New Blood

New Blood
Chapter 16: Negative Influences

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Sinister’s Lab

Mr. Sinister was having one of the best days in his 150 year lifespan. Anytime he got another resource to aid him in his pursuit of the perfect species it was considered an accomplishment. But to get two pieces in such a short span of time was even better. The first piece was the brain tissue they removed from Remy Lebeau. It had unique properties that could potentially cause mutant powers to grow exponentially, leading to power levels once believed to be impossible. The second came just this morning when Charles Xavier informed him the deal with Norman Osborn was a success and a shipment of his infamous ‘goblin gas’ was on its way. It was the kind of break Sinister had long hoped for and maybe now he could finally start making plans.

Sinister read up on Norman Osborn. The man had a complicated history both publicly and privately. He had a nasty habit of making bad deals that came back to bite him, namely the one he made with the Kingpin. He was also recklessly impatient, known for skipping protocol and breaking laws to advance his research. It was what led him to test the goblin gas on himself and for a while it turned him into the criminal the media called the green goblin. Sinister saw some video feed of his battles with Spider-Man and was intrigued at what the gas could do. It showed features like advanced strength, agility, and endurance. It also showed some pretty nasty psychological affects, but Sinister could care less about that. Sometimes a little insanity was needed for the sake of progress.

Alone the piece of brain and the goblin gas held decent promise. But together they could be the key factors he was looking for in creating his new species. The Inner Circle had other plans of course. They just wanted him to see if he could use the goblin gas to enhance mutant powers so they would have an edge over other mutants. But Sinister wanted to take it a step further. He wasn’t about making better mutants. He was about making gods.

At the moment he was in the biotech lab where they housed the chunk of Remy’s brain. He was doing a few computations in his DNA computer involving the chemical makeup of the goblin gas. So far the numbers were promising. But numbers alone wouldn’t produce results.

“Henry! Henry, come in here!” he yelled out.

It took a moment for Hank to catch up. Ever since that incident with Wanda he had been a little distracted. He wouldn’t talk about it, but Sinister sensed that animal inside him was rearing its ugly head again. And this time it was in the form of his mating instinct. He thought it was pathetic, but so long as he didn’t let it interfere with his work too much he didn’t care.

“I…I’m coming, sir!” said Hank as he stumbled into the room.

“What kept you? Looking at video feed of the girls shower again?”

Hank blushed. Not because of what he implied, but because he actually had been doing something like that earlier. Only it wasn’t the showers he was looking at. He had been tapping into the manor security feed to watch some of the pawns have sex. Earlier he saw Jean and James Poundstar going at it. Then he started watching Wanda and Scott before Sinister called him in.

“Mr. Sinister, sir, I assure you…”

“Oh knock it off, Henry. It was a rhetorical question. I don’t need an answer,” he said, rolling his eyes, “Take a look at this. What do you see?”

After collecting himself, Hank looked at the screen. It looked simple enough. They were calculations involving the brain tissue they cultivated and some unique chemical compounds. They often used this computer to predict the kinds of reactions they would get in their tests. But he didn’t remember using chemicals like these yet.

“I see the cell structure of the brain tissue we extracted reacting to some sort of mutagenic catalyst,” he surmised, “But I don’t remember us experimenting with a catalyst of this nature before.”

“That’s because we haven’t,” said Sinister, “That catalyst your looking at is the gas that turned Norman Osborn into the Green Goblin.”

“The Green Goblin? You mean that monstrous criminal who terrorized New York City a few months ago?”

“The very same. And the Inner Circle just made a deal with him. In exchange for a few favors, Osborn is giving us full access to his advanced research divisions. He even sent us a nice shipment of the goblin gas to get us started.”

“Sounds promising,” said Hank, now more impressed with what he was seeing, “But what does that mean for us? Based on my limited knowledge of Osborn’s research, most of his results have led to unstable products with limited use.”

“That they have. But bear in mind Norman Osborn is more businessman than genius. He has nowhere near the scientific proficiency that you and I have. He also has nowhere near the resources the Hellfire Club has at their disposal. That’s why we’re going to succeed where he failed.”

“You mean we’re going to make the goblin gas a viable tool for physical enhancement?”

Sinister laughed, his ominous eyes gazing ambitiously over the readings. Hank was a smart man who had become a loyal pupil of his, but he still had the naivety of a young man still not willing to do what was necessary.

“Mere physical enhancements? Please, that’s been done to death. You can enhance someone’s physical prowess all you want, but you’re only putting bandaged on a festering wound. Even mutants have their limits and are at the mercy of their imperfect DNA. If you really want to give evolution a nudge in the right direction you have to get at the heart of what makes a species unique.”

“You mean restructuring the entire genetic code?” said Hank, not seeing how that was possible.

“Of course not. Why tear a good structure down when you can just build on top of it? No, what we have here are two keys. One accelerates mutant powers and the other enhances physical stature. Put them together and what do you get?”

Hank thought about it for a moment. He looked at the screen and then back at the piece of brain they had sealed in a glass container. He was beginning to see what Sinister was talking about. It was far-fetched from a purely logical standpoint, but scientifically it was feasible. If they took the mutagens in the goblin gas and mix it with the acceleration aspect of Remy’s brain tissue then the whole mutation process may be revolutionized.

“I see…so it wouldn’t just act on the mutant genes that give mutants their powers. It would act on the whole organism!”

“And hence, speed up the whole evolution process,” grinned Sinister, “It’s like giving mutation a nice kick, speeding it up to the point where it would only take a few generations to evolve a whole new species of beings.”

“A new species? That quick?” said Hank with an astonished look.

“It’s certainly possible. But therein lies the challenge my boy. How do you get this messy piece of brain disuse to interact with the goblin gas so it functions effectively for all mutants?”

“I can’t say I know off the top of my head. Is it safe to assume that this will be our new project?”

“Indeed,” said Sinister as he turned away from his computer, “But we’ll have to divide our time between testing the necessary processes and refining the goblin gas. The Inner Circle has no interest in creating a superior species. They just want something they can use to further their goals.”

“How are we going to do that, sir? It will seem quite conspicuous if they find out we kept that piece of brain tissue from Remy and used it in our tests.”

Sinister scoffed and patted his young apprentice on the shoulder. That was another thing he had to work on. He was too concerned about the watchful eye of the Hellfire Club when in reality it was them who should be concerned.

“Try not to worry about that, my boy. I’ve evaded them this long. I can keep doing so for as long as I need. But for now we’ll continue to entertain their request. Just don’t forget that we have much loftier goals.”

Hank nodded knowingly. He was well-aware of his mentor’s loyalties and they were not towards the Hellfire Club. They were just means to an end for him. They were giving him resources to carry out his research and he was providing them valuable scientific and medical services. His true goals were much greater, but much of those goals he kept to himself. He only offered him bits and pieces of what he wanted to do. He knew he wanted to create a new species, but he wouldn’t say specifically how or to what end. He just said it would be monumental in every sense of the world.

