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“It’s because I keep the world’s most famous Angel sane, believe me, Maddy,” Mitch said. “Jacks is like a brother to me.”
Across the room, Steven and Sierra were talking to a few of the other nominees. In contrast to Sierra, Steven was squat and muscular, looking almost military. The twins noticed Jackson, and brother and sister gave an irritated glance back toward Jacks. They moved away in the room with a few of the other soon-to-be Guardians.
“Sierra just told me, ‘can’t wait for your star.’ What was that supposed to mean? She was serious too, almost crazy, you should’ve seen her eyes,” Jacks said to Mitch.
“Don’t worry about them, bro,” Mitch said. “They’re just mad because rumor is Sierra might get posted to Korea for her first two years before being able to come back to Angel City as a full Guardian. Oh yeah, and the fact that the NAS is promoting you every chance they get. Can’t win ’em all.” Mitch smiled and signaled to the bartender. “Well, now that you’re here, dude, let’s get some shots and celebrate. Maddy, are you joining us?”
Maddy shook her head. “Thanks, but I’m not drinking tonight.” She had decided earlier she already had enough to deal with without getting drunk for the first time.
Mitch shrugged, appearing almost relieved, and turned to Jacks.
“Ah, me neither,” Jacks said. “I think Maddy and I are just going to . . . walk around a bit. But I’ll catch up to you later, man. Cool?”
Surprise flickered across Mitch’s face, followed by what seemed like a flash of jealousy and finally concern.
“All right . . . have fun, you two,” he said mechanically. They said their goodbyes and turned to leave. Maddy froze.
Walking up to her was the most beautiful girl she had ever seen.
Maddy stared in awe at the approaching Angel in her Chanel sequined black-chain dress and matching Chanel shoes. She didn’t even know it was possible to be so . . . perfect. From her flawless skin to her elegant, imposing figure to her shampoo-commercial hair and piercing green eyes, she was so radiant she was almost glowing with supernatural splendor. There was no mistaking her. It was Vivian Holycross. Even with her cheeks stained with tears and mascara, Vivian was the most magnificent creature Maddy had ever seen.
“What do you think you’re doing here?” Vivian hissed at Maddy as she stormed up.
“Hey, Viv,” Jacks said, startled. His glance flashed to Vivian’s swollen, furious eyes. “Let me introduce you to Maddy—”
Vivian ignored him. “Take a look around yourself, Maddy,” she snarled. “You’re not one of us, are you? You don’t belong here. Why don’t you just save yourself the embarrassment and leave?”
Maddy was a statue. Her total awe of this girl had mixed with her panic and the result was utter paralysis.
“Hey, relax, Vivian,” Jacks said, his tone angry. “I invited her.”
Vivian took a step forward and sneered in Maddy’s face. “Do have any idea what’s going on here? Or how important this all is? Jacks will be saving lives starting Friday. As a Guardian Angel. But you wouldn’t know anything about that, would you?”
Jacks stepped forward to put a stop to Vivian’s attack but stopped when he saw Maddy’s face. Maddy had leveled a gaze of such quiet confidence at Vivian that the lady Angel instinctively took a step backward.
“Well, let’s see,” Maddy said, anger loosening her tongue. The words just came. “I know Jacks brought me here tonight and that he didn’t bring you. I also know that I met Jacks before I knew he was a famous Angel, and now that I do know, I still don’t care. And that’s because I like him for him, not because he’s a celebrity and not because he’s going to do wonders for my publicity. But you wouldn’t know anything about that, would you, Viv?”
Jacks looked like he was working to suppress a smile. Vivian’s expression twisted with hate. Then she looked at Jacks, and her face softened. “You know what, Jacks? I get this, too. A little scandalous fling before all the responsibility, right? Fine. Have fun.” She scoffed. “But remember, once you get that Divine Ring, you’re mine.” Then a smile crept across her lips, and she turned to Maddy. “And Maddy? If you’re hoping to become his Protection someday, just trust me,” she said, and smirked at Maddy’s outfit, “you can’t afford him.” With that she spun on her heel and was gone.
“That went well,” Mitch said. He must have heard the whole thing. “I’ll make sure Vivian doesn’t kill anyone,” he said, and disappeared into the crowd.
“I’m sorry,” Jacks said, taking Maddy’s elbow and shaking his head. “Vivian gets kind of jealous.”
Maddy stared incredulously. “Vivian is jealous of me?” She looked at her hands and was surprised to realize they were shaking. The realization of what had happened was still only just sinking in. Vivian might be a fantastic bitch, but Maddy knew she was probably right.
“I shouldn’t have come,” she said finally.
“What?” Jacks’s face darkened in frustration. “Listen to me, Maddy. You belong here because I say you belong here, and in case you didn’t notice, this is my party. Please,” he said, more softly, “don’t let it ruin your night. In fact, I’m going to make sure it doesn’t. Come on.”
“Where?” Maddy asked, but Jacks had already taken her by the hand and was pulling her toward a crowd of Angels in another part of the room. A DJ was spinning in one corner, and all of a sudden Maddy’s heels were clacking against a wooden floor. She loo
ked down. It was a dance floor.
“Dance with me,” Jacks said.
Maddy’s heart boomed like a thunderclap. She had never, in truth, danced with a boy before. At her middle school commencement she had let Tom Watson hold her by his fingertips, and they had swayed back and forth to “Total Eclipse of the Heart,” but she wasn’t going to count that.
“Jacks, I can’t,” she insisted. “I don’t know how.”
