Chapter Twenty Four: Angel

At the end of the longest and most frustrating week ever, in which Maddie had been confined to school and home and Diego still hadn't made a move; Maddie stepped out of the car into a sea of photographers. The flashbulbs almost blinded her, as she and her Mom posed for pictures on the red carpet outside the Mark Hopkins. Her Mom was resplendent in magenta, while Maddie was in a fitted gown that started as the most vibrant purple corset and faded to black at the hem with matching elbow-length gloves. Maddie didn't recognise herself once the make-up artist had finished with her, but it was her own version of camouflage. One thing she absolutely did not want to do tonight was stand out. She had to be one of the glitterati; there were no dress pants for her tonight. Another thing she wanted to delay at all costs was Diego, making the connection between the drab girl in the den and the preened and polished woman she was here. Both she and her Mom had packed small cases, which had been taken to the airport by the security detail, who had been in place since Monday night. Maddie had found the presence of them a much scarier prospect than hanging out with a bunch of vampires. They were armed for one thing; something Maddie knew would be useless against bullet-proof vampires. But they weren't to know that.

Maddie's only contact with her family had been at school. She hadn't seen her Dad or Ben in the flesh – so to speak, but the stream of messages had been constant. But it was show time now and Maddie's only defence for the next couple of hours was the can of mace in her purse. The atomiser of skin-coating that she still hadn't remembered to hand over was stuck in the top of her left hold-up on her thigh. The last thing she needed, as she went through hotel security, was for Stuart's team to want to check out the mysterious compound she'd stolen from Veronica's bathroom. Maddie smiled for the cameras and looked about, catching sight of Veronica in the far corner of the hotel lobby. Beside her was a tall, strange-looking man with black hair, who Maddie hadn't seen before. He had the same tell-tale paleness as the Cullens. He was another vampire and a decidedly unsettled one at that. There was no sign of Steven.

Maddie worked to keep herself as far away from Veronica and the stranger as she could. She and her Mom made their way into the ballroom, flanked on both sides by photographers and TV cameras; her Mom smiling and answering questions as she went. The entire first floor was decked out in banners and swags of blue and yellow, the corporate colours of the Solace Foundation. In the ballroom to one side were a set of screens outlining the project and a scale model of the complex, which was earmarked to be built on land in the Presidio. Maddie immediately went over to look at it and even she had to marvel at the beauty of San Francisco's very own concentration camp, with a commanding view of the Golden Gate Bridge.

"Beautiful, isn't it?" Said Veronica. The strange male vampire was with her, he appeared to be attached to another vampire who was almost glued to the back of him. No wonder Maddie hadn't seen her before.

"Yes." Replied Maddie. "Are you really building a water-feature that big?"

Veronica gave a girlish laugh. "Yes, a little indulgence of mine. Your mother doesn't approve."

"My mom's not big on landscape architecture."

"No, but she does know a good project when she sees one." Veronica turned to her companion. "May I introduce Aro? We're so honoured that he could make it all the way over from Italy to see the launch of his latest facility. He's behind the whole Solace venture."

So this was the famous Aro.

He surprisingly extended his hand and Maddie shook it, realising that as she was wearing gloves it was safe for him, she wouldn't feel the difference of his skin.

"Miss Mitchell," He said, in a voice that sounded as pleasant as fingernails on a chalkboard. "I'm so pleased to finally meet you." He made no move to introduce the female vampire.

"Thank you," replied Maddie. "We're thrilled you could be here." Insincerity radiated from her. "Italy, huh? Aren't you a little pale for an Italian?" She flashed Aro a cheeky megawatt smile.

"Indeed. I prefer to keep out of the sun." He tapped his cheek. "It keeps my skin in good condition." His eyes did not meet hers, they were instead focussed on a point about 12" below. Aro was openly staring at her breasts. If she didn't like him before, she sure as hell didn't now.

"Excuse me!" Maddie snapped. "My eyes are up here."

Aro looked a little shocked. "I'm so sorry. It's been a while since I've seen such a… pretty girl."

"Ugh!" Maddie did not hide her irritation with him and stomped off. Creepy - assed vampire. How could anyone find him attractive?

Maddie spied Angel in the crowd and gravitated over to her. But Maddie was conscious of being under Aro's roving scrutiny and moved around the room constantly. When she saw him moving closer to her for the third time, she took the decision to head for the ladies' room. She called Jory.