But Hank understood he was still young. All that knowledge would come with time and he had no intention of backing out from such an amazing opportunity. He was a man of science and this was the best possible place for a mind like his to flourish. Sinister was teaching him so much and there was so much more he wanted to know. The more he learned, the more he felt he could leave behind the weak, naïve young man who failed to treat his own condition. He never wanted to be that man again. He wanted to become something more and with Mr. Sinister guiding him he was well on his way.

Women’s Showers

It was early in the afternoon and the female pawns had just finished their usual workout in the weight room. As women of the Hellfire Club, they were expected to maintain a certain level of fitness and beauty. Surgery could only enhance their appearance so much. They had to work out and exercise in order to fill out to their full potential. The Hellfire workout regiment was demanding, but the results spoke for themselves. Every woman noticed a difference in the overall tone and fullness of their bodies. It also showed when they worked the clubs because the men tipped them more and they got more propositions for private services. There was also the overall health aspect, but in the Hellfire Club that was secondary to beauty.

After their workout they all showered in the large, group showers located adjacent to the gym. But these weren’t typical gym showers. Like everything in the Hellfire Club, they were highly polished for comfort and opulence. Most of the surfaces were fancy marble and gleaming fiberglass patters and there was no trace of mildew or grime. It was still open though. There were no dividers shielding each woman as they showered under an individual spigot, but seeing as how they always saw each other naked at the clubs it didn’t bother them.

For Jean, Emma, Rogue, and Wanda this had become part of their routine. They were all becoming very much entrenched in the ways of the Hellfire Club and activities that used to shock them were now as common as anything else in their previous lives. Yet still, they didn’t exactly become friends or anything. Rogue and Jean got along well and considered each other friends, but Emma still kept to herself and Wanda kept becoming more distant as she spent more time with Selene. In fact, showering together was one of the few times they each had a chance to interact.

“Ah workouts, they do a body good,” sighed Rogue as she let the hot water cascade down her naked body.

“Amen Rogue! I never thought I could have a butt like this!” smiled Jean as she washed around her legs and thighs.

“Even natural beauty requires maintenance, darling. Nobody wants to sleep with an out-of-shape sex worker,” said Emma, who was working on her second round of conditioner.

“Guess you would know best, huh? You’ve been at this longer than any of us,” said Wanda.

“Experience helps no matter what our trade,” she shrugged, “Men want beautiful women and we give it to them…for a price of course.”

“And we’re all good at it,” laughed Wanda, “That’s saying something considering where I came from. My brother and I were raised by a gypsy and they believe all women must cover their legs, menstruating women are dirty, and pre-marital sex is a sin in the greatest degree.”

“Well I think it’s safe to say you’ve broken all three tenants,” smirked Jean, “Does it ever bother you?”

Wanda thought about it for a moment. It had been a long time since she dwelled on the old beliefs she and Pietro were raised with. All the teachings and rituals of the Hellfire Club made it so easy to forget. But it was still part of her life.

“Not really,” she shrugged, “Pietro and I were never that much into it. Plus, when our father took us in he said to forget such beliefs. He considered them products of ignorant human minds.”

“Can’t say he was wrong either,” said Emma, “I’ll never understand why some people insist that women cover up. Why should we when we have so much to show off?”

“I agree with you there, Emma. But they were right on some things,” said Wanda, “Gypsies believed in things like magic, curses, and rituals. And we all know for a fact that those are real.”

“Yeah, no kidding,” said Jean, thinking back to her first experience with magic when Selene used a sex spell on her and Scott.

“And for me it’s even more important. Even though Lord Xavier said my mutant powers are based on manipulating probabilities, Mistress Selene believes they have a mystical aspect to them.”

“Mystical? You mean doing magic is part of your mutation?” asked Rogue.

“I believe so. Mistress Selene did say some were more inclined for magic than others. Guess I’m one of those lucky few,” she said proudly.

Jean’s expression fell somewhat. It didn’t seem fair that she had mutant powers to help her learn magic while she had to work within her own limits. It would have been nice if telepathy or telekinesis could help her cast spells. She already heard from Scott and the other guys that Wanda could do this thing with her powers where she intensified sex spells, making the experience even more intense. Taking everything into account it was no winder why Selene gave her special attention. But it still made her feel left out.

“Jealous much?” commented Emma, who picked up on her bitter state.

“Shut up, Emma,” muttered Jean as she started washing her breasts.

Wanda and Rogue ignored Jean’s remark and continued the conversation.

“So what exactly is Selene teaching you, anyhow?” asked Rogue, “She barely showed meh the basics.”

“Well to be fair, you were always busy humping the guys,” quipped Wanda.

“Ha ha, just answer the question,” said the southern mutant sarcastically.

“Sorry, but I can’t give you all the details. Mistress Selene specifically instructed me to keep them to myself. But I can tell you I’m doing things with my powers I once thought were impossible. There’s a whole world of magic out there and I’ve just scratched the surface. Mistress Selene has already shown me so much. But I get the feeling I have to prove myself if I’m to learn anything advanced.”

“Well be careful, sugah,” warned Rogue, “Ah respect Mistress Selene as much as anybody, but she’s not exactly a good influence. If you don’t watch yourself you may end up taking adopting part of that charming personality of hers.”

“Oh please, you sound like my brother,” scoffed Wanda, “I know what the Black Queen does. I don’t see why that should be an issue in learning from her.”

“It is, Wanda,” said Emma strongly, “Trust me, Selene doesn’t help anybody unless it benefits her in some way. If you’re not careful she may end up using you. And the minute she becomes bored with you, she’ll toss you out like yesterday’s garbage.”

“She won’t if I realize my potential,” argued Wanda.

“Yes she will. Trust me on this. I’ve know Selene longer than any of you. I’ve seen first hand what she’s capable of. And even by Hellfire standards, she’s a real bitch. If you’re smart by any measure you’ll get your magic lessons from someone else.”

Wanda cast Emma a snide glance. Personality or not Mistress Selene was still her teacher and everybody’s Black Queen. But Emma showed no respect for her and anybody for that matter. The only person she ever spoke highly of was Charles Xavier and even that was limited. She had no doubt that Emma saw more of Selene’s unpleasant side seeing as how she had been here longer, but that didn’t matter to her. All she cared about was developing her power. And if she was going to lecture her like Pietro, she wasn’t going to stick around.

“Guess it takes a bitch to know a bitch,” she quipped.

“That doesn’t mean that I’m wrong,” retorted Emma with a snide grin.

“Oh shut up already! You’re worse than my brother.”

Wanda had enough. If she was going to insult her decisions she wasn’t going to take it. She turned off her shower, grabbed her towel, and stormed out. Emma just didn’t understand. Nobody understood. But unlike Pietro she insulted her because of it. That just showed what a bitch she was.

The smug grin on Emma’s face never waned even after Wanda left. Rogue and Jean exchanged looks. She looked pretty proud of herself. She just called Wanda out on her admiration of Selene and took pleasure in her heated response. To her it was proof that she was right, but to Jean and Rogue it was proof she was just rude.

“You know, you’re not going to make a lot of friends treating people like that, Emma,” commented Jean.

“So what?” said Emma as she rinsed off her hair for the final time, “I don’t need friends in my line of work. In my experience they get in the way.”

