Natural Born Angel (Immortal City 2)

“We have to, Maddy,” Tom said. “Is it better to just sit here and wait for the demons to come slaughter us in our homes? We have to at least try. We’ve sworn a duty to protect this country. And we will do it. Even if we die trying.”

Maddy knew he was right.

“The Angels are refusing to help,” she said. “Archangel Holyoake just released the official statement.”

“Are you surprised?” Tom said, his expression darkening, cheeks tensing. “They were about to go to war with us over the Immortals Bill. We already knew they’d give us no aid.”

Maddy looked at him. “No,” she said. “Actually, I . . . I don’t know.” A pang crossed her heart as she thought of Jacks, alone and bitter in his jealousy, having offered to lead the Angels against them. How had everything gone so wrong so quickly?

With a panic, Maddy realized that the sailors and aviators on the dock were starting to thin out, embarking on the ship, leaving only the civilians on the dock.

A junior officer approached Tom and saluted. “Captain, we need you to board, sir.”

“Thank you, ensign,” he said. “I’ll only be a moment longer.”

Tom turned back to Maddy.

“Maddy, when you came out in public as a half-blood, and then I met you, I felt something. I felt I didn’t have to be alone any more. I didn’t have anything to prove. I could be what I was. Not feel different. Maybe even be proud.”

“No goodbyes, Tom,” Maddy sputtered out, trying to hold back tears.

“You gave me courage, everything you’ve done in so short a time. You may not see it, your incredible courage, but I do. And so does the rest of the world. You gave courage to us all with your training, your save of the girl. Maddy, you are what I would want to be.”

Emotion flooded Maddy, threatening to overtake her as she held the pilot’s hands in hers. The impending war; her love for Jacks, who was now her enemy; what she now recognized as a conflicting love for Tom – it all threatened to break through the defences around her heart and leave her surrendered, overwhelmed. She bit her lip hard as she looked up at Tom, tears rimming her eyes.

“All my achievements, my flight status – none of it matters when I think about the past couple of months with you,” Tom said. He took a breath. “I love you, Maddy.”

“Tom, we’ll have time to talk about all this when you get back.”

His voice began to waver, only slightly. “Maddy, if I don’t come back again, I want you to— ”

“You’re going to be back again,” she cut him off, the renegade tears starting to come. “You’d better.”

The brilliant sun glinted off the insignia of Tom’s crisp, navy blue uniform. A pair of gulls wheeled above in the flawless blue sky, lighter than air. Navy personnel crowded the rails of the towering aircraft carrier, looking down on the dock at those they were leaving behind.

“My grandfather always told me not to get caught up and instead to search for the one girl I wanted to spend the rest of my life with,” Tom said, his voice quavering. He moved in closer and looked at her with his deep green eyes. “I’m sure now that it’s you.”

The world seemed to pitch under Maddy’s feet, as if she were at sea.

“Tom. . .”

“Maddy Montgomery Godright, I want to know if you’ll be here for me if – I mean, when – I get back.”

Her face turned down, tears streaming. “Tom, don’t talk like that. Of course I’ll be here.”

Suddenly a shadow crossed over her and Tom, as if a giant bird had flown across the sun. In surprise, Maddy looked up.

An Angel with enormous wings outstretched floated to the ground in front of them, silhouetted black against the sun. Golden rays bled around the edges of the figure as it touched down.

With a shock, Maddy realized it was Jacks. But not a Jacks she fully knew. Futuristic black Angel armour clung to his muscular body, a new generation of Battle Angel protection she’d never seen before. His half-Angel, half-cyborg wings were awe-inspiring in their breadth. Ja

ckson also looked somehow older. His jaw stronger. The lines along his cheekbones more defined and immutable.

Tom’s muscles grew taut as he realized who it was, and Maddy unconsciously withdrew from the pilot, taking a few steps away.

“What are you doing here?” Tom asked sharply, standing up straight, his shoulders broad. Jackson’s impressive new wings didn’t daunt him. “This is no place for you. You and your Angels have made your choice. You’ve abandoned Maddy.”

“Jacks . . . your wings,” Maddy said softly. “But why did you come? How did you find me?” Pain twisted her face. She thought she had already faced the agony of this choice.