Issue #3

With his choice being made, Xavier and Magneto left with their followers through the front door. Lilith also went toward the car to wait while Emma stayed inside and waited for the owner of the house to return and sign over guardianship to her. Jack left her in the den with Mariana while he went up the stairs to pack.

"So he wasn't lying?"

"Guess not. Still don't know what his power is though."

"I'm sure we will find out eventually. I'm even more jealous of the fact that he gets to go to MA."

"It is really that good of a school?"

"Little kids don't get it. Going there means that you are going to be a Somebody."

Jack heard all the whispers going on around him but ignored them. He stuffed all of his clothes and the few personal artifacts he had into a trash bag before returning downstairs. A few hours later, Jack was riding in the backseat of a limo with Emma as they made their way towards the airport.

When they were alone in the car, Emma finally felt that it was time to speak about the details she couldn't say in front of others as well as ask the questions she couldn't ask.

{So?} she asked in a playful tone with a smile on her face

{So...} Jack responded to match her tone

{I suggest you learn to respect your elders, Jack. I will fully introduce myself. My name is Emma Frost. I am part of the Hellfire Club. The club's purpose is to obtain and exert power through politics and economic influence instead of outward conquest and domination. Since its foundation, they have been involved in wars and assassinations.}

{So the Illuminati?}

Emma paused before realizing that they had actually fit that description

{I suppose we do seem like that when you think about it. Anyway, the organization is run by the Inner Circle, this secret group assumed the titles of chess pieces, with the leaders being the respective Black King/White King and Black Queen/White Queen, followed by Black Bishop/White Bishop and Black Knight/White Knight.

I am one of the members of the Inner Circle, specifically the White Queen. That makes me tied as one of the 4 most powerful members of the organization. There is currently a bit of a power struggle going on in the Club.

The Club was originally all human but mutants have begun taking more and more influence. Of the current 8 Inner Circle members, 5 are mutants. But this is not enough to ensure we keep the power. What we have in current power, we lack in future generations.

The opposite is true for the human members. Which is why...}

{Which is why you need me. Or mutants like me, at least. I get that.} Jack concluded

{Yes and no. We need mutants, yes. But not like you.}

{And I'm confused again.}

{Your power level is too weak for what we were considering. All of the other mutant children we have that we want to help us take over the club with are much stronger than you, or at least give the feeling they are.} Emma explained patiently

{So why me?} Jack asked while being curious and cautious. Although he knew what his powers were and his potential, he didn't think that she did. Not unless she...

{Don't worry, Jack. I haven't read your mind. And won't do so without your permission. Think of it as a sign of trust.

The reason I decided to bring you in is because of my business instincts telling me that I will regret not investing in you and... the fact you remind me of a younger version of myself.

Confident, smart, caring, ambitious... and damaged. So very damaged yet not willing to let any of it show. I can see it all without even dipping into your mind.}

Jack wanted to refute her but knew better than that. She was a telepath and could most likely tell when he was lying. Even if she said that she wouldn't read his mind, nothing was written in stone. So he did the next best thing. Skip over it.

{Even if what you say is true, you don't know what I can do.} Jack replied with a bit of gruff

{You're correct, I don't. Which is why I want you to tell me. I wish for the two of us to have a relationship built upon mutual trust and loyalty.} Emma said seriously as she looked Jack in the eyes

Jack could not help but be drawn into her eyes and take her words seriously. Even if he only believed half of the words that she said, the woman was definitely more than powerful enough to read his mind if she was a member of the Inner Circle of such a powerful group.

{My mutation... is that I can absorb the powers and skills of things that I kill. I only absorb their best skill or ability though. So I've spent the last few days killing a bunch of bugs around the home.}

Hearing what his powers were, Emma knew that she had struck gold and her bet had paid off. Even if Jack did not want to become her successor in the future, not being on his bad side was good enough. He had the potential to surpass many in the world.

'That's just with insects though. What about mutants and mutates? If he killed an Olympic-level athlete, would he gain all their skills?' Emma thought about the future of Jack and his potential in seconds

{That... that is truly an amazing ability. You were right to not tell Xavier and Eric. And you will also know if the future that placing your trust in me will not be a mistake.}

Jack sat back in his seat and looked deeply into Emma's eyes. He tried to look for any deceit or signs that she was going to betray him but he could not find anything.

{I really hope so.}