“Now who’s the bitter one?” laughed Rogue, “Seriously Emma, friends are important even in our line of work. Heck, Ah think they’re more important considering we have people like Selene to deal with.”

“Maybe for you, but not me,” said Emma strongly as she turned off the shower and grabbed a towel, “I do better on my own. I always have.”

“You should still give people a chance. It can be as simple as telling someone your middle name or keeping them company,” said Jean with a touch of scolding in her tone.

“Thanks, but no thanks. I like things my way.”

“Does that way include being a bitch?” quipped Jean.

“So what if it does? It works, doesn’t it?”

“But does it make you happy?”

Emma didn’t answer. She just rolled her eyes, wrapped her towel around her wet body, and walked away. She was getting tired of people telling her not to push people away. She wasn’t pushing anybody away. She just wasn’t letting them get too close. She let that happen once and regretted it ever since. And so what if it didn’t make her happy? It was still a hell of a lot better than being hurt.

But Jean and Rogue weren’t sure of what to make of her. Emma always gave off a strong sense of hostility, but it didn’t seem like it was out of hatred or malice like Selene. She just shut herself out and turned people off with that charming wit of hers. It didn’t make her any less a bitch, but it sure posed some interesting questions. Either way, they weren’t getting any closer as friends or partners. First Wanda stormed out and then Emma. At the rate they were going they may not be able to shower together anymore because there would be too much resentment. But they had to get along at some point. Nobody could survive in the Hellfire Club without doing so.

“Ain’t she a peach?” smirked Rogue.

“A walking ball of sunshine,” said Jean, “But still, I can’t help but wonder why she’s so cut off.”

“With Emma, who knows? That girl has serious issues.”

“Don’t we all?” inquired Jean.

“Well some more than others. And honestly, Ah’d rather not dig too deep. Some people just don’t open up.”

“I guess so,” sighed Jean, “We may not be one big happy family, but at least you and I are getting along, Rogue.”

“That’s true. And Ah’m glad for that,” she said.

“Me too.”

Jean smiled at her fellow pawn and Rogue smiled back. Even though Emma didn’t believe it, Jean was right. Having friends definitely helped. Nobody could succeed in this business without having people on their side. It was something Lord Xavier constantly preached. Part of the reason gained so much power was because people respected him as well as feared him. For Jean and Rogue it was nice to have a girlfriend to talk to. Neither of them had many friends in their old lives. It was a nice change of pace and one that couldn’t be bought or taken. It was just a shame that people like Emma didn’t realize that.

Hellfire Manor Lounge

After a busy morning of training and exercise, the male pawns took some time to relax in the lounge. Hellfire Manor had numerous lounges and recreation areas. Each had a decent collection of entertainment including big screen TV’s, games, and reading materials. The one they all gathered in was one of the bigger lounges with a cinematic-type theater system with surround sound speakers and large, plush leather couches that were great for settling on after a day in the Hellfire Club. They were also great for having sex on, but that was another story.

At the moment a movie was playing while Scott, Warren, Pietro, Kurt, James, and Piotr lofted about. They rarely hung out together like this, but this area was the best place to watch movies so they didn’t think too much of it. Among the men, everybody did their own thing. James and Scott had their combat training, Warren had his business skills, Kurt had his mystical research, Piotr had his strength training, and Pietro had a little of everything. But that didn’t mean they were all completely distant from one another. Some did consider their fellow pawns friends.

James and Scott got along well and developed a strong respect for one another. James found Scott to be a dedicated, focused young man with great potential in combat and solid leadership skills. If they were back on the reservation, he could easily see Scott as a tribal leader. James also got along well with Piotr, largely because they had a lot in common power-wise. They often worked out together and found themselves talking about their lives from Piotr’s life back in Russia to James’s life on the reservation. Pietro wasn’t the friendliest guy in the world. He still harbored a grudge against Scott and Warren for when they fought him while he aws on the Brotherhood. But he got along well with Piotr. He was probably the only guy he really talked to. Warren and Kurt got along nicely as well, but they turned the others off for the most part because of how much of Selene’s dark persona they adopted.

They were hardly close knit. Neither one of them would take a bullet for each other anytime soon. But as pawns of the Hellfire Club they had to accommodate one another. Some were just better at it than others.

“So Kurt, what made you join us for training today?” asked Scott as he stretched out on the couch.

“I had some free time for a change,” he shrugged, “Mistress Selene vas busy vith something and could not be disturbed.”

“You don’t say?” said Pietro suspiciously, “What exactly was she busy with? More torture for some suspected traitor?”

“Not zhis time,” replied Kurt with a touch of scolding in his tone, “She’s vorking on some kind of spell. She says it’s important and none of us are to bother her. And zhat’s enough for me.”

“Whatever,” said James, “I still don’t get that woman. And honestly, I don’t think I want to.”

“Me neither, comrade,” said Piotr, “She may be Black Queen, but she’s hardly a friendly associate and just has this way about her that feels off.”

“I vouldn’t say she vas off, mien friend. You just don’t understand how she thinks,” said Kurt in defense of his teacher.

“What’s to understand? She likes to cast spells and torture people for fun,” said Pietro.

“Is zhat all you see in her? Because if I recall your father vas not zhat different.”

That caused Pietro to get up from where he was sitting and confront Kurt head on. As much as he despised his father, he did not take kindly to other people using him as a way to push his buttons.

“Don’t even try to compare Mistress Selene to my father! You don’t hear me comparing her to your mercenary mother, do you?”

“At least my mother never tried to start a nuclear war,” grinned Kurt, not flinching despite the speedster’s harsh tone.

Pietro was even more irked. He was inclined to slug the younger mutant across the face for such remarks. But before their bickering could continue, Scott stepped in and broke them up.

“Enough, you two!” he said as he pushed Pietro back a bit, “We all have issues, but we also live under the same roof so the least we can do is try and get along!”

“Yeah, and if you have to fight at least do it in a room with less expensive equipment. You wouldn’t want to explain to the Black King and Queen how you broke some of their expensive toys over a petty feud, would you?” added Warren.

Pietro stared Kurt down, who remained as calm as ever. It bothered him that he was always so collected. Even when he was being tough around clients or girls, he carried the same demeanor. He didn’t even give a second thought to saying he liked having sex with Wanda more than any other girl. But as much as he would have loved to chew him out for it, he had no desire to cause a scene.

“This isn’t over,” said Pietro sternly.

“Speak for yourself, mein friend,” grinned Kurt.

Before the speedster could respond Kurt teleported out of the room in a puff of smoke and brimstone. It was his way of spiting the irritable young man even more. It left Pietro fuming even more than before, but Kurt could care less. Pietro was an overbearing, egotist who let his emotions hinder his strength. Wanda always came to his defense, but he didn’t find that too redeeming. If he was going to despise him for his pursuits, so be it.

“I hate it when he does that,” groaned Pietro.

“You were asking for it. What did you expect?” said Warren.

“Don’t start, Warren. Can you or anyone else honestly say you’re not a little put off by how much he’s taking to Selene?”

“Are you saying that just because your sister’s doing the same thing?” quipped James.

“That wasn’t an answer, Warpath,” retorted the speedster.

