Natural Born Angel (Immortal City 2)

Maddy decided to increase her speed.

The hoops hurtled at her quickly, and Maddy let her pilot instinct take over, setting her wings like a plane’s. With her speed, she began spinning laterally as she flew through the hoops. She couldn’t believe it, how fast she was going through them! Her mouth opened in a delighted smile, and she gave a shout of glee.

She shot past the final hoop, spun slightly to level herself off, and then dropped down dramatically right in front of Instructor Trueway. She was panting, catching her breath. Maddy couldn’t believe how well she’d done. It blew away anything she’d ever done on the course.

“Good,” Trueway said, making a note on his iPad.

Good? That was it? Maddy wanted to hear that she was in, that she’d done it, that she was recommended. A big “Congratulations!” But if she thought she was going to get that from Trueway, she was mistaken. The instructor’s face was blank as he put his iPad away.

“I’ll see you Friday,” he said, walking out of the hangar.

The day of the assessment finally came. Maddy had tried to sleep, but she’d mostly just tossed and turned all evening. She had set her alarm early, almost as early as when she woke up for a shift at the diner. Yawning as she padded around her apartment, she was surprised to find she kind of missed the way early morning felt. The way her body felt, the way the world felt. The sun rose over the Angel City Hills. A warm breeze passed through the palms. Another perfect day in the Immortal City.

Although the paparazzi and media were getting even more frantic, and there were tons of events and appearances Darcy was trying to orchestrate, Maddy had tried to take it easy that week, going to only one event, a launch party for one of her fellow nominee’s fashion lines. She and Jacks had only hung out once during the week, but then, she had been really busy.

She took a shower and put on a black pencil skirt and grey top she’d bought at Fred Segal just the day before. The outfit was fashionable and sleek, but also a little conservative; she’d got it specifically for the assessment today.

Putting on a pair of heels, Maddy stood in front of the mirror. She smiled at her image. At the very least, she looked the part to become a Guardian. Some days it shocked her that it was actually her, Maddy, looking back in the mirror.

Just then she got a text. She was surprised to see it was from Tom. He had remembered what day it was.

“Remember: You’re a natural. Break a wing!”

The guard at the gate to the training grounds cheerfully greeted Maddy as she pulled up. “The big day, eh, Ms Godright?”

“Sure is,” Maddy said, trying to be cheerful herself, although it felt like a thousand butterflies were flying loop-de-loops in her stomach at the moment.

As Maddy stepped out of her Audi in the car park, she peered up into the cloudless sky.

Across the perfectly blue atmosphere, far, far up, two fighter jets screamed across the sky, leaving two crisp white trails behind them. Maddy idly wondered if one of them was Tom.

Sadie rolled up almost noiselessly in her golf cart.

“They’re ready for you,” Sadie said, her perfect white teeth sparkling in the morning sun.

“Great,” Maddy replied, smiling forcefully. Looking around, though, she was confused. “Wait, where’s Jacks? He said he was going to meet me here.”

“Yes, yes,” Sadie said, pulling a bouquet of flowers from the seat of the golf cart. “These are for you. Jackson isn’t feeling well and couldn’t make it.” Sadie looked at her watch. “We should get going. They are waiting.”

“Oh.” Maddy took the bouquet of assorted flowers in her hand as she climbed into the golf cart, trying to hide her confusion and hurt. She looked at the card.

GOOD LUCK TODAY, MADS. LOVE, JACKS

Disappointment washed over Maddy – was he really sick? Why hadn’t he told her directly? He was supposed to be there!

Maddy didn’t have time to think about it. Before she knew it, they’d arrived and Sadie was leading her into the small auditorium built into the end of the bungalow offices. The room also served as an event space whenever the training facility was holding some occasion or party or there was a presentation from an Angel expert.

Sitting at a long wooden table that had been placed at the front of the room were Louis Kreuz, Susan, Trueway and Philip, the tweedy teacher she’d met the first day of Guardian training, whom she’d been quietly battling with ever since. Looking to her left as she entered, Maddy was surprised to see Jackson’s stepfather, Mark, sitting in the auditorium seats further up. He gave her a subtle thumbs-up.

Sadie seated Maddy behind a smaller table in front of the board of instructors. There was a bottle of water and an empty glass on the table. Maddy didn’t think she’d need it: she knew that there was to be no more discussion. The decision would simply be made.

“We’re here today to either recommend or deny Madison Montgomery Godright’s nomination to Guardianship,” Louis Kreuz said. “As you know, Maddy came to us much, much later than normal for training. And her unique situation creates other considerations.”

Maddy anxiously glanced back towards Mark, but he wore a look of pure confidence.

“We have had our discussions. Now that the potential nominee is here, it is time for us to recommend or deny. The decision must be unanimous. Is the board ready?”

All three other instructors nodded.