Chapter 31

Down in the lower levels Domino is heading for the Danger Room to give it a personal test run before they properly restart the training sessions. It wasn't that she didn't trust Forge and Beast, she did. It is just she'll feel better if she tries it first and makes sure there are no bugs and no chance at any of her students being hurt.

She opens the door and instantly has to dodge out of the way of a giant rolling robot head. "What the...?" she starts to exclaim when her eyes spot an enormous pile of giant robot pieces that have been literally torn apart. Further back are 5 huge red and back robots fighting one figure in red and blue.

Domino watches him leap onto the shoulder of one and rip its head off before he heats the head up with heat vision until it is white hot and then throws it at another robot. The white hot metal burns through the chest easily and both robots collapse to the ground as the figure leaps off and slams into another robot, punching into the chest, before literally tearing it open to get at the power core and yanking it out.

That leaves 2 and unfortunately for Domino they have spotted her.

"MUTANT LIFESIGNS DETECTED," one of them enunciates.

"Oh crap," Domino mutters under her breath as she pulls her guns out and alters the settings. She starts firing off shots which dent the armour. Her luck will find the right spot though. Give her a minute...she doesn't have as pink blasts of energy start to be fired at her from the cannon in the chest.

Domino dives out of the way behind some of the robot parts and continues firing. She hits the eyes of one and keeps firing into the head until it sparks, the robot jerks and it begins to fall.

She is about to turn her attention to the last one when it is sliced down the middle into two by two red beams. The fall down to either side.

Domino holsters her guns and folds her arms across her chest. She arches an eyebrow. "Feeling better?" she inquires.

"A lot actually," Clark confesses as he walks over to her. "I hate robots," he mutters. Therefore smashing them into pieces is fun.

"We're going to have redesign this program I think," Domino says looking around at the destruction around her.

"Why?"

"If you alone can do all this then it obviously isn't tough enough."

Clark shrugs. "It's plenty tough. I'm just stronger than I was when we first met the Sentinels and I know how to fight them better. Besides we both know this can never be as deadly as the real thing."

Domino had to concede that. The Danger Room couldn't truly recreate reality because nothing in here was actually lethal. It was only as close as they could get it.

"So any particular reason we're working out our anger issues? I expect that from Logan. Not you."

"Wanda and Rogue."

"Ah," Domino says in understanding. "And how are the Addams Family siblings getting on? Killed each other yet?"

"Rogue is your sister," Clark reminds Dom, with a querying expression.

"So? That mean I can't make a joke about her?"

Clark chuckles and shakes his head. "I guess so. I don't know. I left them to sort it out."

"How?"

"I basically locked them in a room and told them they weren't leaving until they could be civil to each other."

"Didn't know you had it in you," Dom says, a little impressed.

"Neither did I. I just got so fed up of the two of them. I let it drag on too long but I did promise Rogue I would let her tell me in my own time. I never expected that time to be never."

"So isn't this breaking your promise?"

"Maybe...but with Wanda leaving I couldn't leave it like that. Then it would just fester and get worse. Call it hopeless naivete but I just prefer if people would get along with each other."

Domino considers that for a moment. "Remember what I said about you being too good a person for this world?"

"Yeah?" he asks cautiously, not sure what she is about to say next.

"I was right. You are...but do me a favour?"

"What?"

"Don't ever change," Domino tells him with heartfelt sincerity because that, she had come to realise, is what made Clark special.

Smallville...

For the last few days Lex had basically been stewing over the loss of Lana. He was angry. Lex didn't show it much, needing to portray an image of a man always in command, but he was angry.

Something needed to be done...and he doesn't just mean in relation to finding Lana although that is very high on his list of priorities.

Truth was he was doing something. It was a project for SHIELD that once complete would be extremely useful in aiding in dealing with all his problems. Lana, mutants, Superman...whatever he is.

Lex's expression grows pensive as he sits behind his desk in his office in his mansion. Awhile ago he had gotten an offer of a partnership to help with that SHIELD project. Lex had turned it down...mostly until he could figure out how the person who made the offer found out about a supposedly top-secret project.

Now Lex is reconsidering the offer. With their resources combined it would be completed much earlier and with Lana missing time is more of the essence then it was.