Scott, James, Piotr, and Warren fell silent. They didn’t answer because they knew he had a point. Kurt and Wanda were learning a lot from Selene and it was somewhat disturbing. Even though they weren’t exactly close to them, they still noticed a change in how they carried themselves. It more or less vindicated Pietro’s point.

“I rest my case,” he said.

“Big deal,” scoffed Warren, “Shouldn’t we be past the novelty of Selene’s ways? I mean, she’s a super-powered immortal woman for crying out loud! Of course she’s going to be different.”

“Different is not the term I would use, Warren,” said Piotr, “Her being immortal is no justification for her cruelty.”

“Look at it from her perspective,” he went on, “She’s lived through a good chunk of human civilization. And if you’ve studied it at any length, you’ll agree that most of it was pretty barbaric. Did you know the ancient Romans threw disobedient slaves into pools full of hungry fish? Hell, the Mayans and Aztecs practiced human sacrifice for over 500 years!”

“What are you saying? That just because that’s what she’s lived through it gives her an excuse to be so cruel?” said Scott.

“No, I’m just making a point that her ways, as harsh as they may seem, work for her because that’s what’s always worked for her. And given how long she’s been at it, you can’t expect her to give it up.”

Warren made an interesting point, but this wasn’t the first time he came to the Black Queen’s defense. Scott, James, Piotr, and Pietro had plenty to disagree with.

“I’m sorry, but I still do not see how such cruelty is justified,” said Piotr, “And this is from someone who has seen some pretty cruel behavior in the Russian mob.”

“That’s just your opinion,” scoffed Warren, “The way I see it Mistress Selene is just embracing that inner darkness we all have inside of us. If that darkness includes her knack for cruelty, so be it. Besides, embracing your dark side is good for you. It helps you see the world in a wholly different light.”

“I guess you would know. She did give you a pretty good taste of it your first day here,” said Scott, who still remembered Jean describing that scene in vivid detail.

“That she did. And I’m grateful for it,” said Warren with an ominous smile, “You guys should try it too. I’m sure there are plenty of things she could show you if you let her.”

There was a strange look in his eyes. It showed whenever he recalled that fateful day Selene ravaged him in bed, giving him a full taste of her sinister aura. It also showed in his personality, which sometimes showed traces of her twisted mindset. That in and of itself was enough to turn them off.

“I’ll pass, thank you,” muttered Scott.

“As will I,” said Piotr, “I am content with what I have embraced already.”

“Same here,” said James strongly.

“And judging what I’ve seen in Kurt and my sister, I’d rather keep my interactions with Mistress Selene on a strictly necessity basis,” said Pietro.

Warren rolled his eyes. Even when he made a point, they all brushed it off. But that was their problem. They could never understand what he experienced. It was something that drove him to become the man he was now and had no intentions of slowing down.

“Suite yourselves,” he shrugged as he got up from the couch, “I think I’ve had enough movies for today. There’s a shareholders meeting at a rival company this afternoon and I intend on crashing it in the Hellfire way.”

“Good luck with that,” smirked Scott, knowing full well what that implied.

“Since when do we need luck?” quipped the winged mutant as he made his leave.

Scott, Pietro, James, and Piotr were left to ponder their comrade’s demeanor. While they were used to it by now, it was still cause for concern. Warren wasn’t like Kurt in the sense that he dove into Selene’s philosophical musings. His motivation was a lot simpler. He got a taste of Selene’s persona and liked it. It sure helped him take on Hellfire Club business practices, but sometimes it felt liked it too much.

“I guess Kurt isn’t the only one who holds Mistress Selene with special regard,” commented Piotr.

“No kidding,” scoffed Pietro as he sat back down, “I respect her and all, but sometimes she’s just too much.”

“Definitely,” said Scott, “While I think there’s some truth to what Warren said about her taste for cruelty, I get the feeling there’s more to it.”

“How do you figure?” asked Piotr.

“It’s just a gut feeling, you know?” he replied, “Lord Xavier always tells us there’s a reason for everything. But sometimes that reason isn’t tangible. It’s just something you know instinctively.”

“I agree. I don’t think any one of us can ever know for sure,” said James, “But Mistress Selene does make me wonder at times. Remember, she does spend a lot of time practicing the mystic arts.”

“That doesn’t necessarily make her good or evil,” Scott retorted, “Jean and I have been experimenting with the mystic arts too and we haven’t gone down that path.”

“That wasn’t what I meant, Scott. You see, my people are strong believers in supernatural forces. Many of our traditions relate to magic and they all share the same common theme.”

“And what might that be?” asked Piotr curiously.

“It all goes back to the spirit. Everyone is capable of filling it with good and evil. Those that only embrace the good delude themselves. I know because I was once one of them. But those spirits can be redeemed. Those that only embrace evil however…well, let’s just say they’re more stubborn. They feed off the experiences they reap. For some it gets to a point where they can’t handle it anymore. But for a very few there are no limits. Everything is fair game and there is never any going back.”

It sounded like Selene alright. They had all been around the Black Queen enough to know she was unique in the way she embraced darkness. She taught them all to be a little more open to their more sinister sides and it led them to do things they never thought they would do. They had killed people, beat up rivals, and indulged in decadent sex. But they had their limits. Selene, however, was unbound.

“Do you think she would ever go too far?” wondered Piotr.

“I wouldn’t be surprised,” muttered Pietro.

“I don’t know. She is the Black Queen, remember?” said Scott, “She may be cruel, but she’s still part of the Hellfire Club and has been longer than anybody. If she hasn’t turned on it by now I don’t think she’s going to.”

“I’d like to think so, but with her nothing is ever clear cut,” said Piotr.

“Even so, we can’t disrespect her just because we disagree with her methods. That’s not how the Hellfire Club does things. And you know how the Inner Circle tolerates dissent.”

The young pawns thought about that for a moment. It was a difficult thing to contemplate. They all revered Selene for her status in the Hellfire Club. To even consider she would turn on an organization she helped build up was unthinkable. Nobody trusted her, but she didn’t need anybody’s trust. She was the Black Queen and respected as such. So long as they were part of this organization, they had to follow suite.

“Well I don’t know about you guys, but I’m tired of all this musing and worrying. What do you say we go shoot some pool or something?” said James.

“Sure, I’m game,” smiled Scott, “So long as you don’t break another pool cue when you lose.”

“Hey, that was only once!” James justified.

“Still a bit excessive, don’t you think?” laughed Piotr.

“You wouldn’t say that if you knew how much money I lost.”

The serious aura from the conversation lifted as Scott, Piotr, and James filed out. The Hellfire Club was all about enjoying the privileges and pleasures they had at their disposal. There was no use wasting time wondering about other members. For Pietro, however, it was harder to let go. He lingered in the lounge, choosing to play another movie instead. It wasn’t so much the Black Queen’s behaviors that bothered him as how she was affecting his sister. He didn’t want her to turn into another Selene. He struggled enough trying not to turn into his father. He hoped he could help keep Wanda grounded in who she was. She was still his sister and it was still his job to watch over her.

