"Is this the place?" Logan asked. The car pulled into the driveway of a huge mansion.
"It's bigger than school," Kitty said. Storm cut the engine and climbed out of the car. "I wanna knock." Kitty lifted the intricate brass knocker and hit it twice. An elderly man in a coat and tie answered the door.
"Uh, we were looking for Victoria Hollins," Storm said sheepishly.
"I'm sorry but I believe Victoria Hollins doesn't live here anymore."
"Well is there any other Hollins I could speak to?" she asked. "Raye?"
"It's alright Malcolm!" a voice echoed in the cathedral ceiling. Malcolm moved aside and opened the door wide.
"Where shall I seat them miss?" he called.
"The parlor will do. Reserve my chair please."
"As you wish. May I take your coat miss?" he asked. Kitty giggled and shrugged her coat off. "Madam?" Storm took hers off and handed it to him. "Sir?"
"I'm good," Logan said gruffly. He took out a cigar and chewed the end thoughtfully.
"Right this way, please," Malcolm said.
"Malcolm! Could you come here? I can't open these pickles for the life of me!"
"Yes miss. Make yourselves comfortable. She'll be with you in a moment."
"Wow," Kitty whispered. She gazed up at a gigantic portrait of a young girl with caramel skin and long dark, curly brown hair. She was wearing a turquoise gown. A silver set of wings on a chain hung around her neck. Her eyes were green and fiery. "She's beautiful."
"Thank you," someone said. Logan immediately stood and turned to face the window. A girl, her face hidden in shadow, disappeared into the darkest corner of the room. Her perfect legs appeared crossed from the shadows, indicating that she was seated. Malcolm entered the room and placed a serving tray full of food on the coffee table between them, pickles included.
"Welcome," the girl, no older than Kitty said. "How may I be of service?" A flash of white teeth, a flick of manicured hands.
"Well, I'm Storm, this is Logan and Kitty. We were wondering if you would be interested in attending our school. It's for gifted students, particularly those who carry the X-gene somewhere in their family."
"Oh that's right, you're that place in Westchester, aren't you? X-Men right? Quite a show you put on yesterday. Bravo." She clapped slowly. Then, she laughed. It was warm and deep. Kitty suddenly felt relaxed, calm.
"I understand the X-gene is dominant in your family."
"I'm sorry to disappoint you but I don't think my attendance is possible. And Malcolm is one hell of a teacher." She laughed again.
"We, we were also interested in negotiating some form of payment for the destruction of your building. You had some offices located there," Storm said. Raye's left hand appeared from the shadows.
"I'm sure our insurance covers giant robots," she teased. Kitty couldn't help but laugh. Logan shot her a glance and she stopped. "Now I have some items to attend to if you'll excuse me," she said, politely. She left the room. "Malcolm would you mind showing our guests out?"
"Yes, miss. Right this way," he said. He opened the door. "Anything else, miss?" he asked, after they left.
"I like them Malcolm. Do you think they know?"
"I doubt it, miss. But I think you should reconsider their offer," he said.
"Malcolm, you can't be serious! Don't worry about that," she said. She took the aluminum foil from him and covered the pan. "What's today?"
"September the 20th," Malcolm replied.
"I think I want to throw a Halloween party. No, a masquerade! Could you call Louis and have him fit me a dress?"
"Yes, miss. And may I suggest you invite your new friends?"
"Of course, the whole school! Yes, I'll need a new mask and gloves too."
"She was nice…I guess," Kitty said in the car.
"Who are you kidding? She was nuts!" Storm said.
"Something wasn't right," Logan said quietly. "She smelled…different."
"Like mothballs or something?" Kitty asked.
"No, like a secret. She smelled like she was hiding something."
"She sat in shadow the whole time. I hadn't even noticed how dark it was until she showed up."
"Well, we tried. I have a feeling she'll be back," Storm said.