There would have to be safeguards, obviously, but the risk to Lex, himself, could be managed.

After a good few minutes of debate Lex picks up the phone and dials. It gets picked up by the personal assistant. "I wish to speak to Mr Pierce. Tell him it's Lex Luthor," Lex says.

A minute or so goes by until the man Lex wants to speak to speaks.

"Donald. Lex. About that partnership you offered. Is it still on the table?"

At the Institute...

Jonathan had been informed Dr Strange would be returning shortly and was asked to greet him when he did. It would give Jonathan a chance he had not had so far to talk and judge the man. Charles trusted him...and that was mostly enough but to help Wanda had meant revealing Clark's secret to someone Jonathan didn't know personally and that always bothers him.

He absently mindedly grasps at his chest a little. His heart condition wasn't any worse but it wasn't any better nor would it get so. The drugs kept it managed for now.

Jonathan waits outside the main entrance when a portal opens nearby...and he is certain there was a time something like that would have startled him but not any more.

Dr Strange steps out and straightens his coat out. He spots the blond man obviously waiting for him. "I believe I was expected," he says. "I don't believe we have had the pleasure of being introduced. Stephen Strange."

"Kent. Jonathan Kent."

"You're Clark's father."

"I am."

"A remarkable boy. You must be very proud."

"I am. I'll escort you to Charles."

Stephen walks alongside Jonathan as they enter the mansion and he can sense something has the man on edge. "Is anything the matter? I can sense tension in yourself."

Jonathan decides to just be honest and say it. "I worry when people I don't know, know about Clark."

"You worry for his safety."

"Isn't that what any parent does for their children?"

"Naturally, of course. I assure you, Jonathan, Clark's secret will be safe with me. I am a keeper of many secrets and while I am not a parent myself I have young apprentices, students like you take care of here, that are entrusted to me."

Jonathan supposes that assuages a few of his concerns. "Can I ask if you have had any luck finding Lana? I knew her well."

"I did go to Smallville to try and pick up her scent, to coin a phrase, but I lost the trail. She has cloaked herself or someone is cloaking her from me. We may both just have to wait until the spirit possessing her chooses to make her presence known once again."

Jonathan frowns. He felt bad about Lana. He had spoken to her aunt, Nell, who was going out of her mind with worry for the missing girl and Jonathan couldn't tell her the truth. He wanted to but he really doubted she would believe that Lana had been possessed by a 17th century witch. Heck Jonathan has trouble believing it completely.

It was also plainly obvious Lex hadn't explained it either. That only confirmed Jonathan's rather negative view he has always had of Lex Luthor.

Jonathan and Stephen reach Charles' door. He knocks and Charles beckons Stephen in. Jonathan opens the door.

"Thank you Jonathan," Charles says gratefully. "Could you please find Wanda and let her know Stephen is here?" he requests, deciding not to use his telepathy. There was no desperate rush. Charles had a few final issues to discuss with Stephen beforehand and Wanda needed to be allowed to say her goodbyes.

Jonathan nods and exits. He then realises he doesn't have a clue where Wanda is. "Clark!" he raises his voice.

A gust of wind later and Clark appears. "Hey dad. You called."

"Yes. Dr Strange is here. You know where Wanda is?"

"...Yeah. I know."

The slight hesitation in Clark's voice catches Jonathan's attention. Something is going on...well something is always going on around here. You barely get an hour without someone pulling a prank. "Could you fetch her?" Jonathan requests and decides not to ask about whatever it is right now. When Clark feels like sharing Jonathan will be here.

Clark nods and vanishes. He stops outside the door to his room a little concerned about what he'll find within. He hadn't actually listened in on them. He was bluffing about that. He pushes the door open, a little tentatively, but is pleasantly surprised to find Rogue and Wanda sitting and seemingly having a nice conversation. They're not yelling at each other. They're not angry. They're almost smiling a little bit. Their eyes turn to look at him. "So...how are we getting on?" he asks them.

"Oh we found some common ground to agree on," Wanda replies.

"Yeah. Lahke killing ya for doing this ta us," Rogue says.