Xavier’s Office

Remy Lebeau had officially proven himself. He went up against the Kingpin, sabotaged his operation, and came out alive. It was all set up to benefit the Hellfire Club and nobody was more pleased than Charles Xavier. He sensed Remy was more than just a common thief. He had skill in addition to his unique mutant ability to make inanimate objects explode. He was also resourceful, capable of handling unforeseen obstacles such as the encounter with Bullseye. He was just the kind of thieving specialist he was looking for and was prepared to make him an offer in person.

For Remy Lebeau, it was a somewhat surreal to finally meet the man behind the mystery. After everything he had seen from the Hellfire Club, he half expected this Black King figure to be some sort of superhuman figure. But he turned out to be a normal-looking man with an extraordinary mind. At first he was underwhelmed, but after he saw how he carried himself he sensed that Charles Xavier was much more than he seemed. And having completed this job that he went to such great lengths to organize, he was ready to hear what he had to say.

Xavier already went over who the Hellfire Club was and what they stood for. He also explained why he sought him out and why he needed his services. He was blunt, honest, and forthcoming. He didn’t mince words and he didn’t come off as deceptive or conniving. So when he finally got to the core of his offer, he had Remy’s undivided attention.

“So you see, Mr. Lebeau, the Hellfire Club is always on the lookout for special talent such as yours. And you’ve caught us in the midst of an aggressive expansion period. We’re growing in all directions, gaining more wealth and influence with each passing day. No organization, criminal or otherwise, can boast such a feat. But in order to sustain our growing dominance, we need to stay on top of the competition.”

“Let me guess. Part of stayin’ on top means pullin’ a few dirty tricks here and there?” Remy surmised.

“I wouldn’t necessarily call them dirty. I consider it being aggressively proactive,” said Xavier with a telling grin, “Whatever you call it, Hellfire needs skilled workers to carry out our goals. You’ve proved to me that you are skilled and you’re a man of your word.”

“Of course I am. A thief is only as good as his honor, non?”

“But you didn’t have to be. You could have resisted having to carry out such a dangerous task to repay us for helping you. You could have tried bargaining or deceit. But you didn’t.”

“You could have done the same to Remy, you know?” the Cajun reminded, “You had your share of opportunities. It would have been a lot easier to just let Remy go down and you wouldn’t have owed anybody anything.”

“I could have,” admitted Charles, “But that’s not how I work. You see, such ruthless tactics are good in the short term. But over time they don’t pay off nearly as much. I’m a forward thinking man. I’d rather make long term investments than waste time with short term gains.”

Remy was impressed. He liked this man’s approach. It wasn’t like the crime bosses in New Orleans, who would sacrifice their own mothers the first chance they got. This man understood the value of working things out while maintaining a strong, stern mindset.

“So is that what Remy is? A long term investment?” he said with a grin.

“In a manner of speaking, yes. I’ve read up on you, Mr. Lebeau. You’ve got a solid thieving record. But what stands our most to me is your willingness to stick to your principles. Even as the Thieves Guild started to unravel, you stayed true to yourself.”

“To be fair, they kicked me out,” he muttered.

“Their loss is Hellfire’s gain. And that’s where my offer comes in.”

Xavier led Remy over to his large window that overlooked the Manhattan skyline. It was always a good way to put things into perspective. Such a grand sight symbolized the grand ambitions of the Hellfire Club and the equally grand ambitions of the Black King.

“I want you to work for the Hellfire Club exclusively, Remy. This means severing all remaining ties with New Orleans and Thieves Guild. You’ll accept no other jobs, deal with no other clients, and affiliate only with us. Serve Hellfire well and you will be generously rewarded. I’m sure Ororo has told you how well we take care of our clients.”

“She touched on it a little,” grinned Remy, choosing not to go into the stories she told him about Hellfire’s decadent tastes.

“Well I assure you, I am a man who protects his assets. Whether they be allies or materials, I ensure they are well-cared for. So far you have only gotten a taste of what we are capable of. The wealth and pleasures of the Hellfire Club are vast and you could experience them for yourself. All you have to do is swear your allegiance to us.”

It was quite an offer. This man was basically offering him lifetime employment and a nice package of benefits. Ororo told him about the money and women Hellfire had at their disposal. He once asked if she ever indulged in them and of course she didn’t answer. But the look on her face told him she did. He wouldn’t get a deal like this with the Thieve’s Guild. He was in exile from them anyways and had long since given up trying to get back in. This felt like a much better deal. Not only could he indulge his taste for women, but he could continue doing what he did best as a thief.

Turning to the powerful man beside him, Remy smiled and extended his hand.

“Charles Xavier, mon ami…you’ve got yourself a master thief,” he told him.

“That’s good to hear, Mr. Lebeau. I’m sure this partnership will benefit us both,” said the Black King as he shook the young Cajun’s hand.

“I got one question though.”

“Of course,” said Xavier, “What is it?”

“Will Remy still get to work with Storm? The cherè and I have kind of hit it off.”

The Black King couldn’t help but chuckle a bit. Ororo didn’t usually hit it off with anybody. She was her own person for the most part. Hearing that she hit it off with anybody was a surprise to him, but he saw many potential benefits to it. The young woman needed a friend anyhow.

“I’m sure you’ll have plenty of chances to help each other,” said the Black King, “Until then, why don’t you get settled in? I’ll have some of my associates show you around so you can get a feel for our organization. But I must warn you that working for us will not be easy. We have a low tolerance for failure and an even lower tolerance for betrayal.”

“Oh you don’t need to worry about that, homme. Remy knows a good deal when he sees one. You have my word I’ll be on your side. Thieves honor,” he vowed.

“And you have my word as well. Hopefully, I’ll have some new tasks for you and Ororo soon.”

“Good, ‘cause Remy doesn’t like to get bored,” said the Cajun with a cocky grin.

The boy had confidence, no doubt about that. He also had skill to go along with his powers. It was the perfect combination in Xavier’s mind. He had a feeling he would fit in at the Hellfire Club nicely. He sensed he was a little too laid back in some ways. He didn’t seem like the kind of guy who would take everything really seriously. But so long as he did his job properly he didn’t care about his personality. Perhaps he could have Ororo keep a close eye on him, but something told him she was doing that already.

Selene’s Room

The Black Queen was in the middle of another round of intense meditation. Her mind was a clutter and she needed answers. For months she had been working with these pawns, indoctrinating them into the Hellfire way. She took them under her wing, showing them how to embrace the darker side of their souls. They still held back, but they were still children. There was still much for them to learn. She also paid special attention to two specific pawns: Kurt and Wanda. In them she found two youths who were willing to embrace her methods. They were still a ways away from her level, but it was nice to have some dedicated students of her craft. She sensed the others were still intimidated by her persona and how she did things. But that was just fine with her. She wanted them to be intimidated. That was the only way to gain respect in this world. But respect wasn’t what she truly wanted.

Teaching and training bore some benefits. She was very close to getting the apprentice she had long sought. Wanda Maximoff was by far her strongest candidate. She had the power, but her soul was not ripe enough for her tutelage. But there were ways she could work around that. Kurt was also promising. He really took to the spiritual aspects of the mystic arts. He may not have Wanda’s power, but he still contribute to her goals. She just had to make sure she had his unyielding loyalty and wouldn’t go back to that mother of his.

