She pulled out the new mobile Kester had given her, and flicked open a web browser, searching for “Hugo Modes” to get a refresher on his face. He grinned at the camera, all white teeth, pink lips, and large brown eyes—virtually indistinguishable from the three other mop-haired boys in his band.

Kester had been clear on the plan. She and Zee were supposed to approach Hugo together. Keep a low profile, and stay in the shadows. That part was easy enough. She liked shadows. It was just the whole killing thing that made her uneasy. Hopefully it wouldn’t come down to that. She might be a mortal demon, but she wasn’t a murderer.

Someone rapped on the window, and Ursula jumped. It was Zee, clad in a belted white coat, her breath clouding around her face. Ursula opened the door, stepping into icy air that nipped at her bare legs.

“Zee.” Ursula shut the door behind her. “Thanks for meeting me here.”

The Russian stepped back, surveying Ursula’s black coat and tan heels. “You don’t look as gross as you did before.”

“Thanks.” She hugged herself. “What do you do for Kester, anyway? Are you his employee?” Or do you just do what he says because you fancy him?

“I have certain skills for which Kester pays me. That’s all you need to know. For one thing, I can get us in anywhere.” Her eye makeup shone gold in the tungsten streetlights. “This place is like my second home.” Behind her, gold-plated lettering read Club Lalique.

Ursula’s teeth chattered. “I’m freezing. Shall we get in line?” She stuffed her phone into a small clutch the color of smoke. Wyrm skin, Kester had said. Dragon hide was invisible to normal humans, which made the clutch perfect for what she had to carry into the club.

“Come with me.” Zee looped her arm through Ursula’s, leading her to the front of the line.

“Are we just going to jump the queue?” Ursula whispered. She felt like a tit cutting in front of everyone, and she could feel their angry stares burning into her.

“Of course.”

A ruddy-faced bouncer in a long heavy coat stood behind a red rope. “Good evening, Zemfira.”

Zee smiled. “Just my friend and me tonight.”

The bouncer lifted the rope, then pulled open a black door. It led into a short hallway lined with pale marble tiles, and once she was inside its warmth Ursula’s stiff shoulders began to relax. They walked through a narrow hall to a set of gold-plated doors.

Zee pushed a button, and the doors opened to reveal an elevator’s mirrored interior. They both stepped inside.