Clark cringes a little as his brain tries to imagine what Rogue and Wanda combined might come up with. "Ok look maybe I went a little far but I just couldn't let this go on."

"Which we sort of agree with," Wanda tells him. "It's the reason I didn't Hex you the second you came through the door...but pull anything like this again and I'll Hex you right between the legs!" she says fiercely.

Clark gulps.

"And do ya need meh ta tell ya what ah'll do ta ya?" Rogue asks him, in an eerily calm tone.

Clark gulps harder and shakes his head. "Uh...Dr Strange is here," he suddenly remembers the message he is here to deliver.

Wanda's face falls a little as she prepares to accept the inevitable of her departure. "Ok. I'll just get my things," she says in sad resignation. She stands up. "Um where are they?" she suddenly asks, since she dropped them when she and Rogue started fighting.

"I put them back in your room, on your bed," Clark tells her.

Wanda nods and heads off back to her room.

That leaves Clark alone with his pissed off girlfriend. "So...do I get to live?" he risks asking the question.

"For tha moment...but there are fates worse than death ya know," Rogue warns him.

"You're never letting me forget this one are you?"

"Nope," Rogue assures him as she stands up as well and comes to a stop right in front of him. "But ya want ta know something?"

"What?"

Rogue rises up on her toes and places her hands around his neck. "When ya get all bossy and authoritative lahke that..." Rogue brings her lips next to his ear, "...ah find it a bit of a turn on," she says in a sexy voice. Rogue's lips are then on his to show that sure she'll never let him forget but she has forgiven him because she gets why he was trying to do it.

"Ooh! Free show!"

Clark and Rogue turn their heads and scowl. "Tabby!"

Wanda soon has her bag slung over her shoulder as she makes her way down the stairs and enters the Professor's office.

"Wanda. It is good to see you again," Stephen greets her with a smile.

"Yeah. Isn't it just," Wanda mumbles, her expression gloomy, clearly not thrilled about this but knowing it is necessary.

"I know this must be difficult for you but it will not have to be permanent," Stephen tries to assuage the mood she is giving off.

Wanda was just going to ask about that. Her face brightens a little. "It won't?"

Stephen shakes his head. "No. The first few weeks will be particularly intense so we can teach you some basic control. This is of especially great importance because you derive your power from a very unique form of magic."

"I do?" Wanda questions that, clearly confused about what Dr Strange means.

"You access chaos magic. You are the only sorceress I have ever encountered who can," Stephen tells her. He won't mention the prophecy surrounding her. That puts too much of a burden on anyone. If he is to break the prophecy it will help if Wanda truly believes, without any doubt clouding her, that she can become whoever she chooses to be. Stephen continues on a note of caution about what his teaching will entail. "This will mean that my teaching you will be as much a journey of discovery for myself as it will be for you. It will also mean that you will need to continue to spend more time with me than not for the next several months but the not times you can spend how you wish. You also won't be alone," he mentions so she doesn't have to fear being lonely. "I have a few apprentices at the moment close to your age."

Well that's something Wanda supposes. She would hate to be alone despite whatever hard shell she gives off. She is also very curious about why her magic is so unique. Well she is sure Dr Strange will explain in time.

"But I should warn you one or two of them can be difficult to get along with," Stephen cautions about his apprentices.

"You've obviously never met Iceman," Wanda quips.

Charles smiles at that, pleased to see a sense of humour starting to breakthrough Wanda's hardened exterior. It was a sign of progress in his eyes. "I have already discussed with Stephen about your education Wanda," he mentions since she is still behind of where she should be.

"Yes," Stephen confirms. "I shall make sure you do not lose out on that front," he promises. As a former neurosurgeon he knows the importance of a decent education.

"Then I guess there is no point in delaying it further," Wanda declares with sadness.

"Do you wish to say your farewells?" Charles asks.

Wanda nods and Charles sends out a telepathic summons to everyone. They gather in the lobby as Wanda, Dr Strange and the Professor head out there.

Tabby quickly moves forward to give her friend a hug. "Now don't you go forgetting about me!"

"Tabby that's impossible," Wanda says back. "And I'm sure I'll be able to call you." She looks to Dr Strange. "Right?"

"Of course," Stephen assures her.

