CHAPTER 38

Max POV

His wing. The bullet clipped his wing, just like the one that had hit me when I saved Ella from those idiots. Only, it didn't actually break his flesh. It was sure bleeding a lot, though.

I was 14 and pretty tough when I was hit. Don't get me wrong, it still hurt more than anything! And my wing wasn't fully repaired for a while.

But Gazzy…

He was roughly nine years old. This was just too much.

It took a moment for me to react after Gazzy screamed. I was in total shock! Someone, or something, shot this sweet, nine year old boy!

The hall settled in painful silence for a mere three seconds, and, then, Fang and I were racing to the Gasman. He fell to his knees with his hands covering his ears. Tears were streaming down his face as he gasped for air between sobs.

I dropped to my knees next to him and examined the injury while comforting him and fighting my own tears.

Fang was standing over us protectively, as the remaining Flyboys aimed their guns at us. Fang's fists were clenched tight by his sides, almost as if he was daring one of them to try to touch me or the Gasman.

"Max!" Gazzy cried in pain.

"I know, sweetie," I replied as soothingly as possible.

A tear slipped down my cheek, and I looked up to Fang. He locked his eyes on mine with a look that basically said "what now?"

"Max," a familiar, uncomforting voice stated. "We've been expecting you."

I peeked around Fang and saw her. My jaw dropped and blood boiled.

How was this even possible?!

Fang POV

After the shot rang through my ears, I whirled around to see who was in the line of fire. My heart almost stopped when I saw the Gasman fall to his knees.

Not even two seconds later, Max and I were next to him. Max was helping him out while I basically stood guard. No on else was going to hurt either of them. I would make sure of that.

There were five guns aimed at us, so there wasn't much we could do about fighting, now. Looking over my shoulder, I met Max's gaze.

I had no idea what to do next. I could tell she was thinking the same thing.

Then, a woman came through the circle of Flyboys. Some of her features reminded me of an older version of Max.

"Max, we've been expecting you," the evil scientist said.

Who was this lady? And how did she know Max?

"Marian Janssen," Max growled from behind me.

I clenched my fists tighter, trying to prevent Max's overwhelming anger from growing any stronger inside of me.

The evil scientist, or Marian Janssen according to Max, glared at me as I blocked Max and the Gasman from her view.

"Stand aside, Fang," she demanded.

How does she know my name? I thought with surprise but showed nothing but anger on my face.

When I didn't respond, she slowly repeated, "I told you to stand aside, Fang."

"I don't think so," I ground out through clenched teeth.

Marian Janssen's glare reminded me of Max's; only, Max's glare was a hundred times scarier and way more intimidating.

She snapped her fingers, and, before I could even react, a pain exploded in the back of my head, leaving me in dark nothingness.

Max POV

This wasn't happening!

Marian Janssen, who was supposed to be rotting in jail, was standing right in front of us.

Then, when she snapped her fingers, a lightning-fast Flyboy shot a metal arm across the back of Fang's head.

"No!" I shouted as he fell forward in an unconscious heap.

"Put these two with the others," Marian Janssen ordered the others scientists and Flyboys. "Make sure the small one is fixed before I get there. We need them all alive!"

Well, there were two good things that came out of that statement:

First, they were all still alive!

Second, they were going to save Gazzy! Why? I don't know.

But this was no time for celebrating.

Fang was thrown roughly over a Flyboy's shoulder, causing me to wince at the sight. Thankfully, the Gasman was carefully lifted off the ground.

I watched as they were both carried away, leaving me with Marian Janssen, two scientists, and three Flyboys.

"Max," she grinned wickedly. "It's been a while. How have things been?"

"I've been better," I snarled.

She gave a single nod and said, "I believe we have a few matters to discuss, Max. Follow me."

I rose to my feet and gave her my infamous death stare.

Rolling her eyes, she said, "Follow me, or you will be killed right here."

The Flyboys aimed their guns again, right at the center of my chest.

I let out a defeated grunt, and she gave me a satisfied smirk. As she began marching away, one Flyboy pushed the barrel of the gun against my back, forcing me to follow her.

Whatever she had planned was not going to go well.

Who saw that coming? ;)