“Calm down, Zee.” Ursula sat back on the tile, letting out a long breath. “I asked you to glamour him. Not assault him.”

Zee’s eyes were wild. “What did you do to revive me? I feel like I want to kill something.”

“Epinephrine.”

Zee shook her head. “What is epinephrine?”

I really have no clue. “I think it’s some kind of life-giving hormone. Anyway, it fixed you. Let’s get out of here.”

Scowling, Zee lifted a hand to her cheek. “Did you slap me?”

Ursula shook her head. “Nope. Just an effect of the epinephrine, I think.”

Zee narrowed her eyes before glancing down at her dress. “Whose blood is on my Valentino?”

“Abe. I think he was a shadow demon. He tried to kill us. Look, we need to get out of here. Can you walk?”

Zee slowly stood, smoothing her hair. “I can’t believe that prick ruined my dress.”

Clutching her wyrm-skin purse, Ursula rose, unsteady on her feet. Zee shot her a sharp look before slipping her arm around Ursula’s waist. They staggered into the corridor, and Ursula kept her gaze on the floor, hoping to remain unnoticed. Nothing to see here, folks. Just two chicks in opera gowns, drenched in demon blood.

Chapter 25

Stepping out of the cold winter air, Ursula folded herself into the soft seat of the Bentley like a bird settling onto its nest, and Zee followed, shutting the car door.

Zee clutched her chest, shrinking into the corner. “I don’t feel so good.”

Ursula rubbed her arms, trying to warm herself. “Holy fuck. That was a close call.”

“My heart is racing,” said Zee.

“Are you okay?”

The fae took a deep breath, staring out the window. “I’ll be fine. Where are we going?”

Ursula glanced at the driver. “Take us to my place, please. The Plaza Hotel.” Just as she was letting out a sigh of relief, she realized she wasn’t out of trouble yet. Her target’s soul had been claimed by a shadow demon, and that meant Emerazel would murder her slowly. Dread raced up her spine.

The driver turned on the engine and tried to edge into the stalled traffic.

Outside, the wind beat against the sedan’s windows. Ursula rubbed her temples. “What the hell kind of demon was that? I think I’m in huge trouble.”

Zee didn’t answer, instead staring out her window. But something was wrong with the angle of her neck—she wasn’t moving. Ursula moved closer, touching Zee’s shoulder. The fae’s head slumped to the side; her mouth hung open and her eyelids fluttered.

“Zee!” Ursula gripped Zee’s shoulders. She slapped her cheek again, but this time Zee didn’t wake up—didn’t even flinch.