Wanda takes a moment to say farewell to everyone, especially the ones she closest to like Kurt and Clark. She even takes a moment to speak to Rogue. "So that revenge thing we discussed. You'll let me know?" she asks glancing at Clark referring to getting him back for what he did to them.

Rogue grins a little mischievously. "Oh don't worry. Ah've got tha perfect thing in mind."

"Oh good," Wanda says with a truly evil smile aimed at Clark.

Clark looks more than a little worried by that. Rogue's scary when she's plotting vengeance.

"Dude they're agreeing on something," Evan says in total shock at Wanda and Rogue's civilised manner to each other.

"I hit my head right. None of this is real?" Ray asks, looking in a daze out of shock.

Wanda and Rogue both look at Ray and Evan with the same irritated expression. "You know I can still do hexes," Wanda warns. "Do you want a personal demonstration?" she asks them.

Evan and Ray back up, shaking their heads vigorously.

"Thought not," Wanda says with some satisfaction at their fear of her. She says her final farewells and steps back next to Dr Strange who opens a portal and she and he step through. The portal closes. Wanda is gone.

The Sanctum Sanctorum...

Stephen and Wanda reappear in front of the Sanctum Sanctorum and he escorts her inside. Across the street a figure in a hooded cloak watches on, trying to determine what to do now.

"You should know better Agatha."

Agatha's head snaps round at that chastisement and comes across a blind woman with a cane standing there, having managed to sneak up on Agatha unseen and unheard. "Destiny. What are you doing here?" she asks, at a loss why the blind mutant prophetess is here.

"The same as you. Bearing witness to a point of transition. You should not have tried to force her," Destiny, Irene Adler, tells Agatha off in relation to Wanda.

"I had to...and I'm betting you know why."

Destiny sighs. "For someone who has lived so long you lack so much wisdom. That is only one possible future. The Star Child will see it does not come to pass."

"Oh not this Star Child nonsense again," Agatha says as if she is sick of hearing it. "I've heard that ridiculous prophecy for longer than you've been alive and I've never seen him."

"He can be a little difficult to pin down," Destiny admits. Lately it has become even harder. She thinks Wanda might have had something to do with that but she can't quite remember whatever it is. Even her sight can't see him clearly but she can still see the effect he has on others and the world around him. "Have faith Agatha. Wanda's fate is no longer in your hands. It is in her own as it should be," Destiny tries to offer her advice on the matter.

"You have faith Destiny. I'm too old," Agatha dismisses any notion of faith. She has seen too much to have any time for any of that any more.

"Age is relative. Besides even you can't do anything now. She is under Dr Strange's protection. Even you would not be foolish enough to challenge him. Let it be Agatha and it will not play out as you necessarily believe," Destiny tries to persuade Agatha to drop this.

With that Destiny turns and leaves. Agatha just keeps staring at the house, unable to get the vision she had out of her head. It was why she tried so hard to get to Wanda so she could try and prevent it. She can see it. See an older Wanda with pain...so much pain in her eyes and an unsettling madness within them as well, like her mind has broken and all around her there is chaos, reality literally fracturing at the seams, as if in reflection of her mental state and it all originates from Wanda. She is the cause and that is when she does it.

That is when Wanda destroys the world as they know it with 3 words.

"No more mutants."

Inside the house Dr Strange and Wanda enter the lobby. Wong is there waiting for them.

Stephen does the introductions. "Wanda this is Wong. Wong this is Wanda."

Wong bows. "Salutations. Welcome. It is an honour to meet you."

Wanda is a little unsure how to respond. "Uh...hi."

Wong smiles slightly.

"Hey Doc!" a female voice calls out. "You bring me dinner?"

Wanda frowns and turns her head to see a girl about her age with black...no an extremely dark shade of red hair that has two locks that stick up oddly...almost like horns. She is of slender build but has definite curves. She is dressed in a black leather vest top and black leather pants with a chain for a belt. Also her eyes...deep within the pupils they glow slightly red.

The girl walks up to Wanda and eyes her from top to bottom. Her lips curve up into a hungry grin. "You did bring me dinner! And she smells good!"

