Dashing Devil Omnibus 2: Books 4-6, page 95
Well, no one except for Daisy, that is. Her friend was the only one who ever came into her room—either to visit or to clean. Not that Laura ever left much more for her to do than to dust or change the sheets. Laura turned and snagged the black king, too. Her friend might like to keep that one in her own room.
Chapter 41
Silvie lay upon Boyd, her legs tucked between his with her chest pressed into and warming his abs. The cramped box they were lying in was illuminated by the dim green glow that emanated from the emergency strips that filtered their air. Despite being fully suited, the warm weight of each other’s bodies provided some comfort in the confined space. The sound of their breathing filled the small chamber, creating an intimate atmosphere despite the sterile surroundings. Silvie’s fingers lightly traced patterns on each part of Boyd’s skin she could reach. In this moment, they were suspended in time, alone together in their own tiny world.
His silver-haired love’s voice echoed softly in the cramped space of the box they were squeezed into, her words muffled by the metal surrounding them. “Your armor looks really cool,” she whispered, her breath warm against his chest. “But maybe you should consider asking Tink to make the center tasset removable… for practical reasons.”
Her sweet giggle rang out like a bell, but the surge of arousal he felt over their Bond betrayed the true nature of her suggestion.
Boyd restrained a chuckle, although he trusted when Tink said the box was soundproof and that they didn’t have to worry about being heard. Despite that, his training precluded the risk of exposing their hidden position, and he hushed her softly. He sent his amusement back down their Bond to his silver-haired love and whispered in reply, “I think the shorts alone would be a bit much, my love. Besides, with the tight confines, it’s probably a good thing we have something stopping us from having too much fun. One of us might put an arm or a leg through the side of the box.”
It was bad enough that the small dimly lit space was filled with her wonderful scent, having only the strong but supple materials of their suits between them would only serve to distract him more. To keep Silvie from driving him crazy, Boyd focused on his Bonds with his other loves. Mind Witch, Hopewing, Kitsune, and Tinker were all undercover attendees at the barbaric event they intended to prevent. Fortunately, the Channel sisters had a rather short friend that Raev used as a base to disguise Tinker with one of her illusions.
They all had comm units, but these were currently powered off to avoid any signals being detected. In their place, like last time, Mind Witch had her mental communication net set up. This time it included Hopewing. But even that was currently ‘off’—for similar reasons.
An event this large would have plenty of Powered in attendance and the list they had of those that were expected included several Mind Powered. If even one of them heard Boyd’s mental voice in one of the Channel sister’s heads, it would grab their attention—something the infiltration team was supposed to avoid.
Kitsune felt calm and collected, in her element and having a little fun. Mind Witch was feeling a little ill, having to listen in on the thousands of minds around her randomly. She was looking for anything pertinent to their mission, but mostly getting a ton of filth. Hopewing was focused, but a little too much on guard. It was a good thing Kitsune had covered her expression with an illusion, or her face would likely scream to everyone around her that their group was up to something. Tinker was a mess of nerves, but having Mind Witch hold her hand helped—that, and having Boyd send her a constant stream of support down their Bond.
Silvie felt content, which he sensed was because she heard his strong, steady heartbeat with her head lying on his chest like it was. She was also bored, impatient, and more than a little horny—mostly because of the way his fingers teased her neck. They were tucked up under her long silky hair, with his arm wrapped around her back. Boyd traced little circles across the back and sides of her neck and occasionally kneaded her traps through her suit while playing with her silver tresses.
“I think the shorts would be fine, Darling,” Silvie replied innocently. “If anything, I think your fan base would respond well to the change. Oh, I know! We can run a poll in another issue of CosmoHeroic. You could have a with and without picture and everything.”
Boyd once again restrained the urge to chuckle at his lover’s antics and forced himself to sigh instead. “I did an interview—and I reiterated several times, that it was just an interview. When they asked about a photo shoot, I told them no.” A bit of a growl entered his voice. “I still haven’t agreed to any photo shoots—especially for CosmoHeroic.”
He knew he would… eventually… but part of him wanted to see what Silvie might try and bribe him with if he held out a little longer.
“Darlingggg,” Silvie whined. “They’ve offered you one point five million credits for a single photoshoot and another interview. That’s enough to open an orphanage or to start a scholarship fund for Changed kids, and all for a few photos and answering more cheesy questions in a vaguely flirty way. I know that you’re going to say yes eventually, so why are you being such a big lug about it?”
“No reason,” Boyd said, his tone conveying complete and total innocence.
Silvie lifted her head from his chest and peered down at him, the faint glow of the silver flecks in her bright blue eyes were more pronounced in the faint green illumination of the strip responsible for filtering their air. The suspicion he saw in her breathtaking eyes and sensed over their Bond told him that he should probably work on his false innocence tone.
He returned her suspicious gaze with his most charming smile.
“So that’s how it is,” she said thoughtfully before releasing one of her bell-like giggles, flashing him a radiant smile, and then leaning down to press a tender kiss to his lips. She let it linger for a moment as his fingers pressed into the back of her neck to hold her in place.