But even with loyal pupils, that didn’t bring her any closer to her ultimate goal. The power she had was vast. She was rich beyond measure and powerful beyond description. But that power and wealth was limited to this pitiful world of earthly restraints. Having lived for so long she came to see the world in a grim light. Life was no longer enough for her. She needed more. Her ambitions stemmed much further than the world of the living.

At the moment she was sitting in the center of a circle of lit candles wearing a thin robe that barely concealed her naked body underneath. She chanted various phrases in Latin and other cryptic languages of the past. Her eyes were closed and the air around her was hot with mystical activity. The flames of the candles swirled and flared around her, guiding by her whim. Then she called out to powers beyond.

“Gate of Orcus, I command thee to open!” she proclaimed, “I must speak with the one known as Blackheart!”

The embers from the candles erupted into a ball of flame and combined in a fiery ball just in front of her. The Black Queen opened her eyes and watched as a fiery window into the nether-realm opened. The flames then turned from orange to dark red, resembling the color of blood. Then from the flares emerged the demonic face of Blackheart.

“Ah Selene, I was hoping you would contact me.”

“Sorry for my absence, Blackheart. I’ve been busy,” said Selene.

“I can see that. How goes your progress?”

“Good so far,” she replied, “I’m very close to having my apprentice. I believe I have found a strong young woman that will aid in my efforts. Her name is Wanda Maximoff and her powers have strong magical potential.”

“Sounds promising. But have you been able to ensure her…loyalty, per se?”

“Not yet, but I have plans to do so soon,” she said with an ominous grin, “I also have an interesting young man who has taken to my teachings. His name is Kurt Wagner and while he does not have Wanda’s mystical potential, he could prove useful in future endeavors.”

“Glad to see you expanding your horizons, my dear.”

“That’s not all. I’ve been having some fun with a spoiled rich boy named Warren Worthington on the side. He’s no mystic or sage, but he has a weakness for darkness. He’s become quite obedient to me. His soul is already tarnished by my handiwork.”

Blackheart grinned through the fiery window. The more souls they brought into the darkness the better. It was all leading towards something grand and he sensed Selene growing anxious about it.

“It sounds like you’re moving along well, Selene.”

“I damn well better be,” she said harshly, “How much closer does this bring me to my goal? I was told I needed followers if I’m to do this and I have that now.”

“Ah, but an apprentice and a pupil are only the beginning. You must nurture them in the ways of darkness. Cultivate their hatred and passions. They will be necessary if they’re to do their part.”

“And when can I expect my efforts to bear fruit?” asked Selene intently, “I’ve been working on this for multiple lifetimes! How much longer will I have to tolerate this menial existence?!”

“Calm yourself, Selene. You will not have to wait much longer. But you will have to continue your efforts. It’s not enough for you to be powerful on your own. You must bring others to do your bidding. You are building a decent core of followers, but you’ll need more if you’re to do what is necessary for the power you seek.”

“And just how do I manage that?”

Blackheart laughed. For all her power and drive, Selene was still human. She expected everything to be handed to her in a neatly packaged list of steps. But that’s not how it worked when dealing with such matters. For what she wanted, the process was much more complicated.

“You’ll just have to be creative. Until then, I will keep an eye on your progress. My fellow minions as well as my father are very interested in your ambitious ploy. We’ve invested a lot in you and we expect you to follow through for us when all is said and done.”

“Oh believe me, Blackheart…I will. I’ve been working for this my immortal life. Nothing is going to stop me now! That you can be sure of.”

“I would expect nothing less. See to it that it stays that way.”

Blackheart’s demonic face faded. The area around the circle of candles returned to normal, but traces of the embers lingered even as the Gate of Orcus closed. For a moment the Black Queen sat in silence. Her conversation with Blackheart did make her any less impatient, but it reminded her how close she was to her ultimate goal. It would have been nice if Blackheart leant her some support from his side, but demonic forces were not usually known for their charity anyways. If she was going to do this, she had to do it on her own means. Hopefully, Wanda and Kurt would provide assistance. She would have to permanently ensure their subordination first, but that was the easy part. Getting more on her side would be difficult. But if her lifetimes of experience taught her anything it was that new opportunities always came along.

Guest Bedroom

It had been a long day for Remy. After sealing the deal with Xavier, he toured the manor and met some of the pawns. They all seemed okay for the most part. Most of the other guys were friendly, but a little critical. They clearly didn’t trust him because he was a thief. But that Piotr guy was nice enough. He seemed like the kind of guy he could go out and have a drink with. James was okay too, but he lacked a sense of humor. He naturally paid more attention to the girls though. He loved the Hellfire Club’s dress sense. That Emma Frost woman had especially good tastes. She carried herself as the classic bad girl/sex queen. Remy knew a few of those women and they were fun to sleep with, but not fun to be friends with. Jean and Rogue were much nicer and just as sexy, but that Wanda woman seemed a little off. While he wouldn’t have the same status as the pawns, he would be working with them so he was probably going to get to know them all at some point.

As for the Hellfire facilities, he was still amazed by how opulent everything was. He knew some wealthy figures down in New Orleans and this paled in comparison. It all seemed to play into this Hellfire sense of status and power. Everything was meant to exude their superiority and control over a world that was largely ignorant of their influence. They didn’t let him see everything. He was still new and had to earn the right to have the same access as a pawn. But Xavier assured him he was well on his way. He would be getting new jobs very soon and he was looking forward to working for these people.

Lying back on his fancy new bed, Remy contemplated what he would do next. Xavier already gave him a nice sum of money to set up shop here in Manhattan. He would have to find an apartment, get some supplies, and explore the city so he could get a feel for what it was like here. At some point he also wanted to pay a visit to Club Hellfire. As a loyal contractor he would have special access to the army of beautiful women they had at their disposal. He smiled at the prospect of showing them all some Cajun spice, but right now he was just tired.

Then there was a knock at his door and without waiting for an answer Ororo stepped in.

“Hello Remy, how are you holding up?” she greeted.

“Hey yourself, cherè. Remy be doin’ just fine. I think I’m gonna like it here,” he said with a smile.

“I had a feeling you would,” said the African thief with a smile, “It sure beats where I came from, that’s for sure.”

“Same here. It ain’t the same as New Orleans, but Remy will manage. There’s a lot more opportunity here and Remy’s gonna make the best of it. That you can be sure of.”

He sounded pretty confident. But Ororo had come to expect nothing less. She kept smiling and shook her head as she closed the door behind her and walked over to his bed. She didn’t just come to check up on him. There was another issue they had to resolve.

“Xavier also tells me we’ll be working together frequently,” she said as she sat down next to him.

“That ain’t a bad thing, non? Remy was hopin’ to spend more time with you.”

“I’m flattered, but I should warn you I’m not much of a team player,” said Ororo, her tone now becoming more serious, “I’ve been working on my own for most of my life. I know the best thieves are supposed to work in teams, but it’s not easy for me. I barely have any friends outside the job.”

“Aww, that’s a shame. A woman like you? Remy finds that hard to believe.”

