“We can get so much more from drawing out the process,” I murmured, hating myself for every word I said to get my sister off my back. Every plot that could cause Jemma harm. “Giving the humans hope, then dashing it, then feeding it back to them is a powerful creator of strong emotions. I don’t expect you to understand.”

She rounded on me, eyes blazing. “You think me emotionless?”

I looked away, guilt riddling my stomach.

Hellen grunted. “Fine, whatever, then make me understand! Because the way I see it, you didn’t create a task that she could suffer through and ultimately win. You wilfully abandoned the task when it seemed she had no choice but to lose!”

“If she’d died last night, the contract would have been void, and we would have lost her soul!” I blasted. “I was protecting all the work I’ve done thus far!”

I hoped that Hellen wouldn’t see past my anger to the lie at the heart of my words.

“Pffft!” she scoffed. “She wasn’t going to die! These humans are not as fragile as you seem to think them, Junior!” She turned to pace the floor, her eyes falling on my pile of ruined clothes … and the paperback sticking out of them.

Shit.

The book.

Nerves choked my throat, preventing me from speaking as Hellen bent, lifting the book from the pile. She studied the cover with an unreadable expression.

“Devirginised by the … SJ, are you reading a how-to book on seducing human maidens?”

I snatched it back from her. “I have many intrigues at play. It’s all part of the plan,” I muttered, surreptitiously checking the spine for new cracks, the corners for bends. I’d been given something precious of Jemma’s, and I’d thrown it in the corner because my … feelings … had overwhelmed me.

I didn’t deserve her.

“I see nothing coming of this mysterious plan of yours except you being absent from your own kingdom more and more frequently!” She stormed towards me, spittle flying. “Do you know what I think? I think you might be falling for the pathetic little mortal!”

“I am not!” I raged, but that thrumming in my chest made my words an utter lie.

“Then show me proof that you’re making headway with your schemes, or I’m going to Father with everything I suspect about you!”

I swallowed. If Father believed Hellen’s suspicions … he might turn his own attention Jemma’s way. I could never let that happen. She was in enough danger just from me and my stupidity. If either Hellen or Father decided to take a greater interest …

I had to give Hellen something to get her off my back.

With fingers that shook, I pulled the Soul Token from my pocket, lifting it in front of Hellen’s face. She squinted at the brightness pulsing from it.