Chapter Five
Max P.O.V
At last, we finally made it to Italy. Carlisle was right. This place was breathtaking. We checked into a hotel. Carlisle grabbed our bags and we headed to the room. The room was a decent size. It had one king sized bed and a spectacular view. The walls were tan matching the bedding and the floor was dark polished wooden panels. We had our own mini kitchen with a mini fridge. The bathroom had one of those jacuzzi bath tubs. This place was pretty sweet. My flock would have loved it.
"We are scheduled to meet with the Volturi tomorrow at 1 o'clock." Carlisle said. I nodded in reply. "So until then, I've made reservations at a five star restaurant." He smiled. "Isn't that going to be weird for you since you don't eat?" I questioned. I was fine eating what ever we could scavenge up that was left from the car ride here. "I can eat human food it just doesn't satisfy my hunger. Anyways Alice let me barrow this for you." He pulled a dress out of one of the suit cases. Yes you heard me a freaking dress. It was all black with half arm sleeves made of lace, a V shaped figure in the back and fitting around the waste. I don't do dresses. "It's very nice, but I don't think it's my style, besides its V cut in the back and that's going to show my wings." I didn't want to hurt his feelings. "I rented out the rooftop of the restaurant so it will just be us two. Also I pre ordered our food so when we get there it will already be at the table and I told them no server is necessary so no one will see your wings." I didn't know what to say.. "Oh." Was all I could choke out. I cleared my throat but didn't say anything. "I'll leave you be so you can get ready. I'll pick you up at 7." Carlisle took me off guard kissing my forehead. My heart began to race. Carlisle smiled. He calmly walked to the door and closed it behind him.
I sighed and walked to the bathroom mirror. I stared at myself for a while. Carlisle is so perfect and then there is me. I don't deserve to be happy. I feel like there is this big weight on my shoulders to successfully take down the school. I now dragged Carlisle into it and put him and his family's life in danger. I took a deep breath. Come on max you can do this...No, I can't. I need to stop feeling this. Fuck it, Carlisle isn't hear he'll never know. I went and rummaged through my suitcase and grabbed a knife. I walked back to the bathroom and started the shower. I set my knife down on the edge of the bathtub while I de-clothed. I stepped into the hot water. I inhaled closing my eyes. I'm so tired I thought to myself. Tired of feeling useless, tired of being hurt, tired of being so broken not knowing what to do, tired of being tired. I exhaled opening my eyes. I deserve to feel some kind of relief right? I grabbed the knife and held it to my left hip. Pressing the knife into my flesh made me feel like I had control. I had made 3 decently sized cuts and decided to stop. That's enough for now. I let the blood run down the drain. This wasn't as bad as I did my wrist. I was more responsible this time. Every time I feel these cuts rubbing up against my clothes, I'll remember that I had control just for that moment. Maybe it will keep me more relaxed.
I grabbed my towel and wrapped it around me. I used my hand to smear the fog from the mirror away. I began to get ready for dinner. 30 minuets later I had put on the dress and let my hair air dry and fall where ever it wanted to. I wasn't big on dressing up. I looked in the mirror again. Still, I felt ugly and unless. A knock on the door startled me. Then I looked at the clock it read 7:05. It was 7 already. I haven't realized the time. I nervously walked to the door and looked through the eye hole to make sure it was Carlisle. It felt like my heart was about to beat out of my chest. I felt stupid in this dress. I gulped and opened the door. Carlisle stared in awe. I blushed and looked away. "Max you look beautiful." Carlisle said. He then grabbed my hand and kissed the top of it making me blush even more. "Are you all ready to go?" He questioned. I nodded in reply.
Once we got to the restaurant we headed to the roof. It had white lights dangling from posts over our head. There was a candle in the middle of the round table. Carlisle reached to help me take my jacket off. He slid it off my shoulders and down my arms and wrapped it around the back of my chair before pulling it out and motioning for me to sit down. My wings were fully exposed. I sat down and scooted my chair closer to the table. Carlisle sat across from me. This must have costed a fortune. "You didn't have to do all this." I said. I felt so bad that he had spent so much money. "Yes I did. You deserve nice things. Just enjoy tonight." He said smiling at me. I gave him the best smile that I could. The food was spectacular. "Are you nervous about tomorrow?" Carlisle broke the silence. "A little bit." I replied. "I'll be there the whole time, I won't let anything happen to you." He grabbed my hand that was sitting on the table. I quickly looked up at him. "Come on." He said standing up. He led me to the edge of the building never letting go of my hand. We both sat down letting our legs dangle off of the restaurant. He then let go of my hand and placed it on my cheek turning my head to face him. He gently kissed my forehead.
