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{Chapter: 126 - White Queen's Interest}
"I don't like to," Aiden replied casually. "But sometimes… it's necessary."
She clenched her fists. This wasn't just brute force—this was a strategic monster hiding behind a calm exterior.
"Thank you for your hospitality," Aiden said, bowing with theatrical grace. "The wine tasted excellent. Though I prefer my drinks not laced with manipulation, but I won't deny the lips."
He turned to Blink, who had returned to his side. A soft pink portal flared to life.
Before stepping through, Aiden glanced back over his shoulder and chuckled, his tone suddenly dark. "A word of advice, Emma Frost—if you ever try to manipulate someone close to me again, it won't just be a glass of wine I make you drink. I'll devour you—and everyone you hide behind."
He disappeared into the portal.
The room was left in stunned silence. After a few seconds, the cage imprisoning Azazel flickered and vanished.
The mutant slumped to the ground, growling in frustration.
Slade stood, wiping blood from his mouth as he walked to Emma's side.
Azazel, barely containing his rage, asked through clenched teeth, "Shall I go after him? Just give the word—"
Emma held up a hand. "Do you even have the ability to?"
Azazel's mouth snapped shut. Silence.
Emma's diamond form shimmered back to flesh. She stared at the empty space where Aiden had stood and whispered to herself, "That wasn't power. That was dominance."
And for the first time in years, the White Queen of the Hellfire Club realized—she had underestimated someone.
Badly.
---
Hellfire Aftermath
"I didn't expect him to have mind control… I was careless this time."
Emma Frost—better known in the mutant world as the White Queen—spoke with a calm detachment that contrasted sharply with the situation. Her voice, cool and composed, held no trace of outrage. Her figure shimmered under the ambient light. Her arms were crossed, fingers tapping her elbow softly as if pondering a puzzle rather than recalling a humiliation. As she gently traced her lips, recalling the kiss he had given her moments earlier, a wave of emotions washed over her.
"It wasn't aggression. It was retaliation—and a warning."
Azazel stood nearby, his expression twisted with disbelief. The demon-like mutant, with his crimson skin and piercing yellow eyes, couldn't comprehend why Emma wasn't enraged—furious even—at what had just occurred. Aiden had not only resisted her mental dominion, he had turned the tables, making her perform an intimate gesture under his own control.
"It wasn't just a warning… he violated your mind," Azazel growled, his voice heavy with frustration and indignation. "You're the White Queen of the Hellfire Club. He dared to control you—and you laugh?!"
Emma's lips curved into a faint smile, her icy-blue eyes gleaming with a flicker of amusement—and something far more dangerous. Desire. Curiosity. Intrigue.
"And that's exactly why he's interesting," she murmured, almost to herself. She uncrossed her arms and walked toward the window, her silk-clad hips swaying with grace and power. "So many grovel for my attention. So many are broken the moment I touch their minds. But he… tasted me and left me hungering for more."
Azazel blinked, stunned. "You're enjoying this?"
Emma turned her head, her voice low and velvety. "There's power in unpredictability. He's like a storm you didn't see coming until you're drenched. Don't mistake curiosity for weakness, Azazel. I intend to learn just how far his ambitions reach. And how deep his power truly goes."
She walked back to the sofa and sat down with elegance only a former headmistress and current queen could muster. She touched her lips, remembering the sensation of wine being passed from her mouth to his again. The electricity of it. The dominance that turned into play. The defiance behind the charm.
"Aiden… you're dangerous. And I like danger," she whispered to herself, her smile deepening. "Let's see how far you can go. Until then… I'll deal with a few of your problems from the shadows. A little head start for my future investment."
Azazel remained standing stiffly, unwilling to speak further. White Queen tilted her head slightly toward him.
"Keep your eyes on Magneto. If he makes a move on Aiden, I want to know immediately."
Azazel gave a reluctant nod. "Yes, my Queen."
He turned and exited alongside Slade, both men silent. The Hellfire Club had just made contact with a new player… and White Queen seemed determined to play the long game.
---
Meanwhile, Elsewhere
Aiden and Blink reappeared in a quiet, wooded area on the outskirts of the city, a safe zone outside the eyes of SHIELD or any mutant factions. The forest air was fresh, and birds chirped as if unaware of the chaos that had just transpired.
