of a limp, and that sweetness that you managed to keep for four billion years. Would you have been as jaded as the rest of us if you weren't trapped in Hell?"
"Probably," Ron admitted.
Luke nodded. "Do you think we'd be together?"
"No," Ron mumbled.
So Luke looked at Bel. "And you wouldn't be you. You never would've learned to fight like you do. The first time your legion faced down angels, it could've gone differently, and all of you'd be sleeping right now instead of standing here. All I'm saying is that she said something the other day. I can't even remember what, but she made a comment about putting things into motion to make Sia. Know what? The first step of that was angels taking slaves. Well, second, because Azrael's kid was a free satyr. But that's my point. If those bad things hadn't happened, Sia never would've been born, and I'm damned glad she's here."
Interesting choice of words, God told him. Now, how do I help?
Bel didn't hesitate. "Protect Sia. So long as she's fine, she can take care of the rest of us. She's the key, and you're God. So that's our deal. You take care of her, and I'll forgive you for years of being eaten alive."
Years. I'd honestly never thought about it before, but as Bel healed, he would've been eaten a little more, like some kind of never-ending buffet. For years! Days of that sounded like inhumane torture, but weeks or months? That would drive a person insane. That he'd lasted for years? Yeah, maybe I needed to reconsider my opinion about God being good.
"Why didn't you stop it?" I asked her.
The chajin? It deserved to eat.
"And he deserved to be eaten?" I shot back.
If you could only save Nick or Luke, which would you pick? she asked. Nick because you knew him first? Luke because you still do not understand him and need more time to learn? How could you have a favorite between them?
"I don't," I told her, ready to snatch her off my shoulder and throw her across the room.
But you forget that I made the chajin too. It was hungry. It found food. Bel was hurting, but he could move. I could not choose, so I left it for them to make their own decisions. I gave all of you free will. For good or not, your decisions are your own. Whether that is to walk into a gas station rather than heading to the next or to drain the life of a human with no control of their body. No one is all good. It is impossible to live without hurting someone else. Every decision always has consequences. To live, Devil, is to take that risk.
"And you're supposed to care for us," I reminded her. "You're God for fuck's sake!"
I am the creator, not the babysitter. You do not get to have both. Either you make your decisions or you have me make them for you. I cannot do both! She grabbed a handful of my hair with one "hand" and the shell of my ear with the other so that she clung to the side of my face. I did not make life to be puppets. I made you to succeed or fail on your own merits. I care. That is a very different thing from doing it for you. I am not your armor or your shield. I am nothing more than an ally, and I cannot live your lives for you.
Which actually made sense. "For good or bad, huh?" I asked, twisting my neck so I could see some part of her on my shoulder.
And I can only create. I cannot destroy. So many times, I have watched, unable to help because I cannot destroy the bad. That is why I need you. You, Sia, are the punisher. The weapon. The way to make all of this better. I designed these worlds so that if they all combined, the resulting life would be nearly my equal in power. I made that choice knowing that you, the Devil, could become a monster. What I'm hoping is that you'll become my friend, and that your soldiers will follow where you lead.
"Your bouncer," Sam said softly.
Bel was nodding. "I like the friend part. God, can you make me talk better?"
She hopped off my shoulder and fluttered over to him, landing on Bel's arm. You, demon, do not need my help to impress your woman. I will not change you because your