes at Silvie, noticing how the faint glow of her eyes made the slivers of silver in the light blue stand out. She narrowed her gorgeous eyes back at him.
“I would appreciate it if you gave me some idea as to why this new member concerns you so much,” Boyd said calmly, making sure to keep the growl out of his voice.
Silvie’s soft glare transitioned into a thoughtful expression. After a moment, she said, “I believe this person is important to making all this work.” She gestured to the four of them sitting at the table, including the empty chairs in her gesture.
Boyd's mouth went dry when he realized she had every intention of filling the four remaining empty seats. Well, three empty seats, once the already selected fifth member took her seat tomorrow.