"Satana!" Dr Strange snaps. "You are here to learn to control your impulses. Not embrace them," he reminds her.

"But she's so appetising!" she argues about Wanda, almost drooling. "It's not like the hip-hop barbie wannabe and her token ethnic friend are much of a meal. They're barely a snack."

"Why are we friends with her again?" another female voice asks, only this once has a distinctive Indian accent.

"We're not," comes the reply in a definite American accent.

Wanda turn her head to see another 2 girls, again about her age she thinks. One has blond hair and is dressed in urban city clothing, white vest top and jeans with a red bandanna on her head. The other is an Indian girl with long dark curly hair dressed in an Indian style dress.

Satana rolls her eyes. "You're bigger killjoys than my brother," she complains. "Mr I am so in denial of what I really am," she criticises her brother.

Dr Strange folds his arms across his chest, his expression growing stern and authoritarian. "Did you or did you not agree to come here of your own free will to be taught by me Satana? Did you or did you not agree to obey my rules?" he asks her, as he attempts to stamp his authority.

Satana gives him a look. "Well lets see now. There was your offer or serving my father. Wow real tough choice that one," she says sarcastically.

"Satana," Stephen says sternly.

"Alright. Alright. I won't eat her," Satana concedes.

"And speaking of your brother shouldn't you two be studying together?"

Satana rolls her eyes. "He went out for dinner with that Patsy girl he has the hots for. Personally I don't know what he sees in her."

"Study. Now," Dr Strange commands Satana to do what she should be doing. He'll deal with her brother upon his return.

Satana rolls her eyes again but walks off without much more argument.

"I'm sorry about that," Stephen apologises to Wanda. "I was hoping to prepare you for her. Satana takes some getting use to."

"Ain't that the truth," the blond girl says as she comes up to Wanda offering her hand. "Hi!" she greets Wanda enthusiastically. "I'm Jennifer Kale but most just people just call me Jen," she introduces herself.

Wanda is amazed she controlled her temper that much during all that but basically she is just very confused. She takes the offered hand. "Wanda...Maximoff."

"This is Topaz," Jen introduces the other girl who bows her head as a sign of greeting. "And that bundle of sunlight," she says sarcastically with a roll of her eyes, "you met was Satana Hellstrom. Later you'll get to meet her brother Daimon."

"What was her problem?" Wanda asks in reference to Satana.

"The duelling conflicts of the two disparate sides to her nature," Topaz answers.

"Suck up," Jen whispers because Topaz is quoting Dr Strange exactly. Topaz is the little teacher's pet.

Wanda responds with, "Huh?"

"Satana is half-demon," Dr Strange just comes out and says it. "As is her brother," he adds.

"Demons are real?" Wanda asks in shock.

"Very real...and very dangerous. As sorcerers it is our job to protect this world from their evil."

"But no pressure right Doc?" Jen asks in a flippant tone.

"I believe there is a great deal of pressure," Dr Strange dead-pans. "Wouldn't you agree Wong?"

"Indeed Doctor," Wong says.

Jen leans over and whispers in Wanda's ear. "That's what counts as his sense of humour," she warns.

Dr Strange ignores that. "I must ask tolerance of Satana. She is here to learn to control of her demonic half and learn to accept her human side. While her brother is here to learn to accept his demonic half. They are in many ways polar opposites of each other but to be whole they both must learn to accept the two halves of their nature."

"Yeah but don't ever be alone with her or she'll try and eat your soul," Jen warns.

Wanda looks more than slightly concerned at that.

"Well she is a succubus after all," Jen points out.

"A succubus?" Wanda inquires. "As in..."

"A being that must feed off the life energy of another during sexual intercourse," Dr Strange states it factually. "Yes," he confirms. "But there are many levels to that. She can take enough to sustain herself and not cause any permanent physical harm to the other. That is part of what she is here to learn; how to control her feeding instinct."

"Or she can just consume your entire soul," Jen explains the other end, saying it bluntly.

"That is the extreme her demon father wanted and which she rejected," Dr Strange reminds Jen. "That was when I stepped in and liberated her and her brother...but there will be time for sharing stories later after Wanda has settled in," he decides. "Jennifer, Topaz, please escort Wanda to her room," he requests.

