God’s shoulder tensed under my palm, but I gripped tighter, cutting her off before she tried to speak. “And I have a proposition for you. One that will restore balance to the Soul Realms, put an immediate end to the famine here in Hell, and place you formally on the throne you are sitting on right now. The throne you have earned.”

The words burned my throat, but a little flattery of my egomaniacal sister would go a long way. At least, I hoped it would.

Hellen’s lips turned cat’s arse, but her eyes lit with interest. “I’m listening.”

I refused to let relief wash over me. This wasn’t over yet.

“You take full control of Hell. I … learned only today that I was spawned by these two …” I tilted my head in the direction of God and then Father, “to restore an equitable balance of souls between the two Realms. And that is what I plan to do.”

Hellen’s nostrils flared, and the wind whipped, but I pushed on. “You get to preside over every soul that enters Hell, and I will ensure that the … deserving ones are always sent here. No more deathbed repentance for wicked humans. Your subjects will be well fed, full of gratitude, and you … well, you will have what you have always worked and waited for.”

“Right.” Hellen sniffed, but the wind eased as she eyed me calculatingly. “Three problems with your little proposal. Firstly, how can I trust you to do the right thing for a kingdom you have so clearly forsaken?”

I opened my mouth to answer, but she held up a hand, air forcing its way into my throat. I coughed, and she continued.

“Second, you seem to have forgotten that I am not a horn-having member of the Lucifer family. It will take more than me simply telling them I am their new ruler for the demons to accept me. And thirdly … what the Home do we do with these two?”

She tail-whipped Father again, who grunted.

“Perhaps I should just be rid of them … at least that one.” God made an odd, strangled sound beside me, and I glanced over, the blood draining from my face to find her going blue, eyes wide, mouth open, but not breathing.

“Do not suffocate her, Hellen!” I warned desperately. “She is your ticket to the Throne!”

Hellen sighed dramatically, but God suddenly sucked in a trembling lungful of air, sagging against me. “Thank you,” she panted.

“Do not thank me,” I muttered, lifting my eyes to Hellen once more. “You must take her and Father … and offer their souls to the Pit demons. In return for their fealty.”

“Simeon, no!” God screeched as Father made a horrid choking sound behind his gag.

Hellen snarled, eyes blazing at God. “You will be silent, or I will take your breath again!” She punctuated her words with a harsh kick to Father’s ribs.