Chapter One

Max POV

"You gotta stay focused if you wanna win, Nick!" I taunted/ yelled back at the one and only person I hate more than I hate more than insolent buffoons (then again he is an insolent buffoon). He huffed and was on me in an instant.

"I'm going to make you wish you were never born," he growled. I smirked.

"I've been alive for 10 centuries now. And you've been saying that for 8 of those 10. The line is getting old." I kicked him off of me and bolted away, once again taking the lead.

My name is Maximum Ride. I am the best dang Guardian Vampire in the history of Guardian Vampires. Well, maybe not in the history, but definitely in my generation. I am 10 centuries, 5 decades, and two years old. That means I am 10, 052 years old for those of you who are trying to do the math. I prefer being called Max. My appearance changes with each half century. This time I have shoulder length dirty blond hair and chocolate brown eyes. I go for the tomboy look this time around. I have been princesses, duchesses, empresses, maids, ladies-in-waiting. You name it, I've done it. That's a perk of living forever.

Nick Walker is my rival in dark clothing. He is the same exact as me (all down to the last second) and yet we are not twins. He has shaggy black hair, black eyes, and olive skin. He wears all black all the time. Seriously, he doesn't even attempt to blend in. Well, unless it's really dark. And shadowy. And foggy. You get the point.

Ever since my 2nd century birthday, Nick has officially hated me. Why? Well, it was a lovely day for the Guardian Vampires. We all met at the Guardian Dome. The Messenger Angels, the GVs, the royals, all of us were there. Why? Because it was time for the double century enchantments. This is a night where every newborn who is 2 centuries old gets told their status based on tests they had been taking for a decade before that. Of course, Nick and I were the only two 2000 year old vampires, so we were the only ones being celebrated.

As the one and only daughter of the king and queen of the Guardian Vampires, I had been deemed 'Heir of the GVs,' which means not only do I get to fight bad guys and protect some kid like I've always been trained to do, but I also get to boss people around and choose my ward. Nick, however, was deemed 'Royal Assistant,' which meant he has to work under me once I am queen. Let's just say he didn't like that decision very much and he takes it out on me.

Anyway, right now the two of us are competing in a 11th century race. It's girls versus boys with me as captain of the girls' team and Nick as captain of the boys' team. The objective is to get at least one member of your team across the finish line. There are puzzles. There are battles. And only one team will be victorious. There are no ties. And guess who happens to be in the lead right now? Max Ride of the Girls.

"You won't be alive long enough to continue hearing it, Ride," I heard behind me. I was tackled again, this time into a tree.

"Really? You're taking this game way too seriously," I gasped as he choked me.

"This has nothing to do with the race. This is between you and me. I kill you now, I become 'Heir of the GVs.'" Should've known that's what he wanted.

"Yeah, that'll never happen." I shoved him back and looked at him. He jumped back to his feet and glared at me. "Get over it, Nick. It's not happening."

To prove my point, I charged into him, knocking him over. As he gasped for breath, I ran straight to the finish line, winning the race for the Girls. I smirked as I was lifted onto the shoulders of two girls, listening to the cheers ringing throughout the now crowded field. The boys slunk onto the field.

"Always remember this boys: cheaters never win. I do believe the year supply of red deliciousness belongs to me."

"Max, Fang, you are needed by the Ancients," a Messenger Angel said as she flew down to us. I nodded and looked back at my future assistant.

"Raise you there." With that, I ran off.

10 seconds later, both of us stopped in front of Anne Walker, the Head Ancient and (unfortunately) Nick's mother.

"Max, might I congratulate you on the win? You did exceptionally well." I smirked.

"Thanks, Ms. Walker. Though it is expected from a ROYAL."

"What do you need us for, Mom?" Nick growled.

"Oh, yes. I have an assignment for both of you." I perked up at 'assignment.' I adore assignments.

"What is it this time? A daredevil girl who wants nothing more than her school to blow up? A totally cute boy that loves action? A bad boy that actually blows things up?"

"If only. Max, you and Fang are both assigned to the kid Martinez's: Iggy and Nudge. Max, you have Nudge, and Fang has Iggy."

"I can deal with that. Let's just hope my assistant here can do the same." I smirked at him before running out of the office. I honestly do not feel like fighting him right now.