“Can you get me in touch with her?”

Cedric regarded me in amazement. “You’re really going to run with this?”

“I’m not sabotaging you—but I want to find out who is.”

“That’s a lot of work just to take the attention off yourself.”

I simply looked at him, maintaining as determined a look as I could in the hopes that he’d believed me. I also hoped the taboo demons maintained about messing with the employees of other demons would hold. Apparently it did because he said at last, “I’ll show you how to contact her, as pointless as that is.”

I exhaled the breath I’d been holding. “Thank you.”

He shook his head. “But don’t think you’re in the clear. I’m still going to be watching you.”

Chapter 8

Grace called me that night while I was on my way to talk to Isabelle.

“Hello, Georgina. This is Grace.”

I waited patiently for Mei’s complementary greeting. When it didn’t come, I asked in surprise, “It’s just you? Not Mei?”

Grace’s voice, while as flat as usual, held the tiniest puzzled note in it. “Why would Mei be here?”

It apparently hadn’t occurred to her that I had never received a call or a visit from either of them alone. They always functioned as a unit, kind of giving the impression that the fabric of the universe might rip open if they were ever apart. This was as weird as them nearly accepting coffee the other day.

“Never mind. What’s up?”

“Jerome wanted me to tell you that he is . . . pleased.”

“Over what?”

“Over you successfully embarrassing Cedric.”

“But I didn’t—” I bit my lip, suddenly wondering if I should be so quick to deny my involvement. Jerome hadn’t been happy with me recently. While the stupid spectacle at Queen Elizabeth Park had put me on Cedric’s shit list, it might very well take me off Jerome’s and hasten my permanent return to Seattle. I stayed silent.

“He’s glad you took his talk to heart,” Grace continued. “Although, he does wish to remind you that you being sent to Cedric is supposed to be a gesture of good will. So try not to be too efficient. Jerome encourages you to keep up with these small jabs but to remember that you do ultimately want this group undone.”

I sighed. “Noted.”

Grace disconnected. Great. This was all I needed. Jerome thought I was guilty too—of trying to score extra credit with him.

Cedric had told me I could find Isabelle at a jazz club a few miles from my hotel. It was over on a street lined with clubs and bars, and the excitement and energy in the air as I walked toward Isabelle’s hangout was palpable. It was Saturday night, after all, and the streets teemed with humans eager and excited for life and love. I couldn’t see their souls or energy the way an imp like Hugh could, but I didn’t need to. It was apparent in the way they moved and talked and eyed each other for potential hook-ups. Even after my recent tryst, being in this electric atmosphere made me itch for another conquest. I’d have to cruise these clubs once I’d concluded business with Isabelle.