Natural Born Angel

  All of a sudden the sliding glass door to the house opened up. It was Jacks’s sister.

  “What is it?” Jacks asked, a little annoyed at his younger sister interrupting.

  “You guys should come in here,” Chloe said. Her face was serious as she spoke.

  Maddy and Jacks got up and walked into the living room. All the party guests were standing, watching the large TV, holding their drinks or plates with a slice of cake, but not eating.

  On the screen was Archangel Charles Churchson, with his trademark goatee, wearing a crisp dark suit with a powder blue tie.

  The Archangel looked squarely at the camera and began speaking: “Good evening. My name is Archangel Charles Churchson, and I am spokesman for the National Angel Services and its Council. Gabriel and the Council have given me this statement to read regarding recent political developments.”

  The Archangel looked down at a paper in his hands. It had the raised seal of Gabriel and the Council upon it. He began reading the statement. “‘If the so-called Immortals Bill is passed into law by the United States Congress and, by extension, the Global Angel Commission, we cannot guarantee the safety of any human authority who attempts to apprehend an Angel. And we will take measures to neutralize any threats by whatever means necessary. We hope lawmakers will consider long and hard what the Angels have added to society before taking such an action and potentially putting their own kind in harm’s way.’” Archangel Churchson looked up from the paper and looked gravely at the camera again. “Thank you.”

  Churchson turned and walked off camera, leaving only an empty space where he had just stood.

  The camera cut back to the newsroom, where the stunned anchors were waiting. Voices and murmurs floated through the room among the guests as Kris leaned over and used the remote to turn off the TV. Mark was silent.

  “Jacks, what’s happening?” Maddy asked.

  “We need to protect ourselves, Maddy,” Jacks said. “Linden is a nut. You don’t know how dangerous he really is. I mean, look at the bombing.”

  “The bombing was terrible, but that doesn’t mean that all humans should have to pay for it, at least until they figure out who did it!” Maddy protested.

  “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.

  The host turned to the audience: “Folks, why don’t we give a hand and get Jackson Godspeed out here?”

  The APPLAUSE light lit up, and the crowd started clapping and cheering. Maddy motioned with her hand for Jacks to come out, and Darcy gave a little shove. If he had felt slightly awkward for two seconds, it didn’t show as soon as Jacks got on camera. His instinct, natural charm and training kicked in. He strode on to the set confidently, looking like the perfect Angel he was in his tailored suit. He raised a hand and waved at the audience as they cheered his arrival.

  He shook hands with Taylor and then sat down on a stool next to Maddy that an assistant brought out on stage for him.

  “Thanks, Taylor, good to see you.”

  “Great to have you back on, Jackson. It’s been too long!”

  Jackson looked into the white, glaring studio lights. It had been a while. He blinked, letting his eyes get used to them.

  “So . . . you two have been dating for almost a year now?”

  “That’s right, Taylor.”

  “And are things getting a little more . . . serious now that Maddy has her wings, Jackson?” Taylor asked, raising an eyebrow. All kinds of unfounded rumours had been swirling that Jacks had proposed marriage now that Maddy had got her wings.

  “You know, we’re both really young,” Jacks said, “and Maddy is focusing on her training right now. But we really enjoy spending time together.” Jacks smiled his perfectly practised smile and took Maddy’s hand in his.

  Although Maddy’s face was turning red despite her best attempts to hide her embarrassment, she still was able to smile and nod in agreement. She looked into Jackson’s eyes.

  “He’s a good Angel to have around,” Maddy said.

  “AWWWW,” the audience collectively said.

  “And speaking of Guardian careers, Jackson, we’re all waiting to hear when Jackson Godspeed will be back out in the spotlight, saving people.”

  Jacks actually felt a bead of sweat form on his forehead. His pulse quickened, although he tamped down any nervousness.

  “Well, you know, we’re just stepping back and seeing how things go. As you know, I had a, uh. . .”

  Jacks trailed off. The lights had started to become even more and more blinding in his eyes. Why were they so bright? “I had a, uh. . .” Jacks was stumbling over his words. Although Taylor kept his grin ever fixed on his face, the audience was starting to murmur in discomfort.

  Maddy leaned over to Jackson and whispered, “Jacks, are you all right?”

  It was like two things had happened simultaneously: it was as if the white light had taken over Jackson’s entire vision, and as if he were underwater in the “therapy” tank, the same “therapy” that never seemed to help his wings get better. He flashed back to trying to fly just the day before after therapy. In excruciating pain, he’d managed maybe ten feet before he’d dropped back to the earth, grinding his teeth in agony and shame. Now in the studio, the world pitched and reeled before him. Jacks grabbed the edges of the stool he was sitting on. Maddy’s voice was distant and sounded like it was underwater. But the voice slowly drew him back to reality.

  Everything snapped back to focus instantly. Sharply.

  Jackson coughed into his fist and looked at the host. “Sorry, Taylor, I had something in my throat. What I was saying was that, as we all know, I had a setback, but I’ll be back soon as the Guardian Angel the world knows and loves.”

  The audience began clapping, and Jackson flashed a ten-thousand-watt smile at them and waved thanks.

