Battle Angel (Immortal City 3)

“Yes, Madison, I am,” he said. “And it’s just David now. I’m no longer with the force.”

“It’s where he belongs,” Susan said. “With us. No matter what he may have thought about himself for so many years.”

Maddy felt conflicted, a bit guilty, when Susan said where he belongs.

“I meant nothing by that, Maddy,” Susan said. “I think what you’re doing is so incredibly brave. Maybe a bit stubborn.” Susan smiled a bit and searched Maddy’s eyes with hers. “But ultimately right. The humans still need heroes. And you can be their first one in the post-Angel age, as the Immortal City rebuilds.”

“The people of Angel City already have a real hero,” Maddy said. “They will always remember Jackson Godspeed. Forever.”

“They know what you did, too, Maddy,” Susan said. “And the things you will do, I’m sure. You are, after all, going to be special counsel.”

Maddy blushed at the mention of the title, which was still taking her a bit to get used to.

“Darcy has been calling like crazy,” Maddy said. “She wants to book my appearances as ‘the Face of the New Immortal City.’”

Susan laughed. “Some things will never change, no matter how much the rest of the world does.”

“I should probably call her back and tell her she’s going to need a new job,” Maddy said.

Maddy looked over and saw Jackson across the milling group of Angels.

“Would you two excuse me for a second?” Maddy said.

Jacks was talking to an older Angel, who seemed to have some pressing matter to discuss. It was clear that Jacks was distracted and was looking for a polite way to get out of it.

Maddy stepped up. “Excuse me, I’m so sorry to interrupt.” She turned to Jacks. “Jackson, I have an important question.”

“I’m sorry, Archangel, but we’ll have to continue this conversation later, I have some pressing business with the special counsel,” Jacks said.

He took Maddy’s arm and led her away.

“Thanks for getting me out of that,” Jacks said. “Archangel Holyfield wouldn’t stop blabbering.”

Maddy smiled. “Special counsel.” She shook her head.

They walked off to the sidelines of the crowd, where no one would bother them. They had a view of the park in the Hills just above them.

“Are you ready? To leave?”

Jackson smiled at her. “I think we are.”

Maddy noticed how often Jacks said “we” now when talking about himself and the Angels. She wondered how many leaders did that.

“How does it . . . work? Your big departure . . .” Maddy felt

again like the clueless waitress, being introduced to all things Angel for the first time. Even basic things that most normal humans already knew. Except this wasn’t known to anyone.

Jackson smiled, his eyes glinting.

“It’s simple. When the world wakes up tomorrow,” Jacks said, “we won’t be here. Some things are better left as mysteries, Maddy.”

He seemed . . . happy to Maddy. Better than the embittered Jackson, his wing injured and out of the spotlight. Better, too, than the self-centered playboy zipping around the Halo Strip in his Ferrari.

Jackson had found his destiny.

It suited him well.

Beyond the light screen of trees, farther down the hill, Maddy saw the rest of the Angels walking to their waiting cars.