Natural Born Angel (Immortal City 2)

The first thing Maddy noticed was a number of men wearing suits standing underneath the glowing Kevin’s Diner sign outside. They wore dark sunglasses and had small transmitters in their ears. This wasn’t a strange sight in Angel City – they could’ve been security for any Angel event, and Maddy had dealt with them a lot over the past year. But this was outside her uncle’s decidedly non-Angel restaurant. And these men were different. They seemed a bit more on edge, their suits a bit boxier. Like there might be guns under them.

They stared straight ahead as Maddy walked into the diner.

Kevin, wiping his hands on his apron, met her at the entrance. The restaurant seemed empty.

“Kevin, what’s going on?”

Her uncle led her towards the back booths, talking under his breath.

“I don’t know how he found us, but . . . well, he’s waiting,” Kevin said.

“Who’s waiting? What’s happening?” Maddy asked.

“Just, well, you’ll see,” Kevin said. He led Maddy to the furthest table in the back and motioned for her to sit.

Maddy slipped into the booth and found herself facing a man in a navy Brooks Brothers suit, red tie, and a big smile. His hair looked perfect. With a shock, she realized who it was.

“Hello, Maddy. Let me introduce myself— ”

“You’re Senator Linden,” Maddy interrupted cautiously, her eyes darting to the men in the dark suits standing behind them. She examined the senator. He had a strong jaw, but his eyes had a certain lightness to them. He was still a handsome man. She thought of all the things Jacks had said about Linden’s campaign. How stakes were growing by the day. How it was one of the biggest crises to face Angels since they came out of hiding over a hundred and fifty years earlier.

“Yes, I am. You might not be aware of this, but I was friends with your father, Maddy.”

Maddy remembered the rainy night a year before, when Jacks had saved her and the ADC agents were closing in. Uncle Kevin pulling out an old, secret album. She’d seen a photo of her father with a young Ted Linden.

“You worked together,” Maddy said, remembering that conversation. “What do you want from me? Are you trying to get my endorsement? Even you should know that’s a long shot.”

The senator didn’t seem ruffled by his cool reception.

“I didn’t come here for your support, Maddy. This is an unscheduled stop. I came here today because I did know your father, Jacob Godright. And respected him very much. He was a great Angel.” Linden’s voice trailed off, as if he were remembering something very painful. “And so I thought I owed it to you. I simply thought we should talk. I want you to know why I’m doing what I’m doing.”

“Why?” Maddy said. She had to admit that she was curious about how he could go from working with Angels to banning them outright.

“The Angels’ PR machine is good, I have to give them that. I’m painted as a bigot. A hatemonger. But I don’t hate the Immortals. I’ve loved some of them. I loved your father dearly, like a brother. I hate the system. The system is so unfair and corrupt, it must be dismantled.”

“But reform can happen,” Maddy said, although her voice was somewhat uncertain.

Senator Linden was firm. But his voice was filled with regret. “We don’t have time for that. I’ve tried it before. Time and time again. But the Angels won’t do their part. I don’t see any other choice. I don’t want it this way. I’m an idealist at heart, Maddy. But I have to be a pragmatist in my actions. It’s the only way to save us both: humans and Angels. I have an obligation to shut it down. I wish it weren’t this way.”

Maddy absorbed Linden’s words. She wasn’t sure how she felt about them. But she was starting to see how he had marshalled so much support, so quickly. It wasn’t just some kind of anti-Angel spirit sweeping the country. When he was there, you could feel his conviction. Even if you didn’t agree with him, it was almost intoxicating.

A young man in an ill-fitting suit appeared at the counter. He spoke under his breath: “Senator, we need to be moving along. We have the dinner at Palisades Riviera in two hours, and we need to stop at the community centre in West Angel City along the way.”

Senator Linden nodded. “Just give me one more moment with Ms Montgomery here. Or Godright.”

The young man nodded and disappeared around the corner.

“Maddy, you come from both worlds, Angel and human. I know this must be difficult,” the senator said. “I just wanted you to know I understand that. Whatever happens, it’s not personal. And I wanted to meet you. I’m glad I have – your father would have been proud.” A far-off look came across the senator’s eyes as he remembered another time, another place.

Words came rushing out of Maddy’s mouth. “I still think reform can happen. That I can help make it happen.”

The senator considered what she had said for a few moments.

“Maddy, I know your heart is in the right place.” His eyes searched hers. “But honestly, no matter what you think, you’ll never be able to reform the Angels from the inside. They’d never let you. If you’re honest with yourself, you’ll know that what I’m saying is true.”

A pang stabbed Maddy’s body as she heard these words.

On some level, did she agree with what Senator Linden had said? Was it in fact going to be impossible to effect change from within the Angel organization? She had thought that from within was the only way to bring about change. But was she entirely sure?