Claws and Heartstrings: Logan Howlett | Wolverine ᡣ𐭩ྀིྀི

Chapter Twenty-Eight

- Logan

I stormed out of the living room, not giving a damn about Scott's precious motorcycle. He'd be pissed, sure, but right now, I needed to clear my head.

The engine roared to life as I sped down the road, the wind whipping against my face, but it did little to drown out the thoughts of Lia. Her face, her voice, the guilt gnawing at me—whiskey would have to do the trick.

I parked outside the bar, the sign flickering like some kind of bad omen. Inside, it was the same old scene—dim lights, the smell of stale beer, and the low hum of conversations. I found a seat at the bar and ordered a whiskey, then another. The burn of the liquor was a welcome distraction, but it wasn't enough. I took lit one of my cigars, feeling the ease settle through my body.

A familiar voice cut through the haze. "You look on edge."

I turned, ready to snap, but froze when I saw who it was. Magneto. Of all people. I felt a jolt of shock but masked it with a scowl. "What the hell are you doing here?"

He chuckled, a sound that grated on my nerves. "I recently became aware that one of your team members is missing," he said, his tone dripping with amusement. "What I did not know, however, is that she is the Scarlet Witch."

My grip tightened around the glass. I didn't need this right now. "Don't bring her up."

He leaned in, eyes gleaming with a mix of curiosity and something darker. "The stories I've heard about her over the years... fascinating. She doesn't need incantations to cast spells, you know. She can warp reality with just a whisper."

My patience snapped. I grabbed him by the collar, pulling him close. "What's your point?"

His smile didn't waver. "My point, Logan, is that you, and Charles have no idea what you're dealing with. And perhaps, neither does she."

I narrowed my eyes, trying to piece together the puzzle. What was he getting at? His words. The more he spoke, the less sense it made.

Magneto squinted, his eyes narrowing with a hint of malice. "You don't know, do you? I guess Charles hasn't told you."

I looked at him, puzzled and slightly irritated. "What are you talking about?"

With a smug look on his face, Magneto continued, his voice dripping with condescension. "She isn't just holding mutants hostage, Logan. She's killing them."

I shook my head, refusing to believe it. "You don't know her. She wouldn't do that."

Magneto leaned in closer, his expression darkening. "You think you know her, but you don't. She's changed. The power has corrupted her, twisted her mind. She's become something else, something dangerous."

I clenched my fists, my anger boiling over. "You're lying. Lalia would never hurt innocent people. She's never killed a day in her life."

Magneto's eyes narrowed, and he leaned in closer, his voice dripping with disdain. "And you, Wolverine, are ignorant of the true power of the Scarlet Witch, and what she's destined to do. Your precious girlfriend was doomed the moment she read the Darkhold. With a mere whisper, she could erase all mutants from existence, including you. But together, we can stop her. Just tell me where she is, and no one else needs to suffer."

My blood boiled. "I don't know what twisted game you're playing, but if you're hinting at what I think you are, then you wasted your time coming back here. Even if I knew where she was, I wouldn't tell you. Now, get the hell outta my face."

He lifted his hands and pointed them towards me. A surge of magnetic force hit me, forcing my hands to my sides and pinning me against the wall. I couldn't move. I was paralyzed.

Magneto exhales slowly, "I tried to do this the easy way, Logan. But if the little witch comes anywhere near New York, my people will have her killed. With or without your help."

His words hung in the air, a chilling promise. I could feel the weight of the situation pressing down on me. Magneto wasn't bluffing. He was dead serious. And that meant Lia was in more danger than I had ever imagined.

Magneto turned on his heel and began to walk out of the bar, leaving me against the wall, his words hanging heavy. The whole place went dead silent, all eyes on me.

Next thing I knew, he lifted his hand, and an invisible force slammed into me. I hit the floor hard, coughing and trying to catch my breath. Disbelief hit me like a truck. Lalia wouldn't kill innocent people. She never killed anyone in her life.

I lay there for a moment, trying to process what I'd just heard. Magneto's words echoed in my mind, twisting and turning, refusing to make sense. I pushed myself up, my muscles aching, and staggered to my feet. I had to get out of here. I had to find out the truth.

I stumbled out of the bar, the cool night air hitting me like a slap in the face. The bike was parked just outside, and I swung my leg over it, revving the engine. I sped off, my mind racing faster than the bike.

The ride to the mansion was a blur. I barely noticed the scenery flashing by, my thoughts consumed by Lia. She couldn't be doing what Magneto said. She just couldn't. But the doubt was there, gnawing at the edges of my mind. What if he was right? How much had she changed?

I pulled up to the mansion, the tires screeching as I came to a stop. I leapt off the bike and stormed inside, my footsteps echoing through the halls. I needed answers. I found the Professor in his hallway, his face calm and composed as always.

"Charles!" I yelled, my voice echoing off the walls. He stopped, turning to face me with that infuriatingly serene expression.

I closed the distance between us in a few quick strides, my fists clenched at my sides. "How could you keep this from me, huh? Tell me you didn't know she was killing?"

His eyes widened, just a fraction. There was a dead silence between us before he composed himself. "Yes, Logan," he said, his voice steady but tinged with regret. "I knew."

I felt like I'd been punched in the gut. "You knew? And you didn't tell us? What the hell were you thinking?"

"I kept it from you for your own good," he replied, his tone frustratingly calm. "The Darkhold has corrupted her more than you know. I believed it was best to handle this without—"

Before he could finish, the door burst open with a bang. Simon staggered in, cradling an unconscious Lia in his arms. "She needs help!" he yelled, his voice cracking with desperation.

My heart stopped. Lia's face was ashen, her eyes closed. Without a second thought, I was at Simon's side, my claws retracting back in as I reached out for her. "What the hell happened, Simon?" I growled, my voice barely controlled.

Simon looked at me, his eyes wide and frantic. "I found her like this, Logan. She was just lying there."

Before I could press him further, Professor interrupted, "Simon, where was she?" he asked, his voice calm but urgent.

Simon swallowed hard, his gaze darting between us. "I... I felt like I was being led by her voice, Professor. It was coming from the woods. When I got there, she was just lying on the ground. I didn't see anyone else."

The Professor's eyes narrowed in thought, his mind undoubtedly racing through possibilities. "She still breathing, Logan, we need to get her to the lab. Now."

I didn't waste any time. I grabbed Lia from Simon's shaking arms, her body ice-cold against mine. Her skin was pale, almost ghostly, and her hair, usually a vibrant blonde, had turned a dark red. It was like looking at a stranger, and it sent a chill down my spine.

"Come on, Lia," I muttered, more to myself than to her. "We're gonna get you through this."

I moved quickly, my mind racing. What the hell had happened to her? The Professor's voice cut through my thoughts. "Logan, we need to get her stabilized first. We'll figure out the rest."