Warmth. Surely this wasn't the sun. The sun would be hotter than this. Not to mention it was totally dark. Even with my eyes closed, I would still be able to see the light through my lids.
So where was I? And more importantly, who am I?
"Jean, Darling." Someone speaks. I'm confused. Am I Jean. It definitely sounded right.
"You idiot." Someone else says. Their voice is even more familiar, but I couldn't place it. "She isn't going to answer to Jean. And especially not to you."
"Then wake her, Wyngarde. She's needed."
I feel something brush my cheek, "oh Phoenix, my dear, it's morning." Phoenix, yes that's right. My name is Phoenix.
I open my eyes. I'm on a bed, the blankets beside me are crumpled like someone already got out. The only problem is, I don't know who my bedmate is. Probably one of the two guys in the room. Both giving me the feeling like I should know them. I just can't place either of them.
"How did you sleep, my lovely?" The one at my side asks, he has brown hair tied back, dark eyes, shining, white teeth and a soft-looking goatee. he's clad in a maroon suit with a dark blue tie and shiny, black shoes. I think I found my bedmate.
The other man is standing the doorway of the grand bedroom. He had lighter hair, not as long but still tied back in the same way as the other, he has a grim expression and an even grimmer looking gray suit with black tie. He speaks, "Frost has found a mutant by the name of Peirce. Donald Peirce, I believe it is. Will you help us find him?"
"Silence, Shaw, give her time to wake up first ." the one beside me says, "now, Phoenix, you should get dressed, I'll send in one of the maids. Shaw, out." The second man slips through the door with a moment's hesitation and shuts it behind him.
The man smiles, now that the other, Shaw I think his name is, has left, his mood has shifted dramatically. He isn't stiff or serious like he was before. But relaxed, and playful. Too playful. "Last night was wonderful, hmm?" He says as he sits down at the foot of the bed and leans on his hands spread behind him.
"Yeah," I say quietly, having no memory of last night.
"You should know, Shaw is trying to get his scrawny hands on you. But I will not allow it. " then he takes my perfectly manicured hand in his own and presses his lips to it. "He will never get to you, my Queen."
Ugh, pet names. If there's something I remember, it's my hatred towards them. So if he is really my mate, then why does he use them?
There is a knock on the door and a woman wearing an apron bustles in. Her gray hair is tied back in a tight knot and she smiles kindly at me. "Good morning," she sings, as she opens another door, revealing a massage closet full of tight-looking dresses and other, busty clothing. All in shades of red and dark blue.
"I'll leave you to it," the man stands and exits the room.
The maid begins pushing through the closet, she hums softly to herself as she examines the dresses.
"What is your name?" I ask.
She turns around, an expression of surprise washed over her face, "um, Christine, dear."
"Hi," I say.
She looks at me with wide eyes, "What?" I ask, taking note of her anxiety.
"Well, it's just usually the only time the Hellfire club even gives any attention to us is when we do something wrong. I was waiting for you to sack me."
"Oh," guilt lands in the stomach. "I'm sorry, I was just curious."
"Never mind that, dear, what do you want to wear today?"
I spend the next several minutes digging through the closet with Christine. Soon I'm stripping off the sheer, deep purple nightgown and pulling a fitted, blue dress with lace underneath the low collar, acting as a camisole. She quickly pulls my hair back with skilled hands. And when I glance in the mirror I look at my reflection it feels like I'm seeing myself for the first time, even though I know I should recognize myself. Red hair, green eyes, a thin scar lacing up my neck.
"Are you feeling alright, Miss?" Christine breaks the silence.
"Of course, why wouldn't I be." As I speak, I begin to shake, and soon my knees are buckling and I'm quickly sitting down on the vanity stool.
"Do you need me to fetch the practitioner? Wyngarde?"
"No, I'm… okay. But I do have one question, but you have to promise me to keep it a secret." I could trust Christine. I didn't know how I knew that, but I could. "Who exactly am I?"
Christine looks at me, sympathetically, then tells me this story; over two months ago, there were some strange natural disasters, the tides went very low, killing many sea creatures who usually dwell in 100 foot or deeper waters. In other parts of the world, hurricanes caused deviation and earthquakes destroyed entire countries. Tornadoes went through states, and snowstorms forced people to freeze in their houses. With all the destruction, it was only natural for people to think it was the end times when the sun began to disappear.
But nothing happened after it got extremely cold and dark for a second and a half. Then the sun came back and the disasters ceased immediately. Everyone blamed mutants, who are apparently superhumans who normal people want dead.
Exactly twenty-four hours later, I came to the Hellfire Club's Headquarters, a home for a group of mutants who form a type of secret society. Wyngarde, the man who I appear to be dating, recruits me as his "business partner". According to a mutant who can read minds by the name of Emma Frost, I am an Omega Level mutant, the highest level. The only issue is, my powers are somehow under the control of something else. And I have not been able to tap into them for two months.
"Are you a mutant?" I ask.
Christine smiles grimly, "indeed, Miss, I am a Pyrokinetic. I control fire."
"Do you know what my powers are?" I ask.
"No, I do not, Miss. I told you all I know."
That's understandable, I think. A maid wouldn't know as much information as the ones in the club. Unless they were a spy or had someone else working on the inside.
"You don't have any memories, do you?" She asks suddenly.
I shake my head. I made it pretty obvious I guess.
"Do you remember anything from before you came here?"
"No," I sigh. Isn't that what having no memories means?
There is another knock on the door, "Phoenix. We need you in the planning room, immediately." The voice was, feminine, English, and strict.
