Chapter 24: The Max Effect


Fang PoV


Fang wandered down the abnormally clean hallways. There wasn't a speck of dust to be seen, anywhere. He had already visited most of the house and it was the same everywhere. It reminded him of the School, except there wasn't the signature smell of anaesthetic.

He opened a door, glancing inside to see the Flock curled up together on the bed Max was in earlier. He stopped for a minute, allowing a small smile to drift across his face as he watched them.

Nudge's face was scrunched up and she was wriggling her nose like a rabbit, shaking her head and swatting her hands at something in her dream.

Gazzy had his head on Iggy's stomach, rising and falling with Iggy's breathing. Fang reckoned they had been discussing bombs before they fell asleep.

Angel lay awake, staring at the ceiling. Her blond curls were spread out behind her head, almost blending with the gold bed covers. One of her hands was lying on the bed, where it usually would be stroking Total's back absentmindedly, and the other was clutching Celeste to her. Her eyes met Fang's and he smiled at her. She grinned back, and then continued to stare above her. Fang left her in peace, knowing she liked this. The whole Flock around her, sleeping peacefully. It was a change from the usually hectic thoughts.

Max wasn't there, so he quietly backed out, closing the door behind him.

Fang needed to talk to her. He didn't know what about. He just wanted to talk to her. It helped clear his head. They would probably exchange opinions on the Cullens and their story. Then Fang would ask her what was going on while she told everyone the plan. Max would seem shocked that he had noticed that she seemed distant.

And she had. It was like she was running on automatic, and had no idea what she was saying. It was strange, because Max always got caught up in building her plans. A light would grow in her beautiful brown eyes and the stronger the plan, the stronger the light.

For this plan, on the other hand, there was no light. Nothing. Not even a spark. To Fang looking into her eyes was like looking into an active volcano; full of fire and life, mystifying. But when she shut off emotions, looked at Jeb, talked about Ari, when she told them her plan, it was like looking into your own grave.

Sighing, Fang pulled out of his head, and opened the last door. Peeking inside he found Carlisle sitting at a huge oak desk, bent over a huge book. He raised his head.

"Can I help you Fang?" His tone was friendly, caring. The man didn't mind that Fang was wandering, unmonitored, around his house. Let alone the fact he had just walked into what seemed to be Carlisle's personal study.

"Have you seen Max?"

"No, I haven't. Would you like me to help you look?"

He shook his head, muttering a negative, simply out of politeness.

Backing out of the doorway, Fang headed down the stairs and into the sitting room.

He stood silently, watching. None of the room's occupants seemed to notice him, but Fang knew better. The Vampire's advanced hearing will have told them every step he took around their house. Therefore, they would also know he was searching for Max. Consequently, it meant he only had to cast a wondering glaze upon those he wished to question and he would have his answer.

"Max? Nope. I haven't seen her since Bella left." Alice said.

Edward had taken Bella home after Max explained her plan. Oddly, Edward hadn't reappeared.

"She was outside talking to Seth, I think dear." Esme smiled warmly at him, in the way a mother would to her child. For some reason, it pained Fang and he quickly retreated outside with a nod of thanks.

"Max?" He called, not finding her on the porch.

He heard her laughing and turned his head just in time to see her blond hair disappear into the trees. Frowning, he followed.

She was with Seth, and they made their way through the forest, talking and laughing with each other, until they stopped at a huge log where they sat, the laughter gradually dying down into a comfortable silence.

Fang was confused. He was happy, because Max was relaxed, staring dreamily at the stars. But then, there was Seth. Who was staring at Max, as if he wanted to know exactly what was going through her head.

Don't we all? Fang thought grimly.

He moved closer, and took a breath to call out to Max. And Seth, of course. But just at that moment, Max took a breath and said something.

Seth replied, turning away so that she didn't know he was staring at her.

She said something else and Seth's head snapped round to stare at her again.

Fang edged closer, curious to hear.

"I... Well... Yeah." Seth sounded surprised

Max stared at him.

"That's actually quite unnerving, you know."

"Sorry." She looked away. "I need to tell you something, but you can't tell anyone. You have to promise me."

Fang's heart stopped. What could she tell Seth that she couldn't tell Fang?

"Sure. I promise."

Who would refuse something like that to a person like Max?

"I'm sorry about this, you're gonna hate me, but I can't hold it in anymore! I need to tell someone..." She trailed off, but Fang had already stopped listening.

He wandered back down the path, lost in thought.

Doesn't Max trust me anymore? What did I do?

He was torn between running away, back to the house. Or just flying somewhere, on his own. But he also wanted to go back and hear what Max couldn't tell him. His loyalty to Max was too strong to do either. He couldn't leave her; he didn't trust Seth. But if she didn't want to tell Fang, then Fang couldn't eavesdrop on her. So he stayed where he was, not close enough to be intruding but close enough to hear if someone yelled.

"I can't do that!"

Like that.

He sneaked back, ready to surprise Seth if he was hurting Max in any way.

He peeked through the bushes to see them both standing, Seth pacing, Max with her hands on her hips.

"-do it." Max was saying. Seth stopped in front of her.

"Yeah, and how do you propose you make me do it?" He said smugly, smirking. Fang wanted to smack it right off his arrogant face.

Fang couldn't see Max's face, as her back was to him.

Both boys raised an eyebrow, as Max stepped closer to Seth, too close. She stood on her tip-toes and leaned even closer. For a second Fang thought she was going to kiss Seth, and by the look on his face, so did he.

However, to Fang's pleasure, she simply leant into Seth's ear and whispered something.

Whatever it was, he swallowed.

Fang edged round, so he could see her face. She was smiling. Fang's smile. The one she only ever showed Fang.

Seth stared at her for a second, and then his knees buckled, and he collapsed back onto the log.

Max had done that to Fang before a few times. She could always get what she wanted off of anybody. He and Iggy called it the Max effect.

But that smile was his, Fang's.

He turned and ran, not wanting to see anymore.