They were Jerome’s lieutenant demonesses. Heaven ran its agenda in a haphazard way, but ours was carefully organized. Territory was parceled out to archdemons, who in turn controlled a network of subordinate demons and lesser immortals like me and my friends: succubi, vampires, and imps. Jerome handled the big issues in the area, went to meetings with the demons who were above him, and was in charge of discipline. Grace and Mei handled the minutiae and paperwork and also kept an eye on the far reaches of Jerome’s territory, areas he was too busy for and uninterested in. His full jurisdiction actually stretched along the coast of western Washington, though his base of operation was the Seattle metropolitan area. That was also where most of his staff was located. He only kept an occasional eye on the outskirts and left it to Grace and Mei to keep him apprised of what occurred there.

For whatever reason, the demonesses always wore matching clothing. Today they sported black pantsuits, tailored to a perfect fit. Grace was blond and Mei black-haired, but their hairstyles were also similar: bluntly cut at the chin. Both wore brick-red lipstick.

“Good morning, Georgina,” said Grace.

“We’re here with last-minute instructions,” said Mei.

“Oh, okay.” I was relieved. I’d been afraid Jerome had sent them to find out why I hadn’t already crossed the Canadian border. “You guys want some coffee?”

I offered them something every time they were here, and every time, they refused. So, I was a bit astonished when Grace asked, “What kind?”

“Um . . . Starbucks. Their house blend.”

“No,” replied Grace and Mei in unison.

I shrugged and sat down on the couch. Aubrey had been lying there a minute ago but was nowhere in sight now. She hated these two. Mostly they creeped me out. “Okay,” I asked. “What’s the scoop?”

They remained standing. Mei crossed her arms. “Jerome wants you to understand the situation with Cedric. The two of them have had a . . . disagreement over territorial lines.”

This perked my interest. “Ah. It’s him, then. We’d heard Jerome had something going on with another demon.”

“The two of them had been eyeing each other’s areas,” explained Grace. “In the hopes of expanding their own boundaries into one large Pacific Northwest . . .” She paused thoughtfully.

“. . . empire?” I suggested. She shrugged by way of agreement.

“Something like that,” said Mei. “But eventually, they put the dispute aside and gave up, each settling for their current territories. That’s why Jerome is lending you to Cedric, as a sign of good will.”

I was too intrigued to retort about the degradation of Jerome “lending” me to anyone. “Jerome doesn’t do things out of good will,” I pointed out, recalling his snide remark about altruism last night. “There’s more going on.”

Grace nodded. “Indeed. Jerome suspects that Cedric actually hasn’t given up the struggle and is still plotting against him. Jerome wants you to spy and report back.”