Dashing devil omnibus 2.., p.117
Dashing Devil Omnibus 2: Books 4-6, page 117
He understood the necessity, but it wouldn’t make it any easier to watch someone he cared for go through it. Only one thing came to mind that might make what was about to happen palatable—even if it would also make it so much worse for him. When Laura emerged from her room, dressed in plain black scrubs, Boyd didn’t allow himself to second guess this option. Feeling a surge of determination, Boyd took a deep breath and made up his mind.
“Laura, before we start, there’s something I need to do,” he said. His voice was steady, but a hint of excitement colored his words.
Confusion flickered across Laura’s face as she studied Boyd’s expression. “What is it?” she asked with a concerned frown.
Without another word, Boyd closed the distance between them and cupped Laura’s face gently between his large hands. With a mixture of raw emotion and the veiled promises that had built up over the preceding months glinting in his golden eyes, he leaned in and pressed his lips to hers in a tender, yet impossibly fierce kiss.
Laura’s initial surprise melted as she responded with equal fervor, reaching up to tangle her fingers in Boyd’s hair. She pulled herself bodily into him, partially lifting herself off the floor with the strength of her arms alone. Boyd felt Laura’s heart racing against his bare chest. It matched the quickening of his own pulse. The kiss deepened, igniting a fire that had smoldered between them for far too long—unspoken, yet undeniable.
As their lips and tongues moved together, Boyd finally allowed the initial Bond to form between him and his trainee. Holding it back had been a near constant ache as the Bond sought to form for months. The requirements of her wanting to be closer to him, him being interested, and their close physical contact had been regularly met during her training.
Boyd had denied it each time, shunting it to the side. Having a relationship begin between them while he was her trainer would only complicate things and was of questionable morality. Being the Captain of his team of lovers was enough of a mess already.
Boyd refused to let her undergo the training without the live insight even the first level of a Bond would give him. He’d hoped to hold out for another month or two, but it seemed it was time to further disrupt his already chaotic life. He hoped she was as ready as his loves seemed to think she was—both for the training, and for this.
When their lips parted, her eyes met his and held them. Laura’s soft green orbs revealed a combination of satisfaction and surprise, along with a healthy dose of playful amusement. “Was that what I think it was?” she asked.
“Yes,” Boyd confirmed with a smile of his own. “If we are going to have you do this, I want the Bond in place so I can ensure you don’t push yourself further than you should.”
Her lips curved into a brilliant smile, failing to hide her joy for even a moment. “The others all said that once the Bond is established, becoming Enhanced is almost guaranteed,” she pointed out, her eyes sparkling mischievously.
Boyd smiled down at her. “I held off for a bit with Tink.”
“Yeah, but that was because she wanted you to go slow.” Laura gave him a knowing smirk.
“First, we need to see if you still want to be a Hero after today’s training,” he rumbled.
Boyd’s reminder of the upcoming constructive torture she was about to undergo dumped a bucket of ice water on the sexual tension that had suddenly built between them. The big demon had gotten pretty good at detecting when his trainee was about to attempt to drag his mind into the gutter. He’d certainly had enough opportunities to learn the warning signs. But this time, the Bond had warned him—along with letting him know it wouldn’t be a problem.
Laura’s smile faltered at the reminder of what awaited her in this training session. Straightening her shoulders, she visibly steeled herself before nodding. “I’m ready for whatever comes my way,” she said with determination shining in her eyes.
Boyd admired her resilience but knew what she was about to experience would test that determination in a way no one was prepared for until they lived through it. He took her hand in his, which he sensed she really enjoyed, leading her by it to where Mindy had set things up in the room across from her personal suite.
That room had become something of a therapy office where she helped several of her teammates work through past and, after missions, present trauma. The Mind Powered was uniquely suited to do so. She’d forced Boyd to a regular schedule of therapy. As Team Captain, he knew everyone she worked with. Raev and Silvie saw her regularly, as well.
Tinker and Hope visited this room less often. He’d been most surprised to learn that Daisy had started seeing Mindy for counseling, as well. And while Mindy never revealed exactly what they worked on, she did provide regular mental evaluations of the entire team.
He suspected even Laura might need some counseling after today’s training.
His gothic love greeted them with a warm smile and concerned eyes as they entered her office, the calming scent of jasmine filling the room. Her presence alone brought a sense of tranquility that contrasted with the impending tests that awaited Laura. Mindy’s Powers were not lost on the big demon, and he took comfort in the fact that it would be her guiding his trainee through the turmoil she would face for two of the three tests.
“Welcome, you two. Ready to dive into your training, Laura?” Mindy asked, her voice soothing and reassuring.
When his trainee nodded, the taller woman continued, “We’ll be doing the pain limits test first, followed by what Boyd calls the Fear Fortress—which sounds much better than the names we used to call it behind the Mentors’ backs. Immediately after that, I’ll come back in and administer a hypothetical for your failure training.”
Laura nodded, her jaw set with determination.
“You should know before we get started, that this is the first of three such sessions. The other two sessions will be conducted—mission permitting—at your discretion and request. But all three must be completed within seven days.”
