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“I’m sorry for all the theatrics,” Linden said, motioning to the blindfold, which now lay crumpled on the desk in front of Maddy. “But my security detail insisted. They still aren’t entirely sure where your loyalties lie.” He searched Maddy’s face with his eyes. “But now that I see you here, I have no doubts. I only needed to look you in the eyes.”
Ever since he’d dropped in unannounced to visit her at the diner, Maddy had a pretty good opinion of Linden, even if she didn’t always agree with his methods. She had even publicly stated her support for the Immortals Bill once the human-Angel war seemed certain, before the demon menace raised its head. She felt in her gut that Linden was someone she could trust. Otherwise she would not have agreed to meet with him.
Maddy regarded him now. He looked like he had already aged a couple of years since she had seen him last, just a month or so ago. A wartime presidency aged a person, or at least that’s what they said. But when that theory was coined, there had only been human-versus-human wars. A presidency during a demon war was something else entirely. Maddy stopped herself before she imagined what Linden would look like a year from now.
“I’m glad you came,” he said. “It’s nice to see you again, Madison.”
“Likewise, sir,” Maddy said, her eyes focusing sharply on him. This is what she had come for. It was her duty.
“What can I do to help?” she asked.
“I’ll be blunt, since time is short,” he said, standing up and looking out the interior window, onto what looked to Maddy like some kind of control room. “Our allies are shoring up defense of their own cities and countries, while also lending us all the forces they can spare. But even those outside forces can’t get through the intermittent demon patrols on the borders of Angel City. It’s not enough right now. You know that. I know that.” Linden paused. “We still haven’t determined why the demons are holding back right now. One theory is that they’re testing our defenses, evaluating the weaknesses so they can exploit them. Another theory, one that I don’t like to believe, is that this is some kind of psychological warfare meant to wear us humans down, until we’re so terrified that we just relent to them out of fear. Whatever the reason, once the demons do attack with their full forces—and believe me, they will—our allies in the rest of the world will know that the aid we’re getting isn’t enough.”
Maddy nodded silently. At least he wasn’t pulling any punches, unlike the newscasters and pundits, who kept trying to soften the inevitable.
“Maddy, when you and I first met in your uncle’s diner, I felt I could trust you,” he said. “The Angels and I have had our fair share of differences. I’m the first to say it. But I also know that not all of the Angels support the NAS and the Protection for Pay program. With the Immortals Bill, I wanted to create an atmosphere where the dissident Angels could feel safe stepping forward, out of the shadows. But I’ll admit, the push-back was stronger than I’d anticipated.”
“Sir, with all due respect,” Maddy said, “did you really expect the Immortals to be happy that you were going to throw them in jail just for using their supernatural powers?”
“Desperate times call for desperate measures, Maddy. If you’re honest with yourself, you’ll admit the Angels would have never reformed without outside pressure.”
“Maybe it was too much pressure,” Maddy said. “Sir,” she quickly added, remembering who she was talking to.
President Linden smiled. “Being a leader is about making hard decisions. And it was my decision that that much leverage was needed. My goal was never to put the Angels behind bars. My goal was to get them to fulfill their original duties on Earth. Which do not include Protection for Pay. Their purpose is higher than that. There was a time when they believed in something higher, and it’s something I know they can believe in again.”
“Some say humans have no right to mess with Angel affairs,” said Maddy.
“They gave up that privilege the day they came out of hiding, Maddy. The day they began the Great Awakening and started the whole ball rolling on Protection for Pay.”
He walked away from the window now and stood in front of her, his hands thrust into the pockets of his suit pants. Maddy hadn’t realized how tall Linden was, taller than she remembered, and lanky, too. He cut a striking figure, even in this moment of crisis. Maybe especially in this moment of crisis.
“Maddy, I need you to go to the Angels. Personally.”
Maddy couldn’t believe what she’d just heard. She had been ready to jump into battle, to do whatever needed to be done for her city and her country. But to go to the Angels? After everything they’d said, everything they’d done? After everything Jacks had said and done?
“They’ll never agree to help,” Maddy said. “Why should they?”
“World history is full of allies who were once enemies but who came together to fight a common enemy who wa
s even worse. Just look at the Soviet Union and America, at Stalin and FDR during World War Two.”
“But that’s just it—the Immortals don’t view the demons as a common enemy right now. The Angels believe the demons are here to claim humanity only,” Maddy said. “And right now, I’m thinking they might be right. Only human stuff—I mean, sir, human targets—have been hit in the attacks so far.”
“The Angels are in hiding,” Linden said. “Why would they be hiding if the demons were only after us?”
“I don’t know, sir,” Maddy said. “But it doesn’t matter. Because even if the Angels were somehow convinced that the demons were a common enemy, the Council would never see me. Never. I’m nothing but a traitor to them. And even if, on the slight chance they would see me, I don’t even know where to find them. Only those in the most inner circles are brought to the Council chambers.”
“I don’t want you to put yourself in danger,” Linden said.
“It’s not about danger, sir,” said Maddy. “I’d put myself in any kind of danger if it meant protecting Angel City and its people. But I simply can’t do what you’re asking. It’s impossible.” Maddy had hoped he’d have some other use for her, but now she saw that the trip had been in vain. “I’m sorry to disappoint you.”
Linden was quiet for a moment, studying Maddy.
“But there is one way, isn’t there? There is one who would see you. One who has strong sway among the Angels,” Linden said. “Our sources tell us he has become an Angel forces leader almost overnight.”
Jacks.
The name came across her mind in a flash. The very name she had been trying so hard to forget, even though it was constantly running through her consciousness like a mantra. What President Linden was asking of her . . . was impossible. After what she’d done to Jackson at the pier . . . The pain would be too much for him.