I felt too overwhelmed for this. He was so gentle and caring but I didn't deserve any of it. I panicked. Quickly I pushed myself off of the edge of the building and flew about 10 feet away before turning back to look at Carlisle. "I'm sorry, I can't. You're perfect and I'm just me." I turned and faced my back to him. "Wait! Please come back. Max you're perfect to me." Carlisle said. I hovered there for about 10 seconds before flying off into the night.
Stupid Max what were you thinking? I had no idea where I was. Maybe I should just change my name and start a new life. I landed onto another buildings rooftop. What am I supposed to do? I thought I was ready for this. I thought I could handle it but it's so hard. I wanted to talk to Fang and just cry on his shoulder. Then I thought of Carlisle. I liked Carlisle. Would being with Carlisle be cheating on Fang? Fang is dead it's not like we broke up. How am I supposed to feel? I hugged my knees and cried my heart out.
Carlisle P.O.V
Max flew off as I kissed her forehead. Max doesn't think she is good enough for me. I went back to the hotel. I figured once she calmed down she would come back. I went to take a shower and noticed a knife sitting on the edge of the tub. Max why do you do this to yourself? Should I confront her about it? I sighed and continued to shower. I wanted to kiss her lips so bad but I knew that would be way to much for her. I finished my shower and sat on the bed against the headboard. I hoped Max would come back soon. I wish she would just talk to me. If she ends up not showing up, the Volturi will be pissed. I grabbed my laptop and browsed the web.
Max P.O.V
Hours passes and I finally calmed down a bit. I looked at the big clock tower that I could see from here. It was almost 12 o'clock. I swallowed hard and stood up. Time to be strong Max. My eyes were puffy and throat scratchy from crying. Toughen up I said to myself. I took a running start and jumped into the air. Soon enough I was back at the hotel. Once I got to our door I grabbed the key and put it in the door. I took a deep breath before opening it all the way. I walked in. Carlisle looked up from his laptop relieved. I closed the door and walked straight to the bathroom. I was embarrassed.. I slid my back down the bathroom door and sat on the floor. Then I noticed that my knife was on the sink. Shit! I bet he knows. I must have accidentally left the knife on the tub. Carlisle must have moved it. Way to go Max all you do it mess things up. I wanted to get out of this dress. I was going to have to face Carlisle. My suitcase with my clothes was out next to the bed. How long have I been in here? He's going to think I'm weird. I stood to my feet slowly opening the door. I hoped he was sleeping. I tiptoed out of the bathroom. Carlisle closed his laptop. "Max are you okay?" He stared at me. "I thought you'd be sleeping." I said looking to the floor. He chuckled. Fuck! I forgot vampires don't sleep. I began to blush. "Sorry." I said lowly. "Don't be. Can we talk?" I shrugged and grabbed my pajamas. I came back and sat on the other side of the bed. I didn't look at Carlisle. "May I see it?" He asked. I squinted my eyes at the wall I was staring at. "See what?" I snapped. "I just want to make sure that you're okay." He apologized with the tone in his voice. I turned to face him. "No! I'm not okay ! I will never be okay! So please stop trying to make me okay! Okay?" My voice cracked on that last 'okay'. Here we go again !Max break down and be worthless. I shoved my face into a pillow silently whimpering. I felt Carlisle's arms wrap around me. He held me tight for about an hour. Finally I stopped crying and wiggled out of his grip. "I'm sorry." I whispered. He brushed a piece of hair from my face. "It's alright." He said. I then stood up. I grabbed the left side of my pajama pants and pulled them down so he could see what I did. He stood up and pulled me into another hug. He didn't let go. "Get some sleep, we have a big day tomorrow." He let go of me. I got into bed under the blankets. Carlisle followed me and put his arm around my waste as my back was facing him. He kissed my shoulder. I for once just let this happen and I relaxed. I wrapped my arms around his arm and fell asleep.
xXx
Slowly I opened my eyes, yawning and out stretching my arms. "What time is it?" I mumbled. Carlisle was sitting against the headboard of the bed on his laptop. "It's 11:03. I ordered you some breakfast." He got up and handed me a plate of food. I sat up and chowed down on it. Once I finished, I headed to the bathroom. I turned on the shower. I stepped into the hot water closing my eyes. Today is the day I meet the vampires that run the show. I hope they live up to their word. Then again, if they don't, what can I do about it? They are way stronger than me. I took a deep breath. Life isn't supposed to be this hard. Maybe this is my hell. I sat down onto the tub floor letting the water beat down on me. What if I'm not strong enough? Everyone is counting on me. My flock counted on me and I failed them. I can't fail Carlisle and his family. I swallowed hard. What would Fang say if he were here? I frowned. Fang would tell me to follow my gut feeling. I sighed.