After a long moment, she leaned back with another giggle. “Silly Darling, you know you only have to ask for whatever you would like, and I’ll be happy to do it for you. Any of us would, really. Well… most things.”
“Yeah, I know,” Boyd agreed readily. Then he smirked and added, “but there is something extra special about the things you come up when you are trying to bribe me.”
Most of her need to control their sex life had faded when Mindy had removed the confidence booster she’d emplaced five years ago—though she still enjoyed controlling the others. Much of that she had transferred to Raev, who found she really enjoyed being controlled in the bedroom.
The big demon was curious to see what might happen once his angel joined his silver-haired love and him in bed for more than sleep. He expected a reaction similar to fire and gasoline, with Silvie stoking the blaze that was never far from the surface in Hope to a raging inferno. He was a little afraid it might consume them all—especially if his vixen got involved.
Silvie’s radiant smile returned, her eyes shining with the pleased amusement he felt swell within her. Her smile transitioned to another thoughtful expression, with her lips quirking to one side.
“Hmm, but what to do? Hope has been giving you blowjobs every morning. Mindy loves to pamper you and Raev is into butt stuff, while Tink likes to give you boob jobs.” She tapped a finger against her soft pink lips before she giggled and gave him her version of his devilish grin. “I guess I’m going to have to get creative.”
Boyd responded with his own devilish grin, but it seemed the time for fun had ended. He sensed a shift in the Bonds with his other loves just before the Mindy in his mind said, ‘We’ve reached the server room and will be entering it shortly.’
***
Stepper was having a great day, one she hoped would only get better. She’d already had the chance to knock out some of the Ascended Coalition’s goons and the mission hadn’t really started yet. Phantom, who was on loan to her team for this mission, got Stepper in with his phasing ability. They’d knocked out the un-Powered guards and then she stepped the rest of her team in. The three security guards that had been manning this security station lay hogtied and gagged in the corner.
Draconis, her second in command, was their heavy for this mission. His red scales should even be able to take a punch from Silver—which they might have to do, if she came out swinging. Stepper hoped he was strong enough to hold her off. Crimson Paw had made her difficult to deal with and, if the myths surrounding him were to be believed, she would only have gotten stronger since Stepper had faced her in Glorith City.
Then there was Regulus. He was pretty much a humanoid griffin and could be an absolute terror in a fight—even if he was the gentlest member of her team the rest of the time. He would help Draconis and her secure the hostages but was mostly around for his roar, as it weakened and disoriented those he directed it against, while bolstering his allies. It should clear the way for their extraction and counter Crimson Paw if he attacked them alongside his lover.
The rest of her team had remained at the staging point with a transport big enough to get the hostages out. They’d been instructed to hold the position if feasible until her return, but to flee if it got too hot. She trusted them to do their job but doubted they would flee, especially not if it meant leaving her and the others behind.
She could hardly blame them. They all craved a stand-up fight against The Authority, and the Ascended Coalition represented the worst of those who maintained the government’s evil corruption. She had planned for and trained scenarios on this exact mission countless times. Breaking up the yearly gathering in which these fuckers forced people captured from the towns and villages she was sworn to protect to fight to the death was a dream she hadn’t been certain she would ever get the chance to fulfill.
Even in her wildest fantasies, her hypothetical mission planning had never included Crimson Paw’s participation.
Stepper leaned over the security desk with its built-in bank of viewscreens. She had been tracking the group of four young beauties as they made their way through the halls of the underground stadium. She’d noted how they avoided garnering attention by behaving like they belonged there. It was a simple but effective ploy; no one gave them a second glance, even when they entered a side passage marked as ‘For Employees Only’.
Granny had provided Stepper with a copy of the plan Crimson Paw came up with, which included images of the four women his lovers were disguised as. It was a solid plan, although the priorities differed from what she would have chosen. Getting to the servers to gather information would not have been on her list, nor would their attempt to make arrests. Then again, her people had been at war with the Authority for over three hundred years while Crimson Paw still viewed himself as their lackey, removing the bad apples.
“Be ready,” Stepper said, “it’s almost time.”
She glanced up to where Draconis was covering the door, leaning against the wall beside it ready to surprise anyone who came through. It remained locked through the console and she had eyes on the hall outside via a camera. But he was only following his training, and she would never be foolish enough to dissuade him from doing what was right.
The big man nodded his draconic head to her before turning back to the door, his savage grin showing off lots of pointy white teeth.
She glanced at where Regulus was positioned at the room’s rear corner, poised to react to any Powered entrant attempting to phase or teleport into the room.
He acknowledged her look with a nod of his beaked head, speaking in a formal and regal tone, “I stand ready, prepared to strike like a hunting falcon when the opportune moment presents.” Concluding his statement, he punctuated it with a double beak clack—the equivalent of an avian grin, which was a peculiar expression for a man without lips. It really was a shame that Regulus had no desire to lead, he had the perfect voice for command, especially when he put his will into it and activated his Power.
