Part 10
Jean and the Professor gave up trying to contact Remy mentally. She sent Hank in to bring the lovebirds to the meeting. Jean smiled over at Scott as she remembered the days when Remy was sent to interrupt them when the Professor couldn't get through their lust-filled brains. Payback's a bitch.
Ororo watched as Tara entered the room and sat next to Kitty. She smiled as she watched Tara gain more confidence among the X-men. She no longer clung to herself and those that first brought her to the mansion. She now was comfortable with all residents here, even Hank and Kurt. Since arriving Tara had been a big help around the mansion. When she wasn't helping Hank with research or training with Kitty she was helping her tend her garden. Tara had quite the green thumb. Hank was looking into seeing if that was a natural ability or part of her mutation. The plants seemed to blossom under Tara's care.
Scott snickered as Remy and Willow quickly followed Hank into the room. He remembered the days when he and Jean were one of the last to come to meetings. He nudged Jean and quietly slipped into her mind, Do you think you should let Willow know that she misbuttoned her top?
A smile twitched at the corner of her lips when she saw that Buffy and the others had arrived from Hardcase's. Oh I think that's the job of the best friend. She bit her lip to keep from laughing out loud when Willow blushed and quickly left the room with Buffy hot on her heels.
Wolverine thanked every deity he knew that Rogue hadn't noticed the reason for Willow's quick departure and quiet re-entry. He did notice her back stiffen when Remy reached over for Willow's hand and lean in to whisper something to her that caused her blush to burn even brighter.
He had to give the Cajun and Willow credit, they did their best to not be obvious when Marie was in the room.
Marie felt a small pressure on her gloved hand and looked into the concerned eyes of Bobby. She gave a tremulous smile and squeezed back. Bobby was a good friend and was a great help to her when she and Remy broke up but she just wasn't ready to open her heart to more hurt. Not yet, maybe later.
"Everyone I'd like to introduce to you the latest additions to our home. This is Maya, Mark and Ivan."
The three shifted uncomfortably in their seats as the people in the room looked their way. Some with friendly gazes and some with bored looks.
"From what Jean and I were able to tell, Ivan and Maya were both enhanced by Emma Frost or someone working for her. Mark was taken by Mystique pretending to be an FBI agent that he works closely with. The mutation seems to have not harmed their 'special abilities'."
Charles indicated Maya. "When I finished my mind probe, Maya got a vision. Indeed the mutation seems to have enhanced her abilities. She tells me that her vision was clearer than any of her other ones. Tara, have you tried using your magick since you were changed?"
"N-no, should I?"
Before Charles could answer Storm asked, "Tara, have you always been good with plants?"
Tara blinked a few times at the seemingly abrupt change in topic. "I was okay but nothing like in your garden."
"If what Storm hypothesizes is correct, your ability to nurture the growth of plants is part of your magick. We theorize the enhancement of your genes has caused your connection with the Earth to also adjust exponentially. You might want to try a small spell to see if your abilities have improved."
"You mentioned a Emma Frost took Maya and Ivan. Is she another mutant like Magneto?"
"She's a mutant yes but not like Magneto. Her ability is like Jean and myself, telepathy. You may have heard of Frost International."
Buffy just looked blankly at the Professor but Willow gasped.
Buffy turned to Willow that wasn't a normal gasp that was an 'I know something' gasp.
"What?"
"N-nothing I just remembered that my counselor at school said that Frost International was interested in my computer work and was offering me a summer internship."
"M-me, too." Tara hesitated. "Well, not computer work cause I don't do computer work but Frost International was offering me to work in their research lab for the summer."
Wolverine's jaw clinched. "I don't believe in coincidences."
"Neither do I, Logan. When did your counselors tell you about the opportunity?"
Willow tried to think back, she and Tara remembered at the same time, "Oh my god, it was not too long after the Gentlemen."
"What would a telepath want with more mutants? I mean Magneto has a plan, sure a twisted plan but he has a plan. What would this Emma Frost want?"
"In Maya's vision she saw Emma with Magneto, Mystique and someone whose back was to her in a mansion that had a sign welcoming visitors to the Hell Fire Club."
"What's the Hell Fire Club?"
"It's a social club for the elite and the world's wealthiest and powerful."
"'kay. But I still don't see what they have to do with changing people into mutants."
"Neither do I, Buffy. That's one of the many questions that need answering."
~~~~
No one noticed that Pyro had never joined them in the meeting room or that he had quietly slipped out of the mansion.
Slipping his backpack over his shoulder John said a silent goodbye to the X-men before entering the Hell Fire Club 'Sorry, Prof but Emma offered more than you did.'
"Welcome, John. What brings you to the club at this late hour?"
John watched as Emma slowly descended the stairs.
"We have a problem. That Seer from the village had a vision of you, Magneto and Mystique here at the club. They know you were behind the latest new mutants, they just don't know why."
"So you came here to save your skin?" Emma raised an eyebrow at him.
Pyro smirked at her, "Actually, no. They're still clueless as to my involvement. I came to take you up on your offer."
A small smile flit across her lips, another one to come into her fold.
"Well then, get settled and we'll meet in the morning with Sebastian and the others."
Sebastian waited until John went up the stairs to his room. "It seems your plan is paying off. Have you gotten any responses to your summer internship offers?"
"Four just last week. They should be arriving in the morning."
Sebastian went to the liquor cabinet and poured a brandy for himself and Emma.
Emma smiled as he handed her the snifter. "To world domination through the Inner Circle."
