Natural Born Angel (Immortal City 2)

“There are many facts you don’t know, Maddy,” Jackson’s step-father said. “Some of Linden’s more radical ideas are spreading across the world. Angels all over the globe could be unsafe. And that could mean you, too. The public is being led down a dangerous path by this extremist. It’s a hard decision, but we have to be allied together.”

“But Archangel Churchson just made a threat against humans. That’s insane,” Maddy said, appalled. “Angels are supposed to protect people.”

“We need to protect ourselves first,” Mark said. “Only then can we continue protecting the humans. Right now what the Archangels have chosen is to protect the humans from themselves. This should be seen as a wake-up call to stop moving towards extremism and hate.”

“I think he’s right, Maddy,” Jackson said. His unwavering gaze met hers.

Maddy glanced over at Uncle Kevin across the room. He wore a troubled expression.

Jacks walked over to his stepfather, and they began speaking together under their breath.

Maddy’s brow creased in thought. The Archangels were threatening humans? What next? Jackson seemed so sure that what Churchson and the Archangels were doing was right. But did Jacks really know what was best?

For the first time, the slightest shadow of doubt began to darken Maddy’s mind as she watched Jacks and Mark talk across the room.

CHAPTER 14

Even in the midst of the political uproar that followed Archangel Churchson’s statement, Angel City had Angel-gossip business to pursue. The next day, Jacks watched from the side of the set as Maddy blinked under the glaring lights. TV crew members shuffled past Jacks, coiling cables, assistants with clipboards and headsets dashing by. Darcy wandered back and forth wearing her trademark black trouser suit. She was juggling two BlackBerries and an iPhone as her assistant struggled to take notes. It was a new experience for Jacks being off to the side of the cameras. Sitting on a stool on stage, Maddy shifted nervously, adjusting her Balenciaga skirt. Taking a sip of her water, she looked over at Jacks uncertainly. He silently mouthed: “You’re doing great.”

And she was doing great. Despite obviously being very nervous before the taping started, she’d had only a couple of awkward moments, and she’d quickly moved past them. Jacks was sometimes shocked at how quickly she was transforming before his very eyes. The reserved, thoughtful girl he’d known for the past year was still there, but she had both literally and metaphorically grown wings.

A voice boomed directly beside Jacks. “And we’re back in FIVE, FOUR, THREE,” the burly floor manager said before turning silent and motioning “two” and “one” with his hands to indicate that the show was back on from commercial break. The lights on the cameras turned on, and the smiling host of the show turned to Maddy and began speaking once again, flashing his perfect white teeth.

“We’re back with who some would argue is the biggest overnight sensation Angel City has ever seen: Maddy Montgomery Godright. In her first television appearance! She has catapulted from graduating Angel City High School to already ranking in the Power List among the Immortal City’s elite and landing her first magazine covers in less than three months. And she just got her wings. Plenty of girls and boys across the country dream of becoming a Protection. But to become an Angel? Almost unbelievable. She’s a shooting star, folks, and who knows where she’ll land?” He turned to Maddy. “So, Maddy, tell me, when did it all change?”

Maddy cleared her throat, looking unfortunately like some kind of deer in headlights. Jacks held his breath. “Um . . . can you repeat the question?”

“When did it all change?” the host said, unblinking, his gigantic, bright white smile fixed on his face.

Jacks watched Maddy just off stage. She sent a quick glance his way. “You can do this,” he mouthed to her. Maddy took a deep breath and looked into the bright lights, which he knew were blinding her but which made it seem like she was looking into the audience.

“Well, Taylor, I’d have to say it all changed the moment I realized that I had the chance to make a difference in people’s lives. That I wasn’t just going to be a waitress any more, that I could help people. That I could save people. Like someone saved me once. That’s why I joined the Angels, because I believe in their core traditional values.” She glanced over at Jackson again.

The host nodded thoughtfully.

“Now I know you can’t talk about training. Very hush-hush. But do you ever feel, I don’t know, unique being the first non-full Angel on the way to becoming a nominee for Guardianship? With your fellow nominees like Mitch Steeple, Hailey Wentcross and Aussie hottie Emily Brightchurch?” The host put on a big smile. Jacks’s ears perked up – this hadn’t necessarily been on the list of questions.

Maddy thought of the chilly reception she’d got from Emily Brightchurch. How she often found herself separated from the rest of the Angels for “special” training because she needed to catch up. And how Louis Kreuz himself seemed to have it in for her.

“Well, if you mean, um, do they treat me differently as a part-Angel, part-human, no, I haven’t felt anything like that at all. They’re all extremely supportive,” she lied. She smiled big right back at the host.

“Well, that’s just great to hear,” the host said. “And how is it learning to fly now as the first half-Angel, half-human? We’re all dying to know.”

Darcy, who had been distracted by something on her iPhone for a moment, perked up immediately, her eyes going wide. She looked over at the host, murder in her eyes, making a cutting motion across her neck: WE AGREED NO ABILITIES QUESTIONS. The host ignored her and smiled out at the audience.

Swallowing for a moment, Maddy looked out into the blinding lights towards

the expectant crowd.

Then she smiled coyly.

“That’s a trade secret, Taylor,” Maddy said. “A lot’s been going on in training. All I can say is that I plan on living up to the full potential of my Angel abilities. And there might even be a surprise or two.” She winked out towards the studio audience.

The audience cheered loudly.

“That’s wonderful,” the host said. “A lot of people across the country and the world are waiting for that day when you’ll be Commissioned as a Guardian. And speaking of surprises, I hear you’re here with a special guest today?” The host looked over at the edge of the soundstage.

Jackson’s eyes grew wide. “No, no,” he silently mouthed, trying to stop them.