"Oh get ready for this," Jen cautions Wanda. "This place will cause your brain to flip."

"Must you be so disrespectful," Topaz complains.

"Must you be so much a teacher's pet," Jen hits back with.

Jennifer and Topaz starts to escort Wanda to her room.

"So what are you two?" Wanda hazards a question.

"Sorceress in training," Topaz answers politely.

"I'm just a plain old wiccan," Jen responds.

"Wiccan?" Wanda queries with a light of interesting in her eye.

"Sure. I could teach you the ropes of it if you want," Jen offers, seeing the spark of interest in the Goth girl.

"Maybe," Wanda says cautiously. It does seem interesting to her.

Jen continues with why she is here. "Why I'm really here though is so Dr S can help me find my cousin; Johnny Blaze. He vanished awhile ago leaving me behind this letter detailing how he, to save his father's, my uncle's, life sold his soul to the devil...and I mean that literally by the way," she has to add.

"Mephisto," Topaz growls the name of the devil in question.

"Oh yeah. She really doesn't like him," Jen explains Topaz's sudden shift in mood. "And he doesn't like her either. There is some stupid prophecy that Topaz will destroy him one day. She's here for her own protection more than anything while she trains to become a fully fledged sorceress. Mephisto is really bad news. Tried to kill Topaz because of that prophecy. Dr S saved her and that's how she is here."

"Your cousin?" Wanda asks Jen in regards to him and is sure will get the story around this Mephisto character at some point.

"Don't know what happened to him or where he is really but I'm not going to stop looking until I find him," Jen swears and if she has to go through Mephisto to get answers she will.

"So what brings you here?" Topaz asks Wanda as they pass by an open door and Wanda stops and blinks as a train comes hurtling at them.

"Is that...?" Wanda starts to asks.

Jen rolls her eyes and shuts the door. A moment later she reopens it and there is a pristine looking bathroom. "I tell ya that's murder in the middle of the night when you're desperate for a relief...and that's pretty mundane for this place. It is constantly changing and shifting. Trust me you'll be getting lost for days."

"It is a vital tool in the teaching of the young mystic," Topaz argues.

"This coming from the girl who calls Dr S 'Master'."

"That is the formal title given to a magical teacher," Topaz reminds Jen.

"It won't ever be passing my lips," Jen swears. "It gives off creepy S&M vibes."

Topaz frowns, deeply unhappy at the insinuation before returning to her question. "Wanda, forgive me. Jen has gotten us off topic. I was asking what brings you here."

"Uh...short version; I was possessed by the ghost of a 17th century witch, discovered I had magical powers and I'm here to learn how to control them," Wanda tells them.

"Oh man. Possessions reek!" Jen expresses her opinion.

"They are indeed not pleasant," Topaz agrees.

The 3 girls walk through another door and enter...the same corridor but walking on the ceiling. Wanda has a feeling that this day is going to be really...forgive her for this awful pun...strange.

Back in the lobby Dr Strange blows out a weary breath. "It could be worse. Charles has over a dozen students," he says to Wong.

"He has my sympathies," Wong jests. "Another issue doctor. I made a discovery about the parentage of the Countess Thoreaux. I believe it could be useful."

"In what way?"

"Her mother is still alive," Wong says and hands over a tattered scroll to Dr Strange that he had found while searching the archives.

Stephen opens it and his eyes widen in mild horror at the identity of Isobel's mother. "Oh no," he whispers in the deepest dread.

Elsewhere...

It is a circular room, furnished and decorated with the finest money can by. Along it's edge are several thrones and in those thrones sit the New York branch of the Inner Circle. It is being overseen by the Black King Sebastian Shaw as the club's recent business is discussed.

Right now a blond man in light blue pants, purple waistcoat over a silk shirt over which he wears a dark blue overcoat is informing them of his recent phone conversation with Lex Luthor and of the deal that has been verbally struck. He is Donald Pierce, current White Bishop of the Hellfire Club.

"This is excellent news Pierce," Shaw congratulates him. "This gives us the chance to gain access to the Sentinel technology Luthorcorp had and the ability to control the project Lex Luthor is currently working on for SHIELD."

