The calm of the Massachusetts Academy was shattered one evening when the front doors burst open. Emma Frost stumbled inside, her usually immaculate appearance marred by blood and disheveled clothing.
"Emma!" Inarius was the first to reach her, rushing forward to catch her before she collapsed. He held her up, feeling the tremble in her usually steady frame. "What happened?"
"Get me to my room," she whispered, her voice strained. "I'll explain… just not here."
Without hesitation, Inarius lifted her into his arms and carried her to her room. The Hellions had gathered in the hallway, their faces pale with concern as they watched their headmistress being escorted away.
"Back to your rooms," Inarius barked, his tone uncharacteristically sharp. "I'll handle this."
No one argued.
It took Emma a full day to recover, the longest Inarius had ever seen her down for the count. When she finally emerged from her rest, she called him into her office, her face pale but her eyes as sharp as ever.
"What happened to you?" Inarius asked, standing with arms crossed.
Emma took a deep breath, steadying herself. "The Inner Circle is under attack," she said bluntly. "An unknown force has been targeting us. Several members of the Hellfire Club are already dead—some of them powerful allies."
Inarius's stomach tightened. "Who's behind it?"
"We don't know yet," Emma admitted, frustration evident in her voice. "But whoever they are, they're meticulous. They're going after key figures, and they've been able to strike even those we thought untouchable. If they've managed to reach the Inner Circle, it won't be long before they set their sights on us."
Her words hung heavy in the air.
"So what's the plan?" Inarius asked, already bracing himself for whatever came next.
"Tomorrow, we're meeting with the X-Men," Emma said, surprising him. "This threat isn't just a Hellfire Club problem. If these people are as dangerous as I suspect, they could pose a serious risk to the X-Men as well. For once, we're going to cooperate."
"The X-Men?" Inarius raised an eyebrow. "And you think they're going to listen?"
"They'll listen," Emma said with conviction. "They don't trust me, but they're not stupid. They won't ignore a credible threat."
Inarius nodded, though he couldn't shake the unease settling in his chest. Emma Frost was rarely rattled, yet tonight she seemed… shaken.
Later that evening, Emma gathered the Hellions in the common room. Her presence alone silenced the chatter as all eyes turned to her.
"Tomorrow, we're meeting with the X-Men," she announced, her tone clipped and direct. "This isn't a mission or a fight. It's a discussion. But I expect all of you to represent this school with discipline and composure. Am I understood?"
"Yes, Ms. Frost," the Hellions chorused, though tension lingered in the air.
As the meeting dispersed, Inarius lingered behind, catching Emma's eye.
"Are you sure about this?" he asked quietly.
Emma gave him a tired smile. "No," she admitted. "But it's the best option we have right now."
Inarius nodded, resolved. Whatever was coming, he'd be ready.