Immortal City

front of the wall with him.

A blistering explosion of light followed.

Then more shouting: Together! Individual! Together again! They wanted to know who Maddy was wearing. The question made no sense to her whatsoever, so she didn’t try and answer. Instead she focused on staying upright in her heels. After pictures Darcy led them quickly down the carpet and past the press line.

“No press. We’re skipping the press,” she said, waving off the reporters giving her dirty looks. Maddy wondered if the sudden change of plans had anything to do with her. She had the sinking feeling it did. “I’ll just deal with this tomorrow,” Darcy muttered. “We’ll tell them—”

“Jacks!” A voice cut through the clamor behind them.

Even Maddy recognized it. The three turned.

It was Tara Reeves of A! She was wearing a bedazzled gown cut up the side to expose her tanned leg and Jimmy Choo heels. She pressed her hands together like she was praying and gave Jacks a pleading expression.

“We’re not doing press, Jackson,” Darcy said sternly.

Yeah, Jacks, Maddy mentally chimed in agreement, we don’t need to.

“Come on, Tara’s really sweet,” he said, and pulled Maddy over to the waiting camera crew. Darcy pressed the heel of her hand against her forehead and made a face like a silent scream.

“The destination for young Angel City tonight,” Tara announced, doing her bubbly lead-in, “this is Angels Weekly’s Pre-Commissioning party in honor of this year’s class of nominees — and especially Jackson Godspeed!” She turned to Jacks and Maddy. “And here is the star of the evening himself! Hi, Jacks!”

“Hi, Tara, very happy to be here,” Jacks said, sounding impossibly relaxed.

“So is tonight the night to cut loose and celebrate?”

“Yes, it is. It’s really an honor to see everyone out to support me.”

Maddy wondered if she might pass for Darcy’s assistant or some other type of attendant who was clearly not intended, or expected, to speak. It would be perfectly fine with her to stand silently next to Jacks like a piece of furniture until the interview was done, thank you very much. But then, without warning, Tara turned toward her.

“And who is your gorgeous date for the evening, Jacks?” No one had ever called Maddy gorgeous before. The cameraman pointed the camera at her and focused his lens.

Maddy died inside.

“This is Maddy,” Jacks said, smiling.

“Well, Maddy, how are you?” Tara beamed.

“I’m. . super,” she answered lamely. She barely got the words out, and her voice sounded strange and gravelly.

“And who are you wearing tonight? This vintage dress is so cute.” Maddy blinked. There was that question again. It was absurd. She was wearing clothes, wasn’t she? She was certainly not wearing a person.

“W-well,” she stammered, “this was my mother’s dress.”

“Oh,” Tara chirped, and raised her penciled eyebrows.

“Isn’t that sweet?” Darcy made a circling motion with her finger, telling Tara to wrap it up. Tara gave a big, bleached-white smile. “Well, there you have it, ladies and gentlemen, Jackson Godspeed, the world’s most eligible young Angel, making the most of his time before he becomes Guardian Jackson Godspeed this weekend!” Tara thanked Jacks, and Maddy felt a hand on her back. Darcy led them quickly off the carpet.

As they walked through the doors of the SLS Hotel, Maddy felt her purse buzz. She discreetly pulled out her ancient flip phone and looked at it.

It was a text from Gwen. It read:

Watching the Pre-Commissioning coverage. Am I insane? Is that YOU?

Maddy felt a curl of nausea in her stomach. If Gwen had seen it, everybody had probably seen it. How was she going to explain this to her best friend? Or Kevin? Or anybody else, for that matter?

“Do you need to take that?” Jacks asked, noticing the phone.

“No, it’s nothing,” Maddy said, and quickly hid the phone back in her purse.

Darcy took a hard right at the lobby and led Maddy and Jacks into a dimly lit room lined with booths. At a folding table they were checked in and given large, empty bags.

“What’s this for?” Maddy whispered to Jacks.

“You’ll see,” Jacks said, grinning, and led her to the first booth. The station was set up in front of a wall of Nike Wings athletic shoes. The girl behind the counter was a pretty Asian in a strapless top and latex knee-high boots.

She looked Jacks up and down as they approached, then leaned over and said hello with her entire body. Jacks didn’t seem to notice.

“Do you have women’s sizes?” he asked.

“Of course,” the girl said, and turned unhappily to Maddy. “What size are you, love?”

“Oh. I’m a six, but. .” Maddy trailed off and flushed deep red. “I didn’t bring my wallet.” She couldn’t afford Nike Wings anyway. Gwen had saved up for two months last year to buy a pair. They were $250. The girl behind the counter smiled tightly as she pulled down a box and handed it to Maddy.

“They’re free, honey,” she said, smirking. Maddy took the box and looked at it. She now owned a brand-new pair of Nike Wings. Her shoes normally came from Payless. It was surreal.

Jacks smiled at the girl, who melted, and then led Maddy toward the next booth.

“Sorry,” Maddy said, impossibly embarrassed, “I didn’t realize.”

Jacks’s expression was warm. “It’s okay. I should have explained what they mean by gifting suite. Just take whatever you want.” Maddy stopped and gazed around the room. Cameras, jewelry, watches, phones, perfume, on and on and on. Every major brand name and luxury brands too.

“It’s all. . free?”

“Of course it is.”

“B-but,” Maddy stammered, “you of all people can afford this stuff.”

“I know, but look at it from their perspective. If I get photographed with any of these products, do you know how much that’s worth to these companies? It can mean hundreds of thousands — even millions — of dollars in additional sales.” Jacks was looking at her keenly, as if needing her approval.

“Oh,” Maddy said, feeling numb and shell-shocked.

She understood the logic, but something about it seemed so wrong. So unfair. Jacks took her around to every booth, filling her bag with the latest gadgets and accessories. It was everything Kevin could never afford to get her. They reached the last booth and Maddy’s eyes grew wide. There was something she really needed. Jacks saw her expression and smiled.

“She’ll take one,” he said.

The kid behind the booth set it up instantly, even calling in and activating the service. Then he handed Maddy her own brand-new BlackBerry Miracle. Maddy couldn’t believe it. Gwen wouldn’t stop talking about this phone, and it wouldn’t even be out for another six months. She opened the clutch of her purse and dropped it in, along with her ancient flip phone.

“For nostalgia’s sake,” she said, clicking the clutch shut. They left the room and found Darcy waiting for them outside. Jacks handed Maddy’s bag over to Darcy. He himself had taken nothing.

“Okay,” Darcy said, shouldering the heavy swag bag and typing on her Berry, “you guys good? Vivian needs me inside.”

“Yeah, we can take it from here,” Jacks said, nodding.

“Nice to meet you again, Maddy,” Darcy said without looking up, and then sped away, face in her Berry.

Vivian. The name echoed in Maddy’s head, and she was surprised to feel a stab of jealousy twist through her.