Back in the PAC, everyone got through their first session. Voluntarily going back for more weeded out those who were clearly not cut out for the Hero program. And even some who he’d thought would have made great Heros had dropped out of the program instead of going back for a third session.
“There are two ways to go about this… each session can continually ramp up to the most severe tests, or you can face the worst up front.” Mindy regarded the former trauma nurse. “My preference, and Boyd agrees, is to face the worst up front—too many of our peers grew increasingly anxious after the first test, knowing that the next would be even worse. Several dropped out of the Hero program because of it.”
“If you want to be a Hero,” the big demon rumbled, “you have to face these tests—pain, fear, and failure. Better to exceed your limits right off the bat because it tells you two things. First, you’ll know what your limits are, and second… it gives you something to work on through the two impending sessions, rather than anxiously waiting for something you have yet to face.”
Boyd noted the flicker of anxiety that passed over Laura’s expression, but she held herself with a quiet strength that he had come to admire over the past six months. He knew she was strong and could be stubborn to a fault. She would need that strength today.
Taking a deep breath, Laura nodded.
Chapter 5
“Sit here,” Mindy gestured to a simple wooden chair in the middle of a large plastic tarp with a metal bucket set beside it.
“What’s with the tarp and the bucket?” Laura asked as she took the seat.
“You will be very lucky if you make it through this without losing your breakfast,” Mindy explained gently. “It’s not uncommon in either the pain or the fear tests for a trainee to lose control of their bladder or bowels. I was about to tell you to purge while you were in the med bay to make this less unpleasant for you, but by the time I thought of it, I would have been interrupting your kiss. Congratulations on forming the Bond, you two.”
“Thank you, even if it feels months overdue.” She poked Boyd in the chest before rubbing the spot with the palm of her hand. “I’m glad it finally happened.”
Laura smiled but it faltered as her gaze moved to the bucket. From there it moved to Boyd, then back to Mindy. “So, chances are I’m going to vomit or mess myself.”
“Kuh-he!” Mindy let out her signature giggle. “Boyd might be a little shit, but he is much more likely to hold your hair and rub your back than make fun of you for puking. And you don’t have to worry about him being repulsed by you afterwards—whatever happens. Both Hope and Silvie were a mess after their pain tolerance training, and you’ve seen how he looks at them. He’s also seen them in much worse states.”
Boyd shoved some of his least favorite memories back into the shadows of his mind where they belonged.
“What about you?” Laura asked.
“I managed to hold my lunch that day, though I did need to change my sweats afterwards—not that Boyd was present. They did it by age group,” Mindy explained.
“And you?” His Trainee turned her pale green eyes on him, and Boyd sensed her competitive spirit rising on their new Bond.
That wasn’t good.
He didn’t want to tell her what they’d done to him—nor how often. And the last thing she needed was to strive to stay in control throughout the entire ghastly experience like he’d done after he was ten. Boyd tried not to think about his reactions to the annual testing he’d undergone between the ages of ten and sixteen.
“Boyd is a regenerator, so went through much worse than what they normally include in this training. He did it more often, and at a younger age,” Mindy answered for him, likely detecting the idea to try to match Boyd in Laura’s thoughts. “This isn’t a contest. This is something you are facing so you can become stronger. It is so that you already know how you will react in a worst-case scenario. With repeat iterations—which more Heroes than you’d think volunteer to do after their mandatory three sessions—it is possible to train any negative instinctive reaction out of yourself. But this first session, as Boyd explained, is about discovering those negative instinctive reactions… and your absolute limits.”
“Okay, I understand the basic concept. I’ve seen nurses who haven’t been trained to face crises crumble the moment they are facing one in the ER,” Laura replied.
“Yes,” the Mind Powered agreed. “This is similar to that but can be considered much more advanced training.” Mindy paused, pondering how best to explain it.
“Imagine the first crisis you experienced as a nurse, the first time lives were dependent on you doing the right thing,” Boyd rumbled, stepping in. He’d put some thought into the metaphor, even if he’d been avoiding giving her the training. “Now, imagine that you are facing that situation with second and third-degree burns over two-thirds of your body, along with several bad lacerations that have you rapidly losing blood. You have to keep yourself alive and functional while addressing the crisis and saving lives.”
Laura’s eyes widened at Boyd’s stark description. Taking a deep breath, she squared her shoulders and met Mindy’s gaze with renewed determination. “Alright, let’s do this,” Laura said, her voice steady despite the anxiety he could sense turning her stomach.
Mindy placed a comforting hand on Laura’s shoulder, her touch gentle yet reassuring. “Remember, you are not alone in this. We are here to support you.” Mindy’s voice was a whisper of encouragement in the suddenly tense atmosphere.
Boyd stood beside them, his presence a grounding force amidst her rising anxiety. His normally firm features softened with concern as he looked down at Laura, silently conveying his unwavering support.
“We will do this in the form of my hypotheticals, but everything will feel very real to you,” Mindy explained. “We will start with just the experience of pain itself, then work our way up to performing tasks like saving lives in an ER while injured. I think it would be best if you choose your first experience of pain. Something that I or Boyd have experienced would be best for realism. That will allow me to summon it from his or my own memories, instead of making it up.”
