Immortal City (Immortal City 1)

“I said we’re closed!” he yelled again, anger edging his voice.

More raps on the glass. Insistent.

With an annoyed sigh, Kevin rounded the corner of the kitchen and walked to the front door. He unlocked the door with a jingle and looked out.

Standing there was an intensely beautiful woman he had never seen before. She seemed to be middle-aged but was slender and impossibly striking. There was something about her that was strangely familiar.

“I’m sorry, but we’re closed,” Kevin said in a suddenly softer tone, almost startled by her beauty. The woman just stood there, a dark Hermès scarf wrapped around her hair.

“Mr. Montgomery?” she asked.

“If you’re a reporter, I don’t have a comment,” he said.

“I’m not a reporter. I need to talk to you about your niece, Maddy. And my son. It’s important.”

“Your son?” Kevin asked.

She nodded.

“Jackson.”

Kevin blinked at her. It was Kris Godspeed. He had only ever heard about her, and maybe seen a few pictures over the years. He had never met her. Now he knew why she had seemed familiar to him. The likeness between her and Jacks was almost uncanny.

“Come in,” he said reluctantly. She quickly stepped in and Kevin locked the door again behind her.

Kris looked around the diner. She appeared somewhat on edge, unsure of herself. She was clearly out of place. Kevin motioned for her to take a seat at a nearby booth.

“Please,” he said.

They both sat.

“Would you like some coffee?” he offered.

“No. Thank you,” Kris said politely. “How is your head?”

“My head? Oh.” He touched the gauze on his forehead. He had completely forgotten. “I’ll live.”

He regarded her. Beneath the layer of hastily applied makeup he could see the lines of fear and worry framing her face. He wondered if she had slept.

“What is it you want?” he asked.

She looked like she was considering her words, maybe even reconsidering her decision to come and see him. For a moment he thought she might even get up, apologize, and ask to leave. Then finally, she spoke.

“No one knows I’m here,” she said, “But I had to come see you.”

“I don’t know where they are,” Kevin said preemptively.

“I’m not asking. I know the Council Disciplinary Agents have already been here, as has my husband.”

Kevin nodded.

“I also know your general opinion about Angels, Mr. Montgomery.” She paused, her eyes intent on him. “I came here hoping you might listen to me not as an Angel, but as a mother. Can we talk one parent to another?”

“Go on,” Kevin said after a moment.

“I don’t care about the law. I just don’t want them to hurt my son. I don’t want Maddy to get hurt either. I want to end this thing before it goes any further, before something terrible happens. To either of them.”

“When I talked to Mark last night, he seemed determined to follow the law to the letter, no matter what,” Kevin said. “And no matter who.”