  “That’s just so wonderful,” Taylor said. “You heard it here first, folks, Jackson Godspeed on the mend and on his way back to saving lives and being in that glamorous spotlight of the Immortal City. We can’t wait.”

  Taylor turned back to Maddy. “Thank you so much for coming on, Maddy. We expect great things! Just promise you won’t get too big to come back when you become a Guardian!”

  “Oh, don’t worry about that, Taylor,” Maddy said, turning towards the audience and smiling. “I may become a Guardian but I’ll always just be me. I still will just want a burger and milkshake at my uncle’s diner.”

  The audience went wild at this, clapping and cheering.

  “That’s just terrific – America’s sweetheart is still going to be the girl next door.” The host quickly turned to the other camera: “Up next, an exclusive peek inside the home of American Protection winner Lindsey Gonzalez to see how she’s handling her first year in the glamorous world of the Angels and Protections! Don’t go anywhere!”

  The lights above the cameras went off, signalling commercial break. Jacks stood up from the stool, just wanting to get off the stage. That kind of lapse had never happened to him before. He was Jackson Godspeed, after all – he had been practically raised in front of cameras.

  Taylor turned to Maddy, grasping her hand. “Thank you so much, honey.”

  “Did I do OK?” Maddy asked.

  “You were just great,” the host said. His eyes were shining bright, and he was smiling. He was obviously charmed by Maddy. “This might be our highest rated show all year!”

  “Wow, thank you,” Maddy said, laughing.

  Jacks remained slightly to the side, his hands in his pockets.

  “Oh, and, Jacks, thanks for coming on. Really great to see you,” Taylor said, almost as an afterthought, shaking Jackson’s hand quickly.

  Darcy was upon them in two seconds, hustling them off the stage towards the green room.

  “Absolutely amazing. And you looked gorgeous, Maddy.”

  “Do you really think so?” Maddy said.

  “Absolutely,” Darcy said, putting her hand on Maddy’s shoulder.

  Maddy looked at Jacks expectantly – he knew how she liked his opinion on things.

  Jacks put on his best smile. “Darcy’s right, Mads. You nailed it there – you’re a natural-born Angel. And you looked great.”

  Maddy blushed.

  Darcy’s assistant ran up to Maddy and started taking off her microphone. Darcy took the opportunity to pull Jacks quickly to the side.

  “What happened out there, Jacks?” she whispered under her breath.

  “I . . . I don’t know.” He thought about that sense of total blindness under the lights, combined with a strange pitching back and forth. Just thinking about it made him feel like he was going to be seasick. “I just . . . maybe didn’t sleep so great last night.”

  “You’ve got to let me know if you’re not . . . not feeling well or something.” His publicist tried to put a smile on. “I mean, just so we’re all on the same page, OK?”

  “Sure, Darcy,” Jacks said, slightly irritated but trying not to show it. He wasn’t on drugs, for heaven’s sake.

  A call came in on Darcy’s iPhone.

  “And it begins,” she said, a smile flickering across her face as she answered. “Hi Terry . . . are you crazy? We won’t take less than double for that. This is Maddy we’re talking about.” Darcy lifted her finger to Jacks as if to say, “Just one second.”

  Jacks wandered off to the side, the set still buzzing. He leaned against the wall, w
atching the bustling activity around him.

  *

  After the taping, Maddy and Jacks decided to get a late lunch at Angel City hotspot Urth Caffé. Jackson and Maddy had gone more than a few times to Urth; even though it was always a madhouse, Maddy liked the outdoor seating area.

  The paparazzi outside Urth had somehow been tipped off – probably by Darcy – about the arrival of Jackson and Angel City’s hottest new nominee, and they began shouting. Urth’s security personnel helped corral the photographers on the pavement as Jacks and Maddy started walking up towards the entrance of the café.

  MADDY! JACKS! MADDY!

  MADDY! JACKS! MADDY!

  MADDY! MADDY!

  MADDY!

  A reporter for a popular blog was doing a video segment outside Urth when he saw Jacks and Maddy arrive. “And just showing up at Urth Caffé is Angel City ‘It’ couple Maddy Montgomery and Jackson Godspeed.”

  Jacks winced before he could help himself. Normally it was “‘it’ couple Jackson Godspeed and Maddy Montgomery” – not the other way around.

  A girl, maybe sixteen, called out in a shriek: “Maddy! Can I just get your autograph??”

  Maddy paused with one foot on the steps. Jacks watched her, curious to see what she’d do. She turned and walked up to the girl.

  “Sure,” she said, smiling, taking the pen and paper that the girl held outstretched in her hand.

  Another teenage girl ran up on the other side of Jacks. “Excuse me, Jackson?”

  Jacks turned. The girl held a digital camera in her shaking hands, her eyes wide and Angelstruck. Security raised an eyebrow at Jacks, but he shook his head at him, letting him know it was OK.

  Jacks smiled warmly at the teenager. “Would you like to take a picture with me?”

  The girl’s eyes darted quickly to Maddy, then back.

  “Actually, well, do you mind taking a picture of me with Maddy?”

  The edges of Jacks’s smile faded almost imperceptibly, the mask of his face tightening as he tried to hide his surprise and the dawning feeling of . . . what was it?