“I’ll take what Boyd experienced the first time he fought the Last Dragon,” Laura declared. “I want to feel that experience, in full.”
She’d answered too quickly for it to have been something she’d just thought of. If Boyd had to guess, his injuries that day had hovered in the back of her mind ever since. This morning’s conversations had simply dredged it up.
“Okay.” Mindy nodded, her hand still on Laura’s shoulder.
“Wait!” Boyd didn’t get the word out in time.
“Herk!” Laura clenched her teeth as her beautiful face crumpled in agony and every muscle in her athletic form tensed. Then, her chin dipped to her chest, and he sensed across the Bond that her consciousness had fled her pain-addled mind.
“You know having her brain reboot from extreme stress isn’t good for her psyche.” Boyd glowered at his gothic love.
Mindy turned her amethyst eyes on him with an understanding smile. “I won’t ask you to leave if you can avoid getting growly with me.”
“I didn’t get growly,” Boyd defended himself.
“Not yet you haven’t,” Mindy agreed. “But we both know it will be hard not to. I know you want to be here for her, but it would probably be easier if you left.”
“Do you think it will it be easier on her if I leave?” Boyd nodded to the unconscious Laura.
“No.” His darkest love sighed. “She gets an inordinate amount of comfort from you being here.”
“Then you know I won’t leave,” Boyd stated. He took a deep breath through his nose and exhaled through his mouth before adding, “But I’ll do my best not to get… growly.”
“Thank you.” Mindy’s understanding smile returned. “You know that knocking her out is part of the training, even if it wouldn’t normally start there. It won’t be the last time it happens, either.”
Mindy pursed her lips, dark, sculpted brows coming together. “You really have been coddling her. Between Hope and I, we can undo any physical or psychological trauma the training inflicts. We both know that if she isn’t properly trained, she’s more likely to die in the field—and then no one can save her.”
“I know,” Boyd mostly succeeded at keeping the growl out of his tone.
“She’s coming around.” Mindy took a step back just before Laura snapped back to consciousness.
“Whoa!” Laura exclaimed as she leaped to her feet, gaze shooting around the room with wide eyes. Her hands were up in the defensive stance Raev had drilled into her enough to make instinctive.
“You’re safe,” Mindy said soothingly. “Everything is okay.”
“Welcome back,” Boyd rumbled gently. “Pain-induced naps are always disorienting. Take a moment to catch your breath and re-center yourself.”
“Yeah… wow.” Laura panted for a moment before she was able to take a deep, centering breath. “What happened?” she asked, her pale green eyes fixed on Boyd.
“You experienced what it was like for me to have my wings and legs flash burned to the second and third degree by a strong energy source,” Boyd explained calmly. “Your body’s reaction was completely natural. Use it as a marker for what you can’t push through.”
“Yet,” Laura stated before taking another long, shuddering breath. After she exhaled, she sat back down in the wooden chair and added, “I’ll use it as something to aim for. Give it to me again, this time at seventy-five percent.”
Boyd resisted the urge to sigh as Mindy stepped back in and placed a hand on Laura’s shoulder. His trainee went rigid and then began to shake. She closed her eyes as tears streamed down her cheeks.
Suddenly, Laura reached out to the side, scrambling for the bucket. She barely got her hands around it and pulled it into her lap before she was emptying the contents of her stomach into the pail. She heaved and wretched until nothing more came up. Shivering, she sat back in the chair before pitching forward again and expelling bile.
It was going to be a very long day, especially once the screaming started.
***
Boyd waited until Mindy stepped away from the unconscious Laura to kneel beside her now prone form. She’d fallen out of the chair ten minutes ago. The stubborn woman had managed to make it through two 5% incremental increases before passing out—meaning she’d managed to deal with 85% of what Boyd had faced after that first fight against the Last Dragon.
Laura had screamed her throat raw, so Mindy had asked Hope to step in and heal her. The angel had also healed dozens of micro-tears in her muscles and the strained tendons that came when one’s entire body seized up. Boyd had even seen cases where trainees had seized so hard their muscles had torn their tendons out of their bones. Fortunately, that hadn’t happened here, but Laura would be sore after this—despite the healing. She’d also need the cup of water he had for her.
Half-an-hour later, Laura came to with a shriek.
Boyd reached out a hand, wrapping it around her upper arm and pulling her up and against him. At first, her body remained in a rictus state, before slowly relaxing into his side. She shivered for another minute and Boyd let her cling to him until she stilled. Handing her the cup of water, he let her drain it in several long sips.
“You still all there?” he asked.
“Yes…” Laura shuddered again. “That sucked.”
“I don’t know if it will make you feel any better,” he said grimly, “but you took 85% of what I faced back then before passing out again.”
“Shit,” she muttered softly to herself. “Gives me something to work towards then in my next two sessions.”
“Sounds like you are ready for the next part,” Boyd said. “I want you get comfortable—be that sitting in the chair, kneeling on the floor, or even lying down. If anything, this next part is going to be even worse than the pain testing, but unfortunately we have to move right onto it for the full effect.”
Laura blanched but gulped and nodded.
