Marvel 197

Emma's lips curved into a faint, icy smile.

"He comes highly recommended," she said smoothly. "By me."

That caused a ripple through the gathered figures — a slight widening of eyes, a tensing of shoulders. Emma's endorsement was rare, and everyone here knew it.

Max, sensing the shift in mood, gave a lazy half-bow.

"Pleasure's all mine," he said, flashing a cocky grin.

Selene laughed quietly, a dark and unsettling sound.

"Charming. But charm alone doesn't keep you alive here, darling."

Max's grin only widened.

"Good thing I've got other talents too."

Harry Leland chuckled, a deep, rumbling noise.

"We'll see about that."

Emma stepped forward, her presence anchoring the room.

"As a new member, Max will undergo evaluation. A small... demonstration of loyalty, skill, and discretion." She looked at him pointedly. "Failure is not tolerated."

Max nodded, still relaxed on the outside, though every instinct inside him was coiled tight.

"I wouldn't dream of disappointing you."

Emma's mouth twitched — the ghost of a true smile — before she turned back to the others.

"For now," she said, "consider him under my personal sponsorship. His success... or failure... reflects on me."

Sebastian's smile sharpened.

"Very well, Emma. Your stray has his leash. Let's see if he can hunt."

The others murmured among themselves, already intrigued by the newest player in their endless game of power.

Emma leaned in just slightly toward Max, her breath warm against his ear as she murmured:

"Welcome to the Hellfire Club, Max. Try not to die too quickly."

Max laughed low in his throat, the sound pure danger.

"Oh, don't worry, Frost. I'm just getting started."

"Good, then," Sebastian said, his voice smooth but heavy with menace. He stepped closer, looming over Max with an almost predatory smile."Why don't we start by seeing just how powerful you are?"

The others chuckled lowly, a cruel sound that echoed against the polished stone walls. It was a ritual — a tradition almost — to haze the newcomers. Everyone here had gone through it. Everyone except Max... until now.

Emma stayed silent, her expression unreadable, but her eyes flickered with something Max couldn't quite place — warning? Amusement? Interest?

Sebastian cracked his knuckles deliberately."Don't worry," he said, grin widening. "We'll keep it fair. No powers."

Max tilted his head, a slow, confident smirk spreading across his face."Fair, huh? You don't seem like the 'fair fight' type."

Shaw barked a short laugh."I'm not. But you don't seem like the 'helpless' type either."

Without another word, Shaw lunged. Despite the man's size, he moved fast — faster than Max expected. But Max was faster.

Sidestepping smoothly, Max let Shaw's momentum carry him forward before planting a sharp elbow into the man's side. It wasn't enough to drop Shaw, but it sent a message: Max wasn't going to roll over.

The room reacted instantly — a few surprised gasps, a few smiles, some murmurs of approval.

Shaw turned, face gleaming with savage delight now."Good. It's been too long since I had a proper workout."

He came at Max again, heavier this time, fists like battering rams. Max ducked and weaved, every movement fluid, sharp, dangerous. He wasn't just dodging — he was sizing Shaw up, learning his rhythm, waiting for his moment.

When it came, Max struck — a brutal punch to Shaw's solar plexus, a sharp jab under his ribs, fast and precise.

Shaw stumbled back, breathing harder, and for the first time, a flicker of real respect lit his eyes.

Emma's lips curved into a slow, proud smile as she watched Max hold his own.

Shaw finally straightened, brushing off his jacket like nothing had happened."Enough," he said, laughing low in his chest. "You'll do."

The Inner Circle murmured among themselves, clearly impressed.

Emma stepped forward then, her heels clicking sharply on the marble."I told you," she said lightly. "Max is... full of surprises."

She looked directly at Max, her eyes gleaming like diamonds."And we're only just getting started."

Max gave her a crooked grin, wiping a bit of blood from the corner of his mouth with the back of his hand."Good. I like surprises."

Sebastian Shaw chuckled, still rubbing his side where Max had landed that brutal blow."Since you're so eager, Max," he said, his voice dripping with amusement, "we have a little matter that needs... special attention."

The other Inner Circle members — sleek, dangerous men and women draped in luxury — gathered around, forming a loose ring. Their eyes glittered with interest, like sharks scenting blood.

Emma stayed close to Max now, almost at his side, her presence both protective and possessive."There's a certain businessman," she said smoothly, "who's been resisting our influence. Publicly."

Max lifted an eyebrow."Bad for business, I'm guessing?"

"Very," Sebastian said, dark amusement playing across his face. "We need him convinced to see things our way."

"And by convinced," Max said, crossing his arms, "you mean scared out of his mind."

Emma smiled, slow and wicked."Precisely. But carefully. He's well-protected. Ties to mutant-rights groups, corporate security teams, media watchdogs. We can't be obvious."

Max smirked."Subtlety. My favorite game."

Emma's hand brushed lightly against his arm — a whisper of contact that sent a jolt of energy through him. She leaned in, close enough that only he could hear.

"I recommended you, Max," she murmured. "Don't make me regret it."

He turned his head slightly, so close he could feel the faint breath of her words on his cheek."I don't plan to disappoint you," he said, his voice low and promising.

For a heartbeat, neither of them moved. The tension was electric, thick, dangerous. Then Emma straightened, her mask of icy composure snapping back into place.

Sebastian clapped his hands once, breaking the moment."You'll work with Emma on this. She'll provide intel. You'll handle the... persuasion."

Max gave a short, mocking salute."Sounds like a dream team."

The Inner Circle chuckled again — some with genuine amusement, others with thinly veiled jealousy. It wasn't every day someone new got partnered directly with Emma Frost.

Emma turned on her heel, her white cloak swirling around her like a stormcloud."Come, Mr. Ryder," she said over her shoulder. "We have plans to make."

***

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