"Aro's here." She whispered.

"What? Don't shake his hand!" The words came out slightly too fast for her to hear first time around. "Don't shake his hand." Jory repeated.

"I did. What's the matter with that?"

"He can collect every thought you've ever had from touching your skin."

"I'm wearing gloves."

"I don't know if can collect them through fabric. Does he look like he knows everything?"

"No, but he's constantly staring at me and keeps working his way over to me."

"I think that's a sign that he hasn't got what he wanted. Don't under any circumstances let him touch your skin. I'll call one of the others. I'm surprised Alice didn't know he was here."

"He's almost stuck to another vampire."

"Ah… Mystery explained. That's Renate. She's a shield. Still, I should let them know."

Maddie returned to the ballroom a little more confident. Despite the inconvenience of Aro turning up, there were several good things about tonight and they were all sat around her table. Angel and her parents were always good people to be with and Maddie's own grandparents were here too. But only for the nice meal and the dancing; they wouldn't be bidding for outrageous weekends on Catalina and sought-after cases of thirty year old Scotch Whisky. Maddie had insisted that her Mom seat all of them together on one table.

Angel was her usual, giggly, fun self. Maddie teased her about Jory's growing fascination with her, comments that Angel strangely batted aside as an irrelevance, where just a few weeks ago she would have been thrilled to know that he was interested in her. Maddie pressed her brother's case.

"He likes you, for sure. You should go out with him, he's lovely."

"Mads, I'm not blind, I know you want him for yourself."

"Absolutely not. I've seen the way he looks at you; he thinks you're a goddess."

"And so he should," replied Angel. "Because I am." She grinned. "Though he is cute, so perhaps another time."

"Another time? Is there somebody I don't know about?"

The fierce blush gave Maddie all the answer she needed.

"Come with me to the Ladies' room." Said Angel.

Maddie followed Angel into the plush bathroom and touched up her make-up. Angel was a vision in pale pink satin, her gleaming gold hair cascaded in set curls over her shoulders. Maddie smiled at the reflection of them two of them. It looked like Princess Barbie was hanging out with a Bratz doll. Maddie's dress was from one of her Mom's favoured new designers and it was doing an impressive job of making her breasts resemble barrage balloons. She'd only realised how exposed she was when it was too late to make a change. Aro's attentions had made her decide that she wouldn't be wearing this dress again. Maddie applied a cloud of Angel-dust-based perfume and layered on a fresh coat of lip gloss.

"I have a boyfriend." Said Angel, matter-of-factly.

"I guessed." Maddie replied. "So I need to tell Jory to back off?"

"For the moment, yes." Angel looked a little worried.

"What's the matter? Something wrong?"

Angel looked uncomfortable. "Not really. Well… perhaps yes. You know how things start out all kind of light and great with a guy, and then all of a sudden you're in over your head and drowning?"

"Not really."

"Oh. Well this is kind of like that. He was awesome at first and now he's just… scary. I can't shake him. He wanted to come to this of all things, but I said no."

"So what's his name?"

"David. David DaGama."

"Not from school?"

"No. He works in Norah's department." Angel didn't look at all happy.

"And you say he's scary?"

"Yeah." Angel inched closer. "Thing is," she whispered. "I don't think he's human."

Maddie couldn't help but give a slightly hysterical laugh.

"I know, right? It's stupid. I mean of course he's human. But he feels… wrong."

The world ground to a halt under her feet.

"Feels wrong, how?" Maddie felt ill. "Like, solid?"

"Yes!" Angel hissed. "Totally solid, like stone. Surely nobody can work out to that extent?"

Maddie's stomach felt like she'd swallowed a bowling ball, as she tried to process the likelihood of Elba employing a vampire. A voice to the side of her interrupted her thoughts, but Maddie kept staring at Angel.

"Excuse me, Miss Williams?"

"Yes?"

"Mr DaGama is outside for you."

"Oh! Thank you. Tell him I'll be right out."

Maddie had a bad feeling about who David DaGama might turn out to be and it felt like she was trying to turn the very Earth as she moved her feet to face the door. The staff member opened it and her worst fears were confirmed. It was Diego.

The staff member held the door open for him and turning her face back to Maddie, she revealed herself to be Dionne. Diego strode in, wearing a well-cut tuxedo and an untied bowtie, artfully draped around his open collared shirt.

