Alright, you guys. Of course Fang loves her.

Fang: that's a no brainer.

Me: I revealed that two chapters ago. But, as I will repeat and articulate later on, the mortals come first! That's why he didn't protect Max. Besides, she gave him a direct order. You don't disobey a Vampire Max when she gives a direct order. Iggy!

Iggy: RozaCourt does not own Maximum Ride.

Chapter seven

Valencia

I paced my room once again, beyond nervous at this point. The Royal Fortune Teller foresaw my daughter being in danger a few days ago, so I had sent the Knights for her. But now….

"Mommy," I heard somebody say at the door. I spun around as Max ran to me like she used to when she was little. I wrapped my arms around her and hugged her to me tight, feeling her own strong arms around me.

"Oh Maxie, I thought my efforts were too late. I thought I had lost you," I whispered into her hair. I was surprised when I felt tears fall onto my bare arm.

"I… I thought I was a goner. I can't believe… Fang would do that," she gulped out. I hugged her tighter, letting her cry. "And now, both of us may lose our licenses because of his stupid decision. And I could… I could… I could still lose my life because Nudge was put in danger on my watch!"

My heart sank at my daughter's words. It is true: if a mortal is placed in demons' hands simply because a barrier is weak, the barrier makers could be tried and executed. Just the thought of having my daughter in my arms again then losing her officially….

"I thought I was powerful. I always thought I was the third most powerful Vampire there was. But I was wrong. I am weak. I couldn't defend myself against stupid demons. I couldn't make my half of the barrier strong enough to keep them out. I couldn't read Fang's mind and mental history enough to know he had done this. And now I have to pay for it."

"Maxie, you are not weak. Nobody could've changed what had happened. Not even your father or myself."

"I'm sorry to interrupt, but the Queen's Knight is here to see the princess," a maid said softly.

"Let him in," I said, losing my hold on Max. She wiped her cheeks and composed herself. Max's future Knight, Flare, stepped into the room and bowed to one knee.

"You're Majesties, I have come with news from the Ancient Guardian Vampires. One of the third centuries has just been assigned to a mortal in Arizona and would like to await departure."

"Why is that exactly?" Max asked.

"She would like to go if and when we return after the trial due to the rumor that you and Fang will let off as long as he has a Knight with him at all times."

"And the Ancients approve of this waiting?" I asked, incredulous.

"They were the ones who suggested it, my Queen." I looked at my daughter and saw the way her eyes sparkled. I knew she would agree to this arrangement.

"Then let the young lady know she should begin preparations. Because I intend on leaving for Arizona right after the trial," my daughter replied.

"Of course," Flare replied. He stood and exited the room.

~Line Break~

Max POV

Turns out the rumors are correct: Fang and I are being let off the hook. Daddy is going to keep an eye on the dark user, but that just allows us to have our own house. Also means I need to convince Nudge's mother to let her and Iggy stay with us. But, baby steps. Let's focus on baby steps.

"Max, can I speak with you?" Speak of the devil. I turned away from packing more bottles of thick red deliciousness to look at my Assistant.

"Depends. Are you going to try to kill me again?" I crossed my arms over my chest.

"I've given up on trying to kill you. I have better things to do." I turned around quickly to hide my smile: that sounded so much more like my old best friend. Then again, he has been trying to act like he used to before rank got between us.

"Then yes you may speak with me." He joined my side and we started packing bottles together.

"First, I know you don't want me to say this, but I'm sorry. I really am. When I made the barrier weak, I was blinded by raging frustration. Almost losing you made me realize I should've been more considerate. And hearing the truth behind the king and queen made me realize I would rather be Royal Assistant than Queen's Knight."

"Apology accepted." He looked at me with surprise in his deep black eyes. "That's all I really wanted to hear: a sincere apology. Fang, you have always been my best friend. Best friends forgive each other no matter what has happened."

"Well, I wish I had known that sooner." We chuckled at the thought of what had happened during the trial (I will go through that during another chapter. Just not this one) before he continued talking. "Second, I thank you for convincing the Ancients to give me a 2nd chance back there. I would've been a goner otherwise."

"Yeah, well. I was feeling generous." He bumped my shoulder.

"Third, I think I'm in love with you." My hands froze at his blunt words. I looked up at him in shock, wondering if he was being serious or not. "I know, I don't act like it. But I just realized it myself recently."

"Fang, I…." He stopped my words by crashing his lips onto mine. I squeaked lightly, surprised at this turn of events.

"Hey, Max. Are you…?" I shoved Fang away at the sound of Flare's voice. "Whoa, don't let me interrupt."