Pierce smiles thinly, not taking any praise from Shaw too seriously. It is all for show.

"Oh yes it is all terribly interesting," a bored sounding voice says from the throne to the right of Shaw. Sitting upon it is a woman with long black hair, dressed in black leather thigh length boots, thong, a corset that barely contained her cleavage and attached at her neck was a black cape. She has a look of someone from the Mediterranean area. She is Selene Gallio, Black Queen of the Hellfire Club and an immortal sorceress of darkness to boot.

"You have some news?" a smarmy voice asks from Shaw's left. There sits the White Queen, Emma Frost, in an identical outfit to Selene except it's white.

Selene's head snaps round and she glares hard and with her, looks can kill.

Shaw, as usual, tries to mediate the situation between his two Queens. "Do you have news Selene?" he asks her in a much more polite, formal manner.

"Nothing that concerns anyone here," Selene says in a tone as to not to try and argue that point with her.

Shaw was the Black King but if he was to ascend to Lord Imperial he needed Selene's support and power so he tolerates her tendency to not be forthcoming.

Selene rises to her feet. "Now if we are done here I have..." she trails off and her eyes look around the room as if sensing something no-one else can. "Impossible," she mutters.

Then in the centre of the room a purple mist starts to form. It is someone teleporting in which is impossible. Selene cast the protection wards around this room herself. No-one knows her magic well enough to penetrate this room...save one of her children...except last she checked the ones capable of this type of sorcery were all dead or as good as or she had sacrificed them to gain herself more power.

The form takes shape of a teenage girl with long dark hair, dressed in a black dress that had seen better days. Her face has faded cuts and bruises.

Shaw makes move to call in the guards from outside.

"Stop!" Selene commands, raising her hand in that gesture, as her gaze takes in the familiar, to her, looking form. She walks up to the girl and around her, observing her closely, seeing her in ways no mortal can. She comes back round to the front and grabs the girl's chin roughly. She digs a nail into the girl's cheek and draws a drop of blood. Selene takes it on to the tip of her finger and raises it to her mouth where she drops it on her tongue and tastes it. "Possession of a blood descendant. I'm almost impressed," Selene remarks while sounding far from it. She can see who this really is. She knows who this really is.

"Selene?" Shaw inquires, wishing to know what is going on.

"This is the Countess Margaret Isobel Thoreaux. We go way back. I was there, in fact, when she was burned to death at the stake in 1604. That was a good day," Selene comments with a nostalgic grin to show how much she enjoyed that.

Emma cocks a sceptical, perfectly manicured, blond eyebrow at what Selene is saying but says nothing and merely observes. This might yet be of interest to her.

"I'll explain later," Selene informs Shaw about when he'll get what he wants but for now she wishes to concentrate on the figure standing in front of her. Selene brushes some hair back and takes in the marks on the face. "Been in the wars have we...and where is your book?" she asks Isobel curiously.

Isobel glares with pure hatred at Selene and says nothing.

Selene smiles in delight. "You've lost it haven't you," she works out. "I told you, you relied too much on it. I told you, you needed to learn to strengthen your own power but no. You did not heed my counsel. Thought you knew better. Led you to betray me and join that idiot Gertrude and how did that turn out again?"

Isobel just glares harder.

"So 400 years have passed and you're here because you need my help. I can see you barely managing to retain control of that vessel you are in. You must be really desperate to have sought me out," Selene says, taking utter glee in rubbing it in. She can assume this because why else would Isobel be here otherwise? "So anything to say to me after all these years?" she asks expectantly.

Isobel has to choke down the bile that is rising up her throat. To think she had to track down this abomination for help makes her sick but she has no choice. There is no-one else she knows that can help her. The words that follow feel like acid on her tongue. "Hello...mother."

Author's Note: Selene as Isobel's mother. I wonder if anyone saw that coming but you can't help but say there is passing resemblance between Lana and Selene. I also did mention a few times that Isobel had good cause to hate her mother and when it is Selene you can't really blame her. I didn't want Wanda to be lonely so I picked out a few Marvel sorcerers to keep her company as fellow students. Thanks to everyone who wrote reviews. Next up; Kitty and Peter's 1st date.