“As you requested, Father,” I began, eyeing my sister smugly, “I have been formulating a plan for what I believe will become a cornerstone of the capture of live souls. These trips to their realm have uncovered many, many new vices, and … I believe I can manipulate them to greater potential than before.”

I began pacing, thoroughly invested in my little speech now. I hadn’t been quite ready to present these ideas to Father, but Hellen had to be her usual, petulant self and force my hand.

“What is he talking about, Father?” Hellen demanded, her voice thin. Father clapped a hand over her mouth.

“Let your brother finish. What conclusions have you drawn, Junior?”

I paused. How much detail did I really want to give? I hadn’t even nutted this scheme out with Beezle and Bub properly yet. And I needed to do more scouting before I was certain that I was ready for the trial run.

I needed more time to observe Jemma Bliss.

“I have the bones of a scheme, and I believe I have a potential subject for the trial run,” I replied. “If it proves a success, not only will we be able to, in the short term, feed the demons on the misery of live humans, but we will also be reaping their souls for Hell upon their deaths. Effectively cutting Her out of the deal.”

Father’s face sparked a modicum of interest at the mention of Her.

If you still went up there to reap souls, She wouldn’t be as big an issue, I thought, a pang of bitterness flooding me. If he had continued to do his job as a ruler, instead of turning into a semi-retired hermit, I wouldn’t be in this position, forced to come up with innovative solutions to ensure the kingdom’s survival.

“This sounds promising, Junior. What are the details?”

I pinched my bottom lip, thinking fast. I didn’t want to give away my idea, not before I had trialled it.

“I … would like to further observe the subject and perform my trial run before I present my findings to you … if you are amenable to me continuing to visit the Human Realm, that is …”

Hellen looked sick. Father looked … contemplative.

“How many more trips do you feel you will need?” he asked eventually, rubbing absently at his right horn. “Before you are ready to present your plan to the kingdom …”

I swallowed. Present it to the kingdom? I had no proof that the Soul Token even worked the way it was intended.

“I do not believe I should be presenting anything to the kingdom until we have had at least one fully successful trial,” I said carefully. My hand went to my pocket, where the ever-present Soul Token lay in wait.

“And how long will that take?”