"Okay," I reply. I step into black heels and stumble out of the door. Where I'm pushed through an elaborate hallway by the flow of traffic. I somehow knew exactly where to go. Down one staircase, across the hall, and into a small elevator that takes me to the very top floor, where guards let me into a heavily secure room.
At first, it takes a minute for my eyes to adjust to the dimly lit room. A spotlight over a circular table is the only source of light, excluding the computer screens that light up, they're small corners. shadows dance through the walls as I walk towards the table, where people sit, dead silent.
"Ah, finally," Shaw says when I come into the light. My supposive mate stands, reaches for my hand, leads me to my chair, and kisses my cheek. His ice-cold palm sends chills down my spine.
"Please keep the romance out of official Hellfire Business, please, Wyngarde." The only other woman in the room says. She is obviously the one who knocked on my door a few minutes ago. Her blonde hair, pale features, and blue eyes look ghastly in the dim light. In her tight, white leather jacket, leggings, and knee-high boots, she looks like a prostitute.
"My apologies, Frost," Frost. That name suits her. "but you must know how it is." Wyngarde, says.
"Nevermind Emma, Jason. She is just jealous." Another man says. This one has yellow hair, the same shade of beard, and has on a slate-colored suit with bright pink tie covering his bulging stomach. He grasps onto the stem of a wine glass like it's his lifeline.
"I am not, Leland! " Emma Frost snaps, tightly crossing her legs.
"Anyway," Shaw says loudly, "Pierce isn't going to recruit himself. What do you know, Emma?"
Frost fumes for a second, then says, "he's twenty-three years old. He graduated from Harvard very early, but a car accident caused him to lose his left arm and leg. He moved in with his parents, where his father, a self-exclaimed, Bio Electrician built him a new set of limbs. I figured we could go and convince him of the Hellfire life."
"Built a new set of limbs?!" Leland exclaims. He seems to be coming in a little late on the conversation. It could have something to do with the drink in his glass or the fact that he seems more interested in staring down Shaw then paying attention.
Anyway, Cyborgs didn't come to a surprise to me. Of course, I don't remember why. But something else triggers a memory. My parents. John and Elaine Grey. They live in Albany. How long has it been since I saw them? What are they thinking at the moment? Do they know I'm missing? Am I missing?
Shaw clears his throat and says, "Do you expect us all to go, Frost? We are recruiting a boy, Wyngarde and I can go. See if we can hook you up with a new playmate. I know how you enjoy the company of younger men."
Frost flares her nostrils, "do you think I am recruiting him for myself, Sebastian? No, I get my pleasure from you. Unless, that is you prefer someone else, like Phoenix, maybe."
"People!" Leland shouts, suddenly acting sober, "let's keep to the meeting. Emma, don't you dare try it. Jason, sit down." Wyngarde had stood up and put his fingertips to his temples. Frost is doing a similar thing, but keeping her legs crossed in front of her and her lips pursed. Battle of the psychics perhaps?
The meeting ends abruptly. It is decided that Leland and Wyngarde will leave, allowing Shaw to monitor their progress and Frost to psychically guide them from slicing each other's throats.
Wyngarde abides me farewell with multiple kisses along my neck and jaw, then leaves me in my bedroom. This is my chance.
I am going to escape.
I know now that I'm not supposed to be here. I have another life, with other people. Mutants, if I remember correctly. I just wish I remembered more than that.
A solid knock on the door breaks me from my trance. Without my consent, Shaw marches in, his shut untucked and unbuttoned showing a waxed six pack.
I am confused at first. It isn't until he is caressing my cheek in his hand and licking his lips that I comprehend what was going on. I knee him in the gut.
"What the hell?!" He squeals, doubling over.
"What were you doing?" I snap. It wasn't that he was cheating on Wyngarde. But I felt he was on someone else. I just don't know who.
He looks up at me with hate shining in his eyes. He flicks his tongue before standing up. "I see what's happening here. Wyngarde lost his control on you." He steps up to me again, this time reaching to the hem of my skirt. "Now, of course, I could tell him that you are independent, or you can come to bed with me."
This man is blackmailing me. Wanting to sexually abuse me. No. This isn't going to happen.
"Leave me alone, Shaw!" I say. I clench my hands at my side preparing to fend for myself. It feels like my mind is being strained, and furniture begins to rattle.
"Oh, look who finally found her powers." He mocks.
At his words, jumbles of memories come back, Telekinesis. Phoenix force. M'Kraan crystal. Scott. X-Men. Logan. Professor Xavier. I had to get back. Even if I didn't know where back is.
"Don't worry," Shaw says, "I'll tell Jason as soon as possible. You'll be his brainless vegetable soon enough. Unless you do obey my wishes." He grabs my waist. I pull away.
"You can't do this, Shaw. By now Professor Xavier has already found me, and the X-Men will be here."
"You remember them too," he says with a chuckle.
My mind is being strained to the maximum. Stars dance in my line of vision and I black out. Leaving Shaw as the last face I see.
To Be Continued
AN: It was really a challenge to write this chapter. I don't know why but I really struggled with getting it to my credentials. I trashed it twice and this was the third result. I HATE The Hellfire club, so I tried to make them as terrible as I could. hopefully you all liked it:) The next chapter will be even longer and more stuff happens!
I know it's been forever since I've posted a chapter, and I am so sorry. Hopefully the next chapter will be published sometime this week, but no promises. As always, F&F as well as comment! Hope you beautiful readers are well! Cheers!
Ps. A huge shoutout to my awesome cousin, Lu, who proofreads my stuff and really makes me think! I love you, girl!