"Wait, Flare. Don't…." I ran after the fire user, leaving Fang behind.

"Hey, I didn't mean to come between you and Fang. Don't hurt me," he joked. I huffed at this comment. "Is there… something going on between the two of you?"

"Of course not! At least, there wasn't. We were just friends. But now, I don't know…. He said he loves me, then he kissed me, and now I'm confused as hell."

"Well, try to figure it out. I wanted to tell the two of you that the girl is ready to go. And the next portal to Arizona is opening in ten minutes." I watched him walk away before kicking and punching a wall continuously.

"You're Highness? Princess, what on earth are you doing?!" I felt hands wrap around my waist and pull me away from the wall. I realized tears were rolling down my cheeks.

"Why are boys so stupid?" I choked out.

"I take offense to that." I looked over my shoulder and realized my mom's Knight was the one that was holding me.

"I should've known it was you: nobody else dares to touch me when I'm in a rage. Let me go." He shook his head as he walked towards my room. I started panicking slightly. "I said let me go! Now!" I started struggling.

"Calm down. I'm just taking you to your room."

"Exactly! Now put me down this instant!" 'Holy shit, what is this feeling?! I'm acting like a… like a… human.'

"Princess, I have no intentions to harm you in any way. Now please…. Ow, shit!" He let me go as I shocked him as hard as I could. I ran to my room, locked the door, and put the strongest force field I could around it. I backed away from it until I hit the far wall and slid down it.

"What's happening to me?" I whispered. I hugged my knees to my chest, trembling lightly.

"Max, are you ok?" I heard through the door.

"Go away, Fang. I don't want to talk to anyone." So of course he had to open the door. "I said go away."

"Max, what's wrong?" He walked closer to me.

"No, don't come any closer!" I slinked away from him, panic filling my entire body. He froze, his hands in the midst of reaching out for me.

"What's going on?" I shook my head.

"I don't know. I've never felt this way before." It was true: Guardian Vampires don't feel fear like this. This kind of fear is the type of irrational fear mortal girls get. GVs are too powerful to have someone to fear like this.

"May I hug you?" I jumped back as he stepped forward again. "Maxie, I'm not going to hurt you." I simply watched him as he leaned down in front of me, the trembling stronger. He wrapped his strong arms around my torso. I slowly hugged him around the neck and buried my face in his chest.

"It… it started when my mom's Knight moved me away from the wall I was punching. When he started walking towards here, I became afraid. I was so scared, Fang. And I don't know why."

"I just thought of something. There hasn't been a time where a GV knew she was going to die and actually lived. Maybe… that is why you're feeling like this."

I thought about what he had said. It is true: no Guardian Vampire knows he or she is going to die and actually lives through it. Humans do it all the time; that's why we're sent to protect them. Maybe, just maybe, I'm feeling a mortal feeling because I've been through a mortal experience.

~Line Break~

"Maxie-kins!" I was tackled to the ground by Nudge as soon as I walked into her house. I laughed as I patted her back as a way of hugging her.

"I told you I was coming back. Where are the other two?" She let me stand up and led me up to her room.

"They have been waiting for you. It's been two months since we last saw you." That's right, one day in my world is one month in the mortal world. I was in my world for two days.

"Sorry about that. The trial took longer than I thought." She opened the door to her room, and I was tackled once again.

"Maxie-poo! I thought you really had died, you were gone so long! Why would you worry me like that?!" exclaimed Iggy. I laughed as I hugged him and Gazzy. 'Mortals can be so idiotic sometimes.'

"Well, I'm alive now just like I always will be. Sorry to worry you." We stood up and I tapped their foreheads. The Guardian Angels floated away from them.

"Where's Flare and Fang?" Gazzy asked me.

"We were right behind her, you know," Fang said. I saw Iggy tense at his voice.

"Hey, it's alright. He's forgiven," Flare said. But even I could hear the hatred in his voice. I don't have time for boys right now.

"Um… hi." Oh yeah, I forgot she was here.

"Guys, this is Sarah. She's a new Guardian. But you cannot tell anyone about her. Or us for that matter. She's posing as our sister. Sarah, this is Iggy, Gazzy, and Nudge. Iggy's Fang's ward, Gazzy is Flare's, and Nudge is mine." The blond Nurse Apprentice walked forward with a smirk.

"Nice to meet all of you."

Yep, that's it for now. Would've ended it sooner, but I figured I should introduce the newest character, Sarah, first. She's going to be badass, I guarantee it.

-RozaCourt