CHAPTER 74-THE SHADOW OF CASSIDY KEEP
The truck groaned to a halt at the edge of the cliffs. Before them rose Cassidy Keep - a sprawl of grey stone carved against the Atlantic's fury, its towers biting into the mist. Waves hammered the rocks below, the sea's roar constant, ancient.
Colossus tilted his head back, eyes wide. "It looks... like something from an old story. A fortress where kings once lived."
Nightcrawler crossed himself dramatically. "Or villains." His yellow eyes gleamed. "I can almost hear the ghosts whisper."
Thunderbird spat to the side. "Hmph. Ghosts don't scare me. But that drafty pile looks ready to bury us alive."
Storm shivered, though not from cold. "It has presence. The stones remember blood."
Logan sniffed the salt air, his nose twitching. "Stinks of trouble. Mark me, we're not walkin' into a welcome party."
From inside the keep, dim lamplight flickered.
Deep in the monitoring room, Black Tom Cassidy leaned against the console, cane resting across his knees. His smile was sharp as a blade. Beside him, Eamon O'Donnell sat stiff, sweat shining on his brow.
"They're at the door," O'Donnell whispered.
"Aye, and you'll open it, cousin," Tom purred. "Smile nice. Say the right words. If they sniff somethin' wrong, if they smell so much as a hair out of place..." He tapped the cane against the stone. "The hostages die. Screamin'."
O'Donnell swallowed hard. The monitor screens showed the X-Men waiting at the gates.
Tom's grin widened. "Now then. Let them in."
The iron doors groaned open. Eamon stepped forward, bowing low, his voice smooth but shaky. "Welcome, honored guests, welcome to Cassidy Keep. You are most heartily invited. Please come in."
The X-Men exchanged glances. Storm inclined her head, Colossus gave a polite nod. Nightcrawler bowed theatrically.
Logan's eyes narrowed. He smelled fear. Sweat. Lies. But he kept quiet, claws resting beneath his skin.
They followed Eamon through stone corridors lit by torches, walls lined with the faded banners of old Ireland.
"You'll find your rooms prepared," Eamon said, forcing a smile. "And tonight a feast in your honor. Cassidy Keep is most pleased to host the X-Men."
Logan muttered low, just enough for Storm to hear. "Feast, huh? We're the ones on the menu."
Night fell hard over Cassidy Keep. The sea's roar outside was drowned beneath music drifting through stone halls - fiddles, pipes, the clink of goblets.
Storm stepped out of her chamber first. She wore a flowing silver dress that shimmered against her skin, her hair like a white crown. For a moment, she looked less like an X-Man and more like a queen from some forgotten legend.
The door beside hers creaked open. Logan emerged, tugging at the collar of a suit that clearly wasn't made for him. The tie strangled, the jacket clung too tight around his shoulders. He stopped dead when he saw her.
A whistle cut the air. "Well, damn. You're one of the most beautiful women I know, 'Ro. Least far as I can remember."
Storm's cheeks warmed, and she inclined her head with grace. "You flatter me, Logan. But... thank you."
Her eyes traveled down and she burst into laughter, sharp and sudden.
Logan scowled. "What?"
"That suit," she managed between giggles. "It does not... fit you at all!"
He growled, clawed fingers snapping the tie loose and tossing it aside. "Monkeys wear ties. Not me."
Storm pressed a hand to her lips, still laughing softly as they descended together toward the great hall.
The banquet glowed with candles and firelight. Long tables groaned under bread, cheese, and roast meat. Music played as masked servants poured wine.
Nightcrawler and Colossus were already there, awkwardly attempting courtly manners. When Storm entered, their eyes lit up as though the sun itself had stepped into the room.
"Fraulein Ororo," Nightcrawler said, bowing low, his tail curling behind him. "A dance?"
Colossus cleared his throat, standing tall. "If I may... I would also ask for this honor."
Storm blinked, startled then laughed gently.
"Both of you?" She offered a hand to each, and to the delight of the hall, danced between them, graceful and radiant, spinning with both giants of steel and shadow.
Logan leaned against the wall, arms crossed, muttering. "Clowns." But there was no heat in it.
The music swelled. Feet stamped. The stone beneath them shuddered.
Then it gave way.
With a thunderous crack, the floor split beneath the dancers. A hidden platform dropped open like a maw.
"Storm!" Logan roared.
The X-Men screamed as they plunged, firelight and music vanishing above, replaced by the cold darkness of Cassidy Keep's underbelly.
Stone swallowed them whole.