Me: Hello, my faithful readers! I only have 2 and a half hours until I get the new Maximum Ride book! And I also want to thank you all for your prayers for KK and her family. They really, really appreciated your help and concern. It made Crazy about books13 smile. ;)

Fang: Can I at least give you a spoiler?

Me: No! I did that with the last one, and the spoiler was 100% correct. I don't want to go through that again!

Percy and Fang: PLEASSSE?

Me: No, and that is my final answer.

Disclaimer: Don't own, don't sue.

Chapter 13: I Got A Feelin', That Maybe We're About To Be Attacked

MPOV

I turned around and drew Wind Ryder as fast as I could, which was pretty fast.

In front of me were two girls. I recognized both of them pretty quickly. They were Lissa and Brigid.

They looked perfectly normal, except for the fact that both of their red hair was literally on fire and they had two different types of legs, one made of bronze and the other a donkey leg.

I growled. "And just when I thought my day couldn't get any better."

Lissa, better known as the Red-Haired Wonder, smiled evilly, revealing gleaming white, razor sharp fangs. "Tut, tut. Best to watch your manners, Maxie, or I might just bite your little boyfriend here."

Fang glared hard at both girls, his eyes turning into a dark fire.

"What are you, then?" I taunted. "A vampire? Aren't you supposed to sparkle in sunlight? Oh, right. Those are the gay ones. In reality you're supposed to turn to dust."

I could tell I made her mad, because her flaming hair arched. "Hm… But so many to choose from. No matter, Lover Boy here will make an excellent snack."

As she made a move towards Fang, I launched at her, already on full attack mode.

But Lissa was fast, even faster than I was. Before I could touch her with the tip of Wind Ryder, she had already gotten out of the way and shoved me onto the concrete, my back slamming painfully.

Before you could count to one, I was up on my feet again, this time trying to attack from a different angle.

"Hold still so I can rip your heart out!" Red-Haired Wonder shrieked, trying to take swipes at me. But I was too fast for her, and moved fast, fast, fast. I weaved and bobbed and dodged, making it look like I was attacking her from all angles. I had done the same thing to Omega back in Germany.

Finally, I got under her guard and stabbed her in her ribcage. She exploded into a fine dust, which was carried away by the wind.

All this time, Fang had been fighting Brigid. He was stronger than her, but she was faster. Every time she tried to strike him, he would just block her.

Brigid snarled. "You little—!"

She didn't even have time to finish her sentence before Fang had stabbed her right through her black heart, having seized his chance. She, like the Red-Haired Wonder, was blown to dust.

"That was… interesting," Fang said, sheathing his sword.

I nodded, sheathing Wind Ryder. "Let's get out of here before the mortals start to notice."

We went and got the tickets, then met up with the flock at Independence Hall.

"What happened to you guys?" Iggy asked. He had a way of sensing if something was wrong with all of us, and now was no exception.

I quickly explained to them what had happened, about how Dr. Stupendous and the Red-Haired Wonder "popped in" for a "visit."

Iggy swore under his breath. "I can't believe those (insert swear word here) had the gall to show up like that."

"They were monsters, Ig," I explained. "They're everywhere."

This is a line break.

As it turned out, the next train for California didn't leave until the next morning. So, we got a hotel.

Thanks to Angel's ability to control minds, we were able to get two adjoining rooms. The girls had one, and the guys had the other.

"So what kind of monsters were they?" Nudge asked as I brushed my hair.

"They were emposai," I answered. "Servants of Hecate. They're basically where all the legends of vampires come from. Except they have the leg of a donkey and a bronze leg."

Angel and Nudge shuddered. "They were gonna hurt Fang, weren't they?" Angel asked.

I froze. "Maybe. But they're gone now. And plus, Fang can take care of himself."

Both girls nodded, but were still solemn.

"Look," I said, sighing. "Nobody and nothing can hurt us. And I swear on my life that I won't let anything happen to you guys."

"You can't promise that, Max," Nudge said, her eyes swimming with tears. "Remember the prophecies? 'An oath to keep with a final breath' and 'four shall be lost in the lake of Demons.' You can't keep us safe. At least, not for very long."

I frowned. "But I can try. You guys are my family, and I'll do anything to keep you alive, even if it means giving up my own life."

This is a line break.

I couldn't sleep that night, so I flew up to the roof of the hotel to get some fresh air.

"Thought I might find you here," a deep, quiet voice said from behind me.

I turned and smiled. "Hey."

Fang gave me one of his half-grins. "What's wrong?"

I shrugged. "Couldn't sleep."

Fang sat next to me. I felt the warmth of his body on mine and felt instantly comforted. We hadn't had a lot of time to be alone the last few days, which sucked.

"Is it the prophecies, or seeing Brigid and Lissa today?" he asked. Only he could cut to the heart of the matter like that.

I sighed. "A little bit of both I guess."

"You'll be fine," he said, putting an arm around my shoulders. "And besides, if we get lucky then they won't reform in our lifetime."

"Knowing our luck that won't happen," I muttered bitterly.

He frowned. "Look, Max, don't spend all of your time worrying about those kinds of things. All that matters is that we're together right now. You have the flock, you have your sister and half-brother, and you have me."

I looked up at him. "That's the thing. 'Four shall be lost in the lake of Demons.' I'm going to lose some of you. I admit, losing Dylan wouldn't really suck that much, but also losing three others would."

Fang thought for a moment. "Then make the best of it right now. Don't spend all of your energy worrying about it."

I nodded. "You're probably right."

Fang lifted my chin with his finger, making me look him in the eyes. "I know I'm right."

Slowly, we closed the little space there was between us, and he pulled me into a passionate kiss.

I smiled and tilted my head to deepen the kiss. I tangled my hands in his dark, overgrown hair. We pressed together. I relished the feeling of his warm body on mine.

When we broke apart, which was a while later, our breathing was ragged. I stared into his eyes, which glinted occasionally in the dark light.

Some part in the back of my mind wondered if Fang would be one of those who would be lost in the 'lake of Demons,' like the prophecy said. If that was the case, then I wouldn't be able to go on. Not without him.

I felt a cold jolt run down my spine at the thought, so I quickly shoved the offensive idea out of my head.

Open your mind to the possibilities, Max, the Voice whispered.

I groaned. Of course the Voice had been listening in on this whole conversation.

(Insert swear word here) you, Voice, I thought back nastily.

Now, now, Maximum. We don't use that kind of language where I come from.

But I'm not from where you are, I snarled, if one can snarl in one's own mind, and I believe one can.

You and I are not so different, Maximum, it mused. In fact, we are more alike than you think.

I ignored it, and it shut up.

"What is it?" Fang asked.

"The Voice," I answered, shaking my head in disgust. He nodded, understanding.

"Why don't you get some sleep?" Fang said. "You're going to need it."

I nodded, standing. "All right."

I snuck through the window back into the girls' room. I fell onto the couch, curled up into a ball, and was out like a light.

But it wasn't to last.

Me: So… yeah. It wasn't my best work, but it's better than some of my earlier fics.

Percy: Where am I in this story?

Me: There'll be a chapter all about you after chapter 19. I guarantee it.

Percy: XP

Me: Whatever.

So… review. Reviews bring me happiness. Flames are not accepted, but constructive criticism is.

-A$h