Blink—Clarice Ferguson—whirled toward Aiden the moment they landed, her magenta hair bouncing and eyes sharp with curiosity.
"Okay… what the hell just happened?" she asked, hands on her hips, her voice a mix of frustration and concern. "Those people were strong. That woman—White Queen—you knew her?"
Aiden nodded and gestured for her to walk with him. "Hellfire Club. Ever heard of them?"
Blink huffed, brushing her hair behind one ear. "Of course I've heard of them from the mutant underground clubs. Mutant aristocracy. Power players. A-list villains masquerading as visionaries." She gave him a side glance, her voice a little flirty, a little playful. "You have a way of attracting dangerous women, don't you?"
He smirked but didn't answer right away. "The woman is Emma Frost. She's one of the top telepaths in the world—and that's not even counting her secondary mutation. She can turn her body into organic diamond. Practically indestructible."
Blink's eyes widened. "Damn. That explains the cold shoulder... and cold everything else."
"The red-skinned guy is Azazel. His teleportation is different from yours. Instead of jumping space, he phases through another dimension and reappears somewhere else—like a detour through hell." Aiden paused. "And the guy you fought? Frederick Slade. The basic powers. he's trained—enhanced physically, sharp tactically. A grounded fighter. Think Captain America with no patriotism, no shield, and more ruthlessness."
Clarice's nose wrinkled in distaste. "Ugh. I hate those muscle-head types. No charm, no style. Just punch and grunt." She leaned in a little closer to Aiden as they walked. "You, on the other hand... you had her kiss you to feed you wine. And then you dropped the mental control? Damn, boss. That's alpha energy."
He chuckled, but his eyes remained thoughtful. "You don't remember anything before waking up there?"
Blink frowned and shook her head. "Nope. I was grabbing groceries, and then—boom—blank. Next thing I knew, I was walking through a portal, not even realizing I was under a psychic leash."
Aiden's expression darkened. "She was watching me. Probably since I returned to SHIELD. When you stepped out, she struck fast—controlled you, left just enough clues for me to follow. Calculated. Intentional."
Blink's face twitched with guilt. "So… she used me to lure you in. That's on me. I let my guard down."
He came to a halt, turning to face her with a shadowed gaze. "It wasn't your fault," he said, voice low but steady. "We're talking about one of the most powerful and best telepaths on the planet. Emma Frost isn't someone you outmaneuver. With my speed, she wasn't ready for me, and I caught her off guard. It was a fluke—one that won't happen twice.."
He exhaled, frustration simmering beneath his words. "And my mind control… doesn't work like others. Maybe that's the only reason I slipped through for a moment. But if we cross paths again... I won't be so lucky."
His jaw tightened, the weight of realization clear in his expression. "Emma doesn't just read minds—she rewrites them. She doesn't look for answers. She plants them. Or worse... options. That wasn't a battle. That was a test. She wanted to see how far I'd go. How easily I could be broken."
Blink tilted her head, staring up at him. "And how did you respond?"
He gave her a small grin. "I fed her the same poison she offered. Control for control. Pleasure for power. And then I left her with a warning."
"Hot," she said, biting her lower lip. "Honestly, I didn't know you had that side. I mean, you're always composed and broody, but that was… dominating. She didn't even fight it. She enjoyed it."
Aiden raised an eyebrow. "You enjoyed watching?"
Blink winked. "Maybe a little. Can you blame me? You took down a queen and made her band. That's some fairy-tale villain level charisma."
He started walking again, and she followed, skipping lightly beside him. Her voice softened. "Thanks… for coming for me. I know I was under her control, but you still fought for me. You didn't leave me behind."
"I wouldn't," he said simply.
"Just making sure," she teased. "Would've sucked to be a pawn left on the board."
They reached the edge of the woods and the city came into view in the distance.
"Did you ever get the things you went out to buy?" Aiden asked.
Blink smacked her forehead. "Oh my god. The groceries! No, I didn't. Guess we need to go shopping. Again."
He nodded. "Let's get what we need and head back. Things are heating up. We need to prepare."
As they walked into town together, side by side, Blink looked over at him, eyes sparkling.
"So… if you ever need someone to distract the next telepathic bombshell, I can volunteer. But next time, you do the kissing."
He paused, blinked once, then looked away with a soft chuckle. "We'll see."
*****
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