Phoenix Contract: Part Five (Fallen Angel Watchers) by Melissa Thomas

than ten minutes, and this time Aiden failed to enjoy the brief flight. She paid no attention to the scenery or Magnus’ great black wings. Anticipation of the coming confrontation left her rigid with tension.
    Stress took a vigorous toll on her body. The strain of the cumulative events leading up to this moment had left her close to collapse. She ran on pure adrenaline and resolve, and she feared that sooner or later she’d suffer a breakdown from exhaustion. That promise of an end in sight kept her going.
    Magnus set them down on top of one of the city’s countless skyscrapers. The residential building’s roof had been landscaped as a golf green. Atop Astroturf and amongst artificial trees, a circle of stone blocks had been erected. Aiden recognized the arrangement as a recreation of the monolith in Scotland.
    “You’ve got to be kidding!” she exclaimed.
    “You were expecting a hill in Scotland?” Magnus asked. “Or perhaps Mount Armon?”
    Two men emerged from the monolith to greet them. Aiden recognized Guillaume from the vision. The second had brown hair and brown eyes, of average weight and height, and was so unremarkable that his presence barely registered next to Guillaume’s extraordinary beauty. Both wore modern clothing, casual business attire that would’ve been considered fashionable anywhere in the city. They made Magnus look like a relic from the Dark Ages.
    Aiden assumed the second man was the same nameless henchman who’d accompanied Guillaume in Scotland. Of course, it might not have been him, because she hadn’t gotten a look at the henchman’s face. However, there was a natural symmetry to the trio that made Aiden think they’d been together for a very long time.
    “We change with the times, or we wind up dusty relics secluded in ancient mansions,” Guillaume said, his arms spread in a theatrical gesture. “This modern world is one of steel and glass. I can think of no place more apropos.”
    “Actually, I meant the golf course,” Aiden retorted. She moved away from the Frenchman, falling three paces behind Magnus. “Astroturf? How tacky is that?”
    “Ah,” Guillaume sounded nonplussed. “Unfortunately, vegetation wilts in my presence.”
    “Ah,” Aiden intoned. “Charming.”
    The Frenchman directed his attention to Magnus, and Guillaume’s face contorted with distaste. “Magnus, what in Shemyaza’s name happened to you? Your face is hideous! You should go back to hiding behind that hood.”
    “Long story,” Magnus replied. “I brought the girl.”
    Guillaume’s eyes narrowed with suspicion, and he directed a searching look in Aiden’s direction. “So I see, and she’s not exactly kicking and screaming. You have such a winning way with women, Magnus. You really must tell me your secret.”
    “Yeah, he’s a real lady-killer,” Aiden snapped, earning sharp glances from both Magnus and Guillaume. The former scowled, the later smirked.
    “What did you want from me?” Aiden demanded, addressing the Frenchman.
    “When one wishes to steal the throne, it’s always wise to have the crown princess hostage,” Guillaume said.
    “Actually, I’m here to stop you.” Aiden glared at Guillaume with a look that could kill. If only he’d oblige and drop. “This crown princess is nobody’s hostage.”
    “Oh?” Guillaume sounded immensely amused. “You and what army, girl?”
    The Frenchman had a point, but Aiden refused to back down and appear any more foolish than she already felt. Besides, she had a trump card.
    “Him,” she said, indicating Magnus.
    “You charged me with the task of bringing you the girl and the sword. As you can see, I have brought both.” With one smooth motion Magnus unsheathed Acerbitas, drawing the sword from a baldric worn beneath his cloak.
    Aiden shuddered as the sword’s power spilled forth, a cloud of corruption sugar-coated with the sweet siren song of black magic. She had no idea how Magnus withstood the sword’s persuasion, so