“Enough with the flattery,” she said, rolling her eyes, “I have plenty of associates. But I never trust any of them enough to be a partner. And if you and I are to work together on future jobs, I think we should make clear the extent of our relationship.”

“I see. And just how far does that go?”

Remy moved in closer, slipping his arm around the attractive young woman’s waist. He could tell what was on her mind. They may not have gotten off on the right foot when they first met, but they really came together during the Kingpin job. That to him was all the motivation he needed to dig deeper with this woman. But she remained stubborn.

But Ororo had good reason to keep things from getting too serious. She had been doing just fine on her own and getting too close to anybody had a way of affecting her job performance. Past experiences gave her a mixed view about getting too close to people. And as much as she came to like Remy’s company, she wasn’t about to take it too far.

“Remy please, be serious about this,” she said, looking into those mysterious eyes of his, “We have to know our limits. If we are to do our jobs efficiently, we must set certain boundaries. I don’t mind if we become partners. I don’t even mind if we become friends. But beyond that, we have to remain professional. This is a serious business we’re involved in.”

“So hangin’ out is okay, wokin’ together is okay, and friends is okay. But anything other than that ain’t okay?”

“Right. That means no serious relationships and no deep feelings. If by chance those arise, we must agree to hold back. Can you do that?”

“I don’t know. In Remy’s experience, holdin’ back ain’t easy. And sometimes it comes back to bite everybody.”

“I know it’s not easy. But for the sake of what we do and who we work for, this is how it has to be. Can we agree on that?”

“I think so.”

“Then let’s promise each other here and now. We will be partners and we will be friends. But we won’t be anything more. Promise?”

Her tone and expression was serious. She was making a pretty big deal of this. Remy didn’t see why it was so important, but for the sake of accommodating his new partner in crime he did as she asked.

“Fine…Remy promises.”

“Good. Thanks for understanding,” said Ororo with a smile.

“Anytime cherè.”

Ororo got up to leave, but there was one thing she didn’t touch on that Remy thought was very important. So before she got too far, he grabbed her shoulder and turned her back towards him.

“One more question, Storm…if you and me are friends and partners and such, what other ‘benefits’ does that entail?”

The African thief laughed. They just made a serious promise to one another and he was already pushing it. But the look in his eye said nothing of anything deeper. It was just pure attraction and lust, something she never had a problem with.

“I think we best leave that issue for another time,” she said wryly, “We don’t want to do anything that would lead us down unwanted paths.”

“Aw don’t be teasin’, girl! In case you haven’t noticed Remy finds you pretty damn attractive. And if the way you’ve been lookin’ at me is any indication, Remy’s in good company.”

Ororo blushed. She was hoping he wouldn’t pick up on that. For all his personality quirks, Remy was an attractive man and she was a pretty open woman sexually. She resisted any lustful thoughts over the course of the job, but that was over now. There was no reason to hold back other than the possibility it might break a boundary.

“The way Remy sees it we have two options…” he told her, “Either we hold back and let the sexual tension build to the point where it drives us crazy or we agree to be a little flexible when the ol’ libido gets involved. I don’t know about you, but Remy don’t like tension especially the sexual kind.”

“Neither do I, but I’m sure there will be plenty of time to work that out. For now, let’s just work on adjusting to our new situation.”

“Aw come on, why wait? Wouldn’t it be easier if we just got it out of the way now?” said Remy in a manly tone.

He leaned in closer, further tempting Ororo. Remy was nothing if not forthcoming. He also put it in pretty reasonable terms. She found herself leaning into his embrace, her face drifting closer to his. It probably would be easier if she just gave in and let it happen, but she couldn’t risk things getting too complicated. So she pulled away.

“Sorry Remy, maybe some other time,” she said coyly, “For now, let’s just work on getting adjusted.”

“Fine,” he sighed in disappointment, “But Remy’s here in case you change your mind.”

Ororo cast him one last smile before making her leave. Remy Lebeau was a charismatic figure and working with him should make things a lot more interesting. She never had a partner she could really trust before. She never wanted one. But after the Kingpin job, she was curious to see what would come of this. Together they might be able to accomplish more. Only time would tell.

Remy watched as she left his room, closing the door behind her. He was equally excited about working with this woman. It wasn’t every day a thief like him would get a partner like her. It would make his work a lot more interesting, that was for sure. But still, there was something else about this woman that intrigued him. He wasn’t sure what it was, but he was eager to find out and it looked as though he would have plenty of time to do so.

Getting up from the bed, he stretched his tired limbs. He was disappointed Ororo hadn’t given in, but there would be other opportunities for that. It would happen when the time was right. That he was sure of. Remy then took off his shirt and set his numerous deck of cards off to the side. He was about to crawl back into bed when suddenly there was another knock on his door.

“Who could that be?” he groaned.

He walked over to open it. But just as he was about to it shot open, revealing it was Ororo again. And before he could say another word, she kicked the door shut behind her, threw her arms around him, and crashed her lips against his. It caught the Cajun totally off guard, which was rare especially for him. But he quickly embraced it.

“You’re right,” said Ororo, briefly breaking the kiss, “It would be easier if we just got it out of the way.”

“Really? What made you change your mind, cherè?” he asked as his arms draped over her womanly frame.

“Do you really want to know? Or do you want to have sex with me?”

“Tough choice, but Remy will go with sex,” he grinned.

Ororo smiled seductively and kissed him again. This time they both got into it, their hands wildly roaming each others’ bodies and their tongues twirling with one another. While in an embrace, they stumbled towards the bed. Along the way Ororo slipped out of her shirt and Remy slid down the zipper on the back of her skirt. She had only been wearing a tight fitting black shirt and a matching leather skirt. She also didn’t wear a bra either so once the shirt was gone, her large mocha colored breasts were free for him to touch. And as they fell back onto the bed, he grabbed them both in each hand and gave them a firm squeeze.

Ororo let out a deep moan. The man was good with his hands. She showed some of her talented touching as well, rolling him onto his back and trailing her lips down his chest and torso. She listened to him moan a few muffled French phrases as she worked on his pants, undoing the fly and pulling them off along with his boxers. Now free, his growing erection popped out. Upon tossing his pants aside the African woman cast him a seductive leer and grasped his member with both hands. He leaned back on his arms and watched as she licked over the tip of his cock and then took devoured his length whole.

“Ahhh Damn!” he gasped, “Ohh you’re good at this, cherè!”

Ororo shot him another seductive look as she bobbed her head along his dick nice and hard, showing she could be every bit as sexual as he could. She proved her point well, sucking and licking around his penis until it was ridged and hard. As she did this she slipped out of her skirt and kicked off her boots. She then reached into her panties and fondled her pussy, which was getting pretty wet.

After a few more rounds of oral teasing, Remy pulled her up so she was back on top of him and kissed her passionately. Their lips wrestled and their hand aggressively roamed. The lust between them was burning. It turned out there was more sexual tension between them than they realized. They were fully aroused and Remy could tell she wanted it bad. Never one to leave a horny woman waiting he grabbed the sidese of her panties and helped them slip out of them. After tossing them aside she positioned herself over his pelvis, her knees resting at his sides. Then while holding her by the waist, he guided her down onto his waiting cock.