Time to get up Max, face the Volturi head on. I slowly stood in the hot water and finished washing myself. Taking in a deep breath, I grabbed my towel and exhaled slowly. You can do this Max. I frowned yet again feeling useless and unreliable. I can't do this. I stared at the mirror that seemed to be my honest friend. I swallowed. Just fake it. Put on your strong, leader, confident face and deal with it. I looked down to my side to see the scars from yesterday. I wanted to make more, but I knew Carlisle wouldn't allow it. Another time, another place. I got dressed and ready to go.
"Are you ready for this?" Carlisle asked. I nodded in reply. I hoped he'd believed the strong face I was putting out because if he didn't then how am I supposed to fool 1000 year old vampires? I'm just damaged goods. We gathered our things and packed up the car. We planned on heading back to Forks once we met with Aro. It wasn't a long drive at all, soon enough we were there. Carlisle opened the car door for me. As soon as I got out, he whispered to me. "Everything is going to be okay." I swallowed hard. We walked to the big brown doors, and stepped inside.
"Jane." Carlisle spoke. She was gorgeous with blond hair, though something was off about her. She had red eyes apposed to Carlisle's copper colored eyes. "Aro will see you now." Jane said. Her voice was sharp. We followed her to an elevator. I hated elevators, they remind me of being locked in a cage back at the school. Carlisle didn't leave my side for a second. The elevator came to a stop. My heart began to speed up. Jane shot her head towards me smirking. Carlisle tried to give me a reassuring look, but it didn't help. We stepped off of the elevator walking into a giant beautiful open room. In the middle sat three big chairs, at which three vampires sat not taking their eyes off me. "Well well, if it isn't Carlisle. Ah and this must be the winged girl you mentioned." A man said stepping from his chair. He came closer to us. "That's Aro." Carlisle whispered to me. "Well shall we get straight to the point?" Aro questioned. I nodded. I took in a deep breath. I took off my windbreaker. Seconds later my wings were fully extended. I felt exposed and embarrassed. Aro's eyes went wide as did the other vampires in the room.. He came closer and ran his hand down my feathers. "Amazing." He muttered. He then came up to me face to face and held out his hand. I looked over to Carlisle who nodded. I gave him my hand. He then fell silent, but didn't let go. "He can see what you have seen." Carlisle said. For some reason I didn't like that. I went to yank my hand away, but he didn't let go.
Carlisle went to intervene but two other vampires came to hold him back. "Just let her go." Carlisle said. "Oh, I see you must have feeling for this girl." Aro mocked him. He then finally let go of my hand. "Your life is pathetic." Aro looked me in the eye. Glad someone else thinks so too. "Though the people that created you, do they know about vampires?" Aro asked firmly.. "I don't know." I said lowly. "Hmm, your seeking our help, but for what?" Aro asked yet another question. "I don't need your help, I asked for Carlisle's help to get rid of the organization that created me. He said he needed permission from you because there is a chance that vampires could be exposed if we are unsuccessful." I stated rawly. "I see." Aro said. "How about this. If you are unsuccessful Carlisle comes back to work for me, and you die. Oh and being successful includes killing your father Jeb." Aro's breath was cold.. "Max no, we'll find another way. Don't bet your life." Carlisle was still being held by the two vampires. I looked over at him, then back at Aro. "I'll agree to die, but leave Carlisle out of this." I said coldly.
Aro shook his head. "What if I work for you, then you can kill me when ever you want to." I suggested. Carlisle had worry written all over his face, but couldn't speak. One of the vampires had put a hand over his mouth. "I'm willing to take that deal." Aro held out his hand, we shook on it. The other vampires let Carlisle go. He was at my side in seconds. We went back to the elevator headed back to the big brown doors. Just as we were about to walk out the door. I heard people screaming. What was going on? I turned back but Carlisle wouldn't let me. He put his arm fully around my waste and forced me back to the car. "Those people are in trouble! What are you doing?!" I yelled. He closed the passenger door and was in the drivers seat right away.. "We can't help them. I'm sorry. Trust me if I could I would." He said. I crossed my arms and we began the long car ride back to Forks.