"David!" Angel simpered.

"Angel, sweetheart." Crooned Diego.

Maddie had to work hard to stop herself from vomiting.

"I said I'd be right out, you didn't need to come in here." Angel laughed nervously.

"Oh but it's nice and private in here." Diego smiled and turned his attention to Maddie. "And who do we have here?"

As if he didn't know.

"This is my best friend, Maddie Mitchell. She's your boss's daughter."

"I'm pleased to meet you." Diego did not offer his hand. Maddie studied his face. His red irises were obscured by brown contacts and was he darker skinned than she remembered? Perhaps he'd sprayed on some of that coating stuff.

"What are you doing here?" Asked Angel.

"I came to invite you to a party, at my new place downtown, just got it today and wondered if you wanted to come. Nothing special; a few guys, a few girls, a few drinks and some good tunes to well…" Diego bobbed his head. "You know what, to."

"Oh…um."

"Come on baby, you'll enjoy it. I'll have you back here for midnight."

Dionne moved and stood facing Maddie, her face implacable. There was no possible way the two of them could fail to hear or smell the blood pumping around Maddie's body at double speed. Diego was looking at her now, his face almost daring her to dissuade Angel from going and wondering how she'd do that. Maddie didn't know, but she'd have to try. After all, Angel wasn't too wild about the guy and there was a very good reason why she was right not to be.

"I don't think you should go." Maddie said, shocking herself with her confidence.

"Angel considered that. "I think you're right. Another time maybe? Tonight's really important to Helen and Maddie and I'd like to be here to support them. I don't think it would be right to sneak out to another party."

"Hmm…That's what I thought you'd say," said Diego. "So you're coming anyway."

In a flash, Diego was gone and so was Angel. A window to the side of her banged shut and shattered.

"Oh my G…"

Dionne cut her off. "Did you think you could elude us?" Dionne stared at Maddie with irises that went from brown to red, right before her eyes. "Did you think you'd get away with it? While you were busy playing happy families with Daddy, did you ever think about me? Did you ever tell him about me?"

"Yes, I told him about you." Maddie lied. "Where's Diego taken Angel?"

"How the fuck should I know. Forget about her, she's dead. That's your payback for breaking the agreement with whoever that vampire was that you fucked. And I don't believe that you did, because you're still standing. What did Daniel say about me?"

In all the times they'd talked, hadn't mentioned Dionne once, under Edward's orders. "Nothing, really. He's… not interested. He's married now."

"I know that!" Dionne exploded. "I didn't trust you, so I followed you home after school one day and I saw him in the house across the street. How convenient for you that he moved right there. And then I saw her! Tell me what he said about me."

"He said you were a good friend. But he loves Stephanie."

"A good friend? Is that it? After all we did together? We had something. Years before she had him he was mine. She can't have him!" Dionne was getting agitated and Maddie tried her hardest to remain calm, but was failing at that. She had to tell someone about Angel.

"Please, I need to get help for Angel."

Dionne's hand appeared around Maddie's throat and propelled her back until she was pushed up against the wall. "Forget about Angel." She said, enunciating every word. "Diego is thirsty and she's the drink. If you're very lucky, Diego might tell you were he leaves her corpse, then you can take her remains back to Mommy and Daddy."

Maddie began to cry.

Dionne sneered at her. "This is what you get when you fuck with vampires. Now you are one very lucky bitch this evening, because I'm not particularly thirsty, but I could be. So, in return for sparing your miserable life, I want to know where this Stephanie is right now because she's not at home. I know, I checked. There's some more of those hybrid freaks in there. Even weirder freaks than the first one, because these freaks don't smell. Why are there no scent trails around the house?"

"I don't know." She lied, again. "Edward Cullen said he could get you out of here." She clung to something she'd never actually discussed with Edward.

"I don't want to get out of here anymore, I got a promotion, I'm a co-leader now. Diego and I want Daniel back, we're going to run the city and that bitch has what's ours." Dionne tightened her grip on Maddie's neck. "Tell me where she is, the house or the den?"

Maddie's eyes widened in shock, how did she know?

"Oh I can see that you're shocked that I know. I heard the freak show girl talking to someone on screen this evening. So tell me, has Stephanie gone to the house or to the den."

"The den."

"Liar." And just as quickly as Diego had left, Dionne was gone from the bathroom and Maddie slumped to the floor in terror.