“Ohhhhhhhhhhhh!” moaned Ororo as his hard dick filled her insides.

“Ohhhh yeah! Ohhhh that’s good!” gasped Remy.

Her pussy was so night and tight. Remy grunted at how the inner muscles surrounded his erect cock. It felt so good, making him want her even more. Gripping her hard, he began thrusting hard up into her. Ororo roughly moved her hips as well, closing her eyes and working her body with his. His cocks slithered throughout her insides, making hot fleshy noises that mixed with their content moans. Remy got the feeling she liked it a little rough so he stepped up his thrusting. Soon they were both moaning out in ecstasy as their naked fleshed clashed in a lustful heat.

Remy was impressed. He had no idea this woman was so sexy. She proved she was tough, but he never would have took her as someone who liked it rough. He found it very hot. She actually guided him through each romp, something few women ever did. They always expected him to just know how to please them, but not this woman. She knew what she wanted and made it clear to him how she wanted him to fuck her and it was a task he was definitely up to.

Ororo let herself run wild as she so often did during sex. She leaned over and wildly trailed her lips over Remy’s face and neck. She also moved his hands up onto her breasts, prompting him to massage them in a hard, circular motion in sync with their bodies. Waves of pleasure surged through her body. She soon felt an orgasm coming strong. She kept with the fervent pace, gyrating her hips so he hit all those sensitive areas inside her. When she finally hit her climax, her whole body arched and she let out an angelic cry of delight. Remy moaned with her, squeezing her breasts nice and hard as he felt her pussy throb around his dick. He didn’t climax with her, but he loved the look of ecstasy that dominated her beautiful face.

“Oh fuck…oh goddess that felt good!” she panted.

“Still with me, cherè?” said Remy with an amused look.

“Sorry,” said Ororo bashfully, “I guess I got a little carried away.”

“Don’t be sorry. I love a girl with energy! And you ain’t the only one.”

While Ororo was still panting, he captured her lips again. She then felt him turn her over so that now he was on top. Her body was still reeling from her first orgasm, but Remy was already working on getting her aroused again. He trailed his lips down to her breasts, giving each of her erect nipples a firm pinch and a thorough lick. This helped get her a little more in the mood, but he was just getting warmed up.

Trailing his lips further down, he licked over her still swollen clit. Then he pushed her thighs apart, lifted her hips up slightly, and buried his face into her pussy. The African woman let out a sharp gasp. He didn’t lick or tease around the outside. He dug right into her depths, parting her outer lips and probing her heat with his tongue. He quickly got a feel for her, finding her most sensitive areas and swirling his tongue around them with great skill.

It was surprising, but in a good way. Ororo soon found herself fondling her breasts, pinching her nipples as she moaned to the pleasurable sensations coursing up through her body. Remy was intoxicated by her taste. He grunted huskily into her heat, matching the same fervent energy she put into the first round. But as great as she tasted, he wanted more. He didn’t get a chance to cum the first time. Now that she was ready again, he was eager to get his as well.

“More Remy! Give me more!” she urged him.

“As you wish, cherè.”

Remy let her down and got back on top of her, positioning himself between her legs and hovering just over her naked form. He guided his still erect member back into her pussy. She was so wet he slipped into her with ease. Once inside her, he held onto her hips and began thrusting into her. He quickly re-established the rhythm she set earlier, going at it nice and hard and really filling her insides well. She held her legs open and held onto his shoulders, supplementing each thrust with a firm lift of her hips. It was even more heated than before. Their now sweaty skin clashed in a powerful display of lust.

As they moved together they shared deep, passionate kisses. Now that they had a feel for one another they could really stretch it out. Remy was the kind of lover Ororo always favored, good at touching with a taste for an energetic pace. And Ororo was the kind of woman Remy loved hooking up with. She wasn’t just about laying back while he did his thing. She matched his every movement. They were equally skilled lovers sharing a very hot moment. It was amazing for something that happened so suddenly.

Sweat was soon pouring off their bodies as they moved together, their bodies gliding together at a heated pace. At one point Remy pulled her up and rocked her back and forth against his cock. Ororo also showed some creativity, hitching her legs up over his shoulders and allowing him to really penetrate deep. But all this energetic humping caught up with them eventually. Soon Remy was on the brink of cumming. He pinned her back down onto the bed, her legs still hitched over her his shoulders. He hammered into her hard, the wet smacking sound of his pelvis against hers mixing with their moans. He was almost there and so was she. So long as they were going to be partners, they might as well share in the pleasure.

“Uh-uh-uh-Remy-uh-oh fuck-uh-harder-uh-oh harder-uh-I’m so close!” cried Ororo.

“Uh-uh-me too-uh-uh-soon-uh-gonna cum-uh-soon-uh-ohhhhhhhhh!”

Remy finally slowed the pace of his thrusts as he felt the pleasure overtake him. He gripped her thighs hard and thrust deep into her, spilling his hot seed into her depths. He kept moving his hips, which sent Ororo over the edge as well. She closed her eyes and let out another cry of ecstasy as her inner muscles tightened and another wave of pleasure consumed her body.

It was intense. The two thieves were both experienced lovers, but rarely did they share such heated sex with someone. It felt more meaningful than a one night stand or a romp with a Hellfire worker. It made for a more enjoyable experience. And as they bathed in the sexual afterglow of their respective orgasms they shared an affectionate smile. This could very well be the beginning of a wonderful partnership.

Out of breath and out of energy, Remy and Ororo slipped under the warm bed sheets. Remy lay on his back, staring off into space while Ororo curled up next to him. They each let out sighs of contentment. It was a hell of a way to initiate a new partnership, but it was fitting. Looking over at the content Cajun, Ororo saw someone she could rely on in the rough and tumble world of thievery. For Remy, he saw someone he could enjoy being around. Even though they just agreed to keep things professional, there was no denying that she intrigued him. Whether or not the feeling was mutual was still in question, but for now they were content with their new arrangement.

“Damn…I think Remy’s gonna like bein’ you’re partner, cherè,” said Remy, his arm still draped around the naked woman next to him.

“I do too,” she said with a smile, “You’re a good thief Remy Lebeau and a good lover. I’d be honored to work with you. Just remember we can’t get too personal.”

“Oh believe me, Storm…this is personal enough.”

They shared an affectionate smile and Remy placed one last kiss on her forehead before settling in for some much needed rest. Ororo was tired too. She didn’t have the energy to get up, get dressed, and go back to her apartment. She was too comfortable lying right next to Remy. Having sex with him was different than having sex with the mindless male Hellfire studs. Remy was much more talented and it was nice knowing he would be around to give her this whenever she was in the mood for something more.

Remy and Ororo’s lives with the Hellfire Club were sure to be active. There was never any shortage of jobs to be done, but with two master thieves working together the future looked bright for all of them. The mission was constantly changing as the organization grew and evolved. At the rate they were going there was no telling how far it could go, but knowing Charles Xavier it was going to be an eventful journey.

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Up next: Selene prepares a test for Wanda and Mystique makes a few discoveries in Department H.