Chapter 7
Disclaimer: (I'm getting better at these, I didn't have to edit this one in, so I'm remembering!) I don't own Maximum Ride or any of the characters… To my disappointment. I'm jealous of your brilliance, James Patterson.
Max
"What are you still doing here?" I strode into the empty room the emperor kept to house important guests. If only he knew he was housing angels, even if we were only guardian angels, in his palace. Dylan sat in a carved wooden chair with his irritating smile on his face like a flawless mask.
"Is that how you treat one who saved the love of your life?" He smirks, but it doesn't quite reach his eyes. It makes him seem mad. Well, maybe you angered him. The Voice speaks. Shut up, Voice! I don't need your help. But you do, Maximum, the Voice goes on, you have terrible judgment.
I roll my eyes, "You aren't wanted here." That includes you, Voice.
"I want me here." Dylan says, that smile on his face like it's plastered there.
"You don't have a say," I tell him, "Leave soon or leave now."
Fang
It felt so good to fly again. I stretched out my wings and just coasted on the warm currents. I couldn't tell how long I've been comatose. It's been less than a week maybe but it feels like forever. I dive and swoop and bank. It's been so long since I've done tricks. I should go and take care of Andrea. The Flock shouldn't have to do that for me. She's my assignment and I ought to pay attention to her.
I drop down, folding my black wings around me. The wind was like a hurricane in my primary feathers. The ground rushed up at me. My blood sped up with adrenaline. Last second, eased my wings out, catching me before I became a Fang mess on the ground.
"Fang?" Max's voice rang out behind me. I couldn't speak to her now. I flapped my wings and flew the only place I could get away with, to the cave that Ari attacked us in. I knew this wasn't the best of ideas and it didn't ensure the best of luck. I flew there fast, I had a head start and yet Max ended up next to me, her brown eyes searching, "Fang, are you okay?"
I land lightly into the cave, not saying a word to her. She looks around, goosebumps rising on her arms. "What is it with you and caves? You aren't becoming a bat on me, are you?"
I didn't answer but kept walking, towards the darkest corner of the cave.
"Fang, talk to me," Max commands. I ignore her and blend into the shadows. She looks annoyed but she sits down right where she is, waiting me out.
"I wanted to see if you recovered enough. The Flock accepted me as their leader. It means they'll listen to me. It doesn't mean that they're my servants," she laughs jokingly. I try to block out her voice. "Fang, please, I want to talk. Where is my friend?"
Friend, what does that mean? It doesn't mean this… this emotion I feel. It shouldn't mean wanting to see her, it shouldn't mean her lips on mine, and it definitely shouldn't mean the hurt I felt when she kissed Dylan. That snake! How dare he! So what was she now, if she wasn't my friend? Because it doesn't feel like just friends to me.
Max sits, but then she thinks of something. With one last sad glance in my general direction, she flies towards the palace, leaving me alone. I punch the stone wall.
Max
Go and give him space, he needs it.
What did I do wrong? I got Dylan to heal him; I tried to talk to him. Where did I go wrong?
I land on the balcony outside of the royal chambers. Angel appears first, her innocent eyes are knowing. Of course, she must be reading my mind. She blushes a little when I think that thought. "I can't help it, you know," she tells me, "I just want to take care of you."
"Don't worry about me, sweetie," I smile at her and give her a hug, "I'm supposed to take care of you and the flock."
"And Emperor Titus, too. It's a huge responsibility, you know," Angel looks worried. It's nice that she's so concerned for me.
"I know," I sigh, and walk into the chambers.
Emperor Titus, I was his mirror now. I was the leader, the warrior, the defensive parent figure, protecting those I love. The emperor was the leader of his country and his love was for his nation. We both walked the same footsteps, him with enemies on every turn, I, with a mission to save the world. Maximum Ride, this is your destiny.
I was out of it when I wrote this chapter. I'm sorry. Reviews?