Stepper returned her attention to the screen as the four women encountered a wandering guard patrol just before reaching the server room. It looked like things were about to get interesting.
***
Kitsune resisted the urge to curse as two wandering guards took an interest in the four women dressed to impress. To be honest, she thought, they were all conservatively covered for the women they were supposed to be impersonating. Acting like you belonged—or having illusions of people who acted like they belonged cast over you—only got you so far when you wandered into places you shouldn’t be. They’d considered switching their illusions to match the guards once they entered the Employee Only area, but the damn place was crawling with cameras.
Ultimately, they’d decided it would be better for anyone assigned to watch them see four young ditzes wander away from where they were supposed to be than to see four shape changers. At least that way, when they sent any guards to investigate, they wouldn’t be so wary that Mind Witch would have difficulty scrambling their brains.
“Ladies, this is a restricted area.”
One of the two men dressed in white tactical body armor with ‘SECURITY’ written across their chests in large black letters stated this firmly as he came down the hall towards them. Gold faceplates set into full white helmets hid their expressions, but both of their shoulders were set to display dominance. They were armed with stun batons, which were only a threat if they hit Mindy or Tink on exposed skin, as their suits were insulated against the electric current the melee weapons discharged.
“Oh? Silly us…” As planned, Hopewing was the one to speak so they could take full advantage of that aura of hers. “We were wondering where everyone went. I guess we took a wrong turn at some point… do you think you gentlemen could point us towards our box?”
“Yes, of course, Miss, we would be happy to escort you to your box and ensure you don’t get lost again.” The second guard sounded much more eager to please than the first as he rushed past his partner to offer Hopewing a hand, bumping his partner’s shoulder on the way.
“Oh, that would be just lovely, I get so turned around sometimes in big places like this,” Hopewing said brightly. Her melodic voice sounded like she wasn’t capable of doing harm—even to Kitsune, who knew she was luring these men into a trap.
The first man came to a stop in front of the illusioned angel and Kitsune could almost picture the big grin on his face. “That’s perfectly understandable, Miss. It took me weeks to figure this place out. What is your box number? We can have you there in a jiffy, because it would be a shame for you to miss the opening presentation.”
Kitsune had to resist the urge to swear, and instead chuckled softly.
Mind Witch waited for the other, more cautious guard to step up beside his partner. His gold face plate shifted back and forth as he scanned them, and the gothic beauty stepped forward the moment his face turned away from her. When she placed a hand on each of their shoulders, they immediately stiffened.
Half-a-second later, Mind Witch announced, “They’re mine. Come on, they will watch the door for us and then forget we ever existed.”
Kitsune grinned as Mind Witch strutted the remaining distance to the server room’s door. Tinker trotted behind her, while Hopewing scanned back the way they had come. Kitsune took up a post on the far side of the door.
They shouldn’t have bothered. A mechanical arm that Kitsune wasn’t prepared to hide shot out of the short woman’s back and curled over her shoulder to flick over the card scanner that operated the door’s locking mechanism.
Tinker announced, “The door is open.”
Kitsune pivoted around Mind Witch and was the first through the doorway, quickly scanning the small room with eight server racks for any signs of danger. Mind Witch followed closely behind her, heading to the right and propping herself against the adjacent wall. Tinker soon joined them, taking a position on the left wall while Hopewing brought up the rear.
Kitsune glanced back at the angel while moving further into the room and saw the guards take up a post outside the door as it closed. She carefully scanned between each rack before calling out, “We’re clear. Tink, do your thing.” As she did, she dropped the illusions.
This room wasn’t covered by a camera, and she would be separated from the others once they left this room. Phase two involved Hopewing, Mind Witch, and Tinker moving to a secure zone established by Pinnacle Watch while Kitsune got to have some fun.
Tinker scurried forward to a console against the back wall of the room. Three multi-jointed mechanical arms extended from the bulky pink pack that Kitsune was sure the little woman would have had a problem carrying without her exo-suit. After scanning the console for a moment, two of the arms plugged into ports on its front and data started streaming across the screen.
Kitsune had some training when it came to navigating computer systems, but she couldn’t begin to guess at even half of what Tinker pulled up over the course of the next minute. “Okay, I’ve found what we are looking for. Their security is a joke if you have physical access like this. They don’t even have any biometric authentication and the blockchain key management isn’t decentralized.”
“Uh, that’s great,” Kitsune replied, though she was responding more to the little genius’s tone than her words. Tinker sounded happy about the state of the ‘blockchain key management’, so Kitsune was happy.
“How long do you need?” Mind Witch asked for the information she needed to pass to Boyd.
“I can start the download in… uh… about thirty seconds,” Tinker answered absently as she scanned over more rapidly appearing and disappearing data on the screen. “That will be when the alarms will go off. From there, I will need a minute and forty-five seconds to drain the databases we are after.”
“Mission clock starting now. Begin the download in thirty seconds from my mark three, two, one, mark!” Mind